Gear Reviews

Hike all day with a monster load and your feet will still feel fresh in camp with these boots.

Top-notch ventilation, stability, and traction in a low-profile, super-light shoe.

A nimble shoe that excels at climbing.

This low-cut light hiker delivers the support and stability of a medium-duty mid-cut combined with the grip and control of an approach shoe.

These featherlight, zero-drop, mid-height boots are protective enough for mellow dayhiking.

Great for fastpacking and light hiking.

Light, breathable, and springy enough for daily trail running but supportive enough for big dayhikes.

A trail runner and a waterproof light hiker in one.

A trail runner and a waterproof light hiker in one.

Trail runner provides stability and barefoot feeling.

Versatile trail runner is perfect for the pavement and trails.

Pack this do-it-all tool on every trip.

Snooze soundly on the most plush backcountry sleeping pad we’ve ever seen.

Shoot with the most versatile POV camera on the market.

Stay cool with the perfect top for heat and sun.

There’s always room to pack this featherweight, bombproof shell.

Impeccable craftsmanship and top-shelf materials make this bag a perennial favorite.

Innovative sewing techniques deliver a whole new level of ultralight comfort.

The airy construction makes these a good choice for sweaty feet, hot weather, and watery adventures.

Forget what you know about sleeping bags. This revolutionary sack throws out the zipper, adds a blanket-like quilt, and increases the comfort exponentially.

This versatile pack works equally well for big dayhikes and whirlwind travel.

A look back at the hardshells we've loved for years that are still at the top of their class.

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A look back at the softshells we've loved for years that are still at the top of their class.

A look back at the boots we've loved for years that are still at the top of their class.

A look back at the tents we've loved for years are still at the top of their class.

A look back at the packs we've loved for years that are still at the top of their class.

The SB offers the top-shelf performance of 800-fill DriDown at second-shelf price.

A down and synthetic bag that's the best of both worlds.

This bag-bivy combo can handle most any forecast in its temp range.

A $90 bag that is worth so much more.

A liveable mummy.

This cuddly, 700-fill DownTek sack for two actually packs to a reasonable size.

This down bag deftly handled both near-freezing and humid, sweltering nights, making it the pick of campers seeking affordable versatility.

An ultralight bag for mummy-haters.

A light, compressible, warm, and water-resistant summer sleeping bag.

Reinforced guyout points deliver above-average durability, and an optional mesh net enhances protection in buggy areas.

Solo hikers get a near-perfect balance between livability and weight savings.

This freestanding, double-walled featherweight pitches fast, packs tiny, and withstands the worst three-season storms.

Starlight meets lightweight in this view-friendly tent.

It’s the perfect shelter for couples who want a superlight tent with traditional freestanding, two-door performance.

Enjoy the best of indoor/outdoor living.

An unconventional design delivers comfort and protection for even the tallest campers—with no weight penalty.

This shelter disappears in your pack—like any good bivy—but tent-like upgrades make it way more livable than most.

This non-freestanding shelter blends the best features of tents and tarps, offering bug protection and a ballroom-size vestibule for about a pound per person.

Alpine storms can’t shake this four-season shelter. It’s no ultralight, but the strength-to-weight ratio is hard to beat.

Amazing features for the weight: Even tall folks can stretch out in this 96-inch-long dome (the longest in our test), and the giant vestibule offers welcome shelter in prolonged storms.

It’s strong enough to handle wintry conditions, but light enough to carry all year.

It’s one of the lightest three-person tents we've used, yet it has two doors and headroom.

This three-season dome saves weight and money.

This freestanding shelter fits a whole family—on a family budget. But space is best for parents with young kids, not teens.

As luxurious as a portable shade tree and open to welcome breezes, it offers cool refuge for four in hot conditions.

An easy-to-pitch tarp

It’s light, low-profile, and “perfect in that there’s nothing left to take away,” according to one tester.

This retro-looking rucksack sports a single, roomy packbag that can easily compress low-volume loads. It’s well-suited for dayhikes, sessions at the crag, or anyone who’s tough on gear.

Use this streamlined chameleon as a stand-alone hydration daypack (it comes with a 2-liter reservoir) or slip it into the sleeve of your big pack and use it for day jaunts or summit sprints from basecamp.

Ultralight, waterproof, and comfortable—the top-loading Alpha FL 30 hits a rare trifecta. Plus, its shape provides unmatched mobility.

It’s ideal for newbies who need some packing guidance and type As who like to have a precise spot for every little thing.

A breathable, stable trampoline-style multiday pack.

This top-loader is big-load friendly, built like a tank, and has great access.

This 85-liter behemoth manages the heaviest loads.

The Flash has been a perennial favorite for its low weight and price, and female testers raved about its new women’s suspension system.

This burly, big-volume, well-organized pack boasts a unique system of exterior straps that lend it year-round performance—without adding a lot of weight.

It’s as light as some daypacks, but the Rondane has the muscle to carry weeklong loads.

The Z nails the tester wish list: ventilated trampoline suspension with a super-stable carry; low weight for the capacity; and smart, uncluttered organization.

The South Col proved ideal for mountaineers: comfortable and stable mile after mile with loads up to 60 pounds.

When I sleep in my beloved bivy, am I just wrapping myself up like a six-foot bear burrito?

Juice your tablet anywhere with these three devices.

Supercharge your backcountry experience with these tablets, apps, and accessories.

Best tablet for map junkies

A perfect tablet for content creators

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Stay connected with your favorite Apple device in the backcountry

Upgrade any tablet with these smart gadgets.

A five-solar-panel power pack for the long-haul hiker.