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Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides

Black Diamond Deploy Down 0.5 Full Zip Hoody Review
A man wearing the Black Diamond Deploy Down 0.5 Full Zip Hoody zips up the front of the jacket while hiking through a colorful fall forest.

Black Diamond Deploy Down 0.5 Full Zip Hoody Review

Featherlight yet impressively warm, this ultralight down jacket delivers serious performance for high-output adventures, perfect for hikers, climbers, and skiers who want warmth without the weight.
Decathlon Simond MT100 Down Puffer Review
A person wearing the olive Simond MT100 Down Jacket walks through bright yellow fall foliage, showcasing the jacket in seasonal use.

Decathlon Simond MT100 Down Puffer Review

An affordable, lightweight, packable 3-season down jacket that delivers excellent warmth and value for everyday wear or backcountry adventures.
Best Bear Canisters for Backpacking of 2025
a yellow bear canister sits next to a fire pit with mountains in the background

Best Bear Canisters for Backpacking of 2025

Proper food storage is essential in bear country, so we’ve broken down every option to help you choose the best system for your next adventure.
Arc’teryx Beta SL Rain Jacket Review
A man hikes though a riany forest wearing a black rain jacket.

Arc’teryx Beta SL Rain Jacket Review

This is the jacket to bring when heavy rain and strong winds hit your next hike. We love its weather resistance, durability, and comfort.
REI Trailmade Rain Jacket Review
A closeup of the front of a maroon rain jacket.

REI Trailmade Rain Jacket Review

With decent weather resistance for the price, this jacket balances affordability with performance.
Norrona Falketind Dri1 Rain Jacket Review
A front shot of an orange rain jacket showing the different pockets.

Norrona Falketind Dri1 Rain Jacket Review

Balance lightweight and packability with excellent weather resistance; this is a great jacket for alpine missions in uncertain weather.
Best Hiking Boots for Men of 2025
Knee-down view of a hiker walking a ridge in the Cascade Mountains in the Men's Salomon Quest 4 GTX hiking boots

Best Hiking Boots for Men of 2025

Hiking boots deliver crucial ankle support and cushioning for tough trails, but not all boots are created equal. Here are the favorites we’ve tested and reviewed.
Best Hiking Gaiters of 2025
A closeup of hikng giaters with a mountainous background.

Best Hiking Gaiters of 2025

Tired of rocks in your shoes? We put the best gaiters on the market toe-to-toe with gravel, mud, and rain. Find out which models keep your feet protected, dry, and happy.
Best Rain Jackets of 2025
A man smiles while wearing a rain jacket in the alpine.

Best Rain Jackets of 2025

From drizzles to downpours, we’ve got your back. Our team of seasoned hikers weathered the storm to find the best rain jackets for performance and protection.
Snow Peak Titanium Spork Camping Utensil Review
a hand holds a purple titanium spork

Snow Peak Titanium Spork Camping Utensil Review

Durable titanium, ultralight weight, and a do-it-all design make this spork a backpacking icon that’s as reliable as it is versatile.
GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Spork and Sticks Camping Utensil Review
a hand holds a chopstick spork combo on a tree stump

GSI Outdoors Glacier Stainless Spork and Sticks Camping Utensil Review

From slurping stew to snagging noodles, this spork-and-sticks combo brings fun and flexibility to camp dining without weighing you down.
Humangear GoBites Uno Camping Utensil Review
a variety of plastic sporks rest on a tree stump

Humangear GoBites Uno Camping Utensil Review

This ultralight, ergonomic, and plant-based fork and spoon combo is available in myriad designs and colors to suit the needs of any backpacker.
Toaks Titanium Long Handle Spoon Camping Utensil Review
a close up of the polished spoon on a titanium long handle spoon

Toaks Titanium Long Handle Spoon Camping Utensil Review

From freeze-dried meals to campfire stews, this polished titanium spoon offers lightweight strength and unbeatable reach.
Best Camping Lanterns of 2025
Nine lanterns- the LE 1000LM LED lantern, Black Diamond Moji, GoalZero Lighthouse 600, GoalZero Lighthouse Micro Flash, LuminAid String Light, Coleman Rugged Rechargeable, BioLite AlpenGlow 500, LuminAid Packlite Max 2-in-1, and LightUpCamp LED Solar Powered Foldable Camping Light- sit beside each other on a rock. The last remaining daylight illuminates the peaks of mountains in the background.

Best Camping Lanterns of 2025

When daylight fades, don’t fumble in the dark. Whether you need a lantern that’s bright, tough, or tricked out, these are the best of the best to keep the good times glowing after dark.
Best Utensils for Backpacking & Camping of 2025
the fork end of a plastic spork sticks out of the top of a backpacking meal with a mountain in the background.

Best Utensils for Backpacking & Camping of 2025

Stir things up with our brand new guide to the best camping utensils. From plant-based plastic to finely crafted titanium, we dig into which sporks, spoons and sets have us coming back for seconds.
Outdoor Edge ChowPal Camping Utensil Review
a hiker shows a spoon knife combo to the camera

Outdoor Edge ChowPal Camping Utensil Review

A durable, stainless steel utensil set that actually lets you cut your food. With a real knife blade, long fork prongs, and multi-tool extras, this clever combo brings serious function to camp meals.
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