Salomon XA 25
Best organization in a daypack
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.
Matador Freerain32
Most weatherproof daypack
Six Moon Designs Daybreaker
Best daypack for overpackers
Black Diamond Trail Blitz 12
Best daypack for big miles
CamelBak Women's Zephyr Vest
Best daypack for women
Montane Mezzo 10
Best value daypack
The 9 Best Outdoor Fathers' Day Gifts of 2020
Skip the socks and give dad something he'll appreciate this year.
The 5 Best Budget Sleeping Bags
Get a good night's sleep without draining your bank account.
The North Face EcoTrail Synthetic 0°F
Greenest budget sleeping bag
NEMO Tempo 35°F
Best all-around budget sleeping bag
Mountain Hardwear Bozeman 15°F
Best value sleeping bag
ALPS Mountaineering Fusion 40°F
Most versatile budget bag
L.L. Bean Classic Camp Sleeping Bag 40°F
Roomiest budget bag
Deal of the Week: Garmin Fenix 6
Save on this feature-packed watch.
10 Pieces of Self-Care Gear For Post-Quarantine Camping
Make your next trip a luxurious one.
Our Biggest Gear Fails
Sometimes, products just don't perform as planned.
6 Modern Tools to Upgrade Dad’s Backpacking Kit
It’s time to hang up the old external frame pack and leather boots and step into the modern age.
Get to Know: Gossamer Gear
Meet the man behind this ultralight-preaching company.
Deal of the Week: BioLite HeadLamp 330
Shine a light on this week's best gear deal.
Member Deal of the Week: The North Face Hydra 26
Save on a comfy pack that's made for long dayhikes.
Sneak Peek: The Coolest New Products
The Voice is our sister publication, a premium outdoor trade magazine aimed at outdoor industry insiders. They want to know what you think of these new products coming down the pipeline.
The 4 Best Bras for Backpacking
From ultrasupportive to odor-immune, these four models won us over.
Deal of the Week: MSR Hubba Tour 2
This single-wall shelter has a ton of storage space.
The 5 Best Ultralight Backpacks for Thru-Hikers (and Everyone Else)
We put the season’s newest featherweight packs through 3,800 total miles of testing. These are the ones that kept our long-distance team cruising along in ultralight bliss.
Six Moon Designs Swift X
Most comfortable ultralight pack
Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Junction
Most durable ultralight backpack
Gossamer Gear G4-20 Ultralight 42
Best value ultralight pack
LiteAF 35L Curve Fast-Track-Pack
Lightest backpack
Mountain Laurel Designs Prophet DCF 48
Best all-around
The Best Bargain Backpacking Gear
Get maximum value for minimum cash with these 14 standout products.
What Our Members Are Testing Now: Dark Peak NESSH Lightweight Down Jacket
This puffy excelled as an insulating layer during winter on the Great Plains.
The Best Gear for Bug-Free Summer Hiking
The worst part of summer hiking: mosquitos, black flies, ticks, and other pests. Shield yourself from head to toe with these swarm-tested picks, the best of 14 bug-baffling products we tried.
Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent
DEET alternative
Ben’s 100% DEET
Super spray
Thermacell Radius Zone Mosquito Repellent Gen 2.0
Bug-free basecamp
ExOfficio BugsAway Sol Cool Ampario Convertible Pants
Protective pants
Craghoppers Insect Shield Adventure II Long-Sleeved Shirt
Impenetrable shirt
6 Outdoor Deals to Help You Get Ready for Summer
Grab apparel, tents, and one famous firepit on sale right now for up to 55% off.
Deal of the Week: Eddie Bauer First Ascent Katabatic 3
Get a bomber winter expedition tent at a great price.
Our 10 Most Coveted Pieces of Dream Gear
If money were no issue, this is what we'd buy.
Deal of the Week – Mother's Day Edition: La Sportiva Spire GTX
Get a crazy-good hiking shoe for a crazy-low price.
GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Dualist HS
Efficient kitchen set
Columbia Irico Freezer Pant
Heat-beating bottoms
Montane Element Stretch Jacket
Cozy shell
HydraPak Flux 1L Bottle
Best bottle
RapidPure Pioneer Straw
Lightest purifier
MSR Thru-Link InLine Microfilter
Best in-line filter
What to Bring for Ultralight Backpacking
Lighten your load and pick up the pace with these 10 ultralight pieces of gear.
The 10 Best Outdoor Mothers' Day Gifts of 2020
Whether mom's nearby or far away, help her enjoy the outdoors with these 10 great picks.
Deal of the Week: Chaco Z/Cloud Sandals
Celebrate summer with an updated outdoor classic.
Deal of the Week: Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiters
Jump on a good price for these durable gaiters.
Member Deal of the Week: Hydro Flask Journey Series 20 Hydration Pack
Score big savings on great pack for hot-weather hikes.
The Best Gear for Hikers Who Love Bears
The best way to show your respect for bears is from a safe distance. Or by wearing them on your socks.
Hillsound BTR Stool
Featherweight furniture
Casio Pro Trek WSD-F30
Colorful GPS watch
Deal of the Week: Stanley Adventure Shot Glass Set
Quaff your favorite camp beverage with these stainless steel cups.
Wiley X Peak With Captivate
Vision-enhancing sunglasses
Geyser System
On-the-go shower
Our 10 Favorite "Non-essential" Pieces of Gear
They probably won't save your life, but you'll be glad you packed these picks from BACKPACKER staffers.
Mountain Equipment Dynamo Skort
Warm-weather bottom
Sherpa Adventure Gear Kalpana Hike Tight
Resilient legging
Mammut Crashiano Top
Fashion-forward tank
Title Nine Run It All Strappy Sports Bra
No-bounce bra
Arc’teryx Kyanite LT Hoody
Versatile fleece
Fjällräven Bergtagen Stretch Trousers
Protective pants
prana Ground Speed Short
Wet and wild shorts
Headsweats Crusher Hat
Heat-beating cap
Black Diamond Rhythm Tee
Durable wool shirt
Deal of the Week: Rab Mythic Ultra 360
Hike light and sleep warm with this high-end sleeping bag, now available at a discount.
Backcountry Pentapitch Hooded Pullover
Do-it-all midlayer
Outdoor Element Firebiner
Best gadget
Gear Aid Kotu Tanto Knife
Most durable knife
SOG PowerPint
Best all-around multitool
Leki Cross Trail MCT 12 Vario Carbon
Best for speed
Kelty Upslope 2.0
Bargain trekking pole
Mountainsmith Andesite
Best value trekking poles
Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork WR
Most versatile
The Best Kids Hiking Gear of 2020
Get your family ready for the trail with this hand-me-down-worthy kit.
Takeya 14-Ounce Actives Water Bottle
Best water bottle for kids