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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

Best Power Banks for Backpacking of 2026
The Iniu 20000 PD power bank sitting on a granite slab while charging a rechargeable Biolite headlamp with the Wallowa Mountains at sunset in the background

Best Power Banks for Backpacking of 2026

Last Updated: April 9, 2026
Supercharge your backcountry adventures with our guide to the most portable, dependable, and lightweight power banks out there.
FLEXTAIL Zero Power 10000 Power Bank Review 
Close up of a hand holding the Flextail up to the camera. There is a pinion-juniper forest and canyon in the background.

FLEXTAIL Zero Power 10000 Power Bank Review 

Published: April 9, 2026
Lightweight, compact, and impressively efficient, this ultralight power bank delivers reliable charging without adding much weight or bulk to your pack.
Nestout 15000 Power Bank Review
Close up of the Nestout sitting on a rock with a red rock canyon in the background.

Nestout 15000 Power Bank Review

Published: April 9, 2026
Built for harsh conditions, this rugged power bank offers waterproof and dustproof protection, excellent cold-weather performance, and dependable charging for demanding outdoor adventures.
Best Trekking Poles of 2026
A female backpacker hiking up to the top of a red, rocky mountain pass in Glacier National Park using the REI Flash Carbon trekking poles

Best Trekking Poles of 2026

Last Updated: April 7, 2026
We’ve rigorously tested these trekking poles over thousands of miles to find the sturdiest and most lightweight options. Get more stability on tough terrain…
Best Hiking Underwear For Women of 2026
Six pairs of the women's hiking underwear tested laid out on a fence

Best Hiking Underwear For Women of 2026

Last Updated: April 7, 2026
Stay comfortable on the trail with the best women’s hiking underwear. Check out our top-tested picks for moisture-wicking, chafe-free, and durable designs made for adventure.
LEKI Legacy Lite Trekking Poles Review
A person using the Legacy poles and wearing a pack is walking up a trail towards the camera with pinion and juniper trees and a mesa in the background.

LEKI Legacy Lite Trekking Poles Review

Published: April 7, 2026
Affordable trekking poles with comfortable cork grips and ventilated handles that help keep hands cool. A dependable no-frills option for beginners and hikers seeking simple trail support.
Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Quick Lock Review
A person wearing a backpack and using the cascade poles is walking up a trail towards the camera. There are trees juniper trees in the background.

Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Quick Lock Review

Published: April 7, 2026
Durable carbon fiber trekking poles with excellent value, versatile accessories, and comfortable cork grips. A great choice for hikers seeking strong performance without paying premium prices.
Best Headlamps of 2026
A backpacker reading a map in his tent at night using the Black Diamond Spot headlamps

Best Headlamps of 2026

Last Updated: April 6, 2026
We’ve trail-tested over 40 of the most promising headlamps on long night hikes, family camping trips, and pre-dawn climbs – so you don’t have to.
Petzl ACTIK CORE Headlamp Review
Side close-up of a person wearing a Petzl headlamp over a beanie while adjusting the light with one hand.

Petzl ACTIK CORE Headlamp Review

Last Updated: April 6, 2026
This headlamp is a longtime favorite with bright and reliable performance, simple controls, and a recent upgrade to USB-C charging.
Coast FL97R Headlamp Review
Close-up of the Coast FL95R Headlamp front lens and reflector, resting in dry pine needles.

Coast FL97R Headlamp Review

Published: April 6, 2026
This is a feature-rich headlamp with serious brightness, intuitive beam control, and a warm area light that works as propped up in a tent as it does on your head.
Petzl SWIFT LT Headlamp Review
Close-up of the Petzl Swift headlamp worn around the neck like a necklace, shining light onto a jacket.

Petzl SWIFT LT Headlamp Review

Published: April 6, 2026
This is an ultralight headlamp that earns its place in fast-and-light kits, with a stable fit that stays put at a dead sprint and enough brightness for most trail use.
BioLite Range 500 Headlamp Review
Side profile of a person wearing a red headlamp while standing outdoors at dusk with trees in the background.

BioLite Range 500 Headlamp Review

Published: April 6, 2026
This headlamp is light enough for trail runs, tough enough for downpours, and back to fully charged before you finish packing up camp.
Best Hiking Pants for Women 2026
A person is standing on a rock and holding the Distance Carbon trekking poles. The area is rocky with some trees surrounding the wash. There are some rocky, desert peaks in the distance.

Best Hiking Pants for Women 2026

Last Updated: April 2, 2026
From comfort to durability, we tested a variety of hiking pants to find the best options for every adventure. Discover which pants offer the perfect balance of value, mobility, and performance.
Best Rain Pants of 2026
A hiker sitting on a mossy old growth log in the Outdoor Research Helium Rain Pants

Best Rain Pants of 2026

Last Updated: April 1, 2026
We’ve trekked thousands of miles in drizzles, downpours and snow to find the most protective, versatile, and comfy rain pants out there. Any weather is hiking weather with the right gear!
Best Down Jackets of 2026
Front view of a person smiling while wearing the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody with the hood fully zipped, standing in a snowy landscape with trees in the background.

Best Down Jackets of 2026

Last Updated: March 31, 2026
Down for an adventure? It’s time to layer up! Stay warm, cozy and comfy from city sidewalks to snowy slopes with our guide to the best puffy jackets for men and women.
Best Backpacking Stoves of 2026
The MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe backpacking stove in front of a jagged mountain with red bands

Best Backpacking Stoves of 2026

Last Updated: March 30, 2026
We’ve spent years cooking up this list of the best backpacking stoves around so backcountry chefs and Cup Noodle connoisseurs can find their perfect match.
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