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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 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.
Coast Contra Pocket Knife Review
Coast Contra knife stuck blade-first into fresh snow with snowy forest in the background.

Coast Contra Pocket Knife Review

Published: June 23, 2026
A slim, all-steel entry-level everyday carry knife that arrives sharp, opens smoothly, and fits just about any pocket.
Best Fleece Jackets of 2026
A woman unzips the chest pocket on her fleece.

Best Fleece Jackets of 2026

Last Updated: June 22, 2026
From mountain summits to town, these fleece jackets are our top picks for men and women to layer up for any season, trail, or trip.
Rab Evolute Hoody Review
Woman stands in boxier jacket

Rab Evolute Hoody Review

Published: June 22, 2026
This lightweight, full-zip fleece jacket features an innovative layering of insulation and jersey fabric to create a durable hoody with incredible heat-retention properties.
Men’s Patagonia Strider Pro Shorts Review
A man stands on a summit with mountain vistas.

Men’s Patagonia Strider Pro Shorts Review

Published: June 18, 2026
These shorts are made for those who value breathability and weight savings for all: perfect for the thru-hiker or dedicated fast-and-light enthusiast.
Marmot AirFleece Performance Full-Zip Hoody Review
Woman shows fleece jacket laying flat underneath a pack.

Marmot AirFleece Performance Full-Zip Hoody Review

Published: June 18, 2026
The Marmot AirFleece Performance Full-Zip Hoody delivers a variety of features in a lightweight, warm, and durable jacket.
Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Half Zip Review
Woman laughs while posing in jacket

Mountain Hardwear Summit Grid Half Zip Review

Published: June 18, 2026
This flattering fleece is a midweight jacket with well-designed features, such as a large hood, kangaroo pockets, and a deep zipper.
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