Exped Carina IV
Light Four-Person Tent
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.
The Tentlab Moonlight 2
Fully Featured
The 13 Best Sleeping Bags and Pads of 2016
Your bag is your bed in the backcountry. Pick one of the best sleeping bags of the year, and you'll stay comfy in whatever nature throws at you.
Big Agnes Double Stuffed Double Z Air Pad
Big Agnes added 5 ounces of synthetic fill to the Editors’ Choice-winning Double Z sleeping pad, perfect for cold sleepers.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Camper SV Sleeping Pad
This sleeping pad offers big-time comfort for just a little extra bulk.
Exped Synmat Hyperlight Duo
Say goodbye to the gap with the best couples’ sleeping pad for backpackers.
Ask a Thru-Hiker: Should I Hike in Boots or Trail Runners?
Why going lighter can be easier on your feet.
The 16 Best Hiking Boots and Shoes of 2016
Meet the best footwear that money can buy.
The 22 Best Backpacks of 2016
From hydration packs to multiday haulers, you won't find better backpacks than these.
Marmot Quark Sleeping Bag
With down on top and synthetic insulation underneath, this hybrid sleeping bag maximizes the performance benefits of both types of fill.
Big Agnes Boot Jack 25 Sleeping Bag
Get a legit, three-season down sleeping bag that’s true to its temp rating for less than $200.
Sea to Summit Ember EbI Quilt
For light-and-fast summer trips, there’s nothing better than this quilt: It weighs less than a pound and packs down to grapefruit size.
Vaude Arctic 800 Sleeping Bag
Smart features make this synthetic three-season sleeping bag especially cozy on subfreezing nights.
NEMO Equipment Moonwalk Sleeping Bag
Go tent-less with this warm-weather sleeping bag’s waterproof bottom and footbox.
Valandre Shocking Blue NEO Sleeping Bag
This toasty expedition sleeping bag combines plush, high-quality down with a unique draft collar for remarkable warmth to weight.
The North Face Superlight 15 Sleeping Bag
A beautiful marriage of weight, warmth, and packability, this may be the only sleeping bag you’ll ever need.
Katabatic Sawatch Quilt
Premium materials and a semi-quilt design make this one of the lightest three-season options available.
Mountain Equipment Glacier 400 Super Light Sleeping Bag
An armored shell protects this weather-resistant sleeping bag from all but the worst conditions.
Sea to Summit Reactor Fleece Liner
Sleeping Bag Liner
Big Agnes Buell 30
Budget bag
The Best New Outdoor Tech of 2016
Navigate easier, see better, and keep charged with these smart backcountry gadgets.
Topo Athletic Runventure Trail Runner
If you run on a mix of trail and road, look no further than this multitasking trail runner.
Oboz Scapegoat Mid Hiking Boot
A tough outsole and durable upper make this all-terrain hiking boot the choice for rough trails.
Merrell AllOut Terra Trail Runner
These hot-weather trail runners have superior airflow and a snug, grit-repelling ankle cuff, making them great for dusty summer trails.
Scarpa Charmoz Pro GTX Mountaineering Boot
Get enough stability and protection from these mountaineering boots to stay comfortable on 14,000-feet peaks.
Adidas Outdoor Adizero XT 5 Boost Trail Runner
An ankle-high gaiter keeps debris out of this trail runner, while a bouncy midsole adds spring to your stride.
Pearl Izumi E:Motion Trail M2 v2 Trail Runner
A super-durable outsole and thicker-than-usual shank help this trail runner masquerade as a midcut boot.
Altra Running Olympus 2.0 Trail Runner
Tons of cushioning and a wide toe box make this one of the most comfortable trail runners we tested.
Five Ten Access Leather Hiking Boot
Steeps and rocks ain’t no thing with the outsole on this low-cut hiker.
Hi-Tec Sonorous Mid II Waterproof I Hiking Boot
This is the best mid-cut hiking boot we’ve seen for $100.
Under Armour Fat Tire GTX Hiking Boot
This midcut hiking boot's fatigue-busting oversized midsole made the miles fly by on long hikes.
AKU Aguana Light Hiking Boot
This amphibious low-cut hiking boot is ideal for river hiking, thanks to excellent drainage and traction.
Ahnu North Peak Mid eVent Hiking Boot
Your favorite tennies meet rugged midweights in this lightweight hiking boot.
Vasque Inhaler II Mid GTX Hiking Boot
From dayhikes to thru-hikes, this midcut hiking boot is the most versatile.
The North Face Ultra Fastpack II Mid GTX Hiking Boot
This fast and light midcut boot rides like a running shoe, but protects like a hiking boot.
Garmont Tower Trek GTX Mountaineering Boot
Protective materials and a thick outsole mean this mountaineering boot will last.
Vasque Skywalk GTX
One of our all-time favorite boots is back.
Adidas Outdoor AX2 Mid
Affordable traction and great durability in a pint-sized package
Montane Prism Booties
Packable Camp Shoes
Nike Skylon Ace XV
Trail Runner's Pick
Petzl Tikka
Glow in the Dark
Power Practical Luminoodle
Camp Light
Sea Eagle TC16 Travel Canoe
Inflatable Canoe
Ruffwear Grip Trex
All-Terrain Booties
Kurgo Baxter Dog Backpack
Good-Fitting Pack
NEMO Equipment Fillo Elite
Inflatable Pillow
SmartWool PhD Outdoor Medium Crew
Tough Socks
Harmony Stowaway Beach Cart
Load-bearing Cart
Jaybird X2
Bluetooth earbuds
Columbia Freezer Zero Fingerless Gloves
Summer gloves
Coleman Conquer 300L
Motion Activated
UCO A-120 Comfort Fit
Soft on the Head
TurboPUP Meal Bars
Meal Bars
Princeton Tec
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Sony X1000V 4K Action Cam
POV Camera
Suunto Traverse
GPS Watch
Sony RX10 ii
Everyman camera
Lowepro Whistler 350 AW
All-weather Camera Pack
Ricoh WG-M2
Adventure-Proof Action Cam
LifeProof LifeActiv armband
Quickdraw smartphone holster
Snow Peak BiPod
Group Cooking
Lowe Alpine Cerro Torre 75:100 Backpack
Able to carry up to 100 liters, this pack is a load monster.
The North Face Fovero 70 Backpack
This comfortable pack grows with you and is built for hand-me-downs.
Montane Summit Tour 50 +15 Backpack
This pack is equally at home on dayhikes, weekends, and alpine ascents.
Ortovox Peak 45 / Peak 42 S Backpack
This pack's perforated wool backpanel kept us cool and dry.
Exped Black Ice 45 Backpack
This waterproof pack withstood everything from crampons to machetes.
Marmot Graviton 48 Backpack
You can grab items from the top, bottom, and middle of this pack without having to fish around.
Bergans of Norway Helium 55 Backpack
This ultralight pack carries 40 pounds without compromising features—and at a great price to boot.
Patagonia Black Hole 25 Daypack
This daypack's thick, waterproof skin repels everything.
Gregory Salvo 18 / Sula 18 Daypack
This daypack is compact, streamlined, and great for quick summertime escapes.
Thule Stir 35 Daypack
A simple adjustment system lets you quickly adjust this pack's torso length for a perfect fit.
Jansport Onyx Equinox 34 Daypack
This daypack gives you dawn-to-dusk capacity for less.
Osprey Manta AG 28 / Mira 26 AG Hydration Pack
A clever connection mechanism on this hydration pack makes water refills a cinch.
Columbia Titanium Trail Elite 22L Daypack
Great organization and load-carrying comfort make this our favorite daypack.
Boreas Monterey 35 Daypack
Lightweight and water-resistant, this streamlined pack is dialed for climbing.
Osprey Hydrajet
Hydration Pack
Mountainsmith Mayhem 45
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Deuter Rise Tour 45+
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Granite Gear Lutsen 55
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