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Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides

Best Trekking Poles of 2025
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 2025

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 Backpacking Water Filters of 2025
Closeup of the Sawyer Squeeze water filter in front of an alpine lake

Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2025

We’ve filtered out the nonsense to bring you our purest recommendations of the best water filters around.
The Ultimate Guide to Hiking the Arizona Trail

The Ultimate Guide to Hiking the Arizona Trail

A hike on the Arizona Trail (AZT) is a truly unique experience. The AZT will take you on an unforgettable 800-mile trek like no other through an ever-changing landscape.
A Complete Guide to Hiking the Grand Sawtooth Loop

A Complete Guide to Hiking the Grand Sawtooth Loop

The Grand Sawtooth Loop in Idaho is a little off the beaten path for those who want to step away from crowded national parks. It’s an exhilarating and burly trail with majestic passes and towering peaks galore.
Best Backpacking Meals & Food of 2025
A hiker eating from a titanium backpacking pot in a lush, green forest

Best Backpacking Meals & Food of 2025

Backpacking Food Meal planning is one of the most important considerations for any backpacking trip. The food you choose will depend on taste preference, nutritional value, caloric density of each meal, and how easy it is to cook. Some hikers bring dehydrated meals because they’re quick and easy. Others prepare DIY dinner recipes and use […]
Best Vegan & Vegetarian Backpacking Meals of 2025
GOOD TO-GO - Mexican Quinoa Bowl

Best Vegan & Vegetarian Backpacking Meals of 2025

Zucchini and mushrooms and black beans, oh my! We’ve once again donned our fancy food critic pants and ate all the food…
Best Hiking Shoes for Kids of 2025

Best Hiking Shoes for Kids of 2025

Kiddos need reliable footwear out on trail as much as adults. Check out our review of the best hiking shoes for kids so your little one can cruise along with you on your next adventure.
Big Agnes Tiger Wall vs. NEMO Hornet OSMO vs. MSR FreeLite

Big Agnes Tiger Wall vs. NEMO Hornet OSMO vs. MSR FreeLite

We compare and score three of the top backpacking tents on the market to determine which one is the best overall.
Hiking Boot & Shoe Soles for Grip, Traction & Different Terrains

Hiking Boot & Shoe Soles for Grip, Traction & Different Terrains

The soles of your shoes are literally where the rubber meets the trail. Learn more about what to look for in the bottoms of your hiking footwear in this in-depth article on grip, traction, and terrain.
Teton Crest Trail Backpacking Guide

Teton Crest Trail Backpacking Guide

The Teton Crest Trail is a 40-mile high route that traverses ridges offering spectacular wide-angle views of towering granite peaks, glacier-carved canyons, crystalline lakes and wildflower-pocked meadows. It’s truly one of our nation’s most scenic and iconic trails.
Backcountry Weather Forecasts

Backcountry Weather Forecasts

Checking the weather forecast before heading into the backcountry is a no-brainer – but how do you get the best info for the middle of nowhere? This article covers 4 basic tips on how to get the best prediction possible for your next backpacking adventure.
Are Hiking Sandals Really a Thing?

Are Hiking Sandals Really a Thing?

Hiking sandals might just be the wave of the future. Though traditional boots and shoes are still mainstays of the trail, sandals have a lot of merits that might just make you a convert.
21 Tips For First-Time Thru-Hikers
PCT blaze buried in a sappy tree

21 Tips For First-Time Thru-Hikers

Completing a thru-hike will be one of the most profoundly rewarding achievements of your life. You’ll spend months communing with nature, build jaw-dropping endurance, and develop lasting friendships along the way. Mustering up the courage to set out on your first thru-hike just might be the best decisions you ever make.
8 Iconic Pacific Northwest Backpacking Trips

8 Iconic Pacific Northwest Backpacking Trips

The Pacific Northwest is home to dozens of iconic wilderness hikes. In this article, we highlight a handful of popular trails in the PNW that are sure to scratch your itch for a hiking adventure.
20 Tips for Backpacking on a Budget

20 Tips for Backpacking on a Budget

Whether you’re just starting out or updating your old gear, we have the tips and tricks you need to backpack on a budget so you can enjoy the outdoors without burning a hole in your wallet.
20 Tips for Backpacking in the Desert

20 Tips for Backpacking in the Desert

Desert hiking offers some of the most stunning and varied scenery of any ecosystem. In this guide, we offer our tips and tricks for staying safe and healthy in this beautiful but harsh landscape.
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