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Gear Guide 2016 Editors' Choice

Every year the editors at Backpacker Magazine review their favorite gear essentials of the past 12 months in our Editor's Choice Gear Guide.

Photo by Hagephoto

The perfect backcountry cuppa maximizes convenience and taste.

Photo by Hagephoto

If a puffy is the sum of all its parts, there’s no better insulated jacket.

crampons

Lightweight crampons that actually pack small? It can’t be.

g3 ion binding

These brakeless bindings shed grams.

Photo by Hagephoto

Swing weight matters, which is why we love these featherlight poles.

qalo silicone ring

The wedding ring gets an adventure upgrade.

Photo by Hagephoto

Stretch your money and your arms with this new down puffy.

skyward jacket and bib

This softshell performs like a hardshell—or is it a hardshell that performs like a softshell?

Photo by Hagephoto

Sweaty hands are no match for these waterproof/breathable gloves.

BP0416EC_Mancuso_Lycia5341_Shell

This jacket never wets out. Period.

The Lycian Way passes by numerous ruins, from Roman-era amphitheaters to Kayakoy (pictured), a city abandoned shortly after WWI. pc: Jon Mancuso

Wearing is believing: This is the lightest sunshirt we’ve ever tested.

mountain hardwear ap pants best hiking pants

These tough trousers go everywhere.

“Once I put it on, I pretty much never took it off,” said Senior Content Editor Rachel Zurer after wearing the Merino Air for a week in Turkey. pc: Caveman Collective

It’s a technical layer disguised as a stylish sweater.

This could be the last water filter you’ll every buy.

CavemanCollective-2037_pack_3

This pack tames the biggest loads.

CavemanCollective-2394_pack_3

Serious about backpacking and photography? You’ll love this camera-ready pack.