Gear Reviews

This two-person palace offers the best livability of the bunch with the most floor space and headroom.

With lightweight materials and short, 15.5 inch pole sections, the Microlight is the ounce-counters choice.

Innovative fabric eliminates drippy condensation, the bane of singlewall mountain tents.

These sunglasses give such clarity and ultra crisp viewing, you can hardly believe you're looking through lenses.

Like a hammock, this chair suspends from a branch giving you a luxe factor experience.

Two lightweight accessories guaranteed to help you sleep better

Time to retire the old, banged up water bottle, here's your replacement.

Winter conditions require equal, but different protection from your eyewear. These five models cover all the bases.

Can’t decide between a half or full frame? Get both.

Green-tech comes to eyewear.

Be prepared for any light with four interchangeable lenses— for the price of one.

Changing light? This innovative lens adapts.

Trade lenses fast—without removing your gloves.

They’re tough and versatile enough to handle abuse in any terrain.

Get the benefits of wool—odor resistance and insulation—in a shirt that dries fast and manages a wide range of temps.

Whether you want to go fast or deep this season, these snowshoes are tops in their class.

These spikes bite into hard-packed snow and ice and are tiny enough for trail running.

Grip on all surfaces is tops, and the hybrid binding allows for a precise and easy fit.

The unusual split-tail design allows each side to grip independently and helps runners move quickly while sidehilling.

These snowshoes stow easily thanks to bindings that lay flat.Why we like them These snowshoes stow easily thanks to bindings that lay flat. Walkability Testers raved about the comfort of these snowshoes. “Because of their slightly narrow frame, the Endea

The binding is secure and quick, and downhill traction is tops.

This closed-cell pad adds instant warmth to your winter sleeping system—and it’s a steal.

It’s warm enough for mid-winter, light enough for extended treks, and packs up small.

You get bigtime bang for your buck with this lightweight, two-inch-thick pad.

You won't go camping in the winter if you're cold all night. These bags will help.

You get the performance of a three-season down bag at the price of a synthetic.

It’s the most affordable 0°F bag we tested this year, and its temp rating is conservative.

Two gills on top of the bag allow you to fine-tune the warmth for a variety of conditions.

The relaxed mummy fit and unique zipper configuration boost comfort.

Get maximum comfort in this mummy—no matter how much you toss and turn.

From sizzling deserts to 14,00-foot summits, these long-sleeved layers shielded testers from extreme conditions.

The Kirby offers more wind protection than a gauzier sun shirt.

This longsleeve shirt has a UPF 50 and makes the hottest conditions feel tolerable.

A wool button down shirt that is super soft, looks cocktail ready and actually performs in the backcountry.

On hot-weather hikes, this poly-cotton blend shirt has great cooling effects.

This UPF 40 polyester crew one-ups other synthetic shirts.

Can a shell that costs under $100 keep you dry in real rainfall?

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Ideal for truly arctic conditions, it’s hands-down the toastiest layer we tested this year.

This layer works overtime regulating temperature during high-intensity outings—for a fraction of the cost of its competitors.

From subzero ski sessions to summer nights, these multisport bottoms proved superior.

Smart details make these layers ideal for skiing when temps plummet.

This affordable top makes sweat disappear.

You get versatile, quick-drying performance for a song.

Lots of baselayers promise four-season use. This one really delivers.

Here's a blast from the past. An external frame that inflicts the least amount of impact on your body.

Don’t get stuck with a dead smartphone or headlamp on your next weekend trip. Pack one of these and always have spare juice.

At 11 ounces, the Route is the lightest, most inconspicuous snow sports helmet ever made.

An innovation in snowshoe design leads to great traction and comfort.

This simple, 23-inch tube of supersoft merino wool is so much more than a neck gaiter.

A light, cheap, durable backcountry bottle - a perennial favorite.

Hikers with hard-to-fit feet will love these customizable boots.

DeLorme has finally made one tool that serves as a GPS device, backcountry messenger, and rescue beacon.

A bargain pack that doesn't compromise.

A backcountry airbag that you can actually practice using.

A full-featured, 800-fill goose down puffy for $220.

One of our favorite headlamps ever.

This 40-liter, panel-loading pack is only $80.

Ultra light Rab Silwing shelter is a great way for two to stay protected.

Splurge a bit on these trekking poles that combine carbon and aluminum for incredible durability.

The perfect combination of protection, support, weight, and comfort.

The price-to-performance ratio is off the charts.

Enjoy the best of both worlds: enough flex for a natural stride and the support for big-trip loads and terrain.

This boot eats up big miles, no matter how heavy your pack.

It breathes and flexes like a trail runner, but the rugged outsole is all boot.

A bargain-priced boot that doesn't settle.

Bomber materials and construction shine in a technical, off-trail backpacking boot.

If your foot is extra wide or super skinny, or if you have a protruding bunion, this is the boot for you!

Three-season bags that are warm, comfortable, and ready for abuse.

A longtime staff favorite the Cat's Meow, from The North Face, receives a rugged facelift.

You can drag this burly bag around camp, using it for everything from a blanket for stargazing to a makeshift “sofa” by the fire.

It’s a solid synthetic bag at a great price, with a classic mummy cut that pleased everyone.

Thanks to its unique welded construction, it’s the most packable (15 by 7 inches) synthetic bag in the test.

Through four months of nonstop use—often in miserably damp conditions—the Ascent lofted up like new every night.

It has the best warmth-to-weight ratio here; testers pushed it 10 degrees below its 23°F rating.

The rectangular shape, combined with a little stretch, makes this the most comfortable bag in the test.

Keep your knives in top form, even on the trail with this pocket-sized sharpening tool.