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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 2025
a hiker blowing air into a sleeping pad pump sack

Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2025

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 2025
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 2025

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 2025
A backpacker sitting on a rock in the REI Magma 30 sleeping bag at sunset

Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2025

From summer summits to winter wanderings, our trail-tested list of the best backpacking sleeping bags will keep you warm and cozy in…
Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2025
Closeup of the Sawyer Squeeze water filter in front of an alpine lake

Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2025

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

Toaks Titanium 750 mL Backpacking Cookware Review
Closeup of a hand holding the TOAKS Titanium 750ml backpacking pot in front of granite mountains in Yosemite National Park

Toaks Titanium 750 mL Backpacking Cookware Review

This simple titanium pot is perfect for the ultralight thru-hiker. It takes up minimal pack space, boils water efficiently, and only weighs 4.1 oz!
Stanley Adventure Nesting Two Cup Cookset Review

Stanley Adventure Nesting Two Cup Cookset Review

This rugged cookset has two insulated mugs and a stainless steel pot and it’s not priced like it’s fine china. Stay cozy in winter conditions with its thoughtful features and superior heat retention.
MSR Trail Mini Solo Backpacking Cookset Review
A hiker crouches and cooks with the trail mini solo on a backpacking stove with a mountainous background.

MSR Trail Mini Solo Backpacking Cookset Review

This fully-featured cook pot is durable, practical, and easy to use. Backpackers of all levels and styles will appreciate its myriad of handy add-ons.
Patagonia Airshed Pro Review
A man puts on the hood of a windbreaker.

Patagonia Airshed Pro Review

This ultralight, breathable, and wind-resistant layer is perfect for high-output activities like trail runs and mountain hikes.
Vargo Bot One Liter Backpacking Cookware Review
A hiker screws off the led to a titanium backpacking pot with rocks in the background.

Vargo Bot One Liter Backpacking Cookware Review

With this pot’s durable titanium construction and screw-on lid, you’ll never have to choose between cold-soaking or a hot meal ever again. This cookpot is stove-compatible and completely watertight.
ARC’TERYX Squamish Jacket Review
A man walks along an alpine ridge wearing a windbreaker.

ARC’TERYX Squamish Jacket Review

It’s packable, breathable, and built to perform, designed for hikers, climbers, and recreators needing quick wind protection. Whether on the trail or scaling peaks, it’s your go-to for lightweight protection.
Black Diamond Alpine Start Jacket Review
A man ice skates wearing a blue jacket

Black Diamond Alpine Start Jacket Review

Built for alpine adventures, this jacket offers ultralight, weather-resistant protection that packs down into its chest pocket.
Cotopaxi Teca Windbreaker Review
A closeup of the logo of a windbreaker.

Cotopaxi Teca Windbreaker Review

Made from repurposed materials, this jacket is lightweight, packable, and perfect for fending off wind during your adventures.
Enlightened Equipment Copperfield Review
A man wears a windbreaker standing over a mountain view.

Enlightened Equipment Copperfield Review

Coming in at whisper lite 2.3 ounces, gram counters, and base weight watches will rejoice at this ultra-light layer for their next windy weather outing.
Montbell Tachyon Hooded Jacket Review
A closeup of the front of a windbreaker backlit by the sun.

Montbell Tachyon Hooded Jacket Review

Ultralight and soft on the skin, this jacket is the perfect windbreaker for anyone who counts every ounce in their backpack.
Ortovox Windbreaker Review
A man stands in front of a snowy canyon view.

Ortovox Windbreaker Review

Lightweight, breathable, and wind-resistant, this jacket combines durable materials with the natural warmth of merino wool to make a high-performing layer.
Patagonia Houdini Jacket Review
A man ice skates wearing a red jacket.

Patagonia Houdini Jacket Review

Stay outside longer with this versatile and breathable layer – perfect for any adventure.
Rab Vital Jacket Review
A man hikes downhill in front of a mountain vista.

Rab Vital Jacket Review

With a durable water-repellent finish and versatile design, this jacket is your go-to layer for hiking, climbing, or everyday wear.
Best Windbreaker Jackets of 2025
A backpacker wearing the Black Diamond Alpine Start Windbreaker while hiking in Glacier National Park in June

Best Windbreaker Jackets of 2025

From windy summits to chilly days on the trail, a windbreaker can be a vital piece of gear to keep you comfortable and happy on all your adventures.
Women’s Astral Webber Hiking Sandal Review
Our tester wearing the Astral Webber sandals on a hike.

Women’s Astral Webber Hiking Sandal Review

After weeks of testing, we found these hiking sandals to be best for light outdoor activities, including river floats, beach days, running errands around town, and walking the dog.
Best Tent Stakes of 2025
A backpacker's hand holding a set of Vargo Titanium Shepherds Hook tent stakes in his hand with a NEMO tent in the background

Best Tent Stakes of 2025

Though they seem trivial, tent stakes are vital to keeping your shelter secure – a sudden midnight storm will quickly remind you how crucial they really are.
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