Smith Pivlock Arena Max Sunglasses
Our favorite interchangeable-lens sunglasses of 2015 offer great coverage with an idiot-proof changing mechanism.
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 Best Outdoor Electronics 2015
The best new backcountry cameras, long-lasting GPS units, and our picks for the hottest new portable power.
5 Essential New Pieces of Kids' Gear
Outfit your aspiring backpackers with these five new must-have pieces of kids' gear.
Patagonia Kids Capilene 3 Midweight Crew and Bottoms
No other kids’ baselayer holds up better than this one.
The North Face Toddler ThermoBall Full Zip Jacket
The kids' version of this Editors' Choice Award winner is just as good as the original.
Bogs Kids Classic Camp Boots
The waterproof and insulated boots are easy to slip into and require no knotting lessons.
Point6 Kid’s Hiking Tech Medium Crew Socks
Point6 creates a merino wool alternative to typical kids' cotton socks.
Black Diamond First Strike Trekking Poles
Kids may not need trekking poles to save their knees like Mom and Dad do, but they sure feel cool when they get to use them.
The Best New Backpacks of 2015
From featherlight daypacks to multiday MVPs, our editors rounded up the 18 best new backpacks of 2015.
Salomon S-Lab X Alp 20
The Salomon S-Lab X Alp 20 makes gear-grabbing quick and easy.
Thule Guidepost 65L
Get mega-load comfort, smart organization, and exceptional adjustability for the big and tall.
Montane Habu 22
Smart design maximizes comfort for small and curvy figures
Kelty Capture 25
You get sweet features with a sweet price to match
Columbia Trail Pursuit 30L
Get one pack for hiking, biking, climbing, skiing, and traveling
Granite Gear Virga 26
This 1-pound pack is tougher than most ultralights.
Mountain Hardwear Scrambler 30 OutDry
Get superior waterproofing without a rain cover.
High Sierra Lightning 35
Superior external storage allows the big daypack to carry minimalist weekend loads.
Millet Venom 40
Neat freaks can keep this pack squeaky clean.
Vaude Simony 40+8
The pack deftly handles a huge variety of trips-from gear intensive dayhikes to winter overnights. And it fits almost everybody
Lowe Alpine Zephyr 55:65
Best for mountaineers and backpackers who want a low-profile, big-load hauler with on-the-fly adjustability
Bergans of Norway Trollhetta 55
Best for those who want excellent stability and best-of-class shock absorption.
Fjällräven Kaipak 58
The ultradurable packbag fabric has ecocred with no tradeoffs
Six Moon Designs Fusion 65
It's rare to find a pack this large that's so light and supportive.
Exped Thunder 70
This cavernous pack keeps everything at your fingertips.
The North Face Cobra 60
Haul a full pack into basecamp, then strip it and cinch it down into a summit pack.
Anker 2nd Gen Astro 6400
For the size and weight of an energy bar (and the cost of a box of them), you get 6,400 mAh (enough for four iPhone 4 charges).
iBattz Mojo BattStation Optimus 20400
This 20,400 mAh brick is ideal for people going out for more than a weekend but who don’t want to fuss with solar.
Goal Zero Venture 30 Solar Kit
This rugged, waterproof 7,800mAH portable power pack survived all the abuse we could throw at it in the backcountry.
Garmin fēnix 2
This watch's long-lasting battery makes it easy to collect a wealth of data.
Garmin GPSMAP 64st
This GPS unit is rugged, reliable, and comes with preloaded maps.
Tamron 16mm-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Macro Lens
This all-in-one lens is lighter—and has a larger zoom range—than its predecessor (which we’ve long loved).
Nikon D750
You don’t have to be a pro to covet this camera's impressive features.
Canon PowerShot G16
This camera gives you DSLR quality images in a compact, 12MP point-and-shoot package.
Sony a5100
This mirrorless camera has the ability to change lenses, giving you more creative control—and it’s more packable than a DSLR.
Review Roundup: Best New Camp Kitchen Gear 2015
We tested every new camp stove, cook pot, and more to bring you these 8 top picks in backcountry camp kitchen gear.
MSR AutoFlow
The beauty of gravity filters is that, well, gravity does all the work. We’ve tried them all, and this one is the best.
Tested: The Best Outdoor Beer Growlers of 2015
Insulated, stainless steel beer growlers are awesome for camping. But with so many to choose from, which is the best? We put five to the test.
Gear Q&A: Mountaineering Legend Reinhold Messner
Everest pioneer Reinhold Messner has a lifetime of intense gear stories and lessons. We asked him about his gear philosophy, worst gear fail, and more.
Review Roundup: Best New Women's Hiking Clothes for 2015
Our crew of pro testers review their top picks for the best new women's hiking clothes, including pants, shirts, jackets, sports bras, and more. Plus: Top trends in women's hiking apparel this year.
VIM & VIGR Women's Wool Compression Socks
The lightly cushioned VIM & VIGR Women's Wool Compression Socks wick well and compress to speed recovery.
Black Diamond Access LT Hybrid Hoodie
The Black Diamond Access LT Hybrid Hoodie, a super-breathable, water-resistant puffy, ideal for high-exertion climbs, is now available in a women's version.
ExOfficio Give-N-Go Women's Sport Mesh Underwear
The ExOfficio Give-N-Go Women's Sport Mesh underwear elevates comfort and breathability to the next level.
Mountain Hardwear Dynama Pant
The Mountain Hardwear Dynama Pant is comfier than pajamas yet still worthy on the trail.
Moving Comfort Hot Shot Bra
The versatile Moving Comfort Hot Shot bra's flattering design will make you feel feminine all while supporting your wildest outdoor activities.
Terramar Reflex SS Scoop
The affordable Terramar Reflex SS Scoop sets the bar for good looks—and is available in plus sizes (up to 3X).
Eider Wooly Hoodie
The Eider Wooly Hoodie showcases the best qualities of both wool and polyester, making it one versatile midlayer.
2015 Editors' Choice: Kestrel Drop D1
With this portable temperature monitor, you will never have to guess at the temperature again.
2015 Editors' Choice: Sea to Summit Comfort Plus
This super-plush sleeping pad comes with an insurance policy.
The Lowdown on Goose Down vs. Duck Down
Is goose down better than duck down? And what is fill power, anyway? Our expert sorts out the facts about feathers.
2015 Editors' Choice: Princeton Tec Sync
Get a feature-packed headlamp for a jaw-dropping price.
2015 Editors' Choice Gold: Gregory Baltoro / Deva
One of the best packs gets better.
Editors' Choice: Mountain Hardwear HyperLamina Spark
Innovative construction brings down-like weight and packability to a synthetic bag.
2015 Editors' Choice: Outdoor Research Deviator Hoody
Better pick a color you like, because you’ll never take this jacket off.
2015 Editors' Choice: Big Agnes mtnGLO
These mini LED lights are the best thing to happen to tents since aluminum poles.
2015 Editors' Choice: La Sportiva Synthesis Mid GTX
Waterproof/breathable shoes get a lot more breathable.
Editors' Choice 2015: The Best Backpacking Gear of the Year
We dragged hundreds of products around the globe for a year, looking for the best gear. The result: 13 Editor's Choice Award winners for your wish list.
Editors' Choice: NEMO Equipment Sonic
This versatile value sleeping bag lets you sleep comfortably from 0 °F up to 40°F.
Editors' Choice: Osprey Atmos AG/Aura AG
This pack raises the bar for big-load ventilation.
10 Things We Don't Miss About Backpacking in 1978
Today's young whippersnappers will never experience these backpacking frustrations of yesteryear.
The Best Gear Companies You've (Probably) Never Heard Of
These little-known gear companies are poised to compete with the big boys.
10 Gear Fails You're Smart Enough to Avoid
We all make mistakes. Learn from these classic backpacking gear fails, and you'll make better ones.
Ask Kristin: Your Gear Questions, Answered
Gear editor Kristin Hostetter answers reader questions about backpacking gear.
What's In My Backcountry Skiing Pack?
Our backcountry skiing expert shares what he keeps in his pack for a day-long backcountry skiing tour—the 20 Essentials.
The 2015 Valentine's Day Gift & Getaway Guide
6 Valentine's Day gifts for your outdoorsy sweetheart, plus 4 tips for a romantic backcountry getaway.
Homegrown Gear: Made in America Makes a Comeback
More and more outdoor products are made in America. Here’s why you can expect the trend to continue—plus a few choice gear picks to look for.
Duckworth Comet Loose Crew
A workhorse for hiking in sub-45°F temps.
Mystery Ranch Terraplane
The 85-liter Terraplane may be the last load-hauler you’ll ever buy.
Fox River PEAK Series Forester/Cypress
Made in Osage, Iowa, the midweight Forester (and women’s Cypress) pampers feet.
Danner Mountain Light II
This U.S.-built boot is like stepping into a tank lined with velvet.
Ask an Expert: What's the Deal With Down Production?
The lowdown on where feathers in your gear actually come from.
18 Signs You're Addicted to Gear
Gear junkies of the world, unite! We can stop anytime, we swear...
Fall 2015 Preview: Stoves and Cookware
A family-size collapsible pot, a new $40 canister stove, the ultimate pot-licking spoon, and more of the hottest new camp kitchen trends from the Outdoor Retailer show.
Made In The USA: The Best American Gear
"Local" is the new black. Check out these trail-tested products from companies that are dedicated to hometown-USA manufacturing.
Fall 2015 Preview: The Best New Snowshoes of 2015
Our scout rounds up next year's best new snowshoes and traction devices at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market. Bottom line: It's all about the bindings.
Mishmi Takin Jampui Mid Event Waterproof Light & Fast Hiking Boot
Don't worry about wet or sweaty feet while hiking in warm, wet conditions.
Go Ultralight: Gear to Get You There
Cut pack weight in half with nine proven winners.
Go Ultraluxe: Gear to Get You There
Enjoy decadent comfort—on the trail and in camp.
What to Wear to Hike in a Storm
Don’t run for shelter when the sky opens up. Embrace nature’s wild side—and your own. But stay (relatively) dry with these top storm-hiking picks from our gear team.
Edelrid Python TouchTec 10mm Climbing Rope
This classic, durable rope now has an added safety feature, which will help prevent accidents and teach good climbing practices.
6 Winter Tents
From ultralight to ultra bomber these six tents will keep you outside all winter long.