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Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 2 Review

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 2 Review

Last Updated: September 30, 2026
A premium ultralight DCF shelter with excellent space-to-weight and durability, offset by high cost, condensation, and a trekking-pole pitch.
MSR Hubba Hubba LT 2 Review
An MSR tent is pitched on dirt with pine trees in the background.

MSR Hubba Hubba LT 2 Review

Last Updated: September 30, 2026
A sturdy, easy-to-pitch freestanding tent for backpackers who prioritize weather protection and durability over minimum weight.
Zpacks Duplex Classic Review
The Zpacks Duplex pitched near a red rock arch in Coyote Gulch.

Zpacks Duplex Classic Review

Last Updated: September 30, 2026
A legendary two-person DCF trekking-pole tent that is exceptionally light and spacious, with price, condensation, and pitch dependence as the main tradeoffs.
MSR FreeLite 2 Review

MSR FreeLite 2 Review

Last Updated: September 30, 2026
A light, simple double-wall tent that gives solo hikers excellent space and two-person utility without trekking-pole complexity.
NEMO Hornet OSMO 2 Review
a backpacking tent pitched with a mountain background. a hiker sits inside.

NEMO Hornet OSMO 2 Review

Last Updated: September 29, 2026
A compact, thoughtfully designed ultralight tent that is especially compelling as a roomy solo shelter.
Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Review
a hiker leans out of a light grey tent

Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 Review

Last Updated: September 29, 2026
An ultralight semi-freestanding tent that hits an excellent balance of trail weight, usable space, and everyday convenience.
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Review
a hiker sits in a tent with the awning deployed during sunset

Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Review

Last Updated: September 29, 2026
A highly livable freestanding tent that keeps weight low without stripping away the features backpackers use every day.
NEMO Dagger OSMO 2 Review
one hiker lays in a tent while another reaches into an upper pocket above him

NEMO Dagger OSMO 2 Review

Last Updated: September 29, 2026
A spacious, weather-resistant crossover tent for backpackers who value room, easy setup, and comfort more than shaving every ounce.
Three Fingered Jack Loop Backpacking Guide

Three Fingered Jack Loop Backpacking Guide

Last Updated: September 29, 2026
This roughly 24-mile loop circumnavigates the iconic Three Fingered Jack formation in the heart of Oregon’s iconic Cascade Range.
SlingFin Portal 2 Review

SlingFin Portal 2 Review

Last Updated: September 29, 2026
A weather-ready freestanding tent that combines low weight, strong structure, and excellent livability for exposed or unpredictable trips.
Skyline Trail Backpacking Guide, Jasper National Park

Skyline Trail Backpacking Guide, Jasper National Park

Last Updated: September 29, 2026
The Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park is a spectacular backpacking destination in the Canadian Rockies. Of the 44 kilometers of trail, nearly two thirds is above treeline with sweeping mountain views in all directions, beautiful glacial lakes, and wind-swept ridges.
Rogue River Trail Backpacking Guide

Rogue River Trail Backpacking Guide

Last Updated: September 29, 2026
The Rogue River Trail is one of the most scenic early season backpacking trips in Oregon, and the Pacific Northwest in general. The route traverses the north side of the Rogue River for 40 miles as it rolls through the lush and remote Rogue Valley.
A Backpacking Guide to Utah’s Uinta Mountains

A Backpacking Guide to Utah’s Uinta Mountains

Last Updated: September 29, 2026
Lying approximately 100 miles east of Salt Lake City, the Uinta Mountain Range is home to the highest peaks in Utah and the only major range in the contiguous United States that orients east to west.
Best Hiking Shoes for Women of 2026
A person sitting on an overlook with a beautiful scene in the background, with a focus on her hiking shoes.

Best Hiking Shoes for Women of 2026

Last Updated: September 28, 2026
We’ve logged countless miles on trail to find the best hiking shoes for different hiking styles, foot shapes, and weather. Lace up and get outside with our guide to footwear for happy feet.
Men’s La Sportiva Ultra Raptor III Review
Person wearing olive green and black hiking shoes with red details on a rocky terrain.

Men’s La Sportiva Ultra Raptor III Review

Last Updated: September 28, 2026
A rugged, protective hiking shoe with excellent grip and stability for steep, rocky, technical mountain terrain.
Men’s Merrell Moab 3 Review
Man's legs from knee down steps across a deep gap between large sandstone boulders wearing the Merrell Moab 3 hiking shoes.

Men’s Merrell Moab 3 Review

Last Updated: September 28, 2026
A comfortable, durable, traditional hiking shoe that delivers dependable all-around performance at one of the best values in the category.
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