Apparel

The Odin Light offers a unique design that focuses on versatility as well as comfort.

This is the go-to shell for alpine activity providing great breathability and impressive weather protection.

With smart details and great versatility this shell delivers protection and breathability all in one lightweight package.

This shell handles wind, rain and snow like a pro offering versatility and a great fit.

This shell was built to take on the toughest conditions with ease providing heavy-duty protection with superior breathability.

This featherweight shell is full-featured with ultralight wind protection and a relaxed cut.

The Kimtah offers excellent weather protection and breathability at a bargain price.

The Compounder's design helps you stay completely dry and comfortable in the most wet conditions.

This shell is great for the fast-and-light climbing crowd offering excellent breathability and low weight.

If it's breathability you want, it's the Trojan/Athena that you need.

Maximum protection and great breathability help make this shell a force against the toughest conditions.

Reliable weather protection in a light-weight package.

This shell can handle any kind of weather and is both protective and comfortable.

A super safe helmet that you forget you're wearing

From a pack that accommodates curves to two sports bras that go the distance, we've rounded up our favorite women's gear of the year.

Whether you're looking for all-day comfort or maximum support, we found two backpacking-friendly sports bras

HotTotties is Terramar's women's-only line, and it emphasizes femme-specific fit details–this top and bottom set is no exception.

Short pants that offer a blend of performance and style.

The Athena's attractively trim fit flatters ladies' curves better than any other rain jacket we tested this year.

Zip-off pants? Yes, thanks to convertibles that finally bring form to the function.

All the great gear specs you're used to seeing in the Gear Guide - now in an easy-to-print digital format.

We tested more than 100 samples to find the best tops that breathe, wick, resist wear and tear, and keep you looking smart wherever the trail takes you.

A light, packable, and good-looking softshell

A super soft tee that feels like cotton but is really a quick-dry performance synthetic

A wool/poly blend that dries fast and doesn't feel itchy

This long-sleeve top with UPF 30 keeps you cool and burn free.

This stylish button-down shirt is loaded with performance features

This t-shirt was voted our "best synthetic"

Sea to Summit makes a fingers-friendly, waterproof iPhone case, and Arc'teryx unveils a new hoody to covet.

BRR Nick, who is also a physical therapist, found lots of back- and budget-friendly gear on Day 3.

Plus, winter boots from Teva that fold as small as regular shoes!

Day 2 had this reporter looking for comfort - gloves, hats, travel pillows, and undies.

This reader's wardrobe was letting her down on the trail. We outfitted her in some comfy boots with a versatile clothing layering system.

Four trail-proven picks from the winners of our Be a Gear Tester Contest

Warning: Wearing this jacket will encourage complete strangers to pet you.

The editors of Backpacker and Climbing weigh in on their favorite pieces of gear and gadgets.

This hard-charging editor needs gear that can stand up to long, hard days.

A cozy hat and a cozy jacket for our always-cold staffer.

This associate map editor likes to stay well connected.

Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter with her favorite gear picks for 2011.

Get serious warmth for the weight

A shirt that does dayhike and "meet the parents" equally well.

Use this advice to hone your backcountry layers for any trip length or conditions.

Cover your head...and ears...even your face, with these cold-weather coverups.

Keep your digits warm through any cold-weather outing.

Tough winter pants (plus one really cushy pair) for all your cold-weather activities.

Protect yourself from the worst of nature in these hardshell jackets.

Eight softshell jackets from super breathable to warm and cozy.

Stay warm with these puffys, fleece, and wool layers.

Thanks to specially treated leather on the palms and fingertips, these gloves are gadget friendly...but still warm.

A versatile helmet that can cover deep freeze to shoulder season.

Two-layer insulated mitts lined with both synthetic fill and fleece.

A great lightweight lid for any cool weather outing or high-rpm activity in deep cold.

Great winter climbing gloves thanks to a Gore-Tex lining and EVA padding across the knuckles.

An 80-percent recycled cashmere hat delivers a bit of backcountry luxury.

Made with Helly Hansen's Lifa material, this balaclava wicks and dries super quickly.

Leather/softshell gloves that weigh less than a Clif bar.

This 100-percent merino cap will be your go-to three-season and winter-workout hat.

These all-purpose gloves cost less than $90.

A 93-percent nylon, double-woven cap that is extremely lightweight and low profile.

A super wide ear band with a brim that blocks sun while encouraging air flow.

Bringing sexy-cute to a hiker babe near you!

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

A 650-fill down jacket that's super warm and packs to the size of a pineapple.

An ideal down midlayer made with 750-fill down and a Pertex Microlight shell.

For those days when a baselayer is not enough and a puffy jacket too much.

An 850-fill jacket that packs down tiny!

A top pick for its combination of warmth, weather resistance, fit, and packability.

A weather-resistant softshell that has strong moisture and odor control.

A softshell jacket made for skiing

A softshell with full-length side zips for great ventilation

A softshell jackets that's not too heavy, warm, bulky, or expensive

A softshell with a hood that's ready for any weather condition