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Hiking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides

How to Lace Hiking Boots & Shoes
A hiker in a red rain jacket sitting on a rock to tie his Salomon Quest 4 GTX boots

How to Lace Hiking Boots & Shoes

Last Updated: October 23, 2026
How many ways can you tie your shoes? If you like to hike, you’ll need more than one.
REI Gift Guide 2026: Best Gifts for Hikers & Backpackers
A man stands facing the camera wearing a blue REI 650 Down Jacket, zipped up with a hood underneath a cap, set against a snowy winter forest at sunset.

REI Gift Guide 2026: Best Gifts for Hikers & Backpackers

Published: October 22, 2026
Outdoor gifts handpicked by our team, including gear we’ve tested and additional finds for hikers, campers, and backpackers.
10 Tips for Capturing Great Adventure Photos

10 Tips for Capturing Great Adventure Photos

Last Updated: October 21, 2026
Taking professional-looking photos takes time, but it’s a skill worth growing if you want to better share your experiences, inspire others, and record your memories.
Best Rain Pants of 2026
A hiker sitting on a mossy old growth log in the Outdoor Research Helium Rain Pants

Best Rain Pants of 2026

Last Updated: October 21, 2026
Find the right rain pants for your next hike, from rugged three-layer shells to soft, breathable designs and ultralight backup layers.
Aquamira Water Purification Drops Review
Closeup of Part A and Part B Aquamira dropper bottles

Aquamira Water Purification Drops Review

Last Updated: October 19, 2026
Aquamira offers a low-cost way to chemically purify water when viruses are a concern or you want a backup to a microfilter.
Platypus QuickDraw Review
a backpacker stands near a stream with a water bottle on the ground between their feet for support while they squeeze a quickdraw water bladder through a filter.

Platypus QuickDraw Review

Last Updated: October 19, 2026
The QuickDraw wins us over with its thoughtfully designed reservoir and consistently useful flow.
Katadyn Micropur Water Purification Tablets Review
a packet of micropur chlorine tablets

Katadyn Micropur Water Purification Tablets Review

Last Updated: October 19, 2026
Micropur tablets are the easiest backup treatment to forget about until you need them: a few sealed packets take almost no pack space and require no equipment to work.
Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter Review
a backpacker in yosemite holding up their treated and clean drinking water in a Platypus Gravityworks bladder

Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter Review

Last Updated: October 19, 2026
The GravityWorks is the filter we’d choose for pairs or small groups who want to stop squeezing bottles all evening.
Katadyn BeFree Water Filter Review

Katadyn BeFree Water Filter Review

Last Updated: October 19, 2026
The BeFree is a particularly appealing choice if you want to fill a soft flask and drink immediately without carrying a syringe.
Katadyn Steripen Ultra Water Purifier Review
a backpacker with the katadyn steripen inserted into a waterbottle next to a clear blue green river

Katadyn Steripen Ultra Water Purifier Review

Last Updated: October 19, 2026
The Steripen Ultra makes purifying clear water convenient.
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter Review
A hiker wears a backpack with the sawyer squeeze attached to a smartwater bottle in the side pocket.

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter Review

Last Updated: October 19, 2026
A versatile, ultralight filter with a strong flow rate and exceptional service life, provided you’re willing to backflush it and replace the included squeeze bags.
Lifestraw Peak Straw Water Filter Review
A close up of a hand holding a straw water filter

Lifestraw Peak Straw Water Filter Review

Last Updated: October 19, 2026
The Peak Squeeze stands out because it adapts to different water-carrying systems without demanding much extra weight.
MSR Guardian Water Filter Review
A hiker pumps with the msr guardian filter. the pre filter is submerged in murky water and a nalgene bottle is attached to the bottom of the filter.

MSR Guardian Water Filter Review

Last Updated: October 19, 2026
For trips where viruses and extremely poor water sources are real concerns, the Guardian offers protection that ordinary hollow-fiber backpacking filters cannot match.
LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Water Filter Review
A hiker inserts a water filter into a water bladder.

LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Water Filter Review

Last Updated: October 19, 2026
The Peak Straw works especially well for trail runners who cross plentiful streams and would rather drink at the source than carry water.
Katadyn Hiker Pro Water Filter Review
A water filter on a rock.

Katadyn Hiker Pro Water Filter Review

Last Updated: October 19, 2026
The Hiker Pro is a strong traditional pump option when you need to draw water from places too shallow to fill a bottle.
Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2026
A hiker pumps with the msr guardian filter. the pre filter is submerged in murky water and a nalgene bottle is attached to the bottom of the filter.

Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2026

Last Updated: October 16, 2026
Our favorite backpacking water filters and purifiers, chosen for real-world usability, source conditions, long-term performance, and weight.
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