LEKI Micro Vario Carbon Black Series CLD
Most durable carbon 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.
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
Klean Kanteen TKPro 25 oz.
Best bottle lid
Babiators
Best kids sunglasses
Princeton Tec SNAP
Most versatile
Black Diamond SpotLite 160
Best for minimalists
Osprey Jet 18
Best kids pack
Big Agnes Duster 15°F
Best kids sleeping bag
Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL
Best child carrier
KEEN Targhee Little Kids’ Waterproof Boot
Best kids boots
Helly Hansen K Barrier Down Insulator
Best kids puffy
Reima Narvik Thermal Set
Best kids baselayers
Smith Basecamp
Best for small faces
BUFF Junior New Original
Best kids accessory
Costa Pescador
Greenest
Sunski Treeline
Best deal
HydraPak Velocity IT 1.5L
Best insulation
Platypus Big Zip EVO
Best all-around reservoir
BioLite HeadLamp 330
Most comfortable
Vaurnet 03
Best all-around
CNOC Outdoors Vecto
Most versatile reservoir
The 4 Best Backpacking Accessories of 2019
All the best accessories for your campsite.
Good To-Go Kale and White Bean Soup
Best dinner
REI Co-op Flexlite Air
Featherweight camp chair
Thermacell Radius Zone Mosquito Repellent 2.0
Set-and-forget bug protection
Skratch Labs Sport Energy Chews Matcha Green Tea & Lemon
Best snacks for immediate energy
DNX Bars
Best tasting snack
Trailfork Peanut Butter Banana Oats
Best breakfast
FRONTIERSMAN Insider Bear Safe
Easy-to-pack bear canister
Wild Zora Bedrock Beef Chili
Best dinner
Skinners Footwear
Minimalist camp shoe
Apple Watch Series 4
Best smartwatch
Cusa Tea Spicy Chai
Best drinks
Garmin Instinct
Best GPS watch
Bivy Bivystick
Best emergency communication device
Jaybird Tarah Pro Wireless Sport Headphones
Best headphones
Jetboil Summit Skillet
Best pan
GSI Outdoors Escape 2L Pot
Best pot
Vargo Titanium Travel Coffee Filter
Best coffee filter
MSR PocketRocket Deluxe
Ultralight stove
Sea to Summit SigmaSet 2.2
Best cookset
SunSoaker 10W Kit
Best solar panel
The 4 Best Hammocks of 2019
Kick back and relax with these suspended sleep nests.
ENO SuperSub
Lightest hammock
Warbonnet Outdoors Blackbird XLC
Most spacious
Hennessy Hyperlite Zip
Best for thru-hikers
Klymit Sky Bivy
Best weather protection
Ombraz Sunglasses
The best parts about these new-school shades are what they don't have.
The 8 Best Water Filters for Backpackers
Ultralight, ultrafast, and ultraeffective—the best new water treatment devices do the job better than ever.
NEMO Airpin Ultralight Stake
Do you really need a better stake? When it's this featherweight beauty, you do.
How This Outdoor App Is Using Data to Improve Sustainability
With easy, innovative technology, Fishbrain is enabling anglers and researchers to work together to ensure sustainability of fisheries.
The Best Gear for Hiking With Dogs
You have good gear. Why shouldn’t your best friend?
The BACKPACKER Backcountry Skiing Kit
Get in a perfect day tour with this 11-piece editor-tested setup
Sneak Peek: Sweet Protection Interstellar Goggle
Your coat is Gore-Tex. Soon, your goggles could be too.
Gordini Polar II Glove
The full coverage, warmth and breathability means this glove can go from the trail to the slopes.
Reviewed: 8 Snowshoes for Kids
We put eight pint-size snowshoes on our testers. Here's how they measured up.
The Best Gear for Cross-Country Skiing
Glide through the backcountry with these time-tested picks.
The 14 Best Holiday Gifts for Outdoor Kids
Skip the video games and give them something they can use on the trail, or just in the park.
5 Ways a Smartwatch Can Make Backcountry Trips Easier
Spend more time taking in the sights and less time fumbling with your phone.
Getting the Most Out of Your Walkie Talkies
Two-way radios make it easier to communicate on the trail. Use these tips to maximize your walkie talkie use.
10 Gifts for the Thru-Hiker in Your Life
Long-distance hikers are selective about their gear. Here are some of the things they’ll want to add to their pack, even if they don’t know it yet.
A GPS Smartwatch is the Adventure Enhancement You Need
With a Garmin fēnix 5X Plus, you'll feel like you can do anything.
The Best Adventure Travel Gear of 2019
These products will hold up to whatever the world has in store.
Big Agnes Stagecoach 125L
Tough duffel
Our 12 Favorite Deals at REI's Cyber Week Sale
From one of our favorite tents of all time to a headlamp guaranteed to brighten up your dark nights, we pick a dozen steals to jump on this week.
The 3 Best Splitboards of Winter 2018
Plus: The perfect bindings for new splitboarders
Deal of the Week: Darn Tough Hiker Boot Sock Cushion
Step into savings with a deal on these indestructible socks.
ROMP 106
Most customizable ski from the Fall/Winter 2018 Gear Guide.
Quiz: The Exciting and Mysterious History Of Gaiters
Test your knowledge of this sexy piece of gear and you might just learn what a houppelande is.
The Ultimate Mountaineering Kit
Steep slopes and snow make for fun—but hazardous—terrain. Bring the right gear to get to the summit and back.
Gear of the Week: GCI Backpack Event Chair
Car camp in luxury with this portable lounger.
YETI Panga 100
Having conquered coolers, YETI brings its bomber aesthetic to drybags.
Exotac nanoSPARK
This fire starter is the full package.
Kokopelli Rogue-Lite
This is one tough packraft.
2019 Gear Preview: New Headlamps and Lights at Outdoor Retailer
For Spring 19, outdoor electronics put more power into smaller spaces to streamline tech-packed adventure.