Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides
Men’s REI Activator 3.0 Pants Review
Men’s REI Activator 3.0 Pants Review
Last Updated:
October 11, 2026
A warm, stretchy softshell hiking pant with strong wind and light-weather protection at a reasonable price, best for shoulder-season and cool alpine use.
Men’s Patagonia Terravia Alpine Pants Review
Men’s Patagonia Terravia Alpine Pants Review
Last Updated:
October 11, 2026
A slim, highly mobile alpine pant that excels at climbing, scrambling, and fast hiking, with quick drying and strong durability for its weight.
Men’s Norrona Femund Flex1 Lightweight Pants Review
Men’s Norrona Femund Flex1 Lightweight Pants Review
Last Updated:
October 11, 2026
A premium technical hiking pant with excellent stretch, zippered leg vents, and strong durability, best for demanding mountain use rather than budget-focused buyers.
Men’s Fjallraven Keb Agile Pants Review
Men’s Fjallraven Keb Agile Pants Review
Last Updated:
October 11, 2026
A burly, highly durable hiking pant with reinforced construction and useful vents, built for rough terrain and cooler weather rather than hot summer miles.
Men’s Patagonia Terravia Trail Pants Review
Men’s Patagonia Terravia Trail Pants Review
Last Updated:
October 11, 2026
A light, comfortable, quick-drying trail pant with an excellent waistband and strong mobility, best for hikers who value all-day comfort over heavy-duty protection.
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.