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
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
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
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
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
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 Pants for Men of 2026
Best Hiking Pants for Men of 2026
Last Updated:
October 9, 2026
From airy warm-weather trail pants to durable softshells and practical convertibles, these are our favorite men’s hiking pants after side-by-side testing.
Women’s KUHL Freeflex Roll-Up Pants Review
Women’s KUHL Freeflex Roll-Up Pants Review
Last Updated:
October 9, 2026
No trail, no problem: check out our most durable and favorite all around pair of women’s hiking pants.
Helinox Chair Zero Review
Helinox Chair Zero Review
Last Updated:
October 9, 2026
A water-bottle-scale packed chair with a top portability result makes the strongest case for backpackers and space-conscious campers who accept minimal features.
Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2026
Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2026
Last Updated:
October 8, 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.
Kelty Asher 55 Review
Kelty Asher 55 Review
Last Updated:
October 8, 2026
First-time backpackers get a low-cost, uncomplicated pack that carried a roughly 45-pound test load better than expected, but awkward bottle storage and exposed mesh limit its long-term appeal.
REI Flash 55 Review
REI Flash 55 Review
Last Updated:
October 7, 2026
Budget-conscious backpackers get a sub-three-pound framed pack with a flexible Packmod system and good trail access, but its lumbar support is more basic and large bear canisters fit best vertically.
Deuter Aircontact Ultra 50+5 / 45+5 SL Review
Deuter Aircontact Ultra 50+5 / 45+5 SL Review
Last Updated:
October 7, 2026
Established-trail backpackers get one of our favorite close-contact comfort systems and a highly adjustable fit, but high bottle pockets and floppy hipbelt storage create repeated trail friction.
Granite Gear Crown3 60 Review
Granite Gear Crown3 60 Review
Last Updated:
October 7, 2026
Backpackers moving from traditional gear toward lighter systems get unusual lashing flexibility and a configurable carry, but comfort fades as loads approach the mid-30-pound range.
Gregory Baltoro 75 / Deva 70 Review
Gregory Baltoro 75 / Deva 70 Review
Last Updated:
October 7, 2026
Backpackers carrying genuinely heavy or bulky loads get our preferred heavy-hauling comfort and excellent bottle access, but the five-pound-plus pack is unnecessary for ordinary three-season trips.
Gregory Paragon 60 / Maven 58 Review
Gregory Paragon 60 / Maven 58 Review
Last Updated:
October 7, 2026
Traditional backpackers get our favorite all-around comfort, useful side access, and excellent bottle reach, but they pay a weight penalty compared with lighter framed packs.
Osprey Aether 65 / Ariel 65 Review
Osprey Aether 65 / Ariel 65 Review
Last Updated:
October 7, 2026
Heavy-load backpackers get the toughest pack in this field and a frame that stayed controlled at 60 pounds, but the weight and less-forgiving comfort make it excessive for ordinary weekend loads.
Osprey Atmos AG 65 / Aura AG 65 Review
Osprey Atmos AG 65 / Aura AG 65 Review
Last Updated:
October 7, 2026
Backpackers who run hot and want maximum organization get exceptional suspended-mesh ventilation and a huge feature set, but the weight and hardware are overkill for simpler trips.
Osprey Exos 58 / Eja 58 Review
Osprey Exos 58 / Eja 58 Review
Last Updated:
October 7, 2026
Backpackers who want a framed pack under three pounds get excellent suspended-mesh ventilation and useful trail features, but the load rides farther from the body than on close-contact designs.
REI Trailmade 60 Review
REI Trailmade 60 Review
Last Updated:
October 7, 2026
New backpackers get a durable, straightforward pack with easy bottle access and simple organization, but its suspension is more basic than the category leaders.
ULA Equipment Circuit Review
ULA Equipment Circuit Review
Last Updated:
October 7, 2026
Thru-hikers carrying lightweight to moderate loads get a durable, simple pack with unusually good load transfer for its weight, but its 68-liter capacity can be more volume than a dialed-in kit needs.
Exped Lightning 50 Review
Exped Lightning 50 Review
Last Updated:
October 7, 2026
Backpackers who value premium construction and thoughtful technical features get a lot to like here, but awkward bottle access, a fiddly Y-strap, and compressed rear storage keep the experience from feeling seamless.