Editors' Choice Award 2017: Rab Kinetic Plus
Full storm protection was never this stretchy.
Editors' Choice
Editors' Choice
Learn more about the best backpacking, hiking and camping gear of the year with expert gear reviews from Backpacker Magazine’s annual Editors’ Choice gear awards.
Learn more about the best backpacking, hiking and camping gear of the year with expert gear reviews from Backpacker Magazine’s annual Editors’ Choice gear awards.
Editors' Choice Award 2017: REI Co-op Magma 850
If you’ve been waiting to get a premium down bag because of price, stop waiting.
Editors' Choice 2017: The Best Backpacking Gear of the Year
After thousands of hours of testing and a five-day trek through Colombia, these 11 products have earned a place in our pack.
The Ten Best Canned Beers for Hikers
Upgrade your next trip with one of these tasty, trail-friendly brews.
The Best Winter Camping Gear of 2016
Defy the snow with these nine new winter camping essentials.
Casio WSD-F10 Smart Outdoor Watch
This smartwatch is primed for crushing some trail.
goTenna
It lets you text your friends in the backcountry.
Lander Neve Cables
These ultradurable cables pack small and withstand abuse.
Suunto Ambit3 Vertical
Finally, a full-featured GPS watch that cares about vert as much as you do.
Garmin Oregon 750t
This compact touchscreen GPS unit is beautifully simple.
The Best New Outdoor Tech of Winter 2016
Do gadgets belong in the backcountry? When they help you play harder, they do.
Nike Khyber
These goggles fit seamlessly with all helmets.
Native Upslope
They offer the best field of vision.
Dragon Alliance X1
One lens to rule them all.
Hobie Polarized Cruz-R
Get the best bang for your buck.
Revo Traverse
These shades transform into glacier goggles.
Vuarnet 02
These lenses offered the best clarity.
Outdoor Research Lodestar Sensor
Backcountry rippers dug this versatile glove.
Seirus Solarsphere Brink
Innovative insulation kept testers’ hands toasty.
Montane Endurance Pro Mitt
Call it storm armor for your paws.
Merino Wool ¾ Buff
Check out Josette Deschambeault's author page.
Dale of Norway Glittertind Hat
Check out Josette Deschambeault's author page.
Giro Zone Helmet
Check out Josette Deschambeault's author page.
SmartWool NTS Mid 250 Balaclava
Check out Josette Deschambeault's author page.
SmartWool PhD Outdoor Mountaineer
This sock was designed with the ski tourer in mind.
Bridgedale Control Fit II
This light sock doesn’t skimp on features.
DryGuy Warm N’ Charge
Keep your hands toasty and charge your phone at the same time.
Ski Pulk Snowclipper Pulk Sled
Be a hero: Haul heavy winter loads.
GSI Outdoors Microlite 500
This insulated bottle is the thinnest and lightest in its class.
Tubbs Panoramic
Powder is no match for these beginner-friendly snowshoes.
Atlas Stratus/Elektra Stratus
They got the job done in (almost) all conditions.
Louis Garneau Course
Runners will love these lightweights.
Petzl RAD System
It has everything a mountaineer needs to stage a crevasse rescue.
BCA Float 42
We hauled big loads with this avy pack.
Arc’teryx Voltair
It’s the smartest avy pack to date.
BCA Shaxe Tech Avalanche Shovel
It’s a shovel. It’s an axe. It’s a . . . Shaxe!
Mammut Carbon Probe 240 Light
Check out Ryan Horjus's author page.
Mammut Alugator Light
Check out Ryan Horjus's author page.
Jones Solution
A classic just got better.
OZ OZsym
Edges that lock together stay together.
K2 Split Bean
Now you can tour with a fat pow board.
ThirtyTwo MTB
This splitboard-specific boot is ready to climb.
La Sportiva Vapor Float
When it gets deep, there’s no better rig.
Black Diamond Helio 105
These skis delivered a best-in-class ride.
Dynafit Dhauligiri
They can handle all conditions, top to bottom.
Black Crows Anima Freebird
We dug these hard-charging fat skis in the sidecountry.
Dynafit TLT 7 Performance
Walking is effortless with these futuristic boots.
G3 FINDr 94
We loved technical descents on these light-but-stable planks.
K2 Wayback 96
Don’t carry more weight than you have to.
DPS Wailer 106 Tour1/ Zelda 106 Tour1
It’s a true one-ski quiver.
La Sportiva Spectre 2.0/ Sparkle 2.0
This four-buckle boot is ultracustomizable.
Dalbello Lupo Carbon T.I.
The hardest-charging boot in our lineup actually has an incredible range of motion in walk mode.
Salomon MTN Explore
This boot charges as hard as it climbs.
Scarpa F1
We loved this anatomically shaped featherlight on long, gentle tours.
Kelty Redwing 50
Sometimes pure comfort trumps fancy features.
BCA Stash 30
This pack withstood everything from cliff drops to sharp ski edges.
Bergans of Norway Helium Pro 40
This pack carries a lot— but weighs little.
Cotopaxi Taboche 55L
Long hauls and big loads are this pack’s specialties.
Dakine Poacher RAS 26L
Keep your gear tight.
Primus Winter Gas
Press your light-duty canister stove into the shoulder season.
Mountain Standard Thermal Henley
This midweight top performs well above its price tag.
Arc’teryx Satoro AR Zip Neck shirt LS
Wear it all winter and still smell as good as you look.
ExOfficio TermA ¼ Zip
High-tech fabric delivers the year’s best warmth-to-weight ratio.
Halti Pinta Top and Pant
Technical performance meets luxe comfort.
MyPakage First Layer Pant Pro
An innovative pouch means ultimate comfort for dudes.
VOORMI ¾ Length Thermal II Bottoms
Special wool and a boot-friendly cut make these ski-ready in most conditions.
WoolX Merino Wool Tunic Top
This women’s pick pulls off flattering and functional.
Marmot Powertherm ½ Zip
This wool/synthetic blend works as a four-season midlayer.
Skhoop Supreme Gore Thermium Short Skirt
Who says you can’t wear a skirt in winter?
Patagonia Nano Puff Pants
Ounce for ounce, there’s no warmer option.
Stio Environ Pant
Women reached for these hardshells, thanks to the thoughtful tailoring and top-shelf breathability.
Outdoor Research Prusik Pant
These pants stand up to all conditions and activities.
Mammut Ultimate Alpine SO Hooded Jacket
Stay drier, longer in this highly protective shell.
Marmot Corsair
This versatile hybrid is airier than most softshells.
Ternua Yangra
Fight the chills in this warmer-than-it-looks softie.
White Sierra Glacier Point II
Get solid winter protection at a great price.
Adidas Terrex Fastr GTX Active Shell
This light and breathable shell is a true year-rounder.
REI Stormrealm
Get a full-featured, premium fabric winter shell for less than $300.
Brooks-Range Armor Jacket
This winter workhorse delivers uncommon comfort and protection.
Black Diamond Helio Alpine
This forcefield has the test’s best protection-to-weight ratio.