Big Agnes Insulated Air Core
This synthetic-insulated, mummy-shaped pad packs down to football size.
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.
Big Agnes Diversion Insulated Air Core Recycled
This synthetic-insulated, mummy-shaped pad packs down to football size.
KEEN Inc Voyageur
Comfortable, sneaker-like feel with a roomy toebox.
Big Agnes Dream Island 15
The Pyro is the economical solution if you need a 15°F bag in 30°F temps.
Big Agnes Big Creek 30
No more zipping bags together, a two-person bag designed for couples.
Big Agnes Cabin Creek 15
No more zipping bags together, a two-person bag designed for couples.
Big Agnes King Solomon 15
No more zipping bags together, a two-person bag designed for couples.
Granite Gear Nimbus Meridian
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Big Agnes Hogan Park 0
No more zipping bags together, a two-person bag designed for couples.
JanSport Agave
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Big Agnes Deer Park 30
No more zipping bags together, a two-person bag designed for couples.
Granite Gear Nimbus Core
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Big Agnes Summit Park 15
No more zipping bags together, a two-person bag designed for couples.
Big Agnes Elk Park -20
No more zipping bags together, a two-person bag designed for couples.
Big Agnes Whiskey Park 0
No more zipping bags together, a two-person bag designed for couples.
Big Agnes Hog Park 20
No more zipping bags together, a two-person bag designed for couples.
Big Agnes Buffalo Park 40
No more zipping bags together, a two-person bag designed for couples.
Big Agnes Porcupine 15
No more zipping bags together, a two-person bag designed for couples.
JanSport SANTIAM
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Granite Gear Nimbus Trace Ki
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Big Agnes Wolverine 15
No more zipping bags together, a two-person bag designed for couples.
Big Agnes Little Red 15
No more zipping bags together, a two-person bag designed for couples.
Big Agnes Grouse Mountain 15
No more zipping bags together, a two-person bag designed for couples.
LEKI USA Thermolite AERGON XL Antishock
Get a grip on the best carbon poles we've ever tested.
Big Agnes Fria 15
No more zipping bags together, a two-person bag designed for couples.
Big Agnes Edna SL-5
No more zipping bags together, a two-person bag designed for couples.
KEEN Inc Voyageur Mid
Comfortable, sneaker-like feel with a roomy toebox.
Big Agnes Peggy SL 15
No more zipping bags together, a two-person bag designed for couples.
KEEN Inc Targhee II
Comfortable, sneaker-like feel with a roomy toebox.
Big Agnes Amber SL 30
No more zipping bags together, a two-person bag designed for couples.
KEEN Inc Targhee II Mid
Comfortable, sneaker-like feel with a roomy toebox.
Big Agnes Hahns Peak SL -20
A -20°F bag that's both light and roomy.
KEEN Inc Pyrenees
Comfortable, sneaker-like feel with a roomy toebox.
JanSport Tulare
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Big Agnes Pomer Hoit SL 0
A -20°F bag that's both light and roomy.
Granite Gear Nimbus Trace 62
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Big Agnes Zirkel SL 20
A -20°F bag that's both light and roomy.
Grivel Grivel Himalaya
Get a grip on the best carbon poles we've ever tested.
LEKI USA Carbonlite AERGON SpeedLock
Get a grip on the best carbon poles we've ever tested.
KEEN Inc Siskiyou Mid WP
Comfortable, sneaker-like feel with a roomy toebox.
Grivel Grivel Trail
Get a grip on the best carbon poles we've ever tested.
Big Agnes Horse Thief 35
A -20°F bag that's both light and roomy.
Mountain Laurel Designs Circus
With a massive 96-square-foot (floorless) area and 70-inch peak height, the Circus Tent can fit up to seven.
Big Agnes Pitchpine SL 45
A -20°F bag that's both light and roomy.
Vaude Terkum 75+10
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Mountain Laurel Designs TrailStar
With a massive 96-square-foot (floorless) area and 70-inch peak height, the Circus Tent can fit up to seven.
Granite Gear Blaze AC 60 Ki
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Vaude Terkum 65+10
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Big Agnes Brooklyn 0
A -20°F bag that's both light and roomy.
Vaude Terkum 55+10
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Big Agnes Lulu 15
A -20°F bag that's both light and roomy.
Mountain Laurel Designs MLD SuperTarp
With a massive 96-square-foot (floorless) area and 70-inch peak height, the Circus Tent can fit up to seven.
Hiking with Fused Vertebrae
I had my L4 and L5 vertebrae fused. Is there special equipment I should bring, or things I should modify when hiking? I know that Denali is out, but would like to hit some 14,000-foot peaks in Colorado.

Mountain Laurel Designs DuoMid
With a massive 96-square-foot (floorless) area and 70-inch peak height, the Circus Tent can fit up to seven.
Mountain Laurel Designs Cuben Fiber Solo Pro Tarp
With a massive 96-square-foot (floorless) area and 70-inch peak height, the Circus Tent can fit up to seven.
Mountain Laurel Designs Grace Solo Cuben Fiber
With a massive 96-square-foot (floorless) area and 70-inch peak height, the Circus Tent can fit up to seven.
Granite Gear Blaze AC 60
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Mountain Laurel Designs Patrol Shelter
With a massive 96-square-foot (floorless) area and 70-inch peak height, the Circus Tent can fit up to seven.
Mountain Laurel Designs Grace Duo Spintex EXP
With a massive 96-square-foot (floorless) area and 70-inch peak height, the Circus Tent can fit up to seven.
Mountain Laurel Designs SuperMid 2010
With a massive 96-square-foot (floorless) area and 70-inch peak height, the Circus Tent can fit up to seven.
Mountain Laurel Designs SoloMid
With a massive 96-square-foot (floorless) area and 70-inch peak height, the Circus Tent can fit up to seven.
Big Agnes Slavonia 30
A -20°F bag that's both light and roomy.
Mountain Laurel Designs Dog Tarp
With a massive 96-square-foot (floorless) area and 70-inch peak height, the Circus Tent can fit up to seven.
Mountain Laurel Designs SpeedMid
With a massive 96-square-foot (floorless) area and 70-inch peak height, the Circus Tent can fit up to seven.
Big Agnes Helena -15
A -20°F bag that's both light and roomy.
Mountain Laurel Designs LightSoul Bivy
Existing model
Mountain Laurel Designs SuperLight
Existing model
LEKI USA Carbonlite AERGON XL Antishock
Get a grip on the best carbon poles we've ever tested.
Mountain Laurel Designs Alpine Bivy
Existing model
Mountain Laurel Designs Soul Bivy
Existing model
Vaude Cimone 55 + 8
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Mountain Laurel Designs Bug Bivy
Existing model
Mountain Laurel Designs Speed Spirit
A -20°F bag that's both light and roomy.
Mountain Laurel Designs Spirit 45
A -20°F bag that's both light and roomy.
Vaude Astra 65 + 10
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Big Agnes Ethel 0
A -20°F bag that's both light and roomy.
Vaude Astra 55 + 10
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Mountain Laurel Designs Spirit 30
A -20°F bag that's both light and roomy.
Big Agnes Roxy Ann 15
A -20°F bag that's both light and roomy.
Big Agnes Pearl 30
A -20°F bag that's both light and roomy.