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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

From lightweight thru-hiking packs to heavy-load haulers, these are the backpacking backpacks we trust after extensive field testing and more than 100,000 collective trail miles.
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, weather protection, ease of use, and durability.
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 top backpacking sleeping bags cover ultralight thru-hiking, cold-weather trips, roomy side-sleeper designs, synthetic wet-weather options, and genuinely affordable beginner picks.
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

Our favorite backpacking water filters and purifiers, chosen for real-world usability, source conditions, long-term performance, and weight.

All Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides Content

A Complete Guide to Hiking the John Muir Trail

A Complete Guide to Hiking the John Muir Trail

Last Updated: October 30, 2026
Planning for your thru-hike of the JMT can be a daunting task. This guide breaks down every detail, so you can pull off the adventure of a lifetime
20 Tips For First-Time Thru-Hikers
PCT blaze buried in a sappy tree

20 Tips For First-Time Thru-Hikers

Last Updated: October 29, 2026
Are you considering the challenging yet profoundly rewarding experience of a thru-hike? Here are a few trail-tested tips to get you started
Best Tips for Hiking & Backpacking with a Dog
two backpackers and a dog taking a break on the ground

Best Tips for Hiking & Backpacking with a Dog

Last Updated: October 27, 2026
Following the tips in this guide will prepare you and your pooch for the trail and build confidence to take them…
5 Reasons To Ditch Your Hiking Boots
Hiker showing the bottom of the Oboz Katabatic LT Mid Gore-Tex Hiking Boots

5 Reasons To Ditch Your Hiking Boots

Last Updated: October 27, 2026
Bye-bye boots, hello happy feet! See why trail runners and hiking shoes rule the trail when the miles pile up.
How to Clean Hiking Shoes & Boots
Closeup of a hiker's feet crossing a creek in a muddy pair of Topo Athletic Trailventure 2 hiking boots

How to Clean Hiking Shoes & Boots

Last Updated: October 27, 2026
In this guide, we walk you through how to take care of your footwear – so your footwear can take care of you.
Cirque of the Towers 3-Day Backpacking Loop – Wind River, WY
alpenglow on a granite craggy ridgeline reflecting over a lake

Cirque of the Towers 3-Day Backpacking Loop – Wind River, WY

Last Updated: October 26, 2026
The Wind River Range in Wyoming is a place you truly have to see to believe. It’s an outdoor adventurer’s dream come true. Where immense glacier-carved granite spires tower over crystal-clear lakes, rolling meadows, and fields choked with high-alpine wildflowers.
Trekking In Nepal – A Comprehensive Guide
Contemplative Hiker Above Himalayan Valley

Trekking In Nepal – A Comprehensive Guide

Last Updated: October 26, 2026
Nepal is a backpacker’s dream come true, and planning a trek in Nepal isn’t as difficult as you might think. This guide will help you plan your next trip
Are Hiking Sandals Really a Thing?

Are Hiking Sandals Really a Thing?

Last Updated: October 26, 2026
Boots and shoes are still mainstays of the trail, but hiking sandals have a lot of merits that might just make you a convert.
20 Tips for Backpacking in the Desert

20 Tips for Backpacking in the Desert

Last Updated: October 26, 2026
Desert hiking offers some of the most stunning scenery. In this guide, we offer our tips and tricks for staying safe and healthy in this beautiful but harsh landscape.
Outdoor Research Helium Rain Pants Review
A hiker sitting on a mossy old growth log in the Outdoor Research Helium Rain Pants

Outdoor Research Helium Rain Pants Review

Last Updated: October 26, 2026
Compact, lightweight rain coverage for backpackers and occasional storms, with limited airflow and less comfort in prolonged downpours.
Columbia Rebel Roamer II / Storm Surge Rain Pants Review
Image of someone wearing the black Columbia Rebel Roamer II on a trail.

Columbia Rebel Roamer II / Storm Surge Rain Pants Review

Last Updated: October 26, 2026
A straightforward, inexpensive weather barrier that skips pockets and side zips, best for simple trail and everyday rain coverage.
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Pants Review
Closeup of someone wearing the black Patagonia Torrentshell rain pants.

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Pants Review

Last Updated: October 26, 2026
These rain pants combine top-tier waterproofing with eco-friendly materials, offering reliable protection in heavy rain. Lightweight and durable, they feature H2No® technology and practical design elements like zippered side vents.
REI Trailmade Rain Pants Review
Closeup of someone wearing the green REI Trailmade rain pants.

REI Trailmade Rain Pants Review

Last Updated: October 26, 2026
Affordable, light rain pants for occasional wet hikes, with clear limitations in breathability, abrasion resistance, and boot access.
Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Rain Pants Review
Closeup of a person's legs in the Black Diamond Fineline Stretch pants

Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Rain Pants Review

Last Updated: October 26, 2026
A lightweight, stretch-focused shell for active hikers who value natural movement more than extra layering room or extreme durability.
Outdoor Research Men’s Foray / Women’s Aspire Rain Pants Review
Closeup of someone wearing the Outdoor Research Foray pants on a snowy trail.

Outdoor Research Men’s Foray / Women’s Aspire Rain Pants Review

Last Updated: October 26, 2026
Highly ventilated and protective rain pants for foul-weather hikers who can accept added weight, cost, and a roomy cut.
Zpacks Vertice Rain Pants Review

Zpacks Vertice Rain Pants Review

Last Updated: October 26, 2026
A minimalist waterproof layer for hikers focused on ounces, not pockets, long zippers, or protection against abrasive terrain.
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