Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides

Best Hiking Sandals for Men of 2026

Close up image from knees down of a person ascending a steep sandy rock in hiking sandals

Best Hiking Sandals for Men of 2026

Last Updated: March 26, 2026

Our trail-tested sandal recommendations go the distance to help you find the perfect pair for lounging, trekking, playing in the water, or thru-hiking the AT.

Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2026

Closeup of the Sawyer Squeeze water filter in front of an alpine lake

Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2026

Last Updated: March 25, 2026

We’ve filtered out the nonsense to bring you our purest recommendations of the best water filters around.

Best Backpacking Quilts of 2026

A backpacker wrapped up in the Enlightened Equipment Revelation sleeping quilt while sitting on a rocky slab overlooking bare granite mountains across the valley

Best Backpacking Quilts of 2026

Last Updated: March 24, 2026

From the deep forests of the coastal Pacific Northwest to Arizona’s desert and beyond, we’ve vetted the best backpacking quilts to keep you cozy no matter the climate.

Best Hiking Shorts for Men of 2026

Waist-down view of a hiker standing on a rocky trail in the men's Patagonia Quandary hiking shorts

Best Hiking Shorts for Men of 2026

Last Updated: March 24, 2026

Discover your new favorite trail-ready hiking shorts from Patagonia, prAna, REI, and more. Our experts bring you tailored suggestions for the best in comfort, durability, and style from trail to town.

Best Hiking Shorts for Women 2026

Woman standing on a rock outcropping overlooking the scenery below.

Best Hiking Shorts for Women 2026

Last Updated: March 23, 2026

From sunny summits to rugged trails, our handpicked selection of the best women’s hiking shorts will keep you comfortable, dry and stylish on every trek.

Best Hiking Pants for Men of 2026

A backpacker standing in front of a lake in the men's Kuhl Deceptr hiking pants

Best Hiking Pants for Men of 2026

Last Updated: March 20, 2026

Whether you need to crush big days in comfort or blaze your own path through the backcountry, these are the best pants for hiking, backpacking, and big adventures.

HIMALI Accelerator Down Jacket Review

A male hiker shows the HIMALI Down Jacket layered underneath his rain jacket on a test hike

HIMALI Accelerator Down Jacket Review

Published: March 20, 2026

This down jacket’s performance and value rank among the best models we’ve tested and reviewed. Find out why this one became a team favorite almost immediately.

Best Budget Tents of 2026

a man looks at an approaching storm over a wide high grass prairie

Best Budget Tents of 2026

Last Updated: March 19, 2026

We trail-tested and thoroughly assessed the best-priced tents on the market that are high quality, comfortable, and affordable.

Best Hiking Boots for Women of 2026

Two hikers wearing the Keen Targhee IV WP and Merrell Moab 3 WP Women's Hiking Boots

Best Hiking Boots for Women of 2026

Last Updated: March 17, 2026

After rigorous on-trail testing, we’ve narrowed down our list of the most comfortable, durable, and lightweight hiking boots to keep you moving on…

Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2026

A man sits up in a sleeping bag with the hood over his head. He is smiling and looking off camera.

Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2026

Last Updated: March 17, 2026

Our list of trail-tested backpacking sleeping bags will help you find a cozy sack for everything from summer summits to winter wanderings

Best Hiking Boots for Men of 2026

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 2026

Last Updated: March 14, 2026

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.

GR11 Backpacking Guide – Spanish Pyrenees

a hiker traverses a narrow ledge over a cliff with green mountains in the background

GR11 Backpacking Guide – Spanish Pyrenees

Last Updated: March 14, 2026

Plan your backpacking trip on the GR11, a stunning 500-mile high-mountain route through the Spanish Pyrenees full of views, refugios, and challenging terrain.

Ultralight Backpacking Gear: Packing List Under 10 lbs

a hiker stands on a log next to a pond with a yellow backpack on her back

Ultralight Backpacking Gear: Packing List Under 10 lbs

Published: March 13, 2026

This ultralight backpacking gear list will keep you moving fast on trail comfortable in camp. Putting together a base weight under 10 pounds has never been easier.

FlipFuel Fuel Transfer Device Review

A closeup of the bleed valve on the Flipfuel.

FlipFuel Fuel Transfer Device Review

Published: March 5, 2026

Stop hauling around half-empty fuel canisters. Quickly refill and balance out your partially used canister before your next trip with a simple, efficient transfer solution that saves both fuel and money.

Best Backpacking Tents of 2026

The NEMO Hornet OSMO 2 and Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 backpacking tents pitched in a campsite surrounded by granite peaks in the Sawtooth Mountains

Best Backpacking Tents of 2026

Last Updated: February 24, 2026

We put the top-performing backpacking tents on the market through the wringer to find the best balance of comfort, weight, ease of use, and more. Find your new home-away-from home with our guide.

10 Best Hiking Leggings & Tights of 2026

two people sitting on a log, one in blue leggings and one in pastel pink leggings. close-up on just the bottom half. person wearing pink leggings is touching the fabric

10 Best Hiking Leggings & Tights of 2026

Last Updated: February 22, 2026

Whether hiking to the summit or strolling your neighborhood trails with your dog during any season, our gear testers stretched the limits of the best hiking leggings on the market. Check out our list of products designed for women that provide all the features, fit, and durability you need on the trail.