Deal of the Week: REI Co-op Revelcloud II Jacket
$50 will buy you one of the best packable, do-anything puffies on the market.
Apparel
Finding the perfect hiking apparel can be tricky. But with the help of Backpacker Magazine’s dedicated team of expert gear reviewers, you’ll easily find the perfect men’s and women’s outdoor apparel for every hiking and backpacking trip on your bucket list.
Deal of the Week: Mountain Hardwear Kor Preshell
Save big on this light-yet-mighty windbreaker.
Smith Level/Liberty
Feature-rich helmet
The North Face Summit L3 Down Hoodie
Heat-hoarding jacket
Deal of the Week: Sierra Designs Tuolumne Sweater
This versatile, comfortable jacket is on sale starting at 68% off.
Point 6 Zip Front Top
Most durable wool
Ortovox 230 Merino Competition Zip Neck
Best for expeditions
Smartwool Intraknit Merino 250 Thermal ¼ Zip
Best cold-weather wicking
Ridge Merino Aspect Highneck
Women's baselayer pick
Outdoor Research Vigor Quarter Zip
Most versatile top
Gore Wear X7 Partial Gore-Tex Unfinium Tights
Most versatile bottoms
Gear of the Week: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Pants
These puffy trousers save heat—and space—on cold-weather trips.
Gear of the Week: Helly Hansen LifaLoft Hooded Stretch Insulator Jacket
This midlayer won't hold you back when you're on the move.
Gear of the Week: Smartwool Intraknit Merino 200 Baselayers
Unique design makes these layers extra-breathable.
Sierra Designs Cold Canyon Fleece
Best value insulated jacket
Ortovox Piz Palu
Most comfortable
Mountain Hardwear Phantom Hoody
Lightest jacket
Dynafit FT Insulation Jacket
Best warmth-to-weight
Black Diamond Vision Parka
Most durable puffy jacket
Rab Verglas
Best weatherproofing
Outdoor Research Refuge Air Hooded Jacket
Most versatile jacket
Marmot West Rib Parka
Warmest jacket
The 11 Best Hiking Jackets of Winter 2019-2020
Wind, rain, snow: No matter the weather, these jackets are ready to help you get outside and hit the trail.
Gear of the Week: Sierra Designs Tuolumne Sweater
A versatile layering piece that's perfect for shoulder season.
Helly Hansen Odin Mountain Hybrid Softshell
Best protection
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Grid Hooded
Killer deal
Eddie Bauer BC Freshline 2.0/BC Fineline 2.0
Best protection
Amundsen Sports Peak Anorak
Best features
Direct Alpine Revolt
Most versatile
Adidas Outdoors Primeknit Climaproof Jacket
Best mobility
Montane Pac Plus
Best value
Dynafit Speed 3L Reflective Jacket
Best for fast-and-light touring
The North Face Summit L5 LT Jacket
Most breathable
GoLite Ready Set Go
Lightest
Gear of the Week: Ortovox Fleece Light Grid Jacket
This top does it all thanks to smart design and premium materials.
3 Lightweight Backpacking and Hiking Shells to Stash in Your Daypack
Carry one of these barely-there jackets, and you'll be equipped for the next rainy day.
The Best Women's Hiking and Backpacking Apparel of 2019
Time to upgrade your trail outfit? Check out this season's best apparel to boost your backcountry comfort.
Marmot Women’s Trail Bender Tights
Best leggings
Columbia Northern Comfort Midlayer Shirt
Most versatile top
Title Nine Grace Long Sleeve Top
Best long sleeve
Conner Hats Bird and Feather Wool Hat
Best sun hat
Kari Traa Sol Bra
Best bra
Foehn Women’s Brise Jogger
Best trousers
Smartwool Women’s Merino Sport 150 Short Sleeve
Best t-shirt
Deal of the Week: The North Face Ventrix Hoodie
Get ready for fall adventures with a deal on this versatile insulating layer
Mammut Kento HS Hooded Jacket
Do-it-all shell
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: Columbia F.K.T. II Short Sleeve Shirt
Beat the heat with this top's cooling tech.
The Four Best Sun Shirts for Summer Hiking
Beat the heat with these light, protective layers.
What We're Testing Now: Mountain Hardwear Phantom Hoody
One of our favorite puffies gets a durability upgrade.
The 5 Best Windshells for Hikers
These featherweight windshells ensure that the weather doesn’t blow your plans away.
Arc’teryx Incendo SL/Cita SL
Lightest windshell
Patagonia Houdini Air
Warmest windshell
Ortovox Merino Windbreaker
Most comfortable
Montane Lite-Speed
Best protection
10 Must-Have Items in Our Ski Touring Kit
From eye protection to bibs to energy chews, we reach for these products again and again.
Mammut Macun SO
Warmest softshell
The North Face North Dome Stretch Wind Jacket
Best value softshell
Mountain Hardwear Kor Preshell
Most breathable windshell
Black Diamond Deploy Wind Shell
Lightest windshell
Rab Kinetic Alpine
Most comfortable
Columbia OutDry Ex Reign
Best protection
Patagonia Stretch Rainshadow
Most versatile
Marmot PreCip Active
Best value
Eddie Bauer BC Uplift
Killer deal
SITKA Vapor Shakedry Jacket
Most breathable
Helly Hansen Odin Minimalist 2.0
Best features
Polartec Power Air
Stay warm and save rivers with this eco-friendly fleece layer.
Rab Kinetic Alpine Pant
Finally, a pair of rainpants you won't be afraid to wear all day.
Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Long-Sleeve Hoody
This sun shirt is a soft alternative to wearing sunscreen.