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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, 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

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

REI Flash 55 Review
a man wearing a backpack stands in front of a tree

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
a man wearing a white backpack

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
a man wearing a white backpack

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
A man in a green jacket wears a blue backpack in the forest

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
a man wearing a black and blue backpack

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
man wears blue backpack in front of a pine tree

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
man wears a green backpack

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
a man wears a blue backpack

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
man wearing tan backpack

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
The ULA Circuit backpack with Three Fingered Jack in the background

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
A man wearing a blue backpack stands in front of a river gorge

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.
A Guide to Hiking in Torres del Paine: W, O, and Q Treks

A Guide to Hiking in Torres del Paine: W, O, and Q Treks

Last Updated: October 6, 2026
If it’s your first time visiting Patagonia, Torres del Paine should be on your itinerary. Here’s how to enjoy some of the best trekking in the world:
Titcomb Basin Backpacking Guide – Wind River Range, WY

Titcomb Basin Backpacking Guide – Wind River Range, WY

Last Updated: October 6, 2026
The Wind River Range, or the Winds, as they’re commonly known, are jammed with bucket-list day hikes and backpacking trips that reward you with epic views and unbelievable beauty.
Does Bear Spray Really Work?

Does Bear Spray Really Work?

Last Updated: October 6, 2026
Bear spray is a must-have in many wilderness areas, but it’s only effective if you know how to use it. Read on for helpful deployment tips, buying considerations, and more.
How to Poop in the Woods: A Backpacker’s Guide
the tools for pooping in the woods (trowel, hand sanitizer and a baggie of toilet paper

How to Poop in the Woods: A Backpacker’s Guide

Last Updated: October 6, 2026
When nature calls, we’ve got steps to turn a backcountry bathroom break into a five-star experience. Plus, properly disposing of your #2 keeps our wild places and waterways clean and pristine.”
A Guide to Backpacking & Hiking in Patagonia

A Guide to Backpacking & Hiking in Patagonia

Last Updated: October 6, 2026
We’ve been fortunate enough to hike and backpack extensively in Patagonia. Here’s what we’ve learned about this magical region after many years of travels to South America.
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