Editors' Choice 2017: The Best Backpacking Gear of the Year
After thousands of hours of testing and a five-day trek through Colombia, these 11 products have earned a place in our pack.
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Backpacker Editors’ Choice 2017
Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Day Pack
Columbia OutDry Extreme ECO Jacket
You won’t find one piece of mediocre gear in Backpacker. With hundreds of testers putting products to hard use all over the world, our process is simply too stringent for gear that doesn’t perform at the highest level. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few pieces that outshine the rest. After months of hiking, climbing, camping, and paddling this gear through all imaginable conditions and terrain, we narrowed the list down to a few stars to bring on our trek through Colombia’s Páramo de Ocetá. After five days of backpacking through a unique alpine grassland at 12,000 feet, we crowned these eleven products with our highest award.
Voormi River Run Hoodie
This superlight merino/synthetic top works in all temps.
Rab Kinetic Plus Jacket
Full storm protection was never this stretchy.
Helinox Chair Zero
Stay high and dry with a chair that’s so light you’ll never want to leave it behind.
REI Co-op Magma 850
If you’ve been waiting to get a premium down bag because of price, stop waiting.
Mountainsmith Slingback Chair
Save weight and money with this minimalist recliner.
Good To-Go Oatmeal
The backpacker breakfast staple gets a long-overdue upgrade.
Arc’teryx Bora AR
Banish sore hips and pack sway with a new hipbelt that moves with you in all directions.
Katadyn BeFree
This no-fuss filter fixes every problem with squeeze hydration.
Editors’ Choice Green Award: Columbia Outdry Extreme Eco Jacket
One of our favorite waterproof/breathable jackets gets an eco-friendly upgrade.
Editors’ Choice Gold Award: Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Day Pack
When you want an extra pack but don’t want to carry an extra pack, take this featherlight bag.
Editors’ Choice Gold Award: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 4
The most livable group tent out there gets better.