7 Ultralighters Share Their Worst Gear Decisions
From trying to make a bivy sack out of Tyvek to tarping it in mosquito country, going too light can land hikers in a lot of trouble.
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Spared From a Forest Fire, Colorado’s Iconic Hanging Lake Will Reopen in May
Reservations for the popular hike will open on April 1.
Field Institutes Are the Best Education in the National Parks—and They’re in Danger
National park field institutes are important for Inclusivity and education, but many are ailing. Here’s what you can do to help.
Glade Prospect
The best overall eyewear of 2021.
Zeal Optics Avon
The most versatile eyewear of 2021.
Rheos Coopers
The best value eyewear of 2021.
Smith Lowdown 2 Core
The most eco-friendly eyewear of 2021.
The 4 Best Sunglasses of 2021
Enjoy the sunshine with these shades.
Women in the Backcountry Don’t Need Your Help
Every woman who hikes has been the target of mansplaining—and Backpacker editors are no exception.
5 Unexpected Things That You’ll Always Find in a Mountain Guide’s Backpack
What does mountain guide Charlotte Austin keep in her pack? Baling wire, some important information, and a home remedy for nausea.
Rei Co-op Flash Carbon
The best overall trekking poles of 2021.
Hilleberg Trekking Poles
The most durable trekking poles of 2021.
Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 Pole
The best value trekking poles of 2021.
G3 Pivot Trek
The trekking pole with best features of 2021.
Volunteers Keep Hiking Trails Passable. Here’s Why It’s Time for You to Chip In.
There are more hikers on the trail than ever—and that means more wear and tear. It's up to all of us to help fix it.
CrazyCap
The best purifier of 2021.
Hydro Flask 21 Oz. Lightweight Trail Series
The best water bottle of 2021.
Sawyer Tap Filter
The best filter for car camping of 2021.
Deal of the Week: Smith Lowdown 2 Sunglasses
See clearly on the trail with these durable shades.
Primus Firestick
The lightest stove of 2021.
Jetboil Stash
The best all-in-one kitchen of 2021.
Sea to Summit Cool Grip X-Mug
The best multi-use mug of 2021.
The Best Camp Kitchen Gear of 2021
Cook better (and eat better) with coffeemakers, stoves, and more.
SOG Ultra XR
The lightest knife of 2021.
Gerber Suspension-NXT
The best value multitool of 2021.
Morakniv Eldris LightDuty (S)
The best bargain fixed blade of 2021.
Leatherman FREE K4/K4X
The most compact multitool of 2021.
The 5 Best Socks of 2021
Winter weather is no match for these warm and cozy pairs.
Ranger Ready Repellents P2 PAK Picaridin + Permethrin Trigger Spray 235ML | 8OZ
Keep biting bugs at bay with this spray combo.
Want to Lighten Your Load? Hike With a Goat.
For a growing number of hikers, goats are, well, the G.O.A.T. But not everyone is happy about it.
Goal Zero Nomad 20 Solar Panel
The best sleek solar panel of 2021.
Nitecore NB10000
The best ultralight powerbank of 2021.
SPOT GEN4
The most affordable PLB of 2021.
MPOWERD Luci Color String Lights
The best lighting for basecamp of 2021.
Black Diamond Flare
The lightest lighting of 2021.
BioLite HeadLamp 750
The lighting with best battery life of 2021.
Silva Trail Runner Free
The best overall lighting of 2021.
The Best Backpacking Electronics of 2021
This year's top gadgets are designed to keep you safe and comfortable on the trail while staying out of your way.
What Our Active Pass Members Are Testing Now: Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15°F
This sleeping bag shows promise, but our tester's experience left him a little cold.
The 4 Best Headlamps and Lights of 2021
Light up your hike with these smart picks, from an ultralight headlamp to an upgraded set of string lights.
The Mountain-Guide Wisdom I Use Every Day
Look up, be prepared, and don’t forget the snacks.
5 Mistakes That Can End Your Thru-Hike (and How to Avoid Them)
From training to planning, prep right to maximize your chances of going the distance.
Outdoor Brands Make Big Bucks Selling Gear for War—But Can’t Always Control Who Uses It
When the rigors of warfare prove too much for standard-issue gear, the military turns to the outdoor industry. But the flow of innovation, equipment, and profit is anything but leakproof.
The Best Family Camping Gear of 2021
Make your next trip fun for the whole family with these five smart picks.
Patagonia Baby Torrentshell 3L Bib
The best impenetrable rainshell of 2021.
Deal of the Week: MSR Carbon Reflex 3 Tent
Save on an ultralight, spacious shelter.
Five Early-Season Hikes to Escape the Deep Freeze
Start your hiking season without waiting for summer weather on one of these five treks.
Sweeten Up Your Spring With These Wild Honeysuckle Recipes
Create a foraged spread worthy of the most sophisticated garden party with this fragrant wildflower.
Sunday Afternoon Kids’ Ultra Adventure Storm Hat
The best weather-beating hat of 2021.
Adventure Medical Kits Backyard Adventure Kit
The best kid-friendly med kit of 2021.
Osprey Poco LT Child Carrier
The best savvy child-hauler of 2021.
Thule Tepui Explorer Autana 4
The best car-top palace of 2021.
The Best Backpacking Food of 2021
Chow down and drink up with our favorite trail-ready meals and snacks of the year.
Happy Yak Merry Berry Couscous
The best breakfast of 2021.
Brave Overnight Breakfast
The best no-cook breakfast of 2021.
Good To-Go Cuban Rice Bowl
The best vegetarian dinner of 2021.
Campfare Chicken Tikka Masala
The best fully hydrated dinner of 2021.
Next Mile Meals Beef Tacos
The best dinner for thru-hiking of 2021.
ZENB Sweet Potato Veggie Bites
The best savory snack of 2021.
Setton Farms Chipotle BBQ Pistachio Kernels
The best nut-based snack of 2021.
Honey Stinger Plus+ Performance Chews Stingerita Lime
The best caffeinated snack of 2021.
Nutrient Survival Vitamin Coffee Classic
The best drink of 2021.
The First-Ever Female Eagle Scouts Are Hikers, Mentors, and So Much More
Nearly 1,000 young women make up the groundbreaking new class from the BSA.
Injured ACL? You Might Be Able to Skip Surgery With These Exercises
How focused exercise helped one hiker return to the trails without going under the knife.
Learn the New Rules of Fire Starting in This Beginner’s Bible
Firestarting gets the-step-by-step treatment in Nate Summers’s compelling new treatise.
The 10 Best Hiking Boots and Shoes of 2021
Treat your feet with these trail runners, mid-cuts, and a favorite camp shoe.
Yes, You Can Go Ultralight During Mud Season and Still Stay Dry
Don't let trail conditions or weather keep you from going light and fast this spring.
The 7 Best Three-Season Sleeping Bags For Backpackers
Stay warm through hiking season with these top picks.
Members, Help Us Choose the Next Great Cover of Backpacker!
This month, we're asking Active Pass and Backpacker Pass members to weigh in the cover of our May/June 2021 issue.
Being a Solo Female Backpacker Can Seem Scary. But it Doesn’t Have to Be.
For almost a decade, I avoided camping alone. Now, I wish I had tried it sooner.
The Cure for Your Fear of Heights? More Heights
Whether you’re trekking along a ridge or standing on top of a summit, a fear of heights can cause you to freeze up. Don’t let it ruin your hike.
Sponsored Content
First Look: VECTIV™ Exploris Mid FUTURELIGHT™
The VECTIV™ Exploris Mid FUTURELIGHT™ is a new mid boot from The North Face, featuring the VECTIV™ propulsion technology that makes up the backbone of their cutting-edge new line of trail shoes.
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High Speed with Hillygoat
Endurance runner Hillary Allen is a specialist when it comes to charging hard on rough trail. The new VECTIV shoe line is helping get her where she needs to go, fast.
Here’s What’s Happening to the Into the Wild Bus
When a National Guard helicopter hauled the famous Magic Bus off of Alaska’s Stampede Trail in 2020, it may have been the end of the vehicle's time as a destination for hikers. But a museum in Fairbanks is working to keep the story alive.
Deb Haaland Confirmed as First-Ever Native Secretary of the Interior
Will take up position after being approved in 51-40 vote.
This Goldilocks Softshell Squashes Shoulder-Season Chill
The Marmot WarmCube Novus Hoody will keep you warm—but not too warm—on early spring hikes.
Meet the Colorado Hiker Battling PTSD With Therapy Goats
A program called Goat Walkabouts pairs hikers with “healing herds”of retired yoga goats to help treat trauma in the Rockies.
Black Diamond TreeLine
The best value shell of 2021.
The North Face Flight Lightriser FUTURELIGHT
The lightest shell of 2021.