Home > Backpacking

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.

Popular Content

Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2024
A backpacker holding the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite in Yosemite National Park

Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2024

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 2024
A hiker eating from a titanium backpacking pot in a lush, green forest

Best Backpacking Meals & Food of 2024

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 2024

Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2024

Our team of seasoned backcountry experts hiked thousands of miles using the best backpacking packs on the market to narrow down this list of…
Best Backpacking Tents of 2024
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 2024

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 2024
A backpacker sitting on a rock in the REI Magma 30 sleeping bag at sunset

Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2024

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 2024
Closeup of the Sawyer Squeeze water filter in front of an alpine lake

Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2024

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

Zendure Super Mini 10000 Power Bank Review
Close up of a backpack side pocket with one hand placing the Zendure and a cell phone into the pocket and the other holding the zipper. There are trees in the background.

Zendure Super Mini 10000 Power Bank Review

This lightweight, ultra-portable power bank delivers solid performance and durability, though its features and efficiency are better suited for shorter trips.
UGREEN 145W Power Bank Review
A hiker has their back to the camera while taking a photo. The phone is hooked up to the UGREEN charger in the back pocket of the pack. There are trees and a mountain lake in the background.

UGREEN 145W Power Bank Review

A literal powerhouse designed for large electronics, with a 140W output and 25,000 mAh capacity. Its digital display and pass-through charging add convenience, but the trade-offs include added weight, bulk, and expense.
Anker PowerCore Slim 10000 Power bank Review
The Anker and a phone sit in front of a tent in the woods.

Anker PowerCore Slim 10000 Power bank Review

A straightforward, durable design that lives up to its reputation as a dependable option for budget-conscious users. While it lacks pass-through charging and takes longer to recharge, its sturdy build and reliability make it a trustworthy power bank for hikers needing a compact 10,000 mAh power bank.
BioLite Charge 80 PD Power Bank Review
Close up of the BioLite power bank charging a phone and the Garmin Inreach while sitting on some pine needles.

BioLite Charge 80 PD Power Bank Review

Designed for backcountry conditions, this power bank stands out for its durability. Its bulkier size and weight might be a drawback for those prioritizing portability.
Miady AS-TPB21 Power Bank Review
The Miady and a phone sit in front of a tent in the woods.

Miady AS-TPB21 Power Bank Review

A great pick for budget-conscious hikers, this power bank handles cold weather well and is surprisingly durable. It’s not the lightest or fastest to recharge, but it gets the job done without straining your wallet.
Goal Zero Flip 24 Power Bank Review
Close up of the Goal Zero power bank charging a phone while sitting on some pine needles.

Goal Zero Flip 24 Power Bank Review

A pocket-sized power bank for your next adventure. Lightweight, durable, and easy to carry, this power bank is great for short trips, though its recharge speed and capacity might leave you wanting more for longer outings.
Big Agnes Zoom UL Insulated Sleeping Pad Review
A man stands in front of a lake and mountains holding an orange inflatable mattress.

Big Agnes Zoom UL Insulated Sleeping Pad Review

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better pad in this price range. This rectangular sleeping pad is plenty warm for most three-season adventures, and its compact, ultralight design will help keep your pack and back happy.
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Tent Review

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Tent Review

Combining lightweight design with exceptional comfort and weather protection, this tent is livable and easy to love.
Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Sleeping Pad Review
In a large field with trees in the background, a man holds an inflatable grey sleeping pad.

Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Sleeping Pad Review

You’ll fall asleep and wake up thinking you’re at home in your bed with how cushy this sleeping pad is. This new model incorporates the comfortable “air sprung cells” that erases uneven ground and the lofty 4-inch thickness prevents bottoming out.
NEMO Switchback Sleeping Pad Review
A man holds an orange mat in a grassy area in the woods.

NEMO Switchback Sleeping Pad Review

A closed-cell pad can’t be any lighters, simpler and faster for softening the ground you sleep upon. Use for warm seasons, or pair with an air pad for winter camping.
Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Sleeping Pad Review
A man stands holding a yellow and grey foam sleeping pad, showcasing the pattern and accordion-style packed size.

Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Sleeping Pad Review

CleverHiker founder Dave Collins relied on this pad while thru-hiking the PCT. Affordable, indestructable, and lightweight, its a great option for hard sleepers or anyone who’s going for an ultralight backpacking set-up, or will be winter camping.
Klymit Static V2 Sleeping Pad Review
A woman relaxes inside a tent, sitting on a green inflatable sleeping pad. Trees are visible through the tent.

Klymit Static V2 Sleeping Pad Review

This air pad is your affortable ticket into “oh sleeping on the ground isn’t that bad!” Perfect for new backpackers looking for a light sleeping pad on summer trips.
Best Backpacking Tents of 2024
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 2024

We put the most promising backpacking tents on the market through the wringer to find the ones with the best balance of comfort, weight…
REI Helix Insulated Air Sleeping Pad Review
A woman is lying on an inflatable mattress on the grass on a sunny day.

REI Helix Insulated Air Sleeping Pad Review

This air pad a great option for backpackers who sleep on their backs and tend to camp in colder temps. Plus the price won’t make you lose any sleep at night.
Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad Review
A man stands in the woods holding a red inflatable air pad.

Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad Review

Big Agnes designed a pad that sets up easily, deflates quickly, insulates the cold ground, is soft and cushy, and takes a good old fashioned backcountry beating.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite Sleeping Pad Review

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite Sleeping Pad Review

We absolutely love how light, compact, quiet, and comfortable the Therm-a-Rest UberLite is. This is the pad you’ll find in our packs for all our summer outings. The main question to ask yourself with this pad is: how often do you backpack in sub-freezing temps? If the answer is rarely, this might be the perfect pad for you.
1 2 3 25