Giro Zone Helmet
Check out Josette Deschambeault's author page.
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.
Check out Josette Deschambeault's author page.
Check out Josette Deschambeault's author page.
This sock was designed with the ski tourer in mind.
This light sock doesn’t skimp on features.
From clothing to coffee to climbing gear, here are 33 perfect gifts for the hikers on your list.
Push your hiking season into the winter with these trail-ready snowshoes.
From freeze-dried thyme turkey to instant pumpkin cheesecake, take your Thanksgiving feast into the backcountry without lugging in a fryer.
Cut ounces and sleep comfy.
Carry winter warmth without winter weight.
Sleep warm from the ground up.
This affordable fortress has plenty of room.
Keep your hands toasty and charge your phone at the same time.
Be a hero: Haul heavy winter loads.
This insulated bottle is the thinnest and lightest in its class.
Powder is no match for these beginner-friendly snowshoes.
They got the job done in (almost) all conditions.
Runners will love these lightweights.
It has everything a mountaineer needs to stage a crevasse rescue.
We hauled big loads with this avy pack.
It’s the smartest avy pack to date.
It’s a shovel. It’s an axe. It’s a . . . Shaxe!
Check out Ryan Horjus's author page.
Check out Ryan Horjus's author page.
Get out of trouble with this essential equipment for backcountry riding.
Winter doesn't last forever. Make the most of it with one of these top-shelf backcountry setups.
A classic just got better.
Edges that lock together stay together.
Now you can tour with a fat pow board.
This splitboard-specific boot is ready to climb.
When it gets deep, there’s no better rig.
These skis delivered a best-in-class ride.
They can handle all conditions, top to bottom.
We dug these hard-charging fat skis in the sidecountry.
Walking is effortless with these futuristic boots.
We loved technical descents on these light-but-stable planks.
Don’t carry more weight than you have to.
It’s a true one-ski quiver.
This four-buckle boot is ultracustomizable.
The hardest-charging boot in our lineup actually has an incredible range of motion in walk mode.
This boot charges as hard as it climbs.
We loved this anatomically shaped featherlight on long, gentle tours.
Carry your gear in comfort and style with these five packs.
Sometimes pure comfort trumps fancy features.
This pack withstood everything from cliff drops to sharp ski edges.
This pack carries a lot— but weighs little.
Long hauls and big loads are this pack’s specialties.
Keep your gear tight.
Check out jsrashkin's author page.
This footwear can do everything you need in winter, and more.
Skirt, puffy, softshell: The choice is yours.
From warm wool to sweat-wicking synthetics, your baselayer matters. Start with one of these.
Press your light-duty canister stove into the shoulder season.
A two-part booty system keeps feet warm and dry.
Keep out the rain with a hardshell or stay toasty with a down puffy: No matter what kind of jacket you need, you'll find it on our list.
Deep lugs make these the most mud-worthy running shoes we tested.
Boots this supportive shouldn’t be this comfortable.
These are the comfiest hikers we tested, thanks to a flexible sole and fleece lining.
One of our favorite all-arounders gets winterized.
These insulated hikers kept our toes warm on frigid peaks.
This midweight top performs well above its price tag.
Wear it all winter and still smell as good as you look.
High-tech fabric delivers the year’s best warmth-to-weight ratio.
Technical performance meets luxe comfort.
An innovative pouch means ultimate comfort for dudes.
Special wool and a boot-friendly cut make these ski-ready in most conditions.
This women’s pick pulls off flattering and functional.
This wool/synthetic blend works as a four-season midlayer.
Who says you can’t wear a skirt in winter?
Ounce for ounce, there’s no warmer option.
Women reached for these hardshells, thanks to the thoughtful tailoring and top-shelf breathability.
These pants stand up to all conditions and activities.
Stay drier, longer in this highly protective shell.
This versatile hybrid is airier than most softshells.
Fight the chills in this warmer-than-it-looks softie.
Get solid winter protection at a great price.
This light and breathable shell is a true year-rounder.
Get a full-featured, premium fabric winter shell for less than $300.
This winter workhorse delivers uncommon comfort and protection.
This forcefield has the test’s best protection-to-weight ratio.
Super-durable fabric makes this the go-to shell for the worst gear thrashers.