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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 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

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 top-performing backpacking tents on the market through the wringer to find the best balance of comfort, weight, ease of use, and more. Find your new home-away-from home with our guide.
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 Hiking Socks of 2026
Closeup of a hiker's feet in the Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew socks and Salomon X Ultra shoes on the rim of the Grand Canyon

Best Hiking Socks of 2026

Last Updated: April 15, 2026
Keep blisters at bay with the perfect pair of well-cushioned hiking socks. Check out our top picks to pamper your feet on your next backpacking adventure.
Women’s Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Low GTX Review
Closeup of hiking shoes while standing on a log.

Women’s Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Low GTX Review

Last Updated: April 15, 2026
This hiking shoe is a standout choice for rugged adventures thanks to great cushioning, protection, and long-term durability.
Best Headlamps of 2026
A backpacker reading a map in his tent at night using the Black Diamond Spot headlamps

Best Headlamps of 2026

Last Updated: April 14, 2026
We’ve trail-tested over 40 of the most promising headlamps on long night hikes, family camping trips, and pre-dawn climbs – so you don’t have to.
Best Hiking Shoes for Women of 2026
A person sitting on an overlook with a beautiful scene in the background, with a focus on her hiking shoes.

Best Hiking Shoes for Women of 2026

Last Updated: April 14, 2026
We’ve logged countless miles on trail to find the best hiking shoes for different hiking styles, foot shapes, and weather. Lace up and get outside with our guide to footwear for happy feet.
Women’s Salomon X Ultra 5 Low Review
A woman cinches up her hiking shoe.

Women’s Salomon X Ultra 5 Low Review

Last Updated: April 14, 2026
This is an excellent all-around pick for a comfy, durable, high-performance, and lightweight trail shoe that excels in any terrain.
Women’s Altra Olympus 6 Review
A woman walks across a mossy log.

Women’s Altra Olympus 6 Review

Last Updated: April 14, 2026
This shoe offers reliable protection, durability, and comfort over long distances – surpassing the popular Lone Peaks in these metrics.
Women’s Hoka Speedgoat 7 Review
Side profile of a pair of Hoka shoes.

Women’s Hoka Speedgoat 7 Review

Published: April 14, 2026
The newest version of this shoe offers an impressive upgrade in performance, including improved comfort, responsiveness, and grip.
Women’s Saucony Peregrine 16 Review
A woman adjusts the tongue on her shoe.

Women’s Saucony Peregrine 16 Review

Last Updated: April 13, 2026
This lightweight, grippy, and breathable shoe provides well-rounded performance for trail runners and hikers alike.
Best Rain Jackets of 2026
A man smiles while wearing a rain jacket in the alpine.

Best Rain Jackets of 2026

Last Updated: April 10, 2026
From drizzles to downpours, we’ve got your back. Our team of seasoned hikers weathered the storm to find the best rain jackets for performance and protection.
Best Hiking Sandals for Women of 2026
Our tester wearing the Earth Runner Alpha sandals on a hike.

Best Hiking Sandals for Women of 2026

Last Updated: April 10, 2026
Whether you’re heading out for a paddle or setting off on a grand hiking adventure, your perfect pair of sandals is on our list.
Best Baby Backpack Carriers for Hiking of 2026
10 baby backpack carriers lineup up in front of a wood pile with pine trees in the background.

Best Baby Backpack Carriers for Hiking of 2026

Last Updated: April 10, 2026
Explore the top baby backpack carriers ideal for hiking and outdoor adventures. We have evaluated the leading models based on comfort, durability, features, and value to identify the best options tailored to each unique requirement.
Nitecore NB Air Power Bank Review
Closeup of the NB Air sitting on a rock charging a Nitecore headlamp. There is a pinion-juniper forest in the background.

Nitecore NB Air Power Bank Review

Published: April 10, 2026
This compact, ultralight power bank is ideal for overnight trips, delivering fast recharging, excellent portability, and just enough power for quick top-offs on the trail.
Nitecore NB10000 Gen4 Power Bank Review
Closeup of the Nitecore NB10000 sitting on leaves on the ground.

Nitecore NB10000 Gen4 Power Bank Review

Published: April 10, 2026
Ultralight and highly efficient, this compact power bank delivers fast charging, excellent portability, and thoughtful features, making it a favorite for backpackers who want dependable power at minimal weight.
Norrona Trollveggen GORE-TEX Pro Light Review
A rear view of a hiking reclining on a mountain ridge at 12,000 feet in the Norrona trollveggen waterproof jacket

Norrona Trollveggen GORE-TEX Pro Light Review

Published: April 10, 2026
If you’re a guide or beast-mode hiker needing the most rugged, PFAS-free, GORE-TEX shell for high-altitude adventures, the Norrona trollveggen Pro Light may be the best investment.
Best Power Banks for Backpacking of 2026
The Iniu 20000 PD power bank sitting on a granite slab while charging a rechargeable Biolite headlamp with the Wallowa Mountains at sunset in the background

Best Power Banks for Backpacking of 2026

Last Updated: April 9, 2026
Supercharge your backcountry adventures with our guide to the most portable, dependable, and lightweight power banks out there.
FLEXTAIL Zero Power 10000 Power Bank Review 
Close up of a hand holding the Flextail up to the camera. There is a pinion-juniper forest and canyon in the background.

FLEXTAIL Zero Power 10000 Power Bank Review 

Published: April 9, 2026
Lightweight, compact, and impressively efficient, this ultralight power bank delivers reliable charging without adding much weight or bulk to your pack.
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