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Hiking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides

We hope to inspire adventure and promote wilderness conservation through in-depth gear reviews, skill-based tutorials, and comprehensive trip guides.

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Best Hiking Daypacks of 2026
A person with a black dog looks out over a rocky landscape filled with pines. An EXPED brand pack is on their bag and a fly fishing rod is strapped to the side.

Best Hiking Daypacks of 2026

From summit scrambles to scenic strolls, the right daypack makes all the difference. Check out which packs made our list before you hit the trail.
10 Best Hiking Fanny Packs of 2026
woman unzipping the hyperlite mountain gear versa fany pack next to a rushing white water river

10 Best Hiking Fanny Packs of 2026

Fanny packs may have been considered a fashion faux-pas at one point, but nowadays it seems like we don’t make it a mile…
10 Best Energy Bars for Hiking & Protein Bars of 2026
Multiple energy bars on a camp table

10 Best Energy Bars for Hiking & Protein Bars of 2026

We’ve taste-tested the best energy bars for hiking and they’re almost as satisfying as finally reaching the summit. Let your snacking adventure begin!
10 Best Hiking Leggings & Tights of 2026
two people sitting on a log, one in blue leggings and one in pastel pink leggings. close-up on just the bottom half. person wearing pink leggings is touching the fabric

10 Best Hiking Leggings & Tights of 2026

Whether hiking to the summit or strolling your neighborhood trails with your dog during any season, our gear testers stretched the limits of the best hiking leggings on the market. Check out our list of products designed for women that provide all the features, fit, and durability you need on the trail.
Best Trekking Poles of 2026
A female backpacker hiking up to the top of a red, rocky mountain pass in Glacier National Park using the REI Flash Carbon trekking poles

Best Trekking Poles of 2026

We’ve rigorously tested these trekking poles over thousands of miles to find the sturdiest and most lightweight options. Get more stability on tough terrain…
Ultimate Day Hiking Checklist
Two women hiking, featuring hiking leggings of two different styles and patterns, one plain blue, and another also blue but camouflage like. Also a small dog, yellow fur. Both women are wearing day packs and rain jackets. The background is green plants and trees. The women are looking out at the view.

Ultimate Day Hiking Checklist

We love a good checklist to help us prepare for a trip – even if we’re just going out for a day hike…

All Hiking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides Content

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 Chairs of 2026
A man relaxes with his legs out and hands behind his head on a small backpacking chair.

Best Backpacking Chairs of 2026

Last Updated: March 28, 2026
Whether you see them as a luxury or a necessity, the best backpacking chairs make campsites more comfortable. These 11 chairs are worth the weight.
Best Hiking Socks of 2026
Closeup of a hiker's feet in the Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew socks and Salomon X Ultra shoes on the rim of the Grand Canyon

Best Hiking Socks of 2026

Last Updated: March 27, 2026
Keep blisters at bay with the perfect pair of well-cushioned hiking socks. Check out our top picks to pamper your feet on your next backpacking adventure.
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 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.
Best Hiking Daypacks of 2026
A person with a black dog looks out over a rocky landscape filled with pines. An EXPED brand pack is on their bag and a fly fishing rod is strapped to the side.

Best Hiking Daypacks of 2026

Last Updated: March 20, 2026
From summit scrambles to scenic strolls, the right daypack makes all the difference. Check out which packs made our list before you hit the trail.
Best Hiking Pants for Men of 2026
A backpacker standing in front of a lake in the men's Kuhl Deceptr hiking pants

Best Hiking Pants for Men of 2026

Last Updated: March 20, 2026
Whether you need to crush big days in comfort or blaze your own path through the backcountry, these are the best pants for hiking, backpacking, and big adventures.
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 Hiking Boots for Women of 2026
Two hikers wearing the Keen Targhee IV WP and Merrell Moab 3 WP Women's Hiking Boots

Best Hiking Boots for Women of 2026

Last Updated: March 17, 2026
After rigorous on-trail testing, we’ve narrowed down our list of the most comfortable, durable, and lightweight hiking boots to keep you moving on…
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.
Best Hiking Shoes for Women of 2026
A person sitting on an overlook with a beautiful scene in the background, with a focus on her hiking shoes.

Best Hiking Shoes for Women of 2026

Last Updated: March 10, 2026
Every year we round up the best women’s hiking shoes and test them in the mountains to bring you a complete review of which are most comfortable, durable, supportive, and trail-worthy.
Best Trekking Poles of 2026
A female backpacker hiking up to the top of a red, rocky mountain pass in Glacier National Park using the REI Flash Carbon trekking poles

Best Trekking Poles of 2026

Last Updated: March 9, 2026
We’ve rigorously tested these trekking poles over thousands of miles to find the sturdiest and most lightweight options. Get more stability on tough terrain…
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