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Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail 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 2026
backpacker pouring water into bowl outdoors

Best Backpacking Meals & Food of 2026

Our guide to the best backpacking meals and tips will help you fill your belly and fuel your hikes while out backpacking, camping, and thru-hiking.
Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2026

Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2026

From lightweight thru-hiking packs to heavy-load haulers, these are the backpacking backpacks we trust after extensive field testing and more than 100,000 collective trail miles.
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 top-performing backpacking tents on the market through the wringer to find the best balance of comfort, weight, weather protection, ease of use, and durability.
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 top backpacking sleeping bags cover ultralight thru-hiking, cold-weather trips, roomy side-sleeper designs, synthetic wet-weather options, and genuinely affordable beginner picks.
Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2026
A hiker pumps with the msr guardian filter. the pre filter is submerged in murky water and a nalgene bottle is attached to the bottom of the filter.

Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2026

Our favorite backpacking water filters and purifiers, chosen for real-world usability, source conditions, long-term performance, and weight.

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

Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2026
A hiker pumps with the msr guardian filter. the pre filter is submerged in murky water and a nalgene bottle is attached to the bottom of the filter.

Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2026

Last Updated: October 16, 2026
Our favorite backpacking water filters and purifiers, chosen for real-world usability, source conditions, long-term performance, and weight.
Best Camping Pillows of 2026
Camp pillows stacked on a sleeping pad from thickest (left) to thinnest (right) with rugged mountains in the background

Best Camping Pillows of 2026

Last Updated: October 16, 2026
Our 13 favorite pillows range from tiny inflatables to plush foam cushions, with clear recommendations for different sleep styles, budgets, and pack-weight priorities.
Zpacks Vertice Rain Jacket Review
a hiker with their hood up in a forest in the rain.

Zpacks Vertice Rain Jacket Review

Last Updated: October 15, 2026
Extremely low weight and useful coverage appeal to long-distance backpackers, while thin fabric and missing pockets are real compromises.
Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket Review
A closeup of the front of a rain jacket.

Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket Review

Last Updated: October 15, 2026
Minimal weight is the draw for emergency rain protection; a lack of vents limits its usefulness during strenuous wet-weather hiking.
Best Rain Jackets of 2026
A man smiles while wearing a rain jacket in the alpine.

Best Rain Jackets of 2026

Last Updated: October 15, 2026
Our field-tested rain jacket picks balance rain protection, comfort, ventilation, durability, weight, and price for different trails and conditions.
REI Rainier Rain Jacket Review
A closeup of the front of a rain jacket.

REI Rainier Rain Jacket Review

Last Updated: October 15, 2026
A budget-friendly shell offers thoughtful features for short hikes but wets out during extended heavy rain and can run large.
Outdoor Research Foray 3L / Aspire 3L Rain Jacket Review
A man stands in front of a yellow meadow with fall foliage.

Outdoor Research Foray 3L / Aspire 3L Rain Jacket Review

Last Updated: October 15, 2026
Extra-long torso vents make this a strong choice for hikers who overheat in wet weather, but the fit and weight are worth checking.
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket Review
A man walks through wet vegetation

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket Review

Last Updated: October 15, 2026
A durable three-layer shell with a long record in heavy rain is an outstanding all-around value, provided you can accept a bulkier, warmer fit.
Montbell Versalite Rain Jacket Review
A man wearing a running vest runs through fall colors

Montbell Versalite Rain Jacket Review

Last Updated: October 15, 2026
A remarkably light, vented shell works well for backpackers who count ounces and can take extra care of thin fabric.
Arc’teryx Beta SL Rain Jacket Review
A man hikes though a riany forest wearing a black rain jacket.

Arc’teryx Beta SL Rain Jacket Review

Last Updated: October 15, 2026
Exceptional protection and durable hardware justify the premium price for serious wet-weather trips, though its roomy, crinkly shell isn’t an ultralight option.
NEMO Fillo Elite Wide Ultralight Pillow Review
A side sleeper's neck is clearly crooked on the NEMO Fillo Elite Luxury pillow

NEMO Fillo Elite Wide Ultralight Pillow Review

Last Updated: October 15, 2026
Extra width and a gentle sleeping surface for lightweight back sleepers, with less height than ergonomic rivals.
NEMO Fillo Pillow Review
Close up of NEMO Fillo camp pillow with mountains blurred in the background

NEMO Fillo Pillow Review

Last Updated: October 15, 2026
Foam softness meets inflatable support in a versatile hybrid that’s bulky for long-distance backpacking.
Trekology Aluft Pro Pillow Review
Close up of Trekology Aluft Pro pillow with mountains in the background

Trekology Aluft Pro Pillow Review

Last Updated: October 15, 2026
A budget backpacking option with smart features, though its sculpted shape doesn’t suit every neck.
Sea to Summit Aeros Down Pillow Review
Close up of the Aeros Down Pillow under our male tester's head in the Pecos Wilderness.

Sea to Summit Aeros Down Pillow Review

Last Updated: October 15, 2026
Feathery weight and a softer down-topped feel, best for hikers willing to trade broad neck coverage for pack space.
HEST Camp Pillow Review
HEST camp pillow on a rock with mountains in the backgroun

HEST Camp Pillow Review

Last Updated: October 15, 2026
An exceptionally plush campground upgrade for campers willing to spend more and carry a pound-plus pillow.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Stuff Sack Pillow Review
The partially transparent Hyperlite Stuff Sack Pillow shows a puffy jacket stuffed inside

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Stuff Sack Pillow Review

Last Updated: October 15, 2026
A multipurpose storage-and-sleep accessory for committed ultralighters, not a reliably supportive traditional pillow.
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