Venture Paragon Splitboard
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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.
Klymit KSB 0 Oversized
Roomiest bag
Dakine Poacher 14
Best for day missions
Brooks-Range Snooze 5
Packable bargain
Mystery Ranch Patrol 45
Largest capacity
Big Agnes Crosho UL -20
Warmest bag
Sven Can See Anti-Fog Gel
Anti-fogging potion
Marmot Lithium Sleeping Bag
Editors’ Choice Update
Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130 / w’s XTD 110
Best freerider
Exped Synmat HL Duo Winter M Sleeping Pad
Double-wide winter pad
La Sportiva Sytron
Mileage monster
Giro Facet
Women’s pick
Dynafit TLT SpeedFit
Best value
Fischer BCX 6
Supportive boot
Salomon S/Lab X-Alp
Best all-around
Julbo Explorer 2.0
Best protection
Dynafit Speed 90
Best for touring
ZEAL Portal//RLs
Easiest lens swap
Fritschi Tecton 12 Binding
Versatile binding
DPS Alchemist Wailer 99 / Nina 99
Best all-around
Fischer S-Bound 98 Crown with Easy Skin
Best for steeper terrain
Billy Goat Tech Ascent Plates
Steep-and-deep plates
Salomon S/LAB X Alp
Lightest
ABOM HEET
Best anti-fogging tech
TSL Symbioz Step-In and Step-In Trek
Easy-on snowshoe
Elan Ripstick 106
Best ride
Alpina BC Cross-Country Ski Pole
Sturdy pole
Yaktrax Summit
Comfortable traction
Atomic Backland FR 109
Hardest charger
Rossignol BC 70 Positrack
Most versatile ski
Signal Split
Best value
Sierra Designs Tuolumne
Best value
686 GLCR Gore-Tex Paclite Multi Shell Jacket
Best for quick changes
Rab Sharp Edge Shell Jacket
Most breathable
Mountain Standard Terrain N’ Rain Shell
Best value
Patagonia Pluma Shell Jacket
Eco-friendly
Montane Ajax Shell Jacket
Most versatile
Dynafit Radical GTX Shell Jacket
Full-featured
Arc’teryx Beta LT Shell Jacket
Lightest
Smartwool Merino 250 Asym Bottom
Women’s pick
Helly Hansen Lifa Merino Seamless ½ Zip and Pants
Best wicking
The North Face Wool Baselayer Tight
Best ski bottoms
Under Armour UA Base 2.0 Hoodie and ¾ Legging
Bargain set
Terramar The Beast Half-Zip Baselayer
Most versatile
Patagonia PowSlayer Bib
Eco-friendly all-rounders
Rab Sharp Edge Pant
Women’s touring pant
Dynafit Speedfit Dynastretch Pants
Best for touring laps
The North Face Summit L2 FuseForm Grid fleece 1/4 Zip Hoodie
Most breathable
Outdoor Research Shiftup Half-Zip Hoodie
Most versatile
Smartwool Merino 250 Sport Pattern Hoodie
Most comfortable
Montane Wolf Hoodie
Warmest
Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown DS Hooded Jacket
Most comfortable
Outdoor Research Alpenice Hooded Jacket
Most versatile
Helly Hansen Odin Veor Jacket
Best ventilation
Arc’teryx Alpha IS Jacket
Best for winter sieges
Patagonia Hyper Puff Hoody
Loftiest synthetic
LOWA Aerox GTX Mid Surround
Most Breathable
Under Armour Newell Ridge Mid Reactor
Best Traction
SCOTT Kinabalu Enduro
Best Trail Runner
Zamberlan 1000 Baltoro GTX
Best for Mountaineering
Adidas Terrex Conrax BOA
Warmest Boot
MSR Lightning Explore
Check out Justin La Vigne's author page.
Editors' Choice Snow 2017: Mountain Hub
Trail beta gets a community-oriented app.
K2 Aspect
Check out Scott Yorko's author page.
Editors' Choice Gold, Snow 2017: Black Diamond Mega Light
Say goodbye to the tent-bound blues.
Editors' Choice Snow 2017: ORTOVOX Ascent 30 AVABAG
Practice makes perfect with this full-featured avalanche pack.
Editors' Choice Snow 2017: The North Face Ventrix Hoodie
This responsive insulation works hard because you do.
Editors' Choice Snow 2017: Eddie Bauer EverTherm Down Hooded Jacket
This jacket has all the warmth of a puffy, but none of the puff.
Editors' Choice Snow 2017: Pomoca Climb Pro S-Glide TIPON
Make room for new skins. But not much room.
Editors' Choice Gold, Snow 2017: SCARPA Maestrale/Gea Series
The gold standard of touring boots gets lighter and stiffer.
Editors' Choice Snow 2017: G3 ROAMr 100 and ROAMr 100 Elle
These skis won’t weigh you down or jostle you around.
Editors' Choice Snow 2017: AlpineAire Classic Guacamole
Upgrade every meal with this ultralight and ultratasty guac.
Editors' Choice Snow 2017: eNZees Foot Soother
Wool is the latest and maybe final solution to a timeless problem.
Editors' Choice Snow 2017: Smartwool PhD Outdoor Mountaineer
This sock is the foundation of comfort on long-haul ski tours.
ThirtyTwo Jones MTB
Check out Scott Yorko's author page.
Atlas Spindrift
Check out BACKPACKER Contributors and Editors's author page.