Gear Essentials
Before you shop–and buy–your dream camera, familiarize yourself with these commonly used terms
The latest word from our testers
Lighten your planetary load, water bottle style, with these BPA-free water bottle alternatives.
Packs, tents, boots, and bags–that's easy. Now comes the hard part: Everything else. Below, you'll find our top picks for all the lust-worthy backcountry essentials you'll need to make your trip safe, fun, and simple.
Ward off the chill of cooler temps with these
Backpacker-tested base layers and shells
Socks so darn perfect they can make a thief out of your dearest friend
Budget shopper or big spender? We have the perfect three-season layering system for you.
The Harry Potter hat for AT hikers: a bandanna that doubles as the key to the trail.
Prevent embarassing, water-wasting splashes by replacing your water bottle's lid with the Gription.
Stop dreaming, start planning with our top tips and picks for boots and gaiters
Two tried-and-true favorites--the Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero and the Smith Sliders sunglasses--join our gear hall of fame
Stay dry in the wettest weather with this lid, winner of a 2005 Editors' Choice Gold Award
New Zealand is pretty to look at, but harsh on gear--making it just what we needed for our Kiwi challenge.
These Editors' Choice Green Award-winning socks are soft on the planet-and your feet
Pamper your feet with the most supportive footbeds we've tested
Your complete guide to the latest in outdoor electronics, including a smart watch, a weatherproof MP3 player, and the best in GPS.
We went to outdoor educators and gear retailers to uncover the most common questions asked about staying dry in the backcountry. Here are the top 6.
You won't miss a thing with this piece of raingear.
Get the lowdown on what your socks are made of.
Get more mileage from your stockings, on the trail and in the wash
