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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

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 Backpacking Quilts of 2026
A backpacker wrapped up in the Enlightened Equipment Revelation sleeping quilt while sitting on a rocky slab overlooking bare granite mountains across the valley

Best Backpacking Quilts of 2026

Last Updated: February 22, 2026
From the deep forests of the coastal Pacific Northwest to Arizona’s desert and beyond, we’ve vetted the best backpacking quilts to keep you cozy no matter the climate.
10 Best Hiking Leggings & Tights of 2026
two people sitting on a log, one in blue leggings and one in pastel pink leggings. close-up on just the bottom half. person wearing pink leggings is touching the fabric

10 Best Hiking Leggings & Tights of 2026

Last Updated: February 22, 2026
Whether hiking to the summit or strolling your neighborhood trails with your dog during any season, our gear testers stretched the limits of the best hiking leggings on the market. Check out our list of products designed for women that provide all the features, fit, and durability you need on the trail.
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: February 22, 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.
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

Last Updated: February 21, 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 Hiking Boots for Men of 2026
Knee-down view of a hiker walking a ridge in the Cascade Mountains in the Men's Salomon Quest 4 GTX hiking boots

Best Hiking Boots for Men of 2026

Last Updated: February 21, 2026
Hiking boots deliver crucial ankle support and cushioning for tough trails, but not all boots are created equal. Here are the favorites we’ve tested and reviewed.
Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2026

Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2026

Last Updated: February 18, 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 Instant Coffee for Backpacking of 2026
An image of 12 different instant coffee brands staged on a rock

Best Instant Coffee for Backpacking of 2026

Published: February 17, 2026
Skip the sludge with our freshly-brewed guide to the best instant coffees. These are our top picks for frosty mornings and early summit attempts.
Best Vegan & Vegetarian Backpacking Meals of 2026
GOOD TO-GO - Mexican Quinoa Bowl

Best Vegan & Vegetarian Backpacking Meals of 2026

Last Updated: February 16, 2026
We’ve been trail testing vegetarian and vegan backpacking meals for decades and our guide has everything from classic staples like the best mac n cheese to flavorful curries and new entrees on the market.
Best Camping Lanterns of 2026
Nine lanterns- the LE 1000LM LED lantern, Black Diamond Moji, GoalZero Lighthouse 600, GoalZero Lighthouse Micro Flash, LuminAid String Light, Coleman Rugged Rechargeable, BioLite AlpenGlow 500, LuminAid Packlite Max 2-in-1, and LightUpCamp LED Solar Powered Foldable Camping Light- sit beside each other on a rock. The last remaining daylight illuminates the peaks of mountains in the background.

Best Camping Lanterns of 2026

Last Updated: February 15, 2026
When daylight fades, don’t fumble in the dark. Whether you need a lantern that’s bright, tough, or tricked out, these are the best of the best to keep the good times glowing after dark.
Best Hiking Gaiters of 2026
A closeup of hikng giaters with a mountainous background.

Best Hiking Gaiters of 2026

Last Updated: February 15, 2026
Tired of rocks in your shoes? We put the best gaiters on the market toe-to-toe with gravel, mud, and rain. Find out which models keep your feet protected, dry, and happy.
Best Sun Hats for Hiking of 2026
A woman looks out at mountain peaks in the distance in front of a lake, wearing her sun hat.

Best Sun Hats for Hiking of 2026

Last Updated: February 14, 2026
Our guide to sun hats has you covered (literally). From paddleboarding at the lake to backyard hangs, see why these hats are the best of the best for comfort, protection, and more.
Best Bear Canisters for Backpacking of 2026
a yellow bear canister sits next to a fire pit with mountains in the background

Best Bear Canisters for Backpacking of 2026

Last Updated: February 14, 2026
Proper food storage is essential in bear country, so we’ve broken down every option to help you choose the best system for your next adventure.
How To Wash A Rain Jacket and Pants

How To Wash A Rain Jacket and Pants

Last Updated: February 11, 2026
All rain gear eventually needs some TLC – and maybe more often than you think. This guides walks you through the steps for successfully retreating your gear when…
Best Backpacking Freeze Dried & Dehydrated Meals of 2026
GOOD TO-GO – Thai Curry

Best Backpacking Freeze Dried & Dehydrated Meals of 2026

Last Updated: February 10, 2026
Freeze dried and dehydrated meals are the easiest way to get a flavorful and nourishing meal in the backcountry. Some are better than others when it comes to taste and texture, so we share our reviews here so you don’t have a sad meal in the woods.
Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2026
a hiker blowing air into a sleeping pad pump sack

Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2026

Last Updated: February 5, 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…
Trinity Alps Wilderness Backpacking Guide

Trinity Alps Wilderness Backpacking Guide

Last Updated: February 3, 2026
If you’re looking for an off-the-radar backpacking route in NW California, check out our guide to the Trinity Alps Wilderness.
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