Outdoor Research Alpenice Hooded Jacket
Most versatile
Apparel
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.
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.
Helly Hansen Odin Veor Jacket
Best ventilation
Arc’teryx Alpha IS Jacket
Best for winter sieges
Patagonia Hyper Puff Hoody
Loftiest synthetic
Icebreaker MerinoLOFT Ellipse Long Sleeve Half Zip Hood
Breathable Midlayer
Rab Vapour-Rise Alpine Jacket
Ultrabreathable softshell
The Best Cooling Apparel for Summer Hikes
Don’t let the dog days get the best of you. Stay cool and dry with these smart gear picks.
Voormi Access NXT Pullover
Double Midlayer
Howler Brothers Gaucho Snapshirt
Everyday Shirt
Club Ride Shaka Flannel
Technical Flannel
Columbia Montrail Titan Lite Windbreaker
Ultralight Windshirt
Topo Designs Breaker Shirt Jacket
Versatile long sleeve
Patagonia Nano-Air Light Hybrid Jacket
Workhorse puffy
Columbia Shimmering Light Short Sleeve Shirt
Technical T-shirt
Club Ride Two Timer
Midlayer
KÜHL Renegade Pant
Do-it-all pants
Columbia South Canyon Casual Rain Pant
Bargain rain pant
Dynafit Transalper Light Dynastretch Pant
Fast-and-light pants
Black Diamond Alpine Light Softshell Pants
Most breathable
Arc’teryx Sabria Pant
Best Mobility
Columbia Silver Ridge Pull-On Pant
Bargain pick
Arc’teryx Psiphon FL Short
Durable shorts
Royal Robbins Coast Short
Fast-Drying Shorts
ExOfficio Sol Cool Boxer Brief
Cooling underwear
tasc TTFN Studio Bra
Most comfortable
Patagonia Active Mesh Bra
Quick-dry
Stio Modis Hooded Jacket
Breathable Shell
Nalgene 12 oz. OTF Kids
This water bottle makes staying hydrated easy and fun
REI Co-op Rainwall
A light, no-nonsense rain jacket for kids
Quiz: Find the Right Baselayer
Figure out what type of shirt you need by considering how hard you'll work and how your body will likely react to the climate.
Real Shades Adventure P2
Sunglasses that won't crack under pressure
Black Diamond Wiz
A headlamp made with the littlest night owls in mind
Columbia Silver Ridge III Convertible Pants
Pants that stand up to the rigors of being an outdoor kid
Vasque Kids Breeze III Ultradry
Tyke-friendly boots with adult-worthy technical chops
The 12 Best New Hiking Shells of 2017
Hardshell, softshell and everything in between: These jackets will protect you from any kind of weather.
Helly Hansen Odin 9 Worlds
Best for Mountaineering
Patagonia Storm Racer
Lightest
Marmot Valor (m's Adonis)
Most breathable
Montane Minimus Stretch
Best weight-to-features
Dynafit Elevation Gore-Tex Jacket
Year-round performer
Cotopaxi Teca Half-Zip
Eco-friendly windshell
Marmot Lightstream
Best Summer Softshell
Montbell Stretch Rain Pants
Best Leg Protection
adidas Voyager Jacket
Best Buy
Outdoor Research Helium Hybrid Hooded Jacket
Most Versatile
Mountain Hardwear Thundershadow
Best Value
Columbia OutDry Extreme ECO Jacket
One of our favorite waterproof, breathable fabrics gets an eco-friendly upgrade.
Kinco 1927KW Lined Pigskin
Utility meets necessity.
prAna Halle Pants (m’s Stretch Zion)
Set your legs free.
Patagonia R1 Hoody
You may never take this midlayer off.
ULA Rain Kilt
Check out Laurel "Lollygag" Reisman's author page.
Montbell Alpine Light Down Parka
Check out Roger "Greg from Wild" Carpenter's author page.
Frogg Toggs Ultra Lite
Check out Clint "Lint" Bunting's author page.
Uniqlo Ultralight Down Jacket
Check out Liz "Snorkel" Thomas's author page.
Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer
Check out Amanda "Zuul" Jameson's author page.
Fjällräven Abisko Lite Trekking Trouser
Trail armor
Mountain Khakis Camber 104 Hybrid Pant
Trail to town
Millet Aiguilles Vertes Cordura Pant
Perfect for peakbaggers
Western Rise Granite Camp Pant
Most versatile outdoor pants
Under Armour ArmourVent Trail Shorts
Breathable shorts
Duckworth Vapor Tee
Comfiest tee
ExOfficio Sol Cool Long Sleeve Half Zip
Half zip sunshirt
Marmot Windshear SS
A breathable shirt for adventure travel
Eddie Bauer Resolution Mesh Tee Shirt
A cross-training bargain
Handful Adjustable Bra
Comfortable outdoor bra
Kari Traa Svala L/S
Versatile baselayer
Royal Robbins MerinoLux Go Everywhere Polo
Go from peak to pub
Terramar Airtouch T
Comfy bargain
Purple Rain Skirt
Hiking skirt
Patagonia Latticeback Tank
Workhorse tank
Mountain Equipment Eclipse Hooded Zip Tee
Alpine hoody
Dynafit Thermal 2 ½ Zip
Versatile baselayer
L.L. Bean Overland Performance Flannel Shirt
This flannel can handle just about any obstacle.
Arc’teryx Atom SL Softshell
In cool conditions, ditch separate insulation and windshell pieces in favor of this light and warm softshell.
Black Diamond Dawn Patrol LT Softshell
This tough, breathable softshell will carry you from summer alpine hikes to winter ski tours.
Adidas Terrex Agravic Wind Jacket
You won’t find more comfortable protection for 4 ounces than this ultralight women's windshell.
Sherpa Adventure Gear Tufan Softshell
A fleecy pattern on the inside gives this lightweight softshell a supple feel.