The last year has seen some of the costliest cyber attacks on UK businesses to date. Attacks on Marks &Spencer cost the supermarket chain hundreds of millions in lost profits and led to empty shelves. The Jaguar Land Rover attack sent shockwaves throughout its supply chain, which ultimately dragged down UK GDP in the third quarter.

While the perpetrators of cyber crime often operate across international borders, and beyond the reach of law enforcement, the M&S attack has resulted in several arrests in the UK, under the Computer Misuse Act [CMA] of 1990. With a new Cyber Security and Resilience Act on the way, it might seem UK authorities will soon have greater powers to force organisations to build better defences.

But while the UK government continues to pursue cyber criminals, it also needs to be much clearer about the crucial role of cyber security researchers and ethical hackers in defending against them.

Last week, UK security minister Dan Jarvis told a conference that the government was looking at changes to the CMA to introduce a “statutory defence” for cyber security experts who spot and share vulnerabilities.

It would mean that, as long they meet “certain safeguards”, researchers would be protected from prosecution.

To understand why this is so significant it’s worth recalling the background to the CMA. In the mid-1980s, IT journalist Steve Gold and fellow hacker Robert Schifreen were accused of accessing the Duke of Edinburgh’s BT Prestel email account.

They were prosecuted and convicted under the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act, but this was overturned on appeal, because that act didn’t specifically cover computer crimes.

This led to the CMA which set prison sentences for gaining unauthorised access to computer material.

The date is significant. At that time, most computer systems were tightly-controlled and effectively inaccessible to the majority of the population.

Very few people had a (BT-approved) modem at the time. The web had been developed just a year before. The dot com boom was years in the future, the term cyber war had yet to be coined, and the prospect of industrial level cyber crime barely considered.

The legislators who crafted the CMA can be forgiven for not anticipating the transformation of today’s digital environment, from mobile to cloud to AI. So, it’s perhaps understandable that the act didn’t anticipate the emergence of cyber security researchers, who would look for vulnerabilities and misconfigurations and share that information with the organisations concerned.

Less understandable is why this hasn’t been addressed since. As cyber crime transformed from a small niche into a worldwide epidemic over the last two decades, white hat hackers have been key to exposing and mitigating the methods and technologies cyber criminals have exploited. This has necessarily meant thinking and acting like a hacker.

Yet the CMA, and similar legislation in other countries, have proven to be a blunt instrument when it comes to deterring cyber crime.

It’s fair to point out that the number of prosecutions under the CMA and similar laws has been fairly low. But that is more because of the asymmetric nature of cyber crime: Most threats are coming from individuals beyond the reach of the UK and its allies, who are unlikely to be deterred by the CMA.

This imbalance has only become more stark as vulnerabilities and flaws have been exploited indiscriminately and at internet scale not just by criminals but by nation states willing to compromise critical national infrastructure, foreign businesses and consumers for strategic gains.

It has left researchers, and their potential clients, in a legal grey area. It has, on occasion, led to prosecutions of legitimate good guys.

Meanwhile, that ongoing threat of prosecution has an effect on another group of individuals – the next generation we need to encourage to join the industry. We are already suffering a chronic skills crisis, and the prospect of a criminal record hardly represents a golden hello.

None of this is new. The Criminal Law Reform Network highlighted in 2020 how “the CMA 1990 requires significant reform to make it fit for the 21st century.”  and recommended the addition of required harms. The Home Office began a review of the act in 2021, which concluded in 2023, and did consider the question of a defence for researchers. the addition of required harms.

When the Cyber security and Resiliency Act becomes law in the UK, many more organisations will be obliged to report breaches, and be under more pressure to manage their security posture, including vulnerabilities.

They’re not going to be able to do that without the help of ethical hackers and cyber security researchers, who should be able to operate without fear of prosecution. It’s certainly do-able. Portugal has just announced built in defences for researchers in its implementation of NIS2.

Jarvis’ statement is welcome. But now we need action. We can’t wait another five years for the government to act to give cyber researchers and ethical hackers the cover they need. And we definitely can’t wait another 35.

Ed Parsons is chief operating officer at bug bounty, vulnerability disclosure and penetration testing services provider Intigriti, and a former vice president and cyber professional member association ISC2. A career risk and cyber expert, Parsons is a is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and a UK Chartered Cyber Security Professional.

REI’s Cyber Week sale ends tonight. If you need to restock your backpacking, hiking, biking, camping, outdoor-loving gear quiver, now is a great time to do it. REI Members can use the code CYBER2025 to save an extra 25 percent on REI Outlet items. Below are the best deals on all our favorite tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, pads, cookware, outdoor apparel, and more.

There are also sales at Backcountry and Public Lands, along with some great deals at our favorite cottage industry brands like Six Moon Designs, Zenbivy, Gossamer Gear, and more. Not sure what you need? Check out our many outdoor gear guides.

Updated December 8, 2025: We’ve added new deals from REI’s Cyber Week sale, including some great deals on a Sea to Summit sleeping pad, a Nemo bikepacking tent, and Petzl headlamp, among others. We’ve also removed sold out deals and updated links and prices throughout.

WIRED Featured Deals

Tent Deals

Need a new shelter from the storm? There are more tent deals right now than we usually see this time of year, giving you some great options for not a lot of money. Check out our guides to the best backpacking tents and best car camping tents for more details.

Nemo’s Dagger Osmo line of tents are reasonably light with roomy interiors and have proved very storm-proof in my testing. The three-person version has long been my tent of choice for trips with my kids. Setup is simple thanks to the single main pole design (which forks at each end) with a cross pole in the middle. There are two spacious vestibules for storing gear, and if you leave the rain fly off, the mesh room is excellent for stargazing.

Just to round out the Nemo tent deals, here’s the third flavor of Nemo tents, the Dragonfly on sale. I like the generous amount of mesh at the top of this one, which provides some nice ventilation on warm summer nights and is perfect for falling asleep under the stars when the weather permits. The Osmo fabric continues to live up to the hype, with much less water absorption than pure nylon tents in rainy weather, and there’s a good amount of room for storing all your stuff. The bikepacking version, which has shorter pole lengths, is also on sale.

Photograph: Big Agnes

The Copper Spur UL 2 is currently our top pick for lightweight freestanding backpacking tents, and it’s been a popular choice with readers for years. This is a high-quality, well-designed tent that’s lightweight, easy to set up, and roomy enough to be livable in the backcountry. The “awning” design (with trekking poles or sticks) is a nice extra, and the mix of 15D nylon and 20D ripstop, while it feels fragile, has held up well over time. The 3-person Copper Spur UL 3 is also on sale for $450 ($150 off).

Sea to Summit’s lightweight Alto tent (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is just 3 pounds 3.4 ounces for a surprisingly roomy, semi-freestanding tent. It remains one of the lighter options on the market, and at this price it’s hard to pass up.

MSR’s Groundhog stakes aren’t cheap, but they’re the best tent upgrade you can make, especially for just $20—this is a cheap as I’ve ever seen them. They’re super strong, I’ve never had one bend or pull out on me, and for the strength they’re pretty light. I carry a mix of stakes when backpacking, including 4 of these, some carbon fiber pegs, and some shepherd hooks. That way, no matter what the terrain I’ve got something that’ll work.

Merino Wool and Outdoor Apparel Deals

I live in merino wool these days. Actually, I don’t even care of its merino anymore, wool is just that good. See our guide to the best merino wool clothing, and best merino wool t-shirts for more wool goodness.

Photograph: Scott Gilbertson

Icebreaker’s 200 Oasis base layer is a 200-gsm base layer. This is about what most of us call a mid-weight base layer, making it a good choice for everything from cool weather hiking in the fall or spring, to skiing in the front country. The 100 percent merino fibers here are not quite as soft at the Smartwool above, but they’re equally good at regulating body temperature and wicking away moisture. This is also the fastest drying merino top in our base layers guide.

There are tons of neck gators out there, but this is my favorite (I actually have the slightly longer version, but this is close). Like most things merino it puzzles me how this keeps me warm in the winter, and keeps the sun off my neck in the summer without making me overheat. Somehow it manages this. These make great gifts for your outdoorsy friends too.

Photograph: REI

Our favorite bargain three-season puffer jacket, the REI 650 down jacket isn’t as warm as the Magma above, but it’s hard to argue with this price. If you need a cheap, packable jacket for those cold summits or stargazing on chilly nights, this is the jacket to get. The stitched-through baffles mean this one isn’t as warm and is more susceptible to wind, but at this price, it’s worth buying.

Initially I did not like the idea of a down vest. If it’s cold enough to need a down jacket, my arms are probably cold too right? But then I moved somewhere cold (Why? I don’t know, but I did) and realized there is an infinite variety of shades when it comes to cold. For some shades of cold, the vest is the right move. Pair it with a good base layer, maybe even a hoodie, and you have something that’s warm, but leaves your arms free to swing an ax or whatever you might be doing.

When the weather gets down well below freezing, and the wind makes your cheeks burn, this is the jacket I turn to. With a base layer at the bottom, a wool sweater over that, then this jacket, I was toasty warm walking in the early morning chill of winter (usually –10 Fahrenheit in January). The shell is lightweight (20D) Pertex ripstop nylon that’s nicely windproof and water-resistant. For some reason, only the women’s jacket is on sale.

Photograph: Scott Gilbertson

Merrell’s Vapor Glove shoes have been a perennial favorite at WIRED, topping our Barefoot Shoes guide for years. They’re quite thin (6mm stack height) and plenty flexible, allowing your feet to bend and shape to the terrain. That said, the Vapor Glove (and the Trail Glove as well) do not have the extra wide footbox you’ll find in some barefoot shoes. I find the ankle and arch fit to be spot on, but I do wish they had a wider toe box so my toes could spread out more.

I have worn the women’s version of this shoe for years and years. Altra is the best running shoe if you want a shoe that has a barefoot feel (zero heel to toe drop, big toebox) but retains traction and protection against rocks and prickers. —Adrienne So

Deals on Ebikes

Photograph: Stephanie Pearson

REI makes some great, reasonably priced commuter bikes. Even better the company will build them in-house and offers a year of free adjustments. This is great deal on our favorite commuter, with a Class 3 motor (pedal assist up to 28 mph) on a step-through frame.

Cannondale’s Adventure Neo line (8/10, WIRED Recommends) has a 250-watt Bafang motor with a Bafang sensor and a thumb throttle, which makes it a class 2 ebike (it tops out at 20 mph assist). It’s not the most powerful bike we’ve tested, but it features reliable components from Shimano and Bosch along with great shocks and a suspension seat post.

We’ve tried several Aventon models and appreciate the high level of quality for a relatively low price point (the accessories are better than Lectric’s, too). This fat-tire ebike (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is affordable, versatile, and has built-in commuter essentials. We also like the Soltera.2 and the Abound, both of which are on sale.

Backpack Deals

Photograph: Scott Gilbertson

Mystery Ranch’s Coulee 30 pack is everything you need in a great hiking day pack. The 30L capacity and 2.7 pound weight (men’s L/XL) mean this is not a pack for those looking to travel light, but when I need to carry lunch, rain jackets, and other hiking gear for my family of five, no daypack I’ve tested handles the load better than the Coulee 30. The suspension is cushy and provides a comfortable carry even with heavy loads. Mystery Ranch’s Signature Y-shaped zippers offer easy access to all your gear, and there are five externally accessible pockets for things you want close at hand.

Mystery Ranch’s take on a lightweight multiday backpack, the Radix 47 is not ultralight (it weighs 3.5 lbs), but it has a fantastic suspension system. It’s become my go-to for trips where I am hauling a lot of gear, AKA, backpacking with my kids (I would suggest the Radix 47 is comfortable with loads of 25 to 35lbs, though Mystery Ranch rates it higher). The Robic Ripstop fabric has proved very durable in my testing, and I like the hybrid approach here, taking some features of ultralight packs and marrying them with a traditional pack frame and suspension system.

Photograph: Scott Gilbertson

If I were going to live out of a single bag—traveling the world for the rest of my life—this is the bag I would bring. The GR2 is a gear-hauling monster with a ton of built-in organization options. This deal is on the 40L version, which I think is the perfect size for #onebag travel. It still manages to qualify as a carry-on bag for US flights (you may have trouble with that overseas though). The 34L waxed canvas version is also on sale for $340 ($115 off). And yes, it can double as a rucker, though there are better options if that’s your main use case. See below.

This deal is only on a couple of colors, and only the X-Pac fabric, but this is the cheapest we’ve seen the GR1 go for in quite some time. The GoRuck GR1 (7/10, WIRED Review) is the pack that launched the company, and it’s still the best and most versatile of the GoRuck lineup. This deal is on the smaller 21L pack, which I think is the perfect size for rucking, everyday carry, and weekend trips. I have lived out of the 21L bag (with a shoulder bag for my camera gear) during a weeklong trip. It was a squeeze, but it worked. The 21L GR1 is deceptively large and always seems to swallow more gear than I think it can.

If rucking is your thing, this is the GoRuck to get. It’s very close to the GR1 in size, layout, and fabric options, but the Rucker adds more handles, one on each side. The handles are so that the Rucker can be used as a weight (or kettlebell) in workouts. The interior has a Ruck Plate pocket for holding weight (the 20L version can handle up to 3-pound plates while the 25L can do up to 45-pound plates). The interior pockets are the same as the GR1, but instead of zippers, you get Velcro closures.

Photograph: Adrienne SoPhotograph: Adrienne So

Nemo’s Resolve is a great pack that incorporates a low-waste footprint into the design. It uses solution-dyed fabrics, and eschews straps and buckles in favor of bungees and pull-tabs. This does make adjusting it fussier, but once you’re used to it and have the fit dialed in, it’s not an issue. The Resolve is a comfortable pack. While technically frameless, it feels like it has some structure. and it sits nice and high on your back. At 1 pound, 15 ounces, it’s also pretty light.

Osprey has been making Talon packs since 2007. This model is the smaller cousin to the 33L version in our guide to the best day-hiking packs. Made of 100-denier high-tenacity nylon (Bluesign-approved), the Talon is a durable, but reasonably lightweight (2 pounds, 1 ounce for the S/M size) pack. The dual zippered panel-loading design makes getting to your stuff a snap, and there are plenty of extra pockets inside and outside to help you stash all your gear.

Once upon a time, in galaxy far, far away, I traveled around southeast Asia with an early version of this Osprey pack, living out of it for almost a year. It stood up well to the abuse of overland travel—more than once, I watched a bus driver tie it to the roof of a bus by cinching it down with a rope, pulling with all his weight right down the middle of my pack, like a cheese cutter. The Farpoint survived, and my gear inside did as well thanks in part to the thickly padded sides which provide considerable extra cushioning.

Camping and Backpacking Deals

Photograph: Scott Gilbertson

A favorite of ultralight hikers, backpackers, bikers, and travelers, the Sawyer Squeeze filter is the gold standard in water filters for anyone concerned about weight and universal compatibility. The Squeeze weighs just 3 ounces, has a filtration level of 0.1 microns (which gets rid E. coli, salmonella, giardia, cryptosporidium, and other common problems), and claims to filter 100,000 gallons of water before it needs replacing. The Squeeze also connects to any 28-mm diameter soda bottle (your basic 20-ounce Coke bottle, for example), which means you never have to worry about damaging a bottle, since a replacement can be easily found anywhere in the world.

The argument in favor of the Lifestraw is that it’s extremely small, cheap, light, and it works. The problem is that no one wants to put their face near dirty water sources that you definitely shouldn’t drink from straight. Actually that doesn’t bother me nearly so much as the fact that you can’t use it to filter water for cooking. Still, as a personal water filter for emergencies, it’s a decent backup option to have in your kit.

Helinox’s chair zero was one of the originators of the backpacking chair market, and it’s still a triumph of lightweight engineering. Despite having a 265-pound weight capacity, the Helinox Chair Zero weighs a mere pound and packs down smaller than a water bottle. I like the Nemo above a little better for the included base pad, which keeps the legs from sinking into soft ground, but this is considerably cheaper.

Courtesy of Sea to Summit

I’ve noticed that, when trying to lighten their load with a smaller, lighter backpack, people then struggle to fit all their gear. The answer for sleeping bags and clothing is this compression stuff sack, which smashes anything soft down to about half the size of the same item in a regular stuff sack. This works well with sleeping bags and clothing, especially puffer jackets, but also fleece and merino wool.

The Petzl Tikka is the best headlamp you can buy. I’ve had the same Petzl Tikka for 14 years, and it’s still going strong. The Tikka is not the brightest, topping out at 450 lumens, but it’s plenty of light to cook by in the backcountry. There are three light modes: bright, brighter, and brightest. There’s also a red light mode to retain some of your night vision. The Tikka runs on three AAA batteries (we recommend Panasonic Eneloop rechargeable batteries), and lasts over 5.5 hours.

The Wingman has 14 tools built into it, including the most useful thing a multitool can have for hiking and camping: needle-nose pliers. The multitool violates the generally sound Unix principle of do one thing and do it well, but they’re a nice fall back to keep in your kit should you forget the better, more specialized too.

Stove and Camp Cooking Deals

Photograph: Scott Gilbertson

My favorite stove for actually cooking real food in the backcountry, the Firebox Nano is a titanium (or steel, but I highly recommend titanium) shell that you can fit with an alcohol burner like the Trangia Spirit burner, or an isobutane burner. You can also use wood to cook directly over flames the way your ancestors did, and you should. For backpacking, with its frequent and pesky burn bans, the Firebox Gas Burner with its diffusion plate is hands down the best backcountry cooking system. It won’t win you any prizes at the next /r/Ultralight get-together (the Firebox Nano on its own weighs 4.25 ounces for the titanium version), but you could be eating some delicious food in the backcountry.

The Stash is our favorite all-in-one backcountry cook system. The heat diffuser design is what speeds up boil times (Jetboil claims 2.5 minutes, which I was only able to match indoor in still air), but the real appeal here to me is the way this kit all packs down into itself. For weekend trips, this is the simplest system I’ve tested when it comes to cooking for two.

Photograph: Scott Gilbertson

Our favorite way to avoid those green propane bottles is this propane growler. The Ignik Deluxe is a 1.2-pound propane tank with a nice padded/insulated sleeve and a handy strap for carrying. It makes your camp setup look much nicer than a bare tank. It also saves your shins during those inevitable run-ins with cold hard steel that come from lugging around a big propane tank. This size is the equivalent of five green propane bottles.

Hiking Tech and Fitness Deals

Photograph: Kieran Alger

This is a good deal on Garmin’s most popular satellite messenger, but we always like to add the caveat that not everyone needs one. If you frequently hike alone, or do a lot of high alpine hiking and climbing, it’s probably worth carrying. As with any satellite messenger, you will have to subscribe to a safety plan, in addition to buying the device itself. If you only go on one or two big trips a year, you might want to consider a personal locator beacon (PLB) instead.

The Instinct 3 is our favorite Garmin watch and this deal makes the solar version the same price as the regular. The Instinct line has all the backcountry functionality of the Fenix watches but it’s much cheaper. This latest model includes a built-in flashlight and a metal-reinforced bezel with a scratch-resistant display and built to the durable MIL-STD 810 standard, meaning that’s undergone heavy thermal and shock resistance tests.

GoPro’s Hero 13 Black is our favorite GoPro for recording all your outdoor adventures. It has an interchangeable lens system to offer many more shooting options than other action cameras (in fairness Insta360 just added lenses to its Ace Pro 2, but we haven’t had a chance to try those yet). In addition to the standard wide angle action camera lens you can also invest in an Ultra Wide ($100), Macro ($120), and Anamorphic ($150) lens. All of these are automatically detected by the Hero 13 the minute you attach them. The camera will automatically adjust settings to match the lens and let you get back to what you were doing. It’s lots of fun and video quality is excellent.

These are our all-around favorite 8 x 42 binoculars. With the M5 Nikon has struck a nice balance between optical power, quality, and price. The roof prism design includes phase coatings and ED glass (Extra Low Dispersion Glass). The multi-coated glass cuts down on chromatic aberrations (distortion or color fringing sometimes seen around objects in bright sunlight), and the Monarch M5s give nice, bright views with very little distortion, making them excellent birding binoculars. The eyepieces have large (21 mm) eye lenses and they’re deeply recessed in the eye cups, which allows for nearly a full field of view even when wearing glasses. They’re also light enough that they can hang around your neck all day without bothering you too much.

Sleeping Bag and Quilt Deals

Photograph: Scott Gilbertson

Zenbivy is having a site-wide sale on some of our favorite backcountry sleeping bags. I’ve highlighted the Light Bed because it’s my favorite Zenbivy. If you haven’t tried sleeping on a Zenbivy, you’re in for a treat. This is not your typical sleeping bag, not even your typical quilt system. Zenbivy’s bed is combination of a quilt (I prefer the convertible quilt, which comes completely apart, but there’s also a version with a footbox if you prefer) and a sheet. The two parts clip together to prevent drafts and give you the feeling of sleeping at home in your bed, or at least as close to that as you’re likely to get in a tent. Note that to get the deal you’ll need to sign up for the mailing list to get a code.

Mountain Hardware’s Bishop Pass offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any lightweight sleeping bag we’ve tested. It also manages to pack down small and not be too expensive. It isn’t perfect, but it strikes the best compromise for most backpackers, being warm enough for the shoulder seasons and light enough (2 pounds and 5.4 ounces) that you won’t mind it even when you barely need it in the summer. The 0-degree version is also on sale for $266 (89 off).

Nemo’s Forte 35 is a 35-degree (comfort rated) synthetic-fill sleeping bag, making it a good choice for summer. It’s our favorite synthetic bag. What I like most about this bag, and nearly all of Nemo’s sleeping bags, is the wider cut through the torso area down to the knees. This bag is almost a hybrid of a mummy bag and your father’s good old 1970s square sleeping bag. Which is to say, this bag is roomy.

It’s no longer our top pick for side sleepers, but the Questar remains a good option for those who want more room. It uses what Therm-a-Rest calls W.A.R.M. fit, which stands for “with additional room for multiple” positions. Indeed, this bag is very roomy for a mummy design. I was able to draw my legs up when side-sleeping and spread out considerably more than with most of the other sleeping bags I’ve tested.

Sea to Summit’s Ether Light XT is a 4-inch thick ultralight sleeping pad—the ever-popular Therm-a-rest X-Lite is only 3—making it the best ultralight option for side sleepers. I also like the baffle design better than the Therm-a-rest as well, and it seems to be a little more durable. Note that this is an REI Outlet deal; the XT has been replaced by a newer model, but that also means REI members can take an extra 25 percent off the price.

Closed-cell-foam pads like the Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite Sol are a must-have. They weigh next to nothing (10 ounces for the small), fold up small enough to lash to the outside of any pack, and double as a chair, extra padding on cold nights, table, you name it. I am too old and too soft to be the sort of ultra-minimalist who gets by with just a Z-Lite, but I still have one around on almost every trip I take.

Think of a Rumpl blanket as if your sleeping bag had a baby with the coziest lap blanket that your grandma knitted for you. They’re made from DWR-treated ripstop polyester, so they’re sturdy, durable, and resist getting soaked or stained. But they’re also soft and warm enough to fall asleep under on the couch, and they come in a wide variety of colors and patterns (unfortunately only a couple patterns are on sale right now). —Adrienne So

Paddleboard and Kayak Deals

Photograph: Scott Gilbertson

Sure it’s odd to be buying a paddleboard in November, when there’s possibly snow on the ground (there is at my house), but a deal is a deal, and this is a good deal on one of our favorite Bote paddleboards. This large, stable SUP is great for beginners, it tracks well and despite the stability it’s surprisingly nimble and easy to steer. If you go all-in on the accessories you can end up with a two-in-one kayak/SUP hybrid, which makes it more versatile.

The Isle Switch 3 is by far my favorite inflatable that I have tested. Do you want to paddle out in glassy, still water and lie on your belly with your dog and watch fish? Then it’s a big, solid, stable paddleboard with a grippy, soft surface perfect for puppy paws. Is there a bit of a breeze and you want to put the full force of your paddling muscles in play? Slip the hooks into the eyes and tighten the straps to put on a big, comfy seat and foot brace. (I used mine as a seat for the kids behind me.) Even the paddle converts from an SUP paddle to a kayak paddle. I can’t believe I’ve never tried one of these before. This deal includes a free electric pump. —Adrienne So

I have never actually tried one of Oru’s folding kayaks, but my editor and fellow gear tester Adrienne So loves them. The Inlet is one of Oru’s beginner models, but with room to grow as you you get more comfortable with it. It’s light and fast, and folds origami-style into a box that’s 42″ x 10″ x 18″, a bit like an oversized briefcase and still plenty small enough to fit a couple in your trunk. It weighs just 20 pounds and can hold one person up to 6’2″, 275 pounds.

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Despite the Grip’s smaller size, JBL pegs battery life on both speakers at the same 14-hour maximum. On the Grip at least, that might be overpromising. When I ran the speaker at 50% volume continuously, I only got about 10.5 hours. Using JBL’s PlayTime Boost mode could help if you really need to eke out a few more songs.

The familial similarities continue with the Grip’s ability to withstand the elements. Like the Flip 7, it’s rated IP68, making it effectively dust and waterproof. They’re both shockproof, and yet the Grip is arguably more durable since both ends are solid silicone rubber. The Flip’s ends are passive radiators, which could be permanently damaged by a sharp object. Just keep in mind that while the Grip won’t be bothered by immersion in water, it doesn’t float. So if you toss it in the pool, someone will be diving in to retrieve it.

The one difference between these siblings (other than size, power, and the Grip’s built-in light show) is orientation. While the Flip 7 can be used vertically or horizontally, the Grip is designed for vertical use only. Not that there’s anything stopping you from laying it down — the built-in loop will keep it from rolling too far. But the controls are positioned for easier access when standing up, and the rear LED panel will end up partially obscured if the speaker is sideways.

Lava Lamp

Speaking of that LED panel, it’s a fun add-on, but don’t expect it to light up your get-together. There are four colors to choose from (purple, red, an icy-blue, and a vibrant blue) controlled by the JBL Portables app, and five display modes: four that animate and one that’s static. At full brightness, it can’t compete with a well-lit room, and outdoors, you’ll definitely have to keep your expectations in check. Still, in a darkened room, with the Grip near a corner or wall, it can create a subtle mood. Unfortunately, the four animated modes (Bounce, Trim, Switch, and Neon) don’t sync to your music, so the effect is more lava lamp than disco light. If you want a beat-coordinated light show, consider the excellent Tribit StormBox Mini+ ($40), which has a top-mounted LED ring with this feature.

The one thing about the LED panel that perplexes me is its placement: it’s on the “rear” of the speaker. If you can see the light show, it means the Grip’s single racetrack driver is facing away from you. It’s not a massive difference in sound quality, but it’s noticeable, especially in the upper midranges and highs, which lose some of their clarity.