Gear Review: Komperdell Carbon Ti-2 Powerlock Women Poles
Indestructible ski poles
Essentials
Essentials
Learn which gear essentials to never leave at home with expert advice from Backpacker Magazine.
Learn which gear essentials to never leave at home with expert advice from Backpacker Magazine.
Survival: Above Treeline With No Sunglasses
Can't see a thing and forgot your shades at home? We've got a solution for you.
Gear Review: First Ascent Maximus 80 Duffel Bag
Cram in everything you want...even if it includes the kitchen sink.
Gear Review: Zeal Optics Airstream
The large frame and polarization of these sunglasses will keep your eyes fresh all day.
Gear Review: Switch Cortina FullStop
The struggle between user and lens is over with these magnetic interchangeable lenses.
Gear Review: Tifosi Logic
These sunglasses come with three interchangeable lenses, so you're ready for anything.
Gear Review: Olympus Outback 10×21 RC 1
Sharpness and definition are not compromised with these compact binoculars.
Gear Review: Julbo Contest
Transition seamlessly between seasons with these year round sunglasses.
Gear Review: Gordini Virve
See in any lighting with these interchangeable lens goggles.
Gear Review: High Sierra Wheeled Double Decker Ski and Snowboard Combo Bag
Keep all your equipment in one place with this durable ski and snowboard bag.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2010: Socks & Gaiters
Whether you're skiing, postholing, or just building a snow fort with the kids we have the socks and gaiters for every condition.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2010: Gloves & Mitten
Keep your fingers warm and functional this winter with these five digit warmers.
Gear Review: Costa Fathom Sunglasses with 580P lens
Sunglasses that provide super clarity and eye protection.
Gear Review: Brooks-Range Backcountry Multi-Tool
Cut your tool bag in half with this compact multi-tool.
Gear Review: Mammut TR1 Headlamp/Ambient Light Set
A headlamp and mini lantern in one.
Small and Sharp: Knife Reviews
Pocket-size tools for every type of camper.
Knife Blades 101
Check out Kristin Hostetter's author page.
Gear Review: Spyderco Ladybug 3 Salt Spyderedge Knife
This little knife will never rust and is key chain small.
Gear Review: Leatherman Expanse E33T Knife
A minimalist multitool–one blade and two screwdrivers.
Gear Review: ESEE Izula Knife
Wear this knife and sheath as a necklace for quick grabbing.
Gear Review: CRKT Guppie Knife
This tiny toolbox fits perfectly in the hand.
Gear Review: Baladeo 34 Gram Knife
This long blade is great in the backcountry kitchen.
Gear School: Sunglasses
Protect your eyes by picking the right shades for any activity.
Gear Review: Backpacking 3-weight Fly Rods
Hit the trail, and the streams, with these backpacker-friendly, 3-weight fly rods.
Gear Review: Goodhew Lifestyle Outdoor Light & Medium Hiker Socks
These American-made socks have super support and wicking capabilities at a reasonable price.
Gear Review: Numa Sport Optic Point Ballistic Sunglasses
These tough, ultra-lightweight sunglasses are Special Forces worthy–literally.
Gear Review: Gear Aid Repair Kits
Whether it's a torn pack, cracked buckle, ripped tent mesh, or leaky sleeping pad, these kits can pretty much restore anything that breaks.
Gear Review: Brooks Range Field Kit
An excellent avalanche resource in the field and on the couch.
Gear Review: Z-Medica QuikClot Sport
Stop big bleeds fast.
Gear Review: SteriPen FitsAll Filter
Strain and filter your water with this SteriPen product.
Gear Review: Katadyn Base Camp Gravity Filter
Filter water for a group with this big bladder.
Gear Review: NEMO Ditto Wallet
This ultralight wallet is made from recycled tent scraps.
Gear Review: Exped Vista Organiser
Zip-top bags that are super waterproof.
Gear Review: Yakima RackandRoll 78
A trailer-like rack that holds up to four kayaks.
Gear Review: RADIUS Source Toothbrush
This portable toothbrush is made with recycled materials.
Gear Review: Charmin To Go Toliet Tissue
Check out BACKPACKER Editors and Contributors's author page.
Toughest Gear: Smith Slider Sunglasses
These sunglasses come with four lens for lasting protection.
Toughest Gear: Outdoor Research Crocodiles Gaiters
These gaiters are waterproof armor for your legs.
Toughest Gear: Crazy Creek Original Camp Chair
A decade-plus of camp chair relaxation.
Gear Review: Granite Gear Uberlight CTF3 Drysacks (Ultralight)
Quite possibly the world's lightest waterproof stuffsacks
Gear Review: Elemental Herbs All Good Goop
This healing balm soothes cracked skin, dry lips, and minor cuts and burns.
Gear Review: 5.10 Stealth Paint
Revitalize the soles of your hiking boots and climbing shoes.
Editors' Choice 2010: Soto Pocket Torch
Turn a disposable lighter into a weatherproof flamethrower.
Gear Review: GoMotion 3-Watt Sternum Luxeon LED Kit
This headlamp for your chest is ideal for night hikers.
Gear Review: Eureka Glide 51
A lightweight flashlight that converts to a lantern
Gear Review: eGear PICO
The tiniest light
Gear Review: Princeton Tec Remix
A superbright headlamp with big, easy-to-find buttons
Gear Review: Black Diamond Sprinter
Runners will love this headlamp.
Gear Review: Gerber Octane
A mid-size multitool with all the fixin's
Gear Review: Harley-Davidson 13740
A sharp, titanium-handled knife
Gear Review: Julbo Ozone
Protective shades for your kids
Gear Review: Travel Yahtzee
A great rainy day tent game
Gear Review: Adventure Medical Kits Day Tripper
A handy, all-inclusive first aid kit
Gear Review: Snowpeak's Titanium Flask
The finest flask for your finest single malts
Gear Review: WetFire Tinder
Foolproof tinder to get your fire raging
Ultralight First-Aid
Build your own superlight first aid kit
Gear Review: Julbo Monterosas Glacier Glasses
Women's glacier glasses that transform to daily shades
Gear Review: Smith Pavilion
Lightweight, rugged shades that work for city or trail
Gear Review: Tifosi Ventoux Sunglasses
Glare proof photochromatic sunglasses at a sweet price
Gear Review: Ruff Wear Bivy Bowl
A light collapsible dish for your backpacking dog
Gear Review: Metolius Full Strength Mini Carabiner
The lightest carabiner
Gear Review: Sea Eagle 370 Inflatable Canoe
An inflatable kayak that paddles well
Headlamps Test: Lightest of the Lights
We hike and camped through 78 inky nights from Whitney to Katahdin to evaluate five featherweight headlamps--then ran a battery of controlled tests to rank brightness and longevity.
Gear Review: Klean Kanteen Wide 64 oz. Water Bottle
With a wide mouth, stainless steel construction, and large capacity, this water bottle did the trick on a hike of Vermont's Long Trail.
Gear Review: First Ascent Guide Gloves
Featuring a merino lining and insulated with Primaloft these gloves were soft enough for nose-wiping yet tough enough for ice axes and high-friction rappelling.
Gear Review: Coast LED Lenser Micro Headlamp
The Coast Lenser is the lightest and cheapest headlamp we tested.
Gear Review: Mammut Lucido TXlite Headlamp
The Mammut Lucido provides the steadiest light.
Gear Review: Petzl Tikka Plus 2 Headlamp
The Petzl Tikka features the best light quality.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Spot Headlamp
The Black Diamond Spot has the brightest light and best battery life.
Gear Review: Princeton Tec Remix Headlamp
This best all-around headlamp passed every test we threw at it.
Editors' Choice 2008: Nite Ize S-Biner
Don't ask yourself if you need this useful little widget. The question is: How many?
Editors' Choice 2008: MSR HyperFlow Water Filter
Get clean drinking water in mere seconds with this ultralight, ultra-quick filter.
Editors' Choice 2008: Mammut Lucido TX1 Headlamp
Be the brightest hiker on the block with this laser-like headlamp.
Editors' Choice: Everlite EL-8 Solar Headlamp
Charge your light (and cell phone, too!) with this bright lamp and its companion solar panel.
Gear Chick Holiday Gift Picks: Random Picks..For Everyone Else
It's tough to find the perfect something for everyone. These picks should give you some options.
Gear Review: Petzl Summit Ice Axe
Gross a glacier or handle snow travel on big peaks with this versatile mountaineering axe.
Gear School: Crampons
Traverse snow and ice safely with the right set of points.
Gear Review: MSR Denali Tyker Snowshoe
Best shoe for the mini mountaineer
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 09: Gloves & Mittens
Keep your digits warm with these glove and mitten options.
Gear Review: Tifosi Tyrant Sunglasses
With transition lenses, these sunglasses are great for winter low light.