Foehn Women’s Brise Jogger
Best trousers
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.
Smartwool Women’s Merino Sport 150 Short Sleeve
Best t-shirt
Deal of the Week: Bear Canisters, Sacks, and Spray
Stay safe in bear country with deals from REI and Moosejaw.
3 All-Purpose Daypacks for Any Trail Adventure
A good daypack makes or breaks an outing. These three perform.
3 Fire Starter Kits That Work in the Wettest Conditions
When it's cold and rainy and you need a campfire, now, these three fire starter kits will do the job.
3 Trail-Tested Binoculars for Hikers
Bring the world into focus with these backcountry-ready optics.
Deal of the Week: The North Face Ventrix Hoodie
Get ready for fall adventures with a deal on this versatile insulating layer
Knog Bandicoot Headlight
Set it and forget it with this mono-chassis headlamp.
Mammut Kento HS Hooded Jacket
Do-it-all shell
Salewa Wildfire Edge
Secure shoe
Gear of the Week: MSR Pika Teapot
This handy piece of cookware makes pouring hot water a breeze.
The 3 Best Self-Inflating Camping Pads
Skip the pump, and the huffing-and-puffing, with these three trail-tested self-inflating pads.
Smartwool Merino Sport 150 Briefs
Best boxers
Duckworth Polaris Crew
Best warm top
Mountain Khakis Men’s Original Trail Pant
Most durable pant
Fjällräven Ovik Re-Wool Shirt
Best flannel
Hydro Flask Crushable Hat
Best hat
The North Face North Dome Pullover Hoodie
Best sun shirt
KÜHL Silencr Kargo Short
Best short
adidas Outdoor Agravic Parley Tee
Best t-shirt
Gear of the Week: Hart Outdoor First Aid Kits
These kits make finding what you need simple.
REI Co-op Kingdom 6
Palatial Tent
Eureka! Ignite
Supercharged Stove
Stanley Adventure Full Kitchen Base Camp Cook Set
Comprehensive Cookware
LonoLife Thai Curry Beef Bone Broth
Restorative elixir
OtterBox Venture 65
Classy Cooler
NEMO Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair
Serene Seat
The Best Car-Camping Gear for Families
These auto- and boat-friendly luxuries are your ticket to outdoor family fun.
The Best Shoulder Season Sleeping Pads
Create the perfect sleep system for cooler autumn nights by putting the right insulated mat under your sleeping bag.
Exped MegaMat Duo 10 LW
Luxurious Pad
NEMO Tensor Alpine
Best warmth to weight
Exped SynMat TT 9 M
Warmest
Klymit Insulated Static V Luxe SL
Most luxurious
Gear of the Week: Columbia F.K.T. II Short Sleeve Shirt
Beat the heat with this top's cooling tech.
7 Guides Choose Their Favorite Outdoor Gear
Here's what the pros use every day on the trail.
The Best Gear for Camping in a Storm
There’s no such thing as bad weather if you have good gear—and tequila.
The Best Family Camping Gear Kit
Just pack up your kids and go camping. It’ll get easier—and more fun—with practice.
Gear of the Week: Epic Provisions Meat Bars
These flavor combos will help you fight bar fatigue.
Meet Me Here: a Map, a Watch, and a Surprise
Emma’s friend set her up with a ViewRanger map and let the app guide her to a backcountry surprise.
6 Kid-Tested Water Shoes for Your Family's Summer Adventures
Our fleet of little feet put these shoes through the paces.
The Four Best Sun Shirts for Summer Hiking
Beat the heat with these light, protective layers.
Gear of the Week: Black Diamond Rhythm Tee
This stretchy merino top will never hold you back on the trail.
NEMO Hornet Elite 2P
Featherweight tent
Sea to Summit Aeros Down Pillow
Luxury accessory
Western Mountaineering AstraLite Quilt
Cozy comforter
The Best Canister Stoves for Backpackers
Our favorite canister stoves hit a sweet spot between performance, weight, and packability. For soloists and small groups, kitchen duty doesn’t get any easier.
MSR WindBurner
Best stove for bad weather
GSI Outdoors Glacier Camp
Value canister stove
SOTO Amicus
Lightest stove
Jetboil Flash
Best all-around
Primus Power Trail
Fastest stove
Gear of the Week: UCO Sprout Mini Lantern and Magnetic Lanyard
A nifty light source that's at home wherever you camp.
10 Perfect Father's Day Gifts for Dads Who Hike
From a comfy chair that's light enough for a daypack to a full-size camp kitchen, this gear is ready to upgrade any dad's next trip.
Gear Editor’s Pick: GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Dualist Cookset
Everything you need for a backcountry feast
What We’re Testing Now: Mammut Ducan Spine 50-60
This pack’s suspension helps the load move with you.
The Best Gear From Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2019
We scoured the largest outdoor industry trade show in the world—here are the most innovative products.
The Best Gear for Summer Trail Runs
Warm weather means it's time to go farther, and get there faster. Here are our top picks for summer trail runs, from smooth singletrack to alpine ridges.
Gear of the Week: Sea to Summit View Dry Sack
The standard dry bag gets a nifty upgrade.
The 10 Best Buys From Backcountry's 4th of July Sale
Get out this summer with these BACKPACKER-approved gear steals.
The 13 Best Deals at REI's 4th of July Sale
Gear up for summer with up to 50% off on tents, packs, shoes, and more.
Tested: The 7 Best Boots for Mountaineering
Going up? On routes that require more than just your standard hiking footwear, these boots will keep you on track.
La Sportiva Trango Tech GTX
The most affordable boot in the test is also durable.
Asolo Freney Mid GV
A plush interior makes this boot best for chilly ascents.
Salewa Raven 3
This do-anything boot excels all over the mountain.
Mammut Taiss Light Mid GTX
This boot proves good support doesn’t have to be heavy.
Garmont Ascent GTX
This boot’s traction and stiffness shine on steep climbs.
SCARPA Ribelle Tech OD
Great flexibility means no-problem approaches.
LOWA Alpine SL GTX
A reinforced upper boosts protection and cuts ounces.
Gear of the Week: Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow Carbon Umbrella
Shield yourself from rain and sun with this ultralight umbrella.
How to Take Your Family Camping on a Budget With Rental Gear
No gear? No problem. Rental programs make camping with kids affordable.
What We're Testing Now: Mountain Hardwear Phantom Hoody
One of our favorite puffies gets a durability upgrade.
Newsletter Exclusive Deal: Patagonia Nine Trails 28L/26L
Hit the trail with this versatile daypack.
Gear of the Week: Hammock Bliss Sky Bed Bug Free
Get a peaceful, mid-air sleep in this comfy hammock.
Gear of the Week: Salomon OUTline Low GTX
Go far and stay cool in this light hiking shoe.
The Best Comfort Backpacking Gear, According to BACKPACKER's Gear Editor
Backpacking should be about pleasure, not pain.
How to Choose the Right Backpack
Finding the right backpack isn’t always a quick or easy process, but you’ll thank yourself later for investing the time now.
BACKPACKER Editor Dennis Lewon Picks His Favorite Budget Gear
Spend less, hike more with a system that prioritizes affordability and durability.
Protect Your Gear In These 3 Extreme Environments
Don’t let fear of ruining your belongings keep you from getting out.