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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.
Blackburn Outpost Bags
Handlebar and Seat Packs
Diamondback Haanjo EXP Carbon
A bike for pedal-powered camping
Light & Motion Imjin 800
Bikepacking Light
Green Guru Clincher Mini Frame Bag
Bike Frame Bag
Mammut Cargon 60
Tough Duffel
How to Layer For Hiking: Insulation
Your warming layers can be different materials and thicknesses, but each one does the same thing: trap body-warmed air. Learn which ones are best suited to which conditions, and never be too cold—or too hot—again.
How to Layer For Hiking: Your Body
Before you can figure out how layers work, you need to know why they work—and what your body needs from them. Human thermoregulation is a complex process, and the better you understand it, the better you can harness its power.
How to Layer For Hiking: Baselayers
Your baselayer is your wicking layer. It keeps you comfortable by keeping you dry, moving moisture away from your skin before it robs your body of heat. Combine natural and high-tech materials—plus common sense—to find the right layer.
Quiz: Find the Right Baselayer
Figure out what type of shirt you need by considering how hard you'll work and how your body will likely react to the climate.
Real Shades Adventure P2
Sunglasses that won't crack under pressure
Black Diamond Wiz
A headlamp made with the littlest night owls in mind
Columbia Silver Ridge III Convertible Pants
Pants that stand up to the rigors of being an outdoor kid
Vasque Kids Breeze III Ultradry
Tyke-friendly boots with adult-worthy technical chops
Little One’s First Camping Trip
Getting ready to take a first timer into the wilderness can be a daunting task, but not when you’ve got the right gear and attitude.
Share Your Favorite Hike, Win a Tent
Tell us about your top local trail for a chance to win a free tent from Discovery Adventures.
The 10 Best Apps For the Outdoors
Turn your phone into a star chart, a 360-degree camera, a botany expert, and more with these handy programs.
Scarpa Force V
Do-it-all shoe
Black Diamond Solution
Versatile harness
Petzl Grigri+
Belay device
Mammut Wall Rider
Hybrid helmet
How to Prevent Blisters During Hikes
5 tips on keeping your feet dry, cool, and comfortable
SOG Ultra C-Ti
Lightest everyday carry
Outdoor Edge Onyx EDC
Best bargain blade
TOPS MSK 2.5 Rockies Edition
Most durable
UST FlashBlade Recharge 3.0
Best budget multitool
All Good Sport Sunscreen Spray SPF 30
Easy-on sunscreen
Thermacell Backpacker
Mosquito repeller
Uco X-120R
Most Comfortable
Petzl ACTIK CORE and Noctilight
Do-anything set
LuminAID Packlite Nova
Solar lantern
Black Diamond Ion
Compact headlamp
Mountain Laurel Designs LightSnow Gaiters
Ultralight gaiters
Ellsworth Hike/Pack
Comfiest
Swiftwick Pursuit Hike
Driest
CEP Ortho+ Plantar Fasciitis Sleeve
Pain relief
Smith ChromaPop Performance
Best lens
ZEAL Optics Capitol
Eco Pick
Sunski Olema
Bargain
Electric Stacker
Most versatile
Dragon Alliance SeafarerX
Best for water
Nike Tailwind
Trail runner’s pick
MSR TrailShot
On-the-go filtration
Gregory 3D Hydro
Easy-clean hydration
Editors' Choice Award 2017: Katadyn BeFree
No Fuss Filter
Humangear casq
Insulated bottle
CamelBak Quick Stow Chill Flask
Insulated bottle
Grayl Ultralight
Purest water
Mosquito Protection Designed For the Backcountry
Thermacell mosquito repellers offer an alternative to messy lotions and sprays. All Thermacell repellers create a 15 FT zone of protection against mosquitoes, covering you and those around you.
Good To-Go Bibimbap
Korean feast
Larabar Bites
Decadent snack
Know Brainer Creamer
Butter coffee
Copper Cup Turmeric Latte
Decaf nightcap
Wondermade Marshmallows
Cocoa booster
Sherpa Food Tsampa
Himalayan breakfast
Mountain Standard Power On Protein Pancakes
Muscle cakes
Birch Benders Paleo Pancakes
Caveman flapjacks
Alpine Aire Classic Guacamole
Best trail guac
Mountain Standard Red Mountain Salsa
Classic salsa
Fourpoints Bars
Slow-burn energy
KIND Pressed
Best fruit and veggie bar
Omeals Southwest Style Chicken
Stoveless dinner
Brami Beans
Ancient snack
Safe Catch Elite Wild Tuna
Packable protein
Jetboil MightyMo
Ultralight
Camp Chef Stryker 100
Budget saver
BioLite Camp Stove 2
Power source
GSI Fairshare Mug II
Versatile cup
MSR Alpine Long Tool Spoon
Utility spoon
Hydro Flask Rocks
Insulated tumbler
MSR Ceramic Solo Pot
Eco-friendly pot
Sea to Summit X-Seal & Go
To-go containers
Sea to Summit X-Brew Coffee Dripper
Best cup of joe
Primus PrimeTech Stove Kit
Fuel sipper
Apple Watch Series 2
Active smartwatch
Garmin Rino 755t
Do-it-all GPS
GoPro HERO5 Session
Ultralight POV camera