Hiking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides

Hyperlite Mountain Gear makes some of our favorite ultralight backpacks, tents, and accessories, and they’ve done it again…

Arc’teryx recently released the Proton LT Hoody (men’s and women’s), which is their most durable, insulated climbing jacket to date. The Proton provides lightweight synthetic insulation for a range of activities from climbing to snow sports to backpacking.

One of the newest jackets introduced by Arc’teryx for the 2019 hiking season, the Zeta SL (men’s & women’s), is an excellent balance between quality, durability, and weight. The highly packable and versatile design of the SL is a great option for hikers looking to push through wet weather in rugged conditions.

Arc’teryx has introduced two new ultralight shells to their already strong line of rain gear.

Few things can ruin a backpacking trip quicker than relentless swarms of buzzing mosquitoes…

Cotopaxi’s mission is creating innovative outdoor gear and making meaningful strides toward reducing global poverty.

If you’re a backpacker who likes to pack light, but you still want to enjoy the comforts of a hammock in the wilderness, then the Hummingbird Single Hammock and Tree Straps are for you.

Most camp chairs are far too heavy and bulky for backpacking. At only 7oz, Therm-a-rest Compack Chair Kit is light enough to pack deep into the backcountry and comfortable enough to make all your buddies jealous while sitting around the campfire.

The Patagonia M10 Jacket is a fantastic rain shell for any lightweight adventurer. It has quickly become my all-time favorite backpacking jacket, and I expect you’ll feel the same. 

Below is an email from a reader I received this week. Den from Berkshire, UK brings up a problem I hear about all the time, so I thought I’d share my response. Also, if you want more info on the hiking boots vs. running shoes debate, check out my article 5 Reasons To Ditch Your Hiking Boots. A big thanks to Den for the great question! 

This is an effective, lightweight, versatile, and economical water filter great for all your backpacking adventures.

Philip Werner put up a great rant this week about bear bagging and the importance of properly protecting your food in the wilderness. There’s been a lively discussion on his post about the best food storage techniques and how to fix the general problem that animals are getting into human food too much in the wilderness. When animals get human food, it damages their natural foraging instincts and hurts the environment. It also causes pests around established campsites and can be deadly for the animals themselves.

Take a pair of scissors and chop up your backpack. If I wasn’t already a UL backpacker, I wonder if I’d ever give it a second chance.