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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 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: March 14, 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.
Ultralight Backpacking Gear: Packing List Under 10 lbs
a hiker stands on a log next to a pond with a yellow backpack on her back

Ultralight Backpacking Gear: Packing List Under 10 lbs

Published: March 13, 2026
This ultralight backpacking gear list will keep you moving fast on trail comfortable in camp. Putting together a base weight under 10 pounds has never been easier.
Best Down Jackets of 2026
Front view of a person smiling while wearing the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody with the hood fully zipped, standing in a snowy landscape with trees in the background.

Best Down Jackets of 2026

Last Updated: March 12, 2026
Down for an adventure? It’s time to layer up! Stay warm, cozy and comfy from city sidewalks to snowy slopes with our guide to the best puffy jackets for men and women.
Best Backpacking Stoves of 2026
The MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe backpacking stove in front of a jagged mountain with red bands

Best Backpacking Stoves of 2026

Last Updated: March 11, 2026
We’ve spent years cooking up this list of the best backpacking stoves around so backcountry chefs and Cup Noodle connoisseurs can find their perfect match.
Best Backpacking Chairs of 2026
A man relaxes with his legs out and hands behind his head on a small backpacking chair.

Best Backpacking Chairs of 2026

Last Updated: March 10, 2026
Whether you see them as a luxury or a necessity, the best backpacking chairs make campsites more comfortable. These 11 chairs are worth the weight.
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: March 10, 2026
Every year we round up the best women’s hiking shoes and test them in the mountains to bring you a complete review of which are most comfortable, durable, supportive, and trail-worthy.
Best Trekking Poles of 2026
A female backpacker hiking up to the top of a red, rocky mountain pass in Glacier National Park using the REI Flash Carbon trekking poles

Best Trekking Poles of 2026

Last Updated: March 9, 2026
We’ve rigorously tested these trekking poles over thousands of miles to find the sturdiest and most lightweight options. Get more stability on tough terrain…
Best Rain Jackets of 2026
A man smiles while wearing a rain jacket in the alpine.

Best Rain Jackets of 2026

Last Updated: March 9, 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.
FlipFuel Fuel Transfer Device Review
A closeup of the bleed valve on the Flipfuel.

FlipFuel Fuel Transfer Device Review

Published: March 5, 2026
Stop hauling around half-empty fuel canisters. Quickly refill and balance out your partially used canister before your next trip with a simple, efficient transfer solution that saves both fuel and money.
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: March 2, 2026
Our guide to the best backpacking and camping pillows walks you through our favorites from brands like Therm-a-rest, Trekology, NEMO, HEST, and more.
Best Hiking Pants for Women 2026
A person is standing on a rock and holding the Distance Carbon trekking poles. The area is rocky with some trees surrounding the wash. There are some rocky, desert peaks in the distance.

Best Hiking Pants for Women 2026

Last Updated: March 2, 2026
From comfort to durability, we tested a variety of hiking pants to find the best options for every adventure. Discover which pants offer the perfect balance of value, mobility, and performance.
Best Hiking Shorts for Men of 2026
Waist-down view of a hiker standing on a rocky trail in the men's Patagonia Quandary hiking shorts

Best Hiking Shorts for Men of 2026

Last Updated: February 28, 2026
Discover your new favorite trail-ready hiking shorts from Patagonia, PrAna, REI, and more. Our experts bring you tailored suggestions for the best in comfort, durability, and style from trail to town.
Best Rain Pants of 2026
A hiker sitting on a mossy old growth log in the Outdoor Research Helium Rain Pants

Best Rain Pants of 2026

Last Updated: February 26, 2026
We’ve trekked thousands of miles in drizzles, downpours and snow to find the most protective, versatile, and comfy rain pants out there. Any weather is hiking weather with the right gear!
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

Last Updated: February 24, 2026
We’ve filtered out the nonsense to bring you our purest recommendations of the best water filters around.
Best Hiking Pants for Men of 2026
A backpacker standing in front of a lake in the men's Kuhl Deceptr hiking pants

Best Hiking Pants for Men of 2026

Last Updated: February 24, 2026
Whether you need to crush big days in comfort or blaze your own path through the backcountry, these are the best pants for hiking, backpacking, and big adventures.
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

Last Updated: February 24, 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…
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