Give a well-tooled gift to the hardworking, hard-playing type

CNOC unveils the ThruBottle as a direct upgrade to the Smartwater bottle.

The SOL Venture Rechargeable is a solid, lightweight headlamp for less than half the price of its closest competition.

Think you understand how headlamp brightness works? Get schooled at the Outside Gear Lab.

From headlamp straps to trekking pole holsters, these hacks are cheap and (nearly) weightless.

Finally an ultralight kit that won't turn your savings into dust. Here's where to start.

Cutting your pack weight can make for a more fun experience on the trail—to a point. From backpacking with no backpack to trying the Triple Crown without a sleeping bag or tent, we share four stories of hikers who pushed ultralight to uncomfortable—and occasionally dangerous—places.

A confluence of form factors, tech, and knock-offs have led to a muddled market for one of the most important pieces of gear a hiker will ever own.

The Orukayak Beach Explorer bundle comes with everything paddlers need for casual overnight adventures, and folds up small enough to check on a plane.

Is the versatility worth the weight?

We tested 31 filters in rushing mountain streams and scummy lakes to vet our top picks.

The NB Air is our new top pick for overnighters and other short trips.

Yes, I know it's a controversial opinion. But even on my lightest and fastest trips, I've found that ditching bottles for a bladder is a better, smoother way to hike.

The Helio LX Pressure Shower is a smart approach to cleaning off people, pets, and dishes on basecamping trips—and right now, you can get it at a steep discount.

At less than 7 ounces per pair, they hardly register in your pack.

Check out Adam Roy's author page.

Oversized and decidedly uncool, the poncho is still one of my top choices for rainy hikes.

The X-Mid trekking pole tent and other groundbreaking ultralight designs have earned Durston an unmatched fanbase, with a 14,000-person Facebook group and in-jokes about stickers and sage at the center of it. M. John Fayhee dives into lightweight backpacking's most devoted "cult."

When you pay attention, you'll be amazed by how much our canine companions can teach us

Pack strap bottles aren’t a gimmick. They’re a gift from the trail gods—and one of the few modern pack updates that dramatically improve the backpacking experience.

Enter for a chance to win the ultimate road-trip essentials prize package

Embrace the dad-core vibes, and a 5-liter waist pack may just be the MVP of your gear closet.

Think a tarp is a backpacking non-essential? Think again.

This collection of do-it-all tools from Victorinox, maker of the original Swiss Army Knife™, has you covered at home, in the backcountry, and everywhere in between

The 16-ounce version of everyone's favorite bottle has a surprising number of uses.

Backpacker editors go head to head on the most controversial of feminine hygiene accessories.

We hiked, ran, skied, and climbed in the dark to find the best head illumination of the year.

Discover the many health-boosting benefits of a night spent outdoors—and how to reap them with the right sleep gear from Sea to Summit

Light weight, heavy hitters: These affordable gifts will help an aspiring ultralighter shave down their pack weight.

This isn't your grandfather's canvas pack: From a lightweight bivy to a foam sleeping pad that adds structure to frameless packs, this gear was made for the trail.

These ready-to-gift products from Hydro Flask make holiday presents as simple as putting a bow on it

Gerber’s new Assert balances functionality, quality, and price point.

These weatherproof gloves and mitts are designed to outlast your stamina on the slopes

Six testers tried 75 bomber products, and these were the ones that rose above the rest

Stay safe in the backcountry with these six items

These smokeless fire pits let you light a blaze without wallowing in smoke—and right now, they're on sale for 33% off or more.

Comparing two titans of featherweight design

Getting lost on the trail after dark is a nuisance. As two dayhikers in Big Sur discovered this month, doing it without a headlamp can become an emergency.

For years, our editor thought toe socks looked dumb and were useless on the trail. After spending a winter testing them out, he's ready to admit that he was wrong about at least one of those things.

Should the Yonder replace your Nalgene?

Some of our favorite gear is garbage. And that's why we love it so much.

From what to buy to what to leave behind, our ultralight columnist offered up essential advice this year.

Washing your face or bowl with Dr. Bronner's? Sure. Using it to cure congestion? Maybe. Using it as toothpaste? Hmm.

Choose a brighter future with this eco-friendly new headlamp

Skip the ounce-counting with a new tent, quilt, and pack from one of ultralight’s best-loved brands.

Whether because of poorly-fitting shoes, moisture, or just bad luck, every hiker’s tangled with those raw, fluid-filled bumps. Science can tell you how they form—but can it stop you from getting them?

Featuring dual-compatibility for power and 50:50 burn time, these two headlamps are ready for any adventure

The next time you find yourself camping by a wild body of water, catch your own dinner with this packable fly fishing kit

Is the PürTrek pole-filter mashup a brilliant idea or a Frankensteinian mess?

Perfect for the on-the-go adventurer, these portable products make sunscreen application—and reapplication—easy

These shelters score major comfort points

Keep your pup safe and stylish on the trail with these seven accessories

These accessories might not make or break your trip, but you’ll sure be glad you packed them

A five-star kit for base-camp meals

These bags’ innovative features make them standouts for adventure travel

REI and Exped’s ultra-cush foam sleeping mats go head-to-head.

From hot cocoa to hot soup to hot toddies, carry a little warmth with you using these 5 winter-ready vessels.

Plus: the best winter kit for your canine.

We take a deep dive into a popular avalanche safety device.

Staying away from resort crowds this winter? The backcountry can offer solitude, a wilderness experience, and the satisfaction of earning your turns. These gear picks will help you make the most of lung-busting uphills and whoop-worthy descents.

Keep your little ones warm and dry with this cold-weather kit.

A car camping trip is a chance to enjoy the outdoors in luxury: You get to bring everything that will help you lounge in comfort, without worrying about weight or how much space you have in your pack. Help your loved ones take their trips to the next level with these 12 covetable gifts, ranging from $20 to $1,000.

Spending a little extra time in the fall cleaning and repairing your precious gear can help extend its life by years.

Because whiskey and safe hiking go hand-in-hand.

Keep your hands warm with these dextrous touchscreen-friendly gloves.

Piece of mind in just a few ounces.

If you toss and turn in your tent all night, try these snooze-inducing tools.

If you don't pay attention to your hiking socks, you could find your trip going sideways. Just ask thru-hiker Sammy Potter.

The Lumma disc is the answer.

So fresh and so clean.

This tried-and-true filter is guaranteed to last.

Finally: A filter good enough to make you stop dreading water duty.

There's more than one way to see the backcountry. Hit the dirt with our favorite bike for the bikepacking-curious.

Check out Chris Meehan's author page.

It’s better than a foam roller, and way easier to fit in your pack.

The XStream Straw offers lightweight, packable filtration for backpacking, mountaineering, kayaking, and other outdoor endeavors.

You could cast to lunkers from alongside the road—but hiking to wild streams and lakes pushes the bliss factor even higher. Outfit your next angling mission with these gear picks.

You won’t want to forget your Leatherman on your next trip to the backcountry