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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
Closeup of the Sawyer Squeeze water filter in front of an alpine lake

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

Men’s REI Trailmade Pants Review
A man walks through alpine wildflowers.

Men’s REI Trailmade Pants Review

Last Updated: May 9, 2026
Budget-friendly and versatile, these pants offer durable fabric and reliable performance for both hiking and everyday wear.
Men’s Fjallraven Keb Agile Pants Review
A person in an olive jacket and gray pants sits on a mossy rock, overlooking the ocean with snow-capped mountains in the background.

Men’s Fjallraven Keb Agile Pants Review

Published: May 9, 2026
Built for demanding terrain, these pants deliver exceptional durability and reliable weather resistance, keeping you protected and comfortable when conditions turn rough.
Men’s Patagonia Terravia Trail Pants Review
A person wearing a gray shirt, brown pants, and hiking shoes sits on a mossy, grassy hill in a forest.

Men’s Patagonia Terravia Trail Pants Review

Published: May 9, 2026
Built for long days on the move, these pants provide breathable comfort and flexible mobility, allowing you to stay cool and unrestricted throughout hikes, travel, and everyday wear.
Best Hiking Pants for Men of 2026
A backpacker standing in front of a lake in the men's Kuhl Deceptr hiking pants

Best Hiking Pants for Men of 2026

Last Updated: May 8, 2026
Whether you need to crush big days in comfort or blaze your own path through the backcountry, these are the best pants for hiking, backpacking, and big adventures.
Best Hiking Boots for Women of 2026
Two hikers wearing the Keen Targhee IV WP and Merrell Moab 3 WP Women's Hiking Boots

Best Hiking Boots for Women of 2026

Last Updated: May 8, 2026
After rigorous testing, we’ve narrowed down our list of the most comfortable, durable, and lightweight hiking boots to keep you moving on and off the trail.
Women’s La Sportiva TX Hike Mid Leather GTX Review
The TX Hike boots sitting in front of a backpack and tent.

Women’s La Sportiva TX Hike Mid Leather GTX Review

Published: May 8, 2026
Roomy comfort, excellent traction, and reliable waterproofing make these a great choice for long days out – even when the trail turns technical or wet.
Women’s Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX Review
A closeup of a the Danner boots while a person is standing on a rocky overlook. There are red rock canyons and some mountains below in the background.

Women’s Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX Review

Published: May 8, 2026
Roomy comfort, excellent traction, and reliable waterproofing make these a great choice for long days out – even when the trail turns technical or wet.
Best Trail Running Shoes for Men of 2026
hoka-rocket-x-trail-running-3

Best Trail Running Shoes for Men of 2026

Last Updated: May 7, 2026
Whether you’re chasing summits or logging miles close to home, our updated list of the best men’s trail runners has your next favorite pair.
Men’s Saucony Peregrine 16 Review
saucony-peregrine-16-running-2

Men’s Saucony Peregrine 16 Review

Last Updated: May 7, 2026
Fast on your feet and secure on any terrain, these shoes shine whether it’s May in the desert or August in the mountains.
Men’s Hoka Speedgoat 7 Review
hoka-speedgoat-7-running-2

Men’s Hoka Speedgoat 7 Review

Last Updated: May 7, 2026
The Speedgoat 7 remains similar to the 6s with solid comfort, traction, and breathability, but receives a few tweaks.
Nnormal Kjerag 02 Review
nnormal-kjerag-02-minimalist

Nnormal Kjerag 02 Review

Last Updated: May 7, 2026
If you want some of the lightest and most durable trail runners on the market, these earn top marks from our team of testers. They’re the ultimate performance shoe to keep speed when the terrain gets tough.
Men’s Nike ACG Pegasus Trail Review
nike-acg-pegasus-trail-traction

Men’s Nike ACG Pegasus Trail Review

Last Updated: May 7, 2026
Underfoot updates to this classic make it an excellent off-road option for beginners to experienced trail runners.
Brooks Ghost Trail Review
brooks-ghost-trail-uppers

Brooks Ghost Trail Review

Last Updated: May 7, 2026
Brooks took its popular road-running shoe and made a super-comfortable, versatile trail-running version that’s excellent for beginners to off-road experts.
On Cloudultra 3 Trail Running Shoe Review
on-cloudultra-3-upper

On Cloudultra 3 Trail Running Shoe Review

Last Updated: May 7, 2026
An excellent do-everything shoe that handles many different surface types well. We love them for everyday training and long distances on well-groomed trails.
Hoka Rocket X Trail Review
hoka-rocket-x-trail-running-3

Hoka Rocket X Trail Review

Last Updated: May 7, 2026
A super fun, responsive, propulsive, and fun super shoe for off-road racing.
Mount to Coast T1 Trail Running Shoe Review
mount-to-coast-T1-main

Mount to Coast T1 Trail Running Shoe Review

Last Updated: May 7, 2026
One of our favorite new trail running shoes thanks to its excellent traction, supreme durability, light weight, responsiveness, and comfort.
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