Winter Hiking Repair Kit
Pack this essential kit to handle your unpredictable gear mishaps.
Author
Kristin Hostetter
My Stories
4 Key Winter Camp Accessories
Don't leave home without these winter camping essentials.
Build a Fire on Snow
Thinks it's difficult to build a fire on snow? Think again with these tried and true tips.
Build a Winter Basecamp: Beat the Deep Freeze
Our pros tell you how to set up a deluxe–yet weatherproof–winter basecamp.
Winter Hiking: The Cure for the (Un)Common Cold
Life's too short to be a three-season hiker. Follow these expert tips on staying warm, picking your route, and cooking savory meals--and add winter's deep solitude and frozen dreamscapes to your adventure calendar.
Four Season Kitchen Tips
Try these 6 kitchen tips, excerpted from BACKPACKER'S new book, Campsite Cooking: Cookware, Cuisine, and Cleaning Up. Plus, cold-weather tips from the pros.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2010: Tents
Find refuge in these 8 storm-tested shelters.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2010: Insulation
Insulating pieces from down to fleece.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2010: Bargains
Sometimes, it's the little things that count.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2010: Softshells
Find a jacket that's suited for highly active, cold-weather activities.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2010: Backcountry Kitchen Accessories
Everything you need to stay sated in the backcountry.
Gear Review: High Sierra Wheeled Double Decker Ski and Snowboard Combo Bag
Keep all your equipment in one place with this durable ski and snowboard bag.
Gear Review: Jetboil Flash
No need for bulky equipment with this combo vessel.
Gear Review: GSI Outdoors Halulite Ketalist
With this outdoor kettle set, you'll have boiling water in no time.
Gear Review: Packit Gourmet Big Easy Gumbo
Bring a taste of New Orleans with you on your next camping trip with this packaged Gumbo.
Gear Review: MSR Flex Skillet
A home cooked meal no longer has to stay at home with this skillet.
Gear Review: Klean Kanteen Wide Insulated
This thermos converts into an insulated mug whenever you're ready for a warm drink.
Gear Review: Primus OmniFuel
Cook with just about any fuel with this versatile stove.
Gear Review: MSR Reactor 2.5 Pot
Boil water in minutes with this cookware.
Gear Review: SOLE Exhale Slippers
Ditch your hiking boots for these fleece-lined slippers and relax.
Gear Review: Brooks-Range Backcountry Multi-Tool
Cut your tool bag in half with this compact multi-tool.
Gear Review: Freedom of the Hills Playing Cards
Cut camp boredom with these playing cards.
Gear Review: Merrell Raven/Falconry Tri-Therm Jacket
A three-in-one jacket system...that works.
Gear Review: Patagonia R1 Full-Zip Jacket
This lightweight fleece jacket has been a long-time tester favorite.
Gear Review: REI Antifreeze/Davos Jacket
-20°? No problem for this bargain heater.
Gear Review: Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody
A super warm jacket that compresses down to softball size.
Gear Review: Columbia Heat Elite Jacket
Columbia's "Omni-Heat" increases insulation by 20 percent over standard fill.
Gear Review: The North Face Redpoint Vest
A core-warming affordable, functional vest.
Gear Review: Montbell ThermaWrap BC Jacket
A versatile jacket that blends in anywhere.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardware Gravitor/Sooka Jacket
A waterproof ski jacket that's warm as well.
Gear Review: Canada Goose HyBridge Jacket
A hybrid softshell/puffy jacket.
Gear Review: Joshua Tree Climbing Salve
Fight rough effects on your skin with this moisturizing climbing salve.
Gear Review: Rab Infinity Jacket
A water resistant, down-filled force field.
Gear Review: Sierra Designs Convert 3 Tent
A four-season tent that can truly handle the elements.
Gear Review: Big Agnes String Ridge 2 Tent
A wedge-style, double-walled tent that packs super small.
Gear Review: Integral Designs SilTunnel Tent
A floorless tunnel tent that's ultralight for it's four-person capacity.
Gear Review: Hilleberg Keron 3 Tent
A roomy tunnel tent that's quick to set up.
Gear Review: Hilleberg Altai XP Yurt Tent
Sleeps eight and sits 12, this is the tent for a group expedition.
Gear Review: Brooks-Range Rocket A2 Tent
A lightweight, all-conditions shelter for two.
Gear Review: REI Arete ASL 3 Tent
If you dip your toes in winter camping this tent is for you.
Gear Review: The North Face Mountain 25 Tent
This tent survived the worst of Mt. Washington's epic weather.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Pandra LS Henley
Check out Kristin Hostetter's author page.
Budget Apparel Guide: Apparel – Insulation
From mild autumn evenings to winter's deep freeze, here's how to stay warm for less.
Gear Bargain Hunting: Fleece
Check out Kristin Hostetter's author page.
Gear Review: L.L. Bean Goose Down Jacket
For the cost, you won't find a warmer down jacket.
Gear Review: Sierra Designs Toaster Jacket
A bargain waterproof insulated shell that is Rainier worthy.
Gear Review: Merrell Charade Puffy Jacket
A synthetic puffy that turns into a neck pillow.
Gear Review: L.L. Bean Cresta Wool Midweight Base Layer Crew
A cheap(er) merino crew that stays stink-free.
Gear Review: Mammut TR1 Headlamp/Ambient Light Set
A headlamp and mini lantern in one.
Hot Summer Camping Gear: As Seen on the Today Show
See what summer essentials Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter recently recommended on the Today Show.
Knife Blades 101
Check out Kristin Hostetter's author page.
Gear Review: Leki Corklite AERGON SpeedLock Trekking Poles
Flick-lock poles that really work as promised.
Gear Review: First Ascent Mountain Guide Lite Pants
The fit, the fabric, and the details make these pants shine.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Octane/Spark Backpack
With a snug fit and excellent compression system, this daypack handles up to 20 pounds and stuck like glue canyoning in southern Utah.
Gear Chick Holiday Gift Picks: Random Picks..For Everyone Else
It's tough to find the perfect something for everyone. These picks should give you some options.
Gear Chick Holiday Gift Picks: Backpackers
Multi-day trip? No problem. These gifts will have your special someone dialed for their next outing.
Gear Chick Holiday Gift Picks: Dayhikers
These essentials will make your dayhiker the envy of everyone else around the tree.
Gear Chick Holiday Gift Picks: Stocking Stuffers
These gifts pack up so small, they're perfect for any stocking.
Gear Chick 2009 Holiday Gift Picks
Never fear, loyal readers. I've concocted a deep list of schwag that is sure to make everyone in your brood happy. So maintain your gift karma, this season, and bag the fruitcakes.
The Five-Star Camp Kitchen
Car camping? Here's the ultimate setup for any chef.
Gear Review: Lafuma Futura Clipper Chair
Kick back, throw your feet up and enjoy this super comfy camp lounger.
Gear Review: Lodge Logic Deep Dutch Oven
Cook almost anything in this burly outdoor oven.
Gear Review: REI Weekend Cooler
Keep your weekend fixings cool with this soft, spacious cooler.
Gear Review: GSI Infinity 4 Person Deluxe Tableset
This sturdy four-person mess kit boasts more than pretty colors.
Gear Review: Kelty Kitchen Sink
On dish duty? This portable basin makes scrubbing easy.
Gear Review: Coleman Fold N Go Grill
Interchangeable cooking surfaces make this compact stove a cook's backcountry dream
Super Scooper: GSI Outdoors Cathole Trowel
This trowel is made from pounds of abandoned polycarbonate water bottles and accessories.
Outfit Your Kids: Fall '09 Kids' Gear Reviews
Want to enjoy more time on the trail? It's simple: Bring the whole family, but make sure the kids stay comfortable with gear built for them.
Gear Review: Coleman LED Quad Lantern
No kid gets left in the dark with this versatile LED lamp.
Gear Review: Vasque Sundowner Kids' Boots
Solid, mid-weight support, waterproof, and grippy tread make this classic boot your kid's go to for all their hiking needs.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Epic Kids' Shell Jacket
Kids stay warm and dry with this deluge-proof shell, perfect for everything from family hikes, to waiting for the carpool.
Gear Review: Molehill Mountain Equipment 4-Way Stretch Pullover and Leggings Kids' Baselayers
Cozies made for camping comfort
Gear Review: The North Face Blue Ridge BX Kids' Sleeping Bag
Affordable starter mummy bag for kids 2-10 compresses down to soccer ball size.
Gear School: Raingear
Understand waterproofing, and you'll pick the right shell and keep it working like new.
Apparel Guide 2009: Puffy Jackets
Ever seen a cold goose? Slip into one of these cozy down (or synthetic down) heaters, and you'll understand why you haven't.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Compressor PL Puffy Down Jacket
This midweight synthetic packs small and repels light rain and snow.
Gear Review: Patagonia Nano Puff Down Jacket
This quilted pullover was a go-to jacket all year round.
Gear Review: First Ascent Downlight Sweater Down Jacket
This puffy is perfect as a midlayer for skiing or a springtime camp coat–and comes in a wide variety of sizes.
Gear Review: Mammut Pilgrim/Vinson Puffy Down Jacket
This overstuffed puffy was the warmest of the bunch with a high-collared hood and hand gaiters.
Gear School: Liquid Fuel Stoves
These workhorse cookers are ideal for long expeditions, cold weather, and foreign adventures.