Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides
Osprey Exos 58 / Eja 58 Review
Osprey Exos 58 / Eja 58 Review
Last Updated:
October 7, 2026
Backpackers who want a framed pack under three pounds get excellent suspended-mesh ventilation and useful trail features, but the load rides farther from the body than on close-contact designs.
REI Trailmade 60 Review
REI Trailmade 60 Review
Last Updated:
October 7, 2026
New backpackers get a durable, straightforward pack with easy bottle access and simple organization, but its suspension is more basic than the category leaders.
ULA Equipment Circuit Review
ULA Equipment Circuit Review
Last Updated:
October 7, 2026
Thru-hikers carrying lightweight to moderate loads get a durable, simple pack with unusually good load transfer for its weight, but its 68-liter capacity can be more volume than a dialed-in kit needs.
Exped Lightning 50 Review
Exped Lightning 50 Review
Last Updated:
October 7, 2026
Backpackers who value premium construction and thoughtful technical features get a lot to like here, but awkward bottle access, a fiddly Y-strap, and compressed rear storage keep the experience from feeling seamless.
A Guide to Hiking in Torres del Paine: W, O, and Q Treks
A Guide to Hiking in Torres del Paine: W, O, and Q Treks
Last Updated:
October 6, 2026
If it’s your first time visiting Patagonia, Torres del Paine should be on your itinerary. Here’s how to enjoy some of the best trekking in the world:
Titcomb Basin Backpacking Guide – Wind River Range, WY
Titcomb Basin Backpacking Guide – Wind River Range, WY
Last Updated:
October 6, 2026
The Wind River Range, or the Winds, as they’re commonly known, are jammed with bucket-list day hikes and backpacking trips that reward you with epic views and unbelievable beauty.
Does Bear Spray Really Work?
Does Bear Spray Really Work?
Last Updated:
October 6, 2026
Bear spray is a must-have in many wilderness areas, but it’s only effective if you know how to use it. Read on for helpful deployment tips, buying considerations, and more.
How to Poop in the Woods: A Backpacker’s Guide
How to Poop in the Woods: A Backpacker’s Guide
Last Updated:
October 6, 2026
When nature calls, we’ve got steps to turn a backcountry bathroom break into a five-star experience. Plus, properly disposing of your #2 keeps our wild places and waterways clean and pristine.”
A Guide to Backpacking & Hiking in Patagonia
A Guide to Backpacking & Hiking in Patagonia
Last Updated:
October 6, 2026
We’ve been fortunate enough to hike and backpack extensively in Patagonia. Here’s what we’ve learned about this magical region after many years of travels to South America.
Santa Cruz Trek, Peru – A Guide to Hiking the Cordillera Blanca
Santa Cruz Trek, Peru – A Guide to Hiking the Cordillera Blanca
Last Updated:
October 5, 2026
Nestled in the white-peaked Cordillera Blanca range in the Andes, the classic 4-day Santa Cruz backpacking trip may be one of the most beautiful treks in the world. Here’s how to hike this overlooked hiking mecca north of Lima, Peru.
Pinhoti Trail Guide
Pinhoti Trail Guide
Last Updated:
October 5, 2026
Stretching across eastern Alabama and western Georgia, this thru-hike offers an extended hiking season, unique trail towns, and relatively gentle terrain.
Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2026
Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2026
Last Updated:
October 2, 2026
Our top backpacking sleeping bags cover ultralight thru-hiking, cold-weather trips, roomy side-sleeper designs, synthetic wet-weather options, and genuinely affordable beginner picks.
Best Backpacking Tents of 2026
Best Backpacking Tents of 2026
Last Updated:
October 1, 2026
We put the top-performing backpacking tents on the market through the wringer to find the best balance of comfort, weight, weather protection, ease of use, and durability.
REI Trailmade 2 Review
REI Trailmade 2 Review
Last Updated:
September 30, 2026
A beginner-friendly budget tent with excellent durability and easy setup, best for short backpacking trips and crossover car camping.
REI Half Dome 2 Plus Review
REI Half Dome 2 Plus Review
Last Updated:
September 30, 2026
A roomy, durable budget tent that is excellent for two people and crossover camping, with weight as the main compromise.
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.