Patagonia R1 Fleece Hoody
You’ll never want to take this midlayer off.
Trail Clothes Reviews
Wearing appropriate clothing while in the backcountry can make or break a trip. Backpacker’s extensive backpacking and trail clothes reviews put all kinds of fabrics and styles to the test in real backcountry conditions.
What We’re Testing Now: Patagonia’s 2022 Trail Lineup Makes Our Runs Feel Comfier Than Ever
Upgrade your trail running wardrobe next spring.
Latest in Trail Clothes Reviews
Duckworth Vapor Tee
Comfiest tee
Marmot Windshear SS
A breathable shirt for adventure travel
Eddie Bauer Resolution Mesh Tee Shirt
A cross-training bargain
Royal Robbins MerinoLux Go Everywhere Polo
Go from peak to pub
L.L. Bean Overland Performance Flannel Shirt
This flannel can handle just about any obstacle.
Bergans of Norway Moa Shorts
quick-dry clothes
Columbia Cascades Explorer Long Sleeve Shirt
Stay comfortable in this long sleeve shirt even when the temps are close to 100°F.
Helly Hansen Fraser Shirt
This is a fully featured sun shirt with clean, casual styling.
Saxx Kinetic Boxer Brief
These performance boxer briefs have the support of a jock strap.
5 All-Conditions Trail Shirts
From sizzling deserts to 14,00-foot summits, these long-sleeved layers shielded testers from extreme conditions.
Breeze Blocker Stio Kirby Windshirt
The Kirby offers more wind protection than a gauzier sun shirt.
Ibex OD Trinity/OD Heather Long Sleeve Shirt
A wool button down shirt that is super soft, looks cocktail ready and actually performs in the backcountry.
Howler Brothers Longsleeve Aransas Shirt
On hot-weather hikes, this poly-cotton blend shirt has great cooling effects.
Bluesmiths Kahana Longsleeve Shirt
This UPF 40 polyester crew one-ups other synthetic shirts.
Mountain Khakis Peaks Flannel Shirt
A live-in comfy flannel that serves as a great trail shirt.
Trail Clothes for Every Condition
Pants, shirts, jackets, shorts, tees, and socks for every climate and condition.
Mammut Lugano/Ascona Shirt
A trail-worthy flannel.
Dynafit Trail Tee
A gauzy tee built for heat.
Gear Review: Norrøna Roldal Warm1 Shirt
A versatile and breathable shirt from Norrøna.
Gear Review: Trail Shorts & Hiking Tops
Two his-and-her options for trail shorts and tops.
Gear Review: Merrell Ngeo Crew
This super soft synthetic crew shirt has excellent wicking and quick-drying properties.
Gear Review: Outdoor Research Voodoo Pants
The Voodoos cast a three-part spell of comfort, durability, and function.
Gear Review: SmartWool Lightweight Crew Baselayer
Experience all of the comfort with none of the smell with this SmartWool baselayer.
Gear Review: Kühl Raptr Pants
Trek everywhere with assurance with the durable and stylish Kühl Raptr Pants.
Gear Review: Three Essential Socks
Find the best socks for any occasion and preference.
Gear Review: The North Face Verto Micro Hoodie
This hybrid hoodie from North Face will keep you comfortable in changing conditions.
Gear Review: Merino Midlayers
Get year-round versatility for travel, trail, or town.
Gear Review: Icebreaker Sierra/Cascade Long Sleeve Hood
A mideweight merino layer perfect for on or off the mountain.
Gear Review: Ibex Scout/Alana Full Zip
A low-bulk merino sweater that can handle cardio workouts.
Editors' Choice Snow Award 2012: L.L. Bean Ultralite 850 Puffy
The ultimate bang-for-buck ratio jacket.
Gear Review: The North Face Polar Hooded Fleece
This fleece will keep you warm, light, and unrestrained.
Gear Review: SmartWool MerinoMax Full Zip Midlayer
This midlayer will go with you on any adventure requiring more than short sleeves.
Gear Review: Stoic Luft 60 Anorak Pullover
A bullet-proof pullover that doesn't add pounds.
Gear Review: Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody
This insulated hoody keeps performing, even when conditions are at their worst.
Gear Review: Marmot Variant Hoody
The perfect jacket for when your hardshell is just too much.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2012: Insulation
If these heat-makers don't keep you from freezing, nothing will.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Dome Beanie
A slim, 100-percent polyester skull cap.
Gear Review: Ultralight Layers
Stay comfortable in summer and beyond with these lightweight, high-performance pieces.
2012 Father's Day Gift Guide
Skip the new wrench sets and the flowery ties. Give the man on your list something that he’ll really be stoked about. We’ve got a slew of great dad-tested gift ideas starting at $20
Gear Review: Patagonia Merino 2 Lightweight
This tee is naturally breathable, resists odor, and feels as soft as cotton.
Editors' Choice 2012: The Best Backpacking Gear of the Year
From a smart-and-light pack to a groundbreaking backcountry communicator, here are the 12 products that passed the ultimate gear challenge.
Gear Guide 2012: Balega X Athlete Multisport Crew Socks
These socks use a fabric that promotes airflow without sacrificing comfort.
Gear Guide 2012: FITS Performance Trail Socks
Manage moisture with these lightweight, low-cuff socks.
Gear Guide 2012: Cabelas E.C.W.C.S. Thermal Zone Polartec Power Dry Baselayers
These no-bulk baselayers provide warmth when you need it and breathability where you don't.
Gear Guide 2012: Duofold Champion Varitherm
These baselayers deliver great moisture management and a skin-tight fit.
Gear Guide 2012: Polarmax TransDRY Cotton Underwear
Water-repelling fabric allows for these cotton briefs to wick moisture and keep you dry.
Gear Guide 2012: Helly Hansen Odin Quick-Dry Pant
With custom sizing and smart features these quick-dry pants are a must-have.
Gear Guide 2012: Patagonia ULW Merino Crew Socks
Prevent blisters with these liner socks.
Gear Guide 2012: Mountain Hardwear Rifugio Trek Shorts
These shorts are made to handle heat with a barely-there feel.
Gear Guide 2012: Stoic Microlith Softshell Pant
Keep comfortable in warm or cold with these no zip pants.
Gear Guide 2012: The North Face Think About It Jacket
This full-zip jacket combines protection and warmth to create a great go-to jacket for staying warm.
Gear Guide 2012: Columbia Solar Polar 1/2 Zip
Stay comfortable in hot temperatures with the Solar Polar.
Gear Guide 2012: Icebreaker Sprite Racerback Bra and Moving Comfort Serena
Whether you're looking for all-day comfort or maximum support, we found two backpacking-friendly sports bras
Gear Guide 2012: Charts
All the great gear specs you're used to seeing in the Gear Guide - now in an easy-to-print digital format.
The World's Best Performance Shirts
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.
Gear Review: MontBell Wickron T
A super soft tee that feels like cotton but is really a quick-dry performance synthetic
Gear Review: SmartWool Teller/Cortina Tech Tee
A wool/poly blend that dries fast and doesn't feel itchy
Gear Review: White Sierra Kalgoorlie Long Sleeve Shirt
This long-sleeve top with UPF 30 keeps you cool and burn free.
Gear Review: Ibex Ace/Ciara Button-down Shirt
This stylish button-down shirt is loaded with performance features
Gear Review: Arc'teryx Motus Crew SS
This t-shirt was voted our "best synthetic"
Outdoor Retailer Roundup: An iPhone case that's photo-taking friendly
Sea to Summit makes a fingers-friendly, waterproof iPhone case, and Arc'teryx unveils a new hoody to covet.
Reader Extreme Makeovers: Layering Systems
This reader's wardrobe was letting her down on the trail. We outfitted her in some comfy boots with a versatile clothing layering system.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2011: Editors' Picks
The editors of Backpacker and Climbing weigh in on their favorite pieces of gear and gadgets.
Editors Picks' with Senior Editor Shannon Davis
This hard-charging editor needs gear that can stand up to long, hard days.
Editors' Picks with Senior Online Producer Katie Herrell
A cozy hat and a cozy jacket for our always-cold staffer.
Editors' Picks with Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter
Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter with her favorite gear picks for 2011.
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: Patagonia Fezzman Short Sleeved Shirt
A shirt that does dayhike and "meet the parents" equally well.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2011: Gloves & Mittens
Keep your digits warm through any cold-weather outing.
Gear Review: Outdoor Research Touchtec Sensor Glove
Thanks to specially treated leather on the palms and fingertips, these gloves are gadget friendly...but still warm.
Gear Review: SCOTT Roam
A versatile helmet that can cover deep freeze to shoulder season.
Gear Review: Outdoor Research Mt. Baker Modular Mitt
Two-layer insulated mitts lined with both synthetic fill and fleece.
Gear Review: Shredalert Smith Rock Micro Beanie
A great lightweight lid for any cool weather outing or high-rpm activity in deep cold.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Enforcer Waterproof Gloves
Great winter climbing gloves thanks to a Gore-Tex lining and EVA padding across the knuckles.
Gear Review: Chaos Spruce Recycled Cashemere Hat
An 80-percent recycled cashmere hat delivers a bit of backcountry luxury.
Gear Review: Helly Hansen HH Dry Balaclava
Made with Helly Hansen's Lifa material, this balaclava wicks and dries super quickly.
Gear Review: Arc'teryx Venta LT Gloves
Leather/softshell gloves that weigh less than a Clif bar.
Gear Review: SmartWool Reversible Training Beanie
This 100-percent merino cap will be your go-to three-season and winter-workout hat.
Gear Review: Stoic Forge Gloves
These all-purpose gloves cost less than $90.