Vivobarefoot Primus Trail FG
Burly Barefoots
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 Double V
Lightweight Double Pad
Icebreaker MerinoLOFT Ellipse Long Sleeve Half Zip Hood
Breathable Midlayer
CamelBak Franconia LR 24 / Sundowner LR 22
This full-featured pack let us carry big loads in comfort.
Osprey Skarab 24 / Skimmer 22
This roomy option is a sweet deal for bargain hunters.
Columbia Shadow Falls
This all-around pack performed well in every category.
Gregory Citro 30 / Juno 30
The biggest pack in the test also has one of the best-performing hydration systems.
Platypus Duthie A.M. 15
A taut, trampoline-style backpanel provides best-in-test ventilation.
Cotopaxi Veloz 6
The test’s best trail running pack boasts smart pocket design.
Five Tips for Gear Shopping With Your Dog
How to make your pup's store visit an easy one.
The Best Hiking Gear for Your Dog
Keep your four-legged friend safe and happy on the trail with these products.
Rab Vapour-Rise Alpine Jacket
Ultrabreathable softshell
Rocky Mountain Underground Grrowler
Wearable dog bowl
Patagonia Lightweight Black Hole Duffel 45L
Durable duffle
Five Ten Urban Approach
Versatile low-tops
The Best Gear for Sleeping Better
A great day on the trail starts the night before. Set yourself up for success with the right techniques and a sleeping system that works for you.
Garmin inReach Explorer+
Satellite communicator
ECOXGEAR EcoSlate
Bluetooth speaker
Casio Pro Trek WSD-F20
GPS smartwatch
INO Weather Pro
Weather detector
360Fly HD
360-degree camera
ToughTested 16,000mAh Solar Power Bank With Flashlight
Weatherproof battery pack
Black Diamond ReVolt
Rechargeable headlamp
The Best Cooling Apparel for Summer Hikes
Don’t let the dog days get the best of you. Stay cool and dry with these smart gear picks.
Body Glove Dynamo 10’8” iSUP
Stowable Paddleboard
7 Made-in-America Gear Companies You Need to Know
It's designed here, used here—and made here, too. Meet seven manufacturers that are investing in the U.S.
REI Co-op Quarter Dome Air
Hanging tent
Clark Outdoor NX-270
Cold-weather fortress
NEMO Cloudview
Basecamp lounger
Eagles Nest Outfitters Helios Hammock Suspension System
Hammock suspenders
Klymit Insulated Hammock V
Cold weather-ready
Grand Trunk OneMade Double Trunktech Hammock
Lightweight double
Sea to Summit Ultralight Hammock
Ultralight
Helinox Passport TL Series
Lightest
Leki Micro Vario Ti COR-TEC DSS
Best shock absorption
REI Co-op Flash Carbon
Best telescoping
Black Diamond Distance Z
Bargain folding
Merrell Agility Peak Flex
Stable runner
Adidas Terrex Fast GTX Surround
Waterproof light hikers
Hanwag Banks II GTX
High-milege strider
KEEN Terradora
Women’s dayhiker
GoPro Hero5 Black
Best for shooting difficult terrain
Sony RX100 V
Best performance in a small package
Nikon D500
Best for capturing action shots
Olympus OM-D EM-1 Mark II
Most versatile
LowePro TopLoader Pro 70 AW II
Keep your camera close
BioLite PowerLight
Juice up
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Dry Sack
Protective Bag
Peak Design Shell
Camera Cover
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Best overall performance
Thule Versant 50L
Feature-Rich Pack
Voormi Access NXT Pullover
Double Midlayer
Howler Brothers Gaucho Snapshirt
Everyday Shirt
Club Ride Shaka Flannel
Technical Flannel
Columbia Montrail Titan Lite Windbreaker
Ultralight Windshirt
Topo Designs Breaker Shirt Jacket
Versatile long sleeve
Patagonia Nano-Air Light Hybrid Jacket
Workhorse puffy
Columbia Shimmering Light Short Sleeve Shirt
Technical T-shirt
Club Ride Two Timer
Midlayer
KÜHL Renegade Pant
Do-it-all pants
Columbia South Canyon Casual Rain Pant
Bargain rain pant
Dynafit Transalper Light Dynastretch Pant
Fast-and-light pants
Black Diamond Alpine Light Softshell Pants
Most breathable
Arc’teryx Sabria Pant
Best Mobility
Columbia Silver Ridge Pull-On Pant
Bargain pick
Arc’teryx Psiphon FL Short
Durable shorts
Royal Robbins Coast Short
Fast-Drying Shorts
ExOfficio Sol Cool Boxer Brief
Cooling underwear
tasc TTFN Studio Bra
Most comfortable
Patagonia Active Mesh Bra
Quick-dry
Stio Modis Hooded Jacket
Breathable Shell
3 Great Backpacking Hammocks and Accessories
Get off the ground and out of the tent with these perfect backcountry picks.
The 15 Best Pieces of Gear for the Summer
All the gear you need for the longest days of the year.
Nalgene 12 oz. OTF Kids
This water bottle makes staying hydrated easy and fun
REI Co-op Rainwall
A light, no-nonsense rain jacket for kids
How to Layer For Hiking: Shells
Weather is always a trip’s biggest unknown. Wind and rain sap body heat in an instant, and a blizzard will challenge even well-equipped hikers. The solution? The right shell for the conditions.
Therm-a-Rest Corus HD Quilt
Bikepacking Quilt