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Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides

We hope to inspire adventure and promote wilderness conservation through in-depth gear reviews, skill-based tutorials, and comprehensive trip guides.

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Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2026
a hiker blowing air into a sleeping pad pump sack

Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2026

Whether you’re looking for inflatable or foam, ultralight or ultra-plush, we’ll help you get a great night’s sleep in the backcountry with our trail-tested picks…
Best Backpacking Meals & Food of 2025
A hiker eating from a titanium backpacking pot in a lush, green forest

Best Backpacking Meals & Food of 2025

Backpacking Food Meal planning is one of the most important considerations for any backpacking trip. The food you choose will depend on taste preference, nutritional value, caloric density of each meal, and how easy it is to cook. Some hikers bring dehydrated meals because they’re quick and easy. Others prepare DIY dinner recipes and use […]
Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2025

Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2025

Whether you’re looking to tackle a thru hike or haul some serious gear, we’ve got backpack recommendations for every type of adventure.
Best Backpacking Tents of 2026
The NEMO Hornet OSMO 2 and Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 backpacking tents pitched in a campsite surrounded by granite peaks in the Sawtooth Mountains

Best Backpacking Tents of 2026

We put the most promising backpacking tents on the market through the wringer to find the ones with the best balance of comfort, weight…
Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2026
A man sits up in a sleeping bag with the hood over his head. He is smiling and looking off camera.

Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2026

Our list of trail-tested backpacking sleeping bags will help you find a cozy sack for everything from summer summits to winter wanderings
Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2026
Closeup of the Sawyer Squeeze water filter in front of an alpine lake

Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2026

We’ve filtered out the nonsense to bring you our purest recommendations of the best water filters around.

All Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides Content

Best Winter Jackets for Women of 2026
a woman zipping the fjallraven nuuk

Best Winter Jackets for Women of 2026

Last Updated: December 27, 2025
We tested this year’s finest winter jackets and parkas in Colorado, Montana, and British Columbia to find the most stylish, toasty, and windproof layers for taking on driving snow, wintery mixes, and sub-zero temperatures.
Mountain Hardwear Mineral King All-Season Tent Review
A person sitting at the open doorway of the tent in snowy conditions, pulling a large backpack into the vestibule while wearing winter boots and a warm jacket.

Mountain Hardwear Mineral King All-Season Tent Review

Published: December 26, 2025
This is a winter-ready tent with burly fabrics and a proven layout, creating an approachable, high-value option for winter and shoulder-season adventures.
Mountain Hardwear Trango 2 Four-Season Tent Review
The Mountain Hardwear Trango2 4-season tent covered in snow on a winter camping trip

Mountain Hardwear Trango 2 Four-Season Tent Review

Published: December 24, 2025
A rugged, storm-ready shelter built for harsh winter conditions, this tent delivers excellent durability and dependable weather protection. Ideal for demanding adventures where strength and security matter most.
The North Face Mountain 25 Four-Season Tent Review
The North Face Mountain 25 with its vestibule door open, revealing the yellow inner tent and a snow-covered campsite around it.

The North Face Mountain 25 Four-Season Tent Review

Published: December 24, 2025
A rugged, expedition-ready 4-season tent built for harsh alpine conditions, offering outstanding strength, improved ventilation, and long-term durability for serious winter use, though its heavy weight limits versatility.
10 Tips for Hiking & Backpacking in the Rain
A person is standing in a mountain meadow on a rainy day wearing a soaked pair of the Dynama pants.

10 Tips for Hiking & Backpacking in the Rain

Last Updated: December 22, 2025
There’s no doubt that rainy and cold conditions add an element of challenge to getting outside. Our tips will keep you happy and dry.
Best 4-Season Tents of 2025
The Samaya 2.0 tent pitched on snow with evergreen trees and panoramic views of rugged mountain peaks in the background.

Best 4-Season Tents of 2025

Last Updated: December 22, 2025
The fun doesn’t stop when snow starts to fall. All of our top-rated winter tent picks are trail-tested in the mountains so you can find a trustworthy shelter for 4-season adventuring.
Best Winter Boots for Women of 2025
All the boots we tested are lined up on top of the snow with mountains in the background.

Best Winter Boots for Women of 2025

Last Updated: December 20, 2025
We’ve braved the winter chill to find top-notch boots that blend function with fashion. These winter wonders will keep you stomping away with confidence.
Best Winter Boots for Men of 2025
A closeup of the leather of winter hiking boots.

Best Winter Boots for Men of 2025

Last Updated: December 20, 2025
We’ve covered hundreds of miles on and off trail to bring you the best winter boots available – from heavy-duty options to some closer to insulated running shoes.
10 Best Winter Gloves of 2026
A man shows the palms of his gloves.

10 Best Winter Gloves of 2026

Last Updated: December 15, 2025
From snow and slush to icy water, we’ve dunked our hands and hiked mile after mile to find which gloves will keep your hands the warmest no matter what winter throws at you.
Men’s Paka Apu Parka Review
A man snowshoes through a winter landscape with mountains in the background.

Men’s Paka Apu Parka Review

Published: December 10, 2025
This jacket combines alpaca and synthetic insulation with dependable weather protection, offering warm, breathable comfort and trustworthy performance for active use in cold winter conditions.
Men’s Arc’teryx Atom SV Review
A person in a green jacket and yellow gloves stands in a snowy yard holding firewood, surrounded by snow-covered trees.

Men’s Arc’teryx Atom SV Review

Published: December 10, 2025
Lightweight yet warm, this alpine-focused jacket excels in cold, fast-moving missions, offering exceptional comfort, breathability, and packability for demanding mountain pursuits and backcountry adventures.
Men’s Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka Review
A man stands on a snowy hill overlooking the ocean at sunset.

Men’s Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka Review

Published: December 9, 2025
This versatile 3-in-1 jacket combines warmth, waterproof protection, and everyday style, making it a dependable choice for city commutes and cold-weather adventures alike.
100+ Best Gifts for Hikers: Expert-Tested
CleverHiker Gift Guide Hero Image - Winter 2

100+ Best Gifts for Hikers: Expert-Tested

Last Updated: December 8, 2025
From socks to sleeping bags, we’ve got every adventure covered in this year’s outdoor gift guide. Check out our top-notch gear picks for hikers, backpackers, and weekend warriors, with something for every budget.
Best Winter Jackets for Men of 2025
A man with a backpack wearing a red REI Stormhenge winter jacket in a snowy scene

Best Winter Jackets for Men of 2025

Last Updated: December 8, 2025
We’ve taken the guesswork out of finding the best jackets to bundle up in and keep you warm and dry this winter season.
Mountain Hardware Stretch Ozonic Rain Pants Review
Scrambling on some rock in the Mountain Hardware Stretch Ozonic rain pants.

Mountain Hardware Stretch Ozonic Rain Pants Review

Published: December 5, 2025
Full-featured rain pants with thigh-length side zips, comfortable fabric, elastic waistband, all in a package made with recycled fabrics.
Arc’teryx Beta Rain Pants Review
Demonstrating the full length side zips on the Arc'teryx Beta Pants.

Arc’teryx Beta Rain Pants Review

Published: December 4, 2025
Rain pants with full-length thigh thigh zips, a three-layered GORE-TEX construction, and adjustable ankle cuffs for maximum protection and durability.
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