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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
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

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 Camp Shoes of 2026
a woman wears Merrell Hydro Moc by a creek

Best Camp Shoes of 2026

Last Updated: July 2, 2026
Our list of the best camp shoes includes only the most comfortable and capable crowd-pleasers, from minimalist sandals to winter-ready down booties. Treat your feet to something nice.
Chaco Z/Cloud Sandal Review
A woman in purple socks pulls the tab on her sandals to tighten the straps to her feet.

Chaco Z/Cloud Sandal Review

Published: July 2, 2026
This sandal is a standout adventure companion that’s supportive, comfortable, and long-lasting – great for hiking, lounging at camp, or spending time by the water.
Birkenstock Arizona Essentials EVA Sandal Review
A woman sits with her feet against a branch.

Birkenstock Arizona Essentials EVA Sandal Review

Published: July 2, 2026
Lightweight, supportive, and comfortable, this classic sandal exceeded our expectations for the price. Though it (probably) won’t summit Mount Whitney, there’s no reason it can’t be hanging off your pack for use at camp.
LUNA Sandals Leadville Pacer Review
A pair of black sandals sits on a rock.

LUNA Sandals Leadville Pacer Review

Published: July 2, 2026
This ultralight sandal grips like no other. It’s lightweight, low-profile, and sticky enough to wear on the trail or by the water.
Teva ReEmber Terrain Slip On Review
A woman slips on a pair of slippers on top of a blue blanket.

Teva ReEmber Terrain Slip On Review

Published: July 2, 2026
Highly comfortable, warm, and easy to sink into at camp or at home, this outdoor slipper is a standout for casual outdoor adventures.
Best Dog Backpacks of 2026
A dog wearing the Ruffwear Approach backpack in front of a snowy lake and marbled mountain peaks

Best Dog Backpacks of 2026

Last Updated: June 30, 2026
Who doesn’t want their dog to join them on the trail? These dog backpacks allow your four-legged friend to pull their weight on hikes ranging from day trips to backcountry adventures.
Best Camping & Backpacking Coffee Makers of 2026
Closeup of the GSI Outdoors Ultralight Java Drip brewing coffee into an ultralight backpacking cup on a volcanic rock

Best Camping & Backpacking Coffee Makers of 2026

Last Updated: June 26, 2026
From ultralight pour-overs to one-pot espresso makers, we tested dozens of camp coffee makers so you can find the perfect brew method for your next adventure.
nCamp Cafe Coffee Maker Review
A coffee maker disassembled to show the nesting mug and stainless steel brewer components side by side on a tree stump.

nCamp Cafe Coffee Maker Review

Published: June 26, 2026
For coffee lovers who refuse to settle at camp, this Moka pot-inspired, all-in-one design brews cafe-quality espresso in a stainless steel package barely bigger than a water bottle – nested mug included.
Alpine Mountain Gear Stainless Steel Percolator Review
A coffee percolator brewing on a camp stove in an outdoor trailer kitchen setup.

Alpine Mountain Gear Stainless Steel Percolator Review

Published: June 26, 2026
A classic stainless steel percolator done right: no plastic, no fuss, and enough capacity to keep an entire group caffeinated from the first morning to the last.
Hydro Flask Insulated French Press Coffee Maker Review
A French press sitting on a camp table with its light gray handle and powder-coated body visible.

Hydro Flask Insulated French Press Coffee Maker Review

Published: June 26, 2026
An insulated French press built around Hydro Flask’s signature stainless steel quality, this double-wall, vacuum-insulated design keeps your brew at drinking temperature long after the first cup.
Benchmade Mini Griptilian Pocket Knife Review
Benchmade Mini Griptilian 556 open in hand outdoors with wet ground and light snow around the campsite.

Benchmade Mini Griptilian Pocket Knife Review

Published: June 25, 2026
One of the most trusted names in everyday carry, now in our lineup after months of daily testing across beaches, rivers, boxes, and everything in between. It held up just fine.
Kershaw Bel Air Pocket Knife Review
Kershaw Bel Air closed and resting in an open palm to show compact carry size and handle shape.

Kershaw Bel Air Pocket Knife Review

Published: June 25, 2026
A USA-made folding knife with premium MagnaCut blade steel and buttery smooth action that raises the bar for what you should expect in an everyday carry at this price point.
Best Water Bottles of 2026
Blue and black HydraPak Flux water bottles fitted with Katadyn BeFree Water Filters in front of the clear-blue McKenzie River

Best Water Bottles of 2026

Last Updated: June 23, 2026
Whether you’re hoofing it on a multi-day trek or running errands around town, staying hydrated is critical. Our recommendations will point you to the best water bottle for keeping your thirst at bay.
Best Pocket Knives of 2026
Six pocket knives are laid out on a wooden background with blades open to show blade length and shape.

Best Pocket Knives of 2026

Last Updated: June 23, 2026
Whether you need a lightweight everyday carry or a burly blade for the backcountry, our tested and ranked picks cover every budget and blade type.
Igneous NOBO Water Bottle Review
A water bottle sits on a rock with a forest in the background.

Igneous NOBO Water Bottle Review

Published: June 23, 2026
Designed with thru-hikers in mind, this lightweight water bottle is practical, flexible, and durable – proving that ultralight doesn’t have to be flimsy or single-use.
Cnoc Outdoors ThruBottle 1000 Water Bottle Review
A close up of an open water bottle.

Cnoc Outdoors ThruBottle 1000 Water Bottle Review

Published: June 23, 2026
Easy on the budget and pack weight, this water bottle is a thru-hiker’s dream- thanks to its ergonomic build and ultralight design.
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