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Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides

Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2026
a hiker blowing air into a sleeping pad pump sack

Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This slim, lightweight fitness tracker is great for recording your daily stats and has a vibrant display for analyzing all your health metrics.
Kelty Asher 55 Backpack Review
A green backpack sits on a picnic table in a State Park

Kelty Asher 55 Backpack Review

If you’re not swimming in cash, that doesn’t mean you can’t score a durable backpack that will do the job
Exped Lightning 50 Backpack Review
A man wearing a blue backpack stands in front of a river gorge

Exped Lightning 50 Backpack Review

This is a good backpacking backpack with a great look, but our gear analyst wasn’t sold on all of its design features
Coros Nomad GPS Watch Review
A close-up of a menu on a GPS watch worn on a wrist.

Coros Nomad GPS Watch Review

Friendlier price point and excellent features make this a great choice for anyone wanting excellent features without breaking the bank.
Suunto Run GPS Watch Review
A yellow watch rests on a mossy rock, showing running stats.

Suunto Run GPS Watch Review

Affordable and purpose-built for runners, this watch offers focused training features, accurate tracking, and a lightweight, comfortable design that delivers strong performance without stretching your budget.
Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2026

Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2026

Whether you’re looking to tackle a thru hike or haul some serious gear, we’ve got backpack recommendations for every type of adventure.
Gregory Baltoro 75 Backpack Review
a man wears a red backpack

Gregory Baltoro 75 Backpack Review

This is our favorite backpack for hauling heavy loads, providing good comfort even with 60 pounds of gear.
7 Best GPS Watches for Hiking & Backpacking of 2026

7 Best GPS Watches for Hiking & Backpacking of 2026

From fitness trackers to multi-day navigational aids, GPS watches offer a wide range of features that make them a valuable tool when out on the trail.
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