Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides

Best Down Jackets of 2026

Front view of a person smiling while wearing the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody with the hood fully zipped, standing in a snowy landscape with trees in the background.

Best Down Jackets of 2026

Last Updated: March 31, 2026

Down for an adventure? It’s time to layer up! Stay warm, cozy and comfy from city sidewalks to snowy slopes with our guide to the best puffy jackets for men and women.

Best Backpacking Stoves of 2026

The MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe backpacking stove in front of a jagged mountain with red bands

Best Backpacking Stoves of 2026

Last Updated: March 30, 2026

We’ve spent years cooking up this list of the best backpacking stoves around so backcountry chefs and Cup Noodle connoisseurs can find their perfect match.

Coulee Coffee EcoPour Filter Review

An EcoPour filter on a mug of coffee with freshness packs of Coulee Coffee blurred in the background

Coulee Coffee EcoPour Filter Review

Published: March 27, 2026

Pour-over coffee filters are an alternative to camping coffee makers and instant coffees. We like these eco-friendly filters for their convenience and ease of use.

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.

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 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.