How to Buy the Right Sleeping Bag
Buy the right bag for your sleeping style and destinations, and it will keep you warm for years.
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The 5-ounce Fix Anything Kit
Build this light, affordable kit to repair any backwoods blowout.
Gear Review: Pacific Outdoor Equipment Ether Elite Sleeping Pad
A cushy sleeping pad for ultralighters
Gear Review: Mammut LightPump Mat
A luxurious mattress that insulates from the cold ground
Gear Review: Kelty Backpacker Sleeping Pad
An affordable and rugged self-inflating mattress
Gear Review: REI Expedition -20 Winter Sleeping Bag
A puffy, waterproof sleeping bag that really seals in heat
Gear Review: Sierra Designs Solar Flare Winter Sleeping Bag
A seriously warm women's sleeping bag
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear ExtraLamina 0 Winter Sleeping Bag
A bargain cold-weather bag with plenty of roll-around room
Gear Review: GoLite Adventure 4s Winter Sleeping Bag
A toasty, big and tall bag with a recycled nylon shell
Gear Review: The North Face Hotlum 3-Season Sleeping Bag
This rugged down bag won't break the bank.
Gear Review: Big Agnes Tumble Mountain 3-Season Sleeping Bag
An innovative down bag with no cold spots
Gear Review: GoPro HD Hero Camera
A versatile body camera that shoots HD video
Gear Review: Lafuma Warm'n Light 950 Pro 3-Season Sleeping Bag
A trim-fitting bag that packs light and small
Gear Review: Kelty Cosmic 3-Season Sleeping Bag
A super warm down bag at a super good price
Gear Review: Sierra Designs Vapor 3-Season Sleeping Bag
The lightest 15-degree bag on the market
Gear Review: GoLite RS 1 Summer Sleeping Bag + Season Quilt
A summertime quilt for steamy nights
Gear Review: Eastern Mountain Sports Velocity Summer Sleeping Bag
An affordable synthetic bag with down-like performance
Gear Review: The North Face Mercurial Sleeping Bag Liner
Crank up your bag's temperature rating by 10 degrees with this liner.
Gear Review: Eureka! Kotey Summer Sleeping Bag
A slim-fitting, summer bag for under 100 bucks
Gear Review: Vaude Ice Peak 150 Summer Sleeping Bag
A down bag that packs tiny and heats up fast
National Parks Center
We've collected the best hikes, most amazing photos, and mind-blowing videos for the ultimate National Park planning center. Get inspired and get hiking now!
Old Hipster – The Final Post
Last in a series of over-sharing dispatches on musculoskeletal health
Last Chance! Sign up Now for the Go Farther With Maps and GPS Webinar!
Upgrade your navigation skills under the tutelage of BACKPACKER's map editors.
Backpacker Photo School: Choosing a Lens
If you dont invest in more than one lens for your DSLR, it's almost like you never upgraded from a point and shoot at all: you've still got one camera and only one shooting option. When you can change your lens, suddenly you can get very different perspectives from the same spot. How do you choose the lens thats best for your needs? Here, three things you need to consider.
Editors' Choice Gold 2010 Videos: Evernew Titanium Non-Stick Cookware
These perfect pots have stood the test of time and earned our coveted Editors' Choice Gold Award.
CASIO PATHFINDER
Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, Casio introduces the second generation of slim design Pathfinder watches.
Ask A Bear: Camp Cooking in Clothes?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'
Trail Chef: Gourmet Cooking on $5 a Weekend
How any hiker can create inexpensive yet sumptuous meals and snacks
Wolves in Illinois
Trail camera captures rare wolf in state; coyote hunter later shoots it
Recipe: Stinging Nettle Soup with Strong Irish Coffee
Celebrate the Irish with this wild soup and coffee combo.
Western Cities Are Happier
Boulder tops a survey of the nation's happiest, healthiest cities
Sleep Aid Suggestions?
While trying to sleep in the backcountry my mind wants to stay in alert mode at night causing considerable sleep loss. I've tried OTC sleep aids and melatonin (3 mg) to only modest success. Any additional suggestions would bevery appreciated.
Gear Test: Soto Pocket Torch Update
This super lighter won an Editors' Choice Award this year, but has been tough to find—until now
What's a Good Couples Sleeping Bag?
My friends are getting married in a and I want to give them a piece of gear specifically for couples. I looked into couples sleeping bags, my first choice, but I can't spend more than $200. Can you suggest something thoughtful and high quality?
Fix Anything: DIY Gear Repair
Build yourself the ultimate gear-cleaning and maintenance kit to keep performance at its peak.
How to Purchase the Right Tent
Purchase a tent that fits and make it last forever with these key tips.
Gear Review: REI Cirque ASL 2 Mountaineering Tent
A weather worthy two-person tent
Gear Review: Hilleberg Jannu Mountaineering Tent
A roomy, lightweight tent that can handle big weather
Gear Review: Black Diamond Skylight Mountaineering Tent
A strong, superlight two-person tent with lavish space
Gear Review: Sierra Designs Zolo 3 Tent
A palatial three-person tent with two giant vestibules
Gear Review: MSR Carbon Reflex 3 Tent
Weather-worthy three-person tents don't come any lighter than this one.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Drifter 3 Tent
A bargain three-person tent
Gear Review: Big Agnes Hager House Tent
This three-person tent can be pitched in a variety of ways, depending on your trip.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Skyledge 2.1 Tent
Check out Kelly Bastone's author page.
Gear Review: Kelty Gunnison Pro Tent
If you want a dependable three-season shelter that can handle light winter conditions, this is it.
Gear Review: Sierra Designs LT Strike 2 Tent
Choose this tent for its awesome space-to-weight ratio, and use it in moderate three-season conditions.
Gear Review: Marmot Haven 2P Tent
This roomy tent weighs less than four pounds yet offers 56 square feet of space.
Gear Review: NEMO Morpho 1P Tent
The Morpho is like three tents in one.
Gear Review: GoLite Eden 1P Tent
This durable tent wins "Best All Around" for the one-person category.
Gear Review: Big Sky Mirage 1P Tent
Goodbye bivy sack, hello headroom.
Gear Review: Eureka! Forte SQ 2XT Tent
With moderate weight and ample interior space for two, this freestanding double-wall hits a value sweet spot.
Ask A Bear: Breastfeeding Around Bears?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'
Recall: Ardica Mountain Hardwear Heating Jackets
Ardica recalls heating units in several jackets, citing potential for overheating and injury
Measure Your Torso for a Perfect Backpack Fit
Measure your torso to guarantee a perfect fit. Then hit the gear shop with our proven buying tips to find the best pack for your body type.
The 10 Survival Essentials
Update your survival kit for 2010.
Gear Review: Osprey Aether 70/Ariel 65 Weeklong Pack
Don't worry, the updates to these tried-and-true packs are worthy.
Gear Review: REI XT 85/XT 75 Weeklong Pack
These packs have everything but added weight.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Wiki 65/Nalu 60 Weeklong Pack
This pack is always comfortable regardless of weight.
Gear Review: Deuter ACT Lite 65 + 10/60 + 10 SL Weeklong Pack
This pared-down pack hauls big loads.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Infinity 60/Innova 60 Weeklong Pack
A dynamic suspension gives this pack all-day comfort.
Gear Review: Mammut Trion Guide 45+ Weekend Pack
Soft shoulder blade and lumbar pads ensure comfort no matter the payload.
Gear Review: Mountainsmith Lariat 65+/Juniper 50+ Weekend Pack
These Transformers-worthy packs sport convertible fanny packs and summit packs.
Gear Review: Deuter Spectro AC 32/28SL
This stable pack is made for rough terrain.
Gear Review: Granite Gear Escape AC 60/Escape AC 60 K Ultralight Weekend Pack
A great choice for mileage-oriented trekkers who want an ultralight pack that can handle any load.
Gear Review: Gregory Z55/Jade 50
This pack has total load transfer, comfort, and a conveniently laid-out packbag.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Fluid 32 Daypack
This daypack wears skis and ice axes as accessories.
Gear Review: CamelBak Vantage 35/Vista 32 Hydration Pack
Carry up to 100 ounces of hydration power with this comfortable daypack.
Gear Review: Kelty Lakota 4000 Weekend Pack
This pack hits a sweet spot for affordability and performance.
Gear Review: ClikElite Nature 35 Camera Pack
This is a true hiker's camera pack.
Gear Review: Marmot Eiger 40 XT Daypack
This workhorse pack has been redesigned with an easy-access opening.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Nitro/Pulse Daypack
This daypack is made for scrambling and holds up to 25 pounds.
Wildlife To Humans: 'Shut Up!'
New report shows human noiseeven from hikerscan interfere with wildlife
Teton Boulder Project
Jackson residents, climbers, rangers, and pols join forces to establish community bouldering park
Another Fallen
Portland hiker's body found Saturday, ending a 9-day search
Green Scene Gear: Green Wax
all natural ski and snowbaord wax won't pollute
Fish Fall from the Sky in Australia
freak event or new hazard of global warming?
Backpacker Photo School: How'd They Get The Cover Shot?
BACKPACKER cover photographer Seth Hughes shares the tricks and tips that helped him land the cover for our 2010 Gear Guide.
Update: Officials 'Close To Certain' Wolves Killed Alaskan Teacher
Autopsy reveals likely second documented wolf attack in North America
Obama's Yellowstone Vacation Video
White House releases footage of the president's summer visit to Yellowstone. Guest starring: Ken Burns!
Trail Chef: The Secret to Perfect Cheese Grits
It's time to make breakfast the most important meal of the day.