Hillsound BTR Stool
Featherweight furniture
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.
Casio Pro Trek WSD-F30
Colorful GPS watch
Deal of the Week: Stanley Adventure Shot Glass Set
Quaff your favorite camp beverage with these stainless steel cups.
Wiley X Peak With Captivate
Vision-enhancing sunglasses
Geyser System
On-the-go shower
Outdoor Element Firebiner
Best gadget
Gear Aid Kotu Tanto Knife
Most durable knife
SOG PowerPint
Best all-around multitool
The Best Kids Hiking Gear of 2020
Get your family ready for the trail with this hand-me-down-worthy kit.
Takeya 14-Ounce Actives Water Bottle
Best water bottle for kids
Patagonia Black Hole Gear Tote
Best basecamp bag
MPOWERD Luci Explore
Best lantern
Black Diamond ReVolt 350
Best all-around headlamp
Panther Vision Powercap 2.0 Beanie
Most convenient headlamp
Coast FL1R
Lightest headlamp
America the Beautiful Pass
This all-access ticket to the national parks is always a great buy.
Climate Neutral
This nonprofit is helping us do better business—and we're giving it an Editors' Choice Award.
MSR Dromedary
The Editors' Choice Gold Award-winning bladder came out in 1991, and it's still the toughest soft-sided water hauler ever made.
Deal of the Week: Grand Trunk OneMade Double Hammock
Score a bargain on elevated sleeping for two.
SCARPA Maestrale XT
Most stable ski boot
Full Tilt Ascendant
Most versatile ski boot
Dynafit TLT8 Expedition
Best all-around
G3 Minimist Universal
Packable climbing skins
mountainFLOW Skin Wax
Eco-friendly wax
Deal of the Week: Black Diamond Storm Headlamp
You need power. This headlamp has it—for 30% off.
Hults Bruk Jonaker
Best hatchet
Full Windsor The Muncher
Lightest multitool
Gerber Center-Drive Plus
Most versatile multitool
Leatherman FREE T4
Most user-friendly multitool
Bubba Sculpin Pocket Knife
Best value knife
Benchmade 535GRY Bugout
Lightest knife
Deal of the Week: Julbo Coast Sunglasses
These wraparound shades handle mountain glare and sea spray without looking too technical.
Gear of the Week: Smart Bottle Double Wall Outdoor Series
These water containers are durable, light, and packable.
6 Ways the Casio Pro Trek Smart WSD-F21HR Helps Guides Navigate the Backcountry
Guides Katie Burns and David Torres share about how the Pro Trek has made their jobs easier.
Salomon QST Lumen 99
Best women's ski
Black Diamond Helio Recon 95
Best stability
LINE Vision 108
Most fun
Blizzard Zero G 95
Lightest
G3 FINDr 102
Best feature
Editors' Picks: The 11 Best Gifts for Hikers of 2019
Want to shop like a BACKPACKER editor? Here's your list.
Gear of the Week: CTR Howler Markus Skully
This light cap is full of features.
Gear of the Week: Hillsound FlexSteps
Keep your footing on snowy trails with these packable spikes.
CEP 3.0
Best for trail running
Heat Holders Original
Warmest sleep sock
Lasting Trekking WHI
Best value
Le Bent Le Send
Best for ski touring
Mountain Hardwear Power Stretch Stimulus
Most breathable
Seirus Range LX
Warmest glove
Gordini Elias Gauntlet
Best protection
Outdoor Research Inception Aerogel X
Best dexterity
Gear of the Week: Oru Kayak Inlet
This boat packs up small but goes big on the water.
Hit Backcountry Lakes and Rivers With This Perfect 6-Piece Paddling Kit
Gear up for trips on all types of water.
3 Fire Starter Kits That Work in the Wettest Conditions
When it's cold and rainy and you need a campfire, now, these three fire starter kits will do the job.
3 Trail-Tested Binoculars for Hikers
Bring the world into focus with these backcountry-ready optics.
Knog Bandicoot Headlight
Set it and forget it with this mono-chassis headlamp.
Gear of the Week: Hart Outdoor First Aid Kits
These kits make finding what you need simple.
OtterBox Venture 65
Classy Cooler
NEMO Stargaze Recliner Luxury Chair
Serene Seat
Meet Me Here: a Map, a Watch, and a Surprise
Emma’s friend set her up with a ViewRanger map and let the app guide her to a backcountry surprise.
6 Kid-Tested Water Shoes for Your Family's Summer Adventures
Our fleet of little feet put these shoes through the paces.
Sea to Summit Aeros Down Pillow
Luxury accessory
10 Perfect Father's Day Gifts for Dads Who Hike
From a comfy chair that's light enough for a daypack to a full-size camp kitchen, this gear is ready to upgrade any dad's next trip.
Protect Your Gear In These 3 Extreme Environments
Don’t let fear of ruining your belongings keep you from getting out.
5 Things You Should Never Forget to Pack for Summer Backpacking
These must-haves for hiking and backpacking season can make or break your trip.
How This Palm-Sized Device Saves Lives
A personal locator beacon could be the difference between coming home or not.
The 4 Best Socks of 2019
Happy feet make for a happy hiker. Pamper them with these four pairs.
The Best Climbing Gear of 2019
Go up, up, and away with a light harness, a versatile shoe, and more.
Petzl GRIGRI
Versatile belay device
Gabel Carbon Force F.L.K.
Most versatile
Komperdell C3 Carbon Pro
Best traction
SOG PowerPint
Best all-round multitool
Smartwool PhD Endurance Pro Print
Best socks for trail running
Evolv Nighthawk / Skyhawk
Bargin shoe
Gear Aid Kotu Tonto Knife
Most durable knife
Point6 37.5 Hiking Light Crew
Most durable sock
Outdoor Element Firebiner
Best gadget
Stratis Adventurist
Most comfortable sock