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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 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

Timberline Trail Backpacking Guide

Timberline Trail Backpacking Guide

Last Updated: September 21, 2026
The Timberline Trail is one of Oregon’s most iconic and scenic trails – and a fantastic way to experience the immense size and beauty of Mount Hood.
Three Sisters Loop Backpacking Guide

Three Sisters Loop Backpacking Guide

Last Updated: September 21, 2026
This 50-mile backpacking loop in Oregon’s Cascade Range has it all, from stunning peaks to pristine lakes, old-growth forests, and peaceful wildflower meadows.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm NXT Sleeping Pad Review

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm NXT Sleeping Pad Review

Last Updated: September 21, 2026
Exceptionally warm for its weight and tougher than most inflatable pads, this is our go-to choice for winter backpacking, cold sleepers, and trips where frozen ground is part of the plan.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Review
A man stands outdoors, holding a large yellow sleeping pad, with forest and mountains in the background.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Review

Last Updated: September 21, 2026
This pad remains one of the best sleeping pads we’ve tested for backpackers who want to keep weight low without giving up much warmth, comfort, or durability.
Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Insulated Sleeping Pad Review
a hiker stands in the woods and holds up a gray sleeping pad.

Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Insulated Sleeping Pad Review

Last Updated: September 21, 2026
A thick, soft, body-conforming sleeping surface makes this a strong choice for backpackers who prioritize comfort and durability over ultralight weight.
Lake O’Hara Hiking and Camping Guide
view of mountains and lakes below

Lake O’Hara Hiking and Camping Guide

Last Updated: September 21, 2026
The immense beauty and grandeur of the Canadian Rockies is best enjoyed in the Lake O’Hara backcountry.
Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad Review
A man stands in the woods holding a red inflatable air pad.

Big Agnes Rapide SL Insulated Sleeping Pad Review

Last Updated: September 21, 2026
A thick, cradled sleeping surface makes this a strong comfort-first choice for three-season backpackers who don’t mind carrying a bit more weight.
Big Agnes Divide Insulated Backpacking Sleeping Pad Review
a hiker holds a yellow sleeping pad in a forest

Big Agnes Divide Insulated Backpacking Sleeping Pad Review

Last Updated: September 21, 2026
A durable, warm, and comfortable three-season option for backpackers who want strong all-around performance without paying premium-pad prices.
Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft Backpacking Sleeping Pad Review
a hiker holds an inflated red sleeping pad in the middle of the woods

Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft Backpacking Sleeping Pad Review

Last Updated: September 21, 2026
A remarkably plush sleeping surface makes this a standout for comfort-focused backpackers who are willing to carry extra weight for a better night’s sleep.
Exped Ultra 6.5R Sleeping Pad Review
a hiker stands next to a green inflatable sleeping pad

Exped Ultra 6.5R Sleeping Pad Review

Last Updated: September 21, 2026
Warm, plush, and easy to inflate, this all-season pad is a strong cold-weather option for side sleepers who don’t mind carrying a little more weight than the lightest three-season models.
North Coast Route Backpacking Guide – Olympic National Park

North Coast Route Backpacking Guide – Olympic National Park

Last Updated: September 19, 2026
The North Coast Route in Olympic National Park is a challenging but rewarding multi-day trek with some of the most rugged and isolated coastal landscapes in the country.
Hiking Boots vs. Hiking Shoes vs. Trail Running Shoes

Hiking Boots vs. Hiking Shoes vs. Trail Running Shoes

Last Updated: September 18, 2026
Hiking footwear is a really personal choice, and people often have differing opinions on what type of shoe works best for hiking.
Loowit Trail Backpacking Guide – Mount St. Helens

Loowit Trail Backpacking Guide – Mount St. Helens

Last Updated: September 18, 2026
The Loowit Trail around Mount St. Helens is nothing short of spectacular, with eye-popping vistas, interesting geology, and ultimate solitude for experienced backpackers.
Hiking Boot & Shoe Soles for Grip, Traction & Different Terrains
hiker walking on granite rock in yosemite national park

Hiking Boot & Shoe Soles for Grip, Traction & Different Terrains

Last Updated: September 18, 2026
The soles of your shoes are literally where the rubber meets the trail. Learn more about what to look for in the bottoms of your hiking footwear in this in-depth article on grip, traction, and terrain.
Glacier National Park Backpacking Guide

Glacier National Park Backpacking Guide

Last Updated: September 17, 2026
With more than 700 miles of backcountry trails traversing lush alpine meadows, glacier-carved peaks, deep valleys, and moss-fringed cirques cradling stunning azure lakes, Glacier National Park is as breathtakingly beautiful as it is physically and mentally demanding.
Mount Margaret Backpacking Guide, Mount St. Helens

Mount Margaret Backpacking Guide, Mount St. Helens

Last Updated: September 17, 2026
The Mount Margaret Backcountry, just north of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, offers an unmatched combination of convenience, epic scenery, and interesting geology.
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