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Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides

Best Hiking Sandals for Women of 2026
Our tester wearing the Earth Runner Alpha sandals on a hike.

Best Hiking Sandals for Women of 2026

Last Updated: May 25, 2026
Whether you’re heading out for a paddle or setting off on a grand hiking adventure, your perfect pair of sandals is on our list.
Women’s Xero Shoes H-Trail Hiking Sandal Review
A close up of a person's feet wearing sandals standing on a rock.

Women’s Xero Shoes H-Trail Hiking Sandal Review

Published: May 25, 2026
The closest you can get to being barefoot, these ultralight sandals provide featherlight connection to the earth, with foot freedom that promotes natural movement and ground feel.
Women’s Danner Wallowa Hiking Sandal Review
A close up of a person's feet wearing sandals standing on a rock amidst grass.

Women’s Danner Wallowa Hiking Sandal Review

Published: May 25, 2026
Sturdy and solid, these burly sandals borrow design elements from hiking boots, enabling them to withstand the roughest trail conditions while keeping your foot supported and secure.
Women’s KEEN Whisper Hiking Sandal Review
A close up of a pair of sandals resting on top of one another with hills in the background.

Women’s KEEN Whisper Hiking Sandal Review

Published: May 25, 2026
A nice combination of hiking boot and water shoe, this sandal offers reliable traction on slippery surfaces and comprehensive, closed-toe protection for rugged adventures.
Women’s Tread Labs Salinas Hiking Sandal Review
A pair of sandals rest on a rock with sagebrush in the background. One sandal is flipped over to show its bottom sole.

Women’s Tread Labs Salinas Hiking Sandal Review

Published: May 25, 2026
With its contoured, insole-like footbed that cushions that foot, this sandal makes arch support its number-one priority and provides comfortable structure for all-day wear.
Women’s Bedrock Cairn Evo 3D PRO Hiking Sandal Review
A close up of a single sandal sitting on a rock with mountains in the background.

Women’s Bedrock Cairn Evo 3D PRO Hiking Sandal Review

Published: May 25, 2026
Offering top-notch traction on all terrain, these sandals are our go-to for comfort and stability on everything from rocky scrambles to steep hikes.
Best Ultralight Tents of 2026
The Zpacks Duplex and Tarptent Motrail ultralight backpacking tents in front of a jagged mountain peak at sunset

Best Ultralight Tents of 2026

Last Updated: May 21, 2026
Whether you’re just curious about how lightweight a tent can get, or are a seasoned thru-hiker looking for your next trail home, we’ve got options for every trail and every style.
Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2026
a hiker blowing air into a sleeping pad pump sack

Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2026

Last Updated: May 21, 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…
Zpacks Pivot Duo Tent Review
a man in blue sits in a tent in the forest

Zpacks Pivot Duo Tent Review

Published: May 21, 2026
An ultra-lightweight tent with good floor space that’s excellent for long backcountry treks.
Tarptent Mesospire 2 Tent Review
A man sits in a tent and adjusts the doors

Tarptent Mesospire 2 Tent Review

Published: May 21, 2026
This is our favorite tent for two people, balancing many features well while also being easy to use, and not unreasonably priced.
River Country Trekker Tent 2V Review
The Trekker tent is set up at the bottom of a canyon with high, red cliff walls surrounding it. The view is showing the back of the tent with a trekking pole easily visible holding it up.

River Country Trekker Tent 2V Review

Published: May 20, 2026
A budget-friendly tent with impressive space, durable materials, and an easy setup, making it a great choice for beginner backpackers and value-focused hikers.
Mountain Laurel Designs SoloMid XL Review
The MLD tent is setup on open ground with badland formations in the background. The sky is clear and there is a reddish hue to the formations.

Mountain Laurel Designs SoloMid XL Review

Published: May 20, 2026
A budget-friendly tent with impressive space, durable materials, and an easy setup, making it a great choice for beginner backpackers and value-focused hikers.
Best Budget Tents of 2026
The MLD tent is setup on open ground with badland formations in the background. The sky is clear and there is a reddish hue to the formations.

Best Budget Tents of 2026

Last Updated: May 19, 2026
We trail-tested and thoroughly assessed the best-priced tents on the market that are high quality, comfortable, and affordable.
Coros Apex 4 GPS Watch Review
A black GPS watch with a fabric band rests on a moss-covered rock.

Coros Apex 4 GPS Watch Review

Last Updated: May 18, 2026
Impressive battery life meets excellent design to bring one of the top-performing GPS watches for backcountry enthusiasts.
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar GPS Watch Review
A black Garmin solar-powered smartwatch displays a navigation screen showing 0.52 miles walked.

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar GPS Watch Review

Last Updated: May 18, 2026
Waterproof, shock-resistant, and solar-powered, this rugged GPS watch is built for backcountry adventures, offering long battery life, durability, and reliable performance in any conditions.
Garmin Vivoactive 6 GPS Watch Review
Close-up of a person wearing a smartwatch displaying fitness stats.

Garmin Vivoactive 6 GPS Watch Review

Last Updated: May 18, 2026
This slim, lightweight fitness tracker is great for recording your daily stats and has a vibrant display for analyzing all your health metrics.
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