Marmot Valor (m's Adonis)
Most breathable
All Content
Montane Minimus Stretch
Best weight-to-features
Dynafit Elevation Gore-Tex Jacket
Year-round performer
Cotopaxi Teca Half-Zip
Eco-friendly windshell
Marmot Lightstream
Best Summer Softshell
Montbell Stretch Rain Pants
Best Leg Protection
adidas Voyager Jacket
Best Buy
Outdoor Research Helium Hybrid Hooded Jacket
Most Versatile
Mountain Hardwear Thundershadow
Best Value
Columbia OutDry Extreme ECO Jacket
One of our favorite waterproof, breathable fabrics gets an eco-friendly upgrade.
The 11 Best New Tents of 2017
Whatever type of shelter you're looking for, these backpacking tents have you covered.
Sierra Designs High Route 1FL
Solo Palace
Mountainsmith Bear Creek 2
Budget Saver
NEMO Spike 2P
Floorless Ultralight
Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Platinum
Roomy Ultralight
Kelty Horizon 2
Best Value
REI Co-op Quarter Dome 2
Light and Livable
MSR Access 2
Shoulder-Season Shelter
Cotopaxi Inti 2
Shape Shifter
Marmot Tungsten UL 3P
Light and Strong
Cotopaxi Techo 3
Most Organized
Therm-a-Rest Tranquility 6
Car-Camping Luxury
Slingfin WindSaber
Strongest
Sponsored: An Adventure Worthy Basecamp
There is no better feeling than getting off the trail and realizing you are already home.
#PetzlNightLife Headlamp Giveaway
When the sun goes down, the real adventure begins. Enter to win one of 12 PETZL HYBRID HEADLAMP KITS to light up your #PetzlNightLife.
Keep the Dreamer Alive!
Hey Dreamer - share a picture of you and your buddies on your dream trip for a chance to win a Gregory Paragon 58 or Maven 55, for you and a friend.
Sea to Summit: Wake Up Inspired
Win the perfect outdoor sleep system with Sea to Summit’s “Wake up Inspired” sweepstakes! Enter to win an AWESOME Trek I Sleeping Bag, Comfort Light Self-Inflating Sleeping Mat, and Aeros Ultralight Pillow!
Thieves Steal Fossilized Footprints From Death Valley National Park
Park service offering $1,000 reward for help finding culprits
The 13 Best New Sleeping Bags & Pads of 2017
The best sleeping bags and pads to keep you well rested for the trail.
REI Co-op Flash Insulated
Lightest
Sea to Summit Comfort Light SI Pad
Best Self-Inflater
Therm-A-Rest Trail King SV
Extra Cushion
Kammok Thylacine
Most Versatile
Sierra Designs Zissou Plus 4 Season
Best Value
Cotopaxi Sueño
Most versatile
NEMO Equipment Disco 15
Most Comfortable
Marmot Phase 20
Lightest Three-Season
The North Face Hypercat
Best Synthetic
REI Magma 850
If you've been waiting to get a premium down bag because of price, stop waiting.
Mountain Equipment Firefly
Lightest Mummy
Enlightened Equipment Revelation
Best Quilt
Big Agnes Pin Ears 20
Lightweight Bargain
Backpacker Reviews "Stranded With a Million Dollars": Week 6
Our millennial heroes get giardia and watch their socks get washed away to sea.
The 13 Best Backpacks of 2017
Find just the right blend of comfort, organization and durability with the best backpacks of the year.
Exped Skyline 15
Most Versatile
Mountain Hardwear Ozonic 70
Weather Champ
Osprey Aether AG 85 (w’s Ariel AG 75)
Best for Big Loads
Mystery Ranch Stein 62
Most Organized
Granite Gear Crown 2 60L
Lightest
The North Face Alpine 50
Light and Tough
Gregory Paragon 58 (w’s Maven 55)
Best All-Around
REI Co-op Flash 45
Best Women's Fit
Fjällräven Abisko Friluft 45
Most Eco-Friendly
Columbia Trail Pursuit 40L
Do-It-All Workhorse
Patagonia Lightweight Black Hole 26L
Most Versatile
Black Diamond Blitz 20
Most Stable
Arc’teryx Bora AR
Banish sore hips and pack sway with a new hipbelt that moves with you in all directions.
Backpacker Reviews "Stranded With a Million Dollars": Week 5
The contestants argue a lot, spend too much money, and inch closer to glamping than ever before.
"Stranded With a Million Dollars": Week 4
Shockingly, one of the contestants actually shows some real survival skills.
How to Fix Hiking Boots and Shoes
A little TLC will keep your hiking boots in shape for years to come.
The 14 Best New Hiking Boots and Shoes of 2017
The best boots and shoes of the year can rip their way up steep trail runs, traverse long trails, and tackle the roughest mountain routes. Pick your favorite and get out there.
Columbia Daska Pass III OutDry Extreme
Most waterproof
Lowa Irox GTX (w’s Lyxa GTX)
All-Mountain Boot
SCARPA Zodiac Plus GTX
Most Supportive
La Sportiva Nucleo High GTX
Best Traction
The North Face Ultra Gore-Tex Surround Mid
One-boot Quiver
AKU Alterra GTX
Best Fit
Vasque Breeze III GTX
Best All-Around
Altra Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell Mid
Ultralight
SCARPA Epic Lite
Most versatile
Salomon Odyssey Pro
Most comfortable
Oboz Crest Low BDry
Most durable
Brooks Caldera
Best ride
On Cloudventure Waterproof
Best for wet trails
Dynafit Feline Vertical
Best traction
Plan Your Biggest Hike Ever With This Simple Checklist
Want to check an epic hike off your life list? Start ticking off these boxes and make it happen.
Ask a Thru-Hiker: Take a Long Hike Without Quitting Your Job
Have the thru-hike itch, but don't want to ditch your career? A short long trail may be just what you need.
The BACKPACKER Gear Hall of Fame
There's a reason we keep coming back to these 20 products season after season.
Asolo Drifter GV
Savor protection where you need it most.
GSI Outdoors Titanium Kung Foon
No noodle is left behind.