The Best Gear for Canyoneering
If you’ve experienced one slot, odds are good you’ll be back for more. Use these picks from Steve Howe, owner of Redrock Adventure Guides in Torrey, Utah, to stay safe and mobile in the Southwest’s iconic canyons.
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.
Deal of the Week: Black Diamond Storm Headlamp
Brighten your day with a deal on this trusty light.
The Best Camping Hammocks for Backpackers
Rest easy and swing free in the best camping hammocks
The Best Backpacking Water Filters
Nothing ruins a trip quicker than giardia. Stay healthy with these versatile filters.
The 5 Best Hydration Systems of 2018
A heavy-duty insulated bottle, a versatile filter, and more round out our picks for the best backpacking hydration gear of the year.
The Best Hiking Socks for Backpackers
Treat your feet right with a high-quality pair of socks from this list.
The 4 Best Knives and Multitools of 2018
From fixed-blade knives to versatile multitools, these are the top tools for backpackers.
The Best Kids Gear of 2018
The days of cheapo kids gear are over. Hook the little ones up with the same kit mom and dad have.
The 4 Best Hiking Socks of 2018
They're the unsung heroes of your hikes. Keep your feet dry, comfortable, and blister-free with the best hiking socks of 2018.
Elevate Your Backpacking Game With These 9 Gear Picks
Cairn’s subscription boxes regularly deliver the latest gear right to your doorstep.
The Best Climbing Gear of 2018
Get high with the best gear for going vertical.
The 5 Best Backpacking Accessories of 2018
The best outdoor products you never knew you needed
The 4 Best Sunglasses of 2018
Protect your peepers with the best sunglasses of the year.
The Year's Most Sustainable Gear
The environment all too often pays the price for high-performing gear. But these 10 products save waste from landfills, ditch harmful chemicals, and allow you to adventure guilt-free.
10 Perfect Outdoors Valentine's Day Gifts for Your S.O.
Ditch the reservation and go backpacking instead with these romantic presents.
Julbo Vermont Classic Glacier Sunglasses
These above-treeline buddies are a blast from the past.
The 13 Best Last-Minute Holiday Gifts for Hikers
It's not too late: Fill in the gaps on your shopping list with this BACKPACKER-tested gear from $13 to $450.
Why a Smartwatch Will Make You a Happier Hiker
The right timepiece lets you play harder, stay safer, and enhances the outdoor experience while minimizing screen time.
The Next Outdoor Heirloom
Trayvax makes wallets that will outlast you – and are good for the environment.
The Best Gear for Adventure Travel
These 11 travel essentials are fit for the trail, the plane, and everywhere in between.
DPS PHANTOM Base Glide Treatment
A new ski treatment could make wax a thing of the past.
Kora Upside Down Sock
Most comfortable
Swiftwick PURSUIT seven
Best wicking
Injinji Hiker + Liner
Best blister prevention
The 18 Best Cyber Monday Deals on Outdoor Gear
Whether you're holiday shopping or treating yourself, these 18 deals are worth checking out.
Petzl Ride
This ultralight ice axe is a useful companion on long tours.
The Best Gifts For Hikers of 2017
Searching for the perfect present? We did the work for you. Presenting our picks for the best gifts for hikers that money can buy, arranged by price.
Outdoor Research Overdrive Convertible Gloves
Keep your hands toasty during high-output activities with these lightweight running gloves.
Gordini MTN Crew
These burly gloves withstood everything we threw at them.
Black Diamond Helio Three-In-One Gloves
These two piece gloves are some of the most versatile we've tried.
The Best Sunglasses and Goggles of Winter 2017
Protect your eyes with these enlightened picks.
La Sportiva Sytron
Mileage monster
Dynafit TLT SpeedFit
Best value
Salomon S/Lab X-Alp
Best all-around
Dynafit Speed 90
Best for touring
Fritschi Tecton 12 Binding
Versatile binding
Signal Split
Best value
DPS Alchemist Wailer 99 / Nina 99
Best all-around
Giro Facet
Women’s pick
Never Summer Swift Split
Best powder surfer
Salomon S/LAB X Alp
Lightest
Fischer BCX 6
Supportive boot
Venture Paragon Splitboard
Most bomber
Elan Ripstick 106
Best ride
Julbo Explorer 2.0
Best protection
Atomic Backland FR 109
Hardest charger
ZEAL Portal//RLs
Easiest lens swap
Fischer S-Bound 98 Crown with Easy Skin
Best for steeper terrain
ABOM HEET
Best anti-fogging tech
Rossignol BC 70 Positrack
Most versatile ski
Sven Can See Anti-Fog Gel
Anti-fogging potion
Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130 / w’s XTD 110
Best freerider
Rocky Mountain Underground Grrowler
Wearable dog bowl
REI Co-op Quarter Dome Air
Hanging tent
Eagles Nest Outfitters Helios Hammock Suspension System
Hammock suspenders
Klymit Insulated Hammock V
Cold weather-ready
Grand Trunk OneMade Double Trunktech Hammock
Lightweight double
Sea to Summit Ultralight Hammock
Ultralight
Blackburn Outpost Bags
Handlebar and Seat Packs
Light & Motion Imjin 800
Bikepacking Light
Green Guru Clincher Mini Frame Bag
Bike Frame Bag
Mammut Cargon 60
Tough Duffel
Little One’s First Camping Trip
Getting ready to take a first timer into the wilderness can be a daunting task, but not when you’ve got the right gear and attitude.
Scarpa Force V
Do-it-all shoe
Black Diamond Solution
Versatile harness
Petzl Grigri+
Belay device
Mammut Wall Rider
Hybrid helmet
SOG Ultra C-Ti
Lightest everyday carry
Outdoor Edge Onyx EDC
Best bargain blade
TOPS MSK 2.5 Rockies Edition
Most durable
UST FlashBlade Recharge 3.0
Best budget multitool
All Good Sport Sunscreen Spray SPF 30
Easy-on sunscreen
Thermacell Backpacker
Mosquito repeller
Uco X-120R
Most Comfortable
Petzl ACTIK CORE and Noctilight
Do-anything set
LuminAID Packlite Nova
Solar lantern
Black Diamond Ion
Compact headlamp
Mountain Laurel Designs LightSnow Gaiters
Ultralight gaiters