G3 Cabrio 30 AR
The best-carrying avy pack from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Gear Reviews
Gear Reviews
Find the best backpacking gear with help from our expert reviewers and gear testers at Backpacker. We review the best backpacking gear on the market, from sleeping bags, to cookware, to backpacks, to the best hiking boots, in the most rigorous trail conditions imaginable so you can find the perfect setup for all your adventures.
At Backpacker, we take our responsibility to provide readers with fair and accurate gear advice seriously. When you make a purchase through our site, we may earn a commission.
Find the best backpacking gear with help from our expert reviewers and gear testers at Backpacker. We review the best backpacking gear on the market, from sleeping bags, to cookware, to backpacks, to the best hiking boots, in the most rigorous trail conditions imaginable so you can find the perfect setup for all your adventures. At Backpacker, we take our responsibility to provide readers with fair and accurate gear advice seriously. When you make a purchase through our site, we may earn a commission.
Montane Iridium Hybrid Pull-On
Most durable insulation layer from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
The North Face Alpine Guide 3
Best gear storage for a tent from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Pant
Best ultralight puffy pants from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Thule Upslope R.A.S. 35L
Best avy pack for overnights from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Ridge Merino Inversion Heavyweight Crew & Bottoms
Most versatile baselayer from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Pallas Girl Scout
Women’s pick from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Fjällräven Keb Touring Trouser
Most Eco-friendly pants from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Ortovox Pro Light
Best shovel from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Dynafit TLT Hybrid Primaloft Hood Jacket
Best insulated layer for touring from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Bridgedale Ski Lightweight
Best for ski touring sock from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
LL Bean UL Mummy
The best synthetic sleeping bag from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Outdoor Research Hemisphere Bib
Best mobility for pants from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Backcountry Access BC Link 2.0
Best radio from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Rab Microlight Summit
Best warmth to weight ratio layer from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Swiftkick Pursuit Heavy Hike
Warmest sock from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Karakoram Prime Connect-CI
Best snowboard and splitboad bindings from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
The North Face Summit L3 Propius Ventrix Knicker
The best pants for instant warmth from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Sierra Designs Backcountry Bivy
The best bivy for winter camping from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Scarpa F1
Best ski boot for long tours from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Brynje Of Norway Wool Thermo Light Zip Polo
Lightest baselayer from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Gordini Camber
The most versatile gloves from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Mammut Spindrift 26
Best backpack for organization from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Blackyak Brangus Pant
Best mobility for pants from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Smartwool Smartloft
The best value gloves from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Arc’teryx Procline Ar Carbon
Best ski boot for mountaineering from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Adidas Outdoor Stockhorn Fleece Hoodie II
Best protecting insulation layer from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Flylow Smitty Mitten
The warmest mittens from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Black Crows Camox Freebird
Women's pick ski from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Arc’teryx Beta AR
Most durable shell from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Marmot Lightweight Kestrel/Lana Crew
Best value baselayer from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Black Diamond Helio 95
Best all-around ski from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Bight Gear Fissure Tech Fleece
Most breathable insulation layer from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Wrightstock Escape Silver Crew
Best blister fighter sock from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Osprey Mutant 52
Best load-hauler backpack from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Flylow Cooper Jacket
Most breathable shell from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro
Best ski boot for charging from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Patagonia Micro Puff Storm
Best weatherproofing layer from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Weston Japow Split
The best splitboard for powder from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Elan Ibex 94 Carbon XLT
Best ski for uphills from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Strafe Cham Jacket
Best shell for tall folks from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Adidas Swift Parley Jacket
Eco Bargain shell from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
G3 Seekr 100
Most playful ski from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
The North Face Impendor Softshell
Warmest softshell from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Helly Hansen Ullr 40
Best features in a backpack from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Montane Fleet
Ounce-for-ounce champ shell from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Ortovox 120 Merino Competition Ls Crew
Best wicking baselayer from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Maloja Gustina
Women's pick for softshell from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Feetures Merino 10 No Show Tab Cushion
The best trail running sock from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Ortovox Haute Route 40
Most stable backpack from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Dynafit TLT 3L
Lightest shell from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Baffin 3 Pin Guide Pro
Best ski boot for deep cold from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Outdoor Research San Juan
Toughest softshell from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Oyuki Haika
The most comfortable gloves from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Keen Terradora Wintershell
Women’s pick for footwear from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
REI Xerodry GTX Jacket
Best value shell from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Smith I/O Mag
Best lens system for goggles from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Smartwool Merino 250 Base Layer One Piece
Best onsie from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Big Agnes Yock 0
The best down bargain sleeping bag from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Garmont Momentum WP Mid
Best traction in footwear from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Black Diamond Helio Active Shell
Most comfortable shell from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Columbia Titanium Omni-Heat 3D Knit Crew & Tight
Warmest baselayer from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Exped Downmat TT 9
The best sleeping pad from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
La Sportiva Trango Tower Extreme GTX
Best footwear for mountaineering from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Terramar Cloud Nine Turtleneck
Women’s pick baselayer from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Burton Flight Attendant X Splitboard
Lightest splitboard from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Vasque Canyonlands Ultradry
Most versatile footwear from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Spy Ace EC
The most versatile goggle from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Mountain Equipment Kinesis
Warmest fleece from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Eddie Bauer Katabatic 3
Editor's Choice update for the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Salewa Speed Beat Gore-Tex
Best footwear for trail running from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Giro Article / Lusi
The best value goggle from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Le Bent Le Base 200 Lightweight Crew
Coziest baselayer from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Deal of the Week: Darn Tough Hiker Boot Sock Cushion
Step into savings with a deal on these indestructible socks.
Deeluxe XVe
Check out Scott Yorko's author page.
The Best Eco-Friendly Gear for Backpackers
These 5 pieces perform well on the trail and benefit the Earth.
KEEN Targhee III Waterproof Mid
Eco-friendly leather and a supportive ankle make this a boot that made us feel good about our choices.
Marmot Eclipse Jacket
This shell ditches PFCs for a weatherproof, eco-friendly coat.
Vaude Gleann Shirt V
The secret ingredient in this shirt's quick-drying fabric? Used coffee grounds.
Truce Drop Liner 24L
Sailcloth makes this everyday bag nearly indestructible.