Tech Talk: The Science Behind Synthetics
The differences between nylon and polyester workout gear.
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.
Field Test: All-Purpose Trail Clothes
Our crew of Grand Canyon rangers spent 520 days in the backcountry to find the best three-season wardrobe.
Smartphone Photo Accessories
Outfit your phone for better backcountry pictures.
Gear Review: Costa Del Mar Cat Cay Sunglasses
Full-coverage lenses that let zero light seep, but shades that don't overwhelm a small face.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear ThruWay 50 Backpack
A light 50-liter pack with minimalist suspension.
Gear Review: Soto WindMaster
A versatile stove that works great in windy conditions.
Gear Review: Trail Shorts & Hiking Tops
Two his-and-her options for trail shorts and tops.
Gear Review: Merrell Ngeo Crew
This super soft synthetic crew shirt has excellent wicking and quick-drying properties.
Gear Review: GoLite Koli Wool Baselayer Shortsleeve
A stink-free wool baselayer that's perfect for multiday backpacking trips.
Gear Review: Outdoor Research Voodoo Pants
The Voodoos cast a three-part spell of comfort, durability, and function.
Gear Review: Marmot Stride Jacket
This souped-up windshirt is the latest iteration of the DriClime.
Allergic to Sleeping Bags
I'm allergic to down, but I like its compressibility. But do you know anyone who makes a hypoallergenic down sleeping bag or am I stuck with synthetics?
Keeping Teenage Boys Happy in the Wilderness
It is finally here, we are taking our Boy Scout troop in the AT thru the GSMNP. The only question now is how to keep teenage boys motivated to complete the 76 miles?
Field Test: Big-trip Packs
We tested a slew of load monsters to find the best in comfort, support, and organization.
Father's Day Gift Guide 2013
Skip the new wrench sets and the flower ties.
Gear Review: La Sportiva Hyper Mid GTX Boots
Hike confidently with these sticky-soled boots from La Sportiva.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Equipment Cosmo Headlamp
Bright and light describe this rugged headlamp from Black Diamond Equipment.
Gear Review: Big Agnes Bellyache Mountain SL 17 Sleeping Bag
Lightweight and affordable, this bag will keep you warm and dry in a variety of weather.
Gear Review: Salomon Mont Baron WS Hoodie
This breathable hoodie is ideal for high-elevation or high-intensity trips.
Gear Review: MSR Reactor 1.0 Stove
An integrated burner, pot, and heat exchanger sized for solo hikers.
Pack Upgrades
3 great ways to store accessories, water, and food.
Gear Review: Field Test More Packs
Find the best pack for your needs with these four field-tested models.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Shaka 70/Lani 60
Hike hard in hot weather with this well-ventilated pack from Mountain Hardwear.
Gear Review: Osprey Volt 75/Viva 65
Enjoy big pack performance with this light-weight bargain pack from Osprey.
Gear Review: The North Face Conness 70/65
This adjustable pack from The North Face provides all-day comfort, even with a heavy load.
Gender-Specific Packs
Do I really have to buy my girlfriend a women's-specific pack if it seems like a men's would fit?
Backpacking Gear Maintenance Tips
Extend the life of your pack, sleeping bag, and tent with these tips.
Gear Guide 2013: Heavy Duty Boots
The toughest, burliest of boots.
Gear Guide 2013: Mid Duty Boots
Tough, ankle-protecting boots that can carry a load.
Gear Guide 2013: Light Duty Boots
Low profile shoes that can take a beating.
Gear Guide 2013: Trail Runners
Go light and fast with these trail running models.
Gear Guide 2013: Boots & Trail Runners
Find the perfect kicks for going fast and far.
Gear Guide 2013: Tents
Find the right shelter for every budget and trip.
Gear Guide 2013: Backpacks
Treat your back to the perfect load-hauler.
Gear Guide 2013: Food
Get fueled with tasty backcountry meals.
Fullpower Technologies MotionX-GPS
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Tech4o Discover
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Highgear XT7 Alti-GPS
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Suunto Suunto Ambit HR
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Gear Gude 2013: Paddling
Float away with the best boats and watersport accessories.
Gear Guide 2013: Women's Gear
Our female testers found this year's best products.
Gear Review: Sahale Snacks Pomegranate Pistachios
Step aside, GORP. This flavorful nut mix from Sahale Snacks is taking trail snacks to a new level.
Gear Review: Mooney Farms Bella Sun Lucí Sun-Dried Julienne-Cut Tomatoes
These sun-dried tomatoes from Mooney Farms are great on-the-go or to add flavor to a meal.
Gear Review: Honey Stinger Vanilla Organic Energy Gel
Quick energy is the hallmark of these energy gels from Honey Stinger.
Gear Review: Moving Comfort Vero Sports Bra
The adjustable Moving Comfort Vero has three adjustments, accommodating a variety of sizes.
Gear Review: Wenonah Royalex Spirit II Canoe
Paddle through any conditions with this durable canoe from Wenonah.
Gear Review: Immersion Research Long Sleeve Zephyr Paddling Jacket
Stay dry and comfortable with this breathable paddling jacket from Immersion Research.
Gear Review: Nux Breathe T-Back Sports Bra
Small-chested women rejoice: this moderate-compression racerback resists chafing.
Gear Review: Outdoor Research Airpurge Dry Compression Sacks
Combine all the benefits of a dry bag and compression sack and you get the Airpurge Dry Compressions Sacks from Outdoor Research.
Gear Review: Bending Branches Sunrise Glass Kayak Paddle
Go lightweight with this adjustable kayak paddle from Bending Branches.
Gear Review: Isis Aurora Shell
This Isis bargain shell will keep you dry in hours of downpour.
Gear Review: Perception Expression 11.5 Sea Kayak
Get flexibility for a bargain with this sea kayak from Perception.
Gear Review: Patagonia Women's Capilene 4 Expedition Weight Bottoms
Leg insulation built for a woman's curves.
Gear Review: Kokatat Maximus PFD
Re-think your preconceptions with this comfortable PFD from Kokatat.
Gear Review: Innova Swing II Inflatable Kayak
This inflatable kayak from Innova combines storage benefits and a hard-shell-like deck.
Gear Review: Sperry Top-Sider SON-R Sounder Shandal
Grip and draining combine in this hybrid shoe from Sperry Top-Sider.
Gear Review: Wilderness Systems Zephyr 160 Sea Kayak
This sea kayak from Wilderness Systems gives you the comfort and storage space necessary for a multi-day journey.
Gear Review: Skirt Sports Adventure Girl
Embrace your femininity on the trail with this oh-so-flattering skirt. Pockets included.
Gear Review: Ahnu Montara Boot
Comfy and fun, the Ahnu Montara Boot will keep you stabilized while hiking and stylish in the town.
Shorten Hip Belt Straps
I'm pretty skinny and when I tighten my hipbelt I end up with lots of extra strap flapping around. Can I just cut this extra stuff off?
Seam Sealing Pants
If I alter a pair of waterproof pants, how can I make the new seams waterproof?
Gear Review: ExOfficio Women's Dryflylite Long-Sleeve Shirt
ExOfficio brings modesty, sun protection, and breathability with this women's shirt model.
Gear Review: Isis Active Boy Shorts
Flexible and supportive: Isis Active Boy Shorts also double as spontaneous swim gear.
Gear Review: Helly Hansen Harmony Pants
Fashion and function: these quick-dry pants can withstand cold, thorns, and dog loving with a comfortable waistband.
Gear Guide 2013: Climbing Gear
Crag-tested picks from the editors of Climbing magazine
Gear Review: Starbucks VIA Refreshers Very Berry Hibiscus Drink Mix
These aptly named Refreshers from Starbucks provide a flavorful energy kick to get you back on the trail.
Gear Guide 2013: Basecamping
Kick back with luxe gear for car and boat trips.
Gear Review: Skratch Labs Raspberry Exercise Hydration Mix
These fruit infused drink mixes from Skratch Labs are the all-natural energy boost you need during a hard summit push.
Gear Review: Hiya Green Tea
Enjoy staying hydrated with this cold-brewed green tea from Hiya.
Gear Review: PocketFuel Pineapple Coconut
Go nuts over these flavored spreads from PocketFuel.
Gear Review: Just Tomatoes Etc! Freeze-Dried Strawberries 'N Bananas
This freeze dried fruit from Just Tomatoes is great on its own or as an add-in.
Gear Guide 2013: Eyewear
Protect your eyes with versatile shades.
Gear Review: Clif Shot Bloks Chocolate Cherry
Stay energized the natural way with these fruity sweet Shot Bloks from Clif.
Gear Review: Packit Gourmet Poblano Corn Chowder
Spice up you adventure with this poblano corn chowder from Packit Gourmet.
Gear Reivew: Packit Gourmet Pizza Margherita Wrap
This pizza-inspired flavor-packed filling from Packit Gourmet will become whatever you make it.
Gear Review: Packit Gourmet Curried Mango Chicken Salad
This cold-water-prep chicken salad from Packit Gourmet will keep you fueled and on the trail.
Gear Review: Backpacker's Pantry Cuban Coconut Black Beans and Rice
Bring the fruity flavors of the tropics to the backcountry with this vegan meal from Backpacker's Pantry.
Gear Review: Adventure Appetites Basil Pistachio Penne
This rich pasta from Adventure Appetites combines many exciting flavors - smoked salmon, black olives, and sun dried tomatoes to name a few - into one satisfying backcountry dish.
Gear Review: Quaker Real Medleys Summer Berry Instant Oatmeal
Spice up a backpacker's staple with this berry oatmeal from Quaker Oats.
Gear Review: Packit Gourmet West Memphis Grits Soufflé
Bring southern comfort food into the outdoors with these mildly spicy and cheesy grits from Packit Gourmet.