Gear Review: FITS Light Hiker Quarter
The unusually deep heel pocket in these socks contours to feet perfectly, and doesn't bunch.
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.
Gear Review: Stoic Thrive
Stretchy poly fabric and and a gusseted crotch provide killer freedom of movement in these comfortable shorts.
Gear Review: Millet Touring WDS Glove
Thin softshell gloves with Gore Windstopper
Gear Guide 2012: Climbing Equipment
A lightweight, crag-tested collection for new climbers
Gear Guide 2012: Paddling Equipment
Top picks and values for backcountry lake and rivers
Gear Guide 2012: The Ten Essentials
Get prepped with this core gear.
Gear Guide 2012: Elemental Herbs Zinc Sunscreen
Using pure zinc oxide, Elemental Herbs sunscreen protects you from the solar radiation and the sun's harshest rays.
Gear Guide 2012: Gerber Steady Multitool
The Steady is lightweight considering its dozen tools, including flexible tripod legs.
Gear Guide 2012: Black Diamond Icon Headlamp
The Icon uses a four-AA power source allowing for long lasting light and no drops in power.
Gear Guide 2012: SteriPen Freedom Water Treatment
Light, compact, and easy to use, the Freedom treats water in seconds with just a push of a button.
Gear Guide 2012: Fly-fishing Gear
An affordable starter kit for backcountry anglers
Gear Guide 2012: Scarpa Reflex Climbing Shoes
A shoe that easily transitions from gym to sport climbing to bouldering to multipitch routes.
Gear Guide 2012: Trango Smooth Quickdraws Carabiner
Big and beefy carabiners
Gear Guide 2012: Metolius Climbing Safe Tech Comp Harness
A harness that's great for both beginners and experts
Gear Guide 2012: Petzl Xion 10.1 Climbing Rope
Deemed a 'go-to workhorse rope' by the editors of Climbing Magazine
Gear Guide 2012: Old Town Saranac 160 XT Canoe
This budget-friendly boat made from durable thermoformed polyethylene offers a plush ride for everyday paddling.
Gear Guide 2012: Kokatat Aries Life Vest
The low-profile, adjustable PFD features soft, PVC-free foam, which molds around your body for custom-fit-like comfort.
Gear Guide 2012: Wenonah Super Seat Canoe Chair
Keep your butt happy on long canoeing trips with this add-on seat.
Gear Guide 2012: Necky Looksha 17 Polymer Sea Kayak
A versatile 17x4 cruiser with plenty of storage space.
Gear Guide 2012: AIRE Outfitter II Inflatable Kayak
An inflatable kayak with multiday gear-carrying capacity and legit whitewater stability
Gear Guide 2012: Alpacka Denali Llama
A one-person pack raft
Gear Guide 2012: Nova Craft Prospector 17 Expedition Canoe
A 17-foot boat for paddlers who rank long-haul performance over short-course speed.
Gear Guide 2012: Sunglasses
Four pairs of shades that perform in the wild
Gear Guide 2012: Bargain Gear
$50 or less can buy you some nice gear. Here are our favorite finds.
Gear Guide 2012: Adventure Travel Gear
A duffel, shirt, and water purification system that make the life of an adventure traveler that much safer and easier.
Gear Guide 2012: Bargain Accessories
A colorful headlamp, hands-free camera harness, and a flask–all for under $50.
Gear Guide 2012: Bargain Gloves
A lightweight glove and a mitten made for big peaks.
Gear Guide 2012: Bargain Gaiters
Two gaiter styles–one full-coverage and one ultralight–that cost $50 or less.
Gear Guide 2012: Car Camping Essentials
Games, a cooler, even a pressure shower–these items will make your basecamp super comfy.
Gear Guide 2012: Ryders Clamor Sunglasses
Bargain sunglasses that perform
Gear Guide 2012: Julbo Dust Sunglasses
Sunglasses made for hiking, climbing, and mountain biking
Gear Guide 2012: adidas Terrex Fast sunglasses
No-fog sunglasses that are built for the active user
Gear Guide 2012: Switch Tioga Sunglasses
Interchangeable lens glasses that both sturdy and easy-to-use
Editors' Choice 2012: Snow Peak SnowMiner
Get the right light on trail and in camp with this 2-in-1 lamp.
Gear Review: The North Face Base Camp Duffel
A staff favorite, again and again.
Outdoor Retailer Roundup: Knives, Solar Chargers, and Dog Gear
Day 2 for this Reader Reporter featured upgrades to popular knives, solar chargers, and doggie gear.
Editors' Picks with Associate Editor Kristy Holland
This editor like her campsite to be well lit.
Editors' Picks with Climbing Gear Editor Julie Ellison
Climbing's gear editor weighs in on her favorite harness and ice axe.
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: Leatherman Style PS
A mini-multitool for working a little MacGyver magic in the mountains
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2011: Backcountry Snowboarding
The ultimate splitboard set-up
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2011: Eyewear
Protect your eyes from sun, snow, and debris with these goggles and sunglasses.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2011: Socks & Gaiters
From short to tall to toe socks - we have a performance sock for every foot.
Black Diamond Orbit Lantern
A lightweight lantern that illuminates any tent perfectly.
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: Smartwool Mountaineering Extra Heavy Crew Socks
The perfect Merino sock for mountaineering or winter expeditions
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: Outdoor Research Omni Gloves
Gloves with Polartec Windstopper that glow in the dark!
Readers Choice 2012 Online Exclusive Gear Reviews
We didn't have room to print these readers in our January 2012 Readers Choice Issue--but they still tested some great gear.
Gear Review: Outdoor Research Crocodile Gaiter
Cordura and Gore-Tex gaiters that have been a staff favorite for years.
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: Galen Rowell: A Retrospective
A book of photos from a great outdoorsman who was equal parts climber and photogrpaher
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: Yosemite in the Sixties
The backcountry bookworm will love this glimpse into the past courtesy of Glen Denny.
Holiday Gift Guide 2011: Platypus PlatyPreserve Wine Storage Bottle
Enjoy a little Merlot at your favorite high lake
2011 Editors' Choice Snow Award: Outdoor Research Sensor Gloves
Touch screen gloves that are durable (thanks to leather) and warm (thanks to polarfleece).
Gear Review: Austri Alpin SI-KO FX Ice Climbing Screw
These screws cost half as much as comparable models but still grind into bulletproof ice with ease.
Gear Review: Grivel Quantum Tech Ice Climbing Tool for Women
A tool that's light and easy to swing and fits a woman's hand.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Sabretooth Crampons
These stainless steel crampons are perfect for all your winter climbing needs.
Gear Review: Cassin X-All Mountain Ice Climbing Tool
A all-mountain tool that truly lives up to its name.
Gear Review: Petzl Crevasse Rescue Kit
Check out Shannon Davis, Julie Ellison, Dougald Macdonald's author page.
Gear Review: Native Vim Sunglasses
Check out Kelly Bastone's author page.
Gear Review: CAMP XLC Crampons
The all-aluminum XLC is about half the weight of comparable steel spikes
Gear Review: Revo Guide Sunglasses
A pair of sunglasses that can handle glare from water, snow, and alpine environments.
Gear Review: Julbo Around Excel Goggles
These goggles have all-conditions lens that really perform in all conditions.
Gear Review: Zeal Eclipse SPPX Goggles
These goggles have excellent optics and the best-in-test ventilation.
Review: Camp Lights and Headlamps
Find the perfect backcountry glow for any occasion.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Half Dome
Check out Shannon Davis, Julie Ellison, Dougald Macdonald's author page.
Gear Review: Adidas Terrex Pro Sunglasses
Fog-free full-coverage eye protection
Gear Review: Atlas Sprout/Mini Kids' Snowshoes
Lightweight snowshoes that keeps kids elevated and happy
Gear Review: Snow Peak Hozuk
A soft shell lantern that's perfect for illuminating a tent.
Gear Review: Kelty Lumapivot
A bright LED lantern that's perfect for car camping.
Gear Review: Mammut X-Shot
The brightest headlamp we tested.
Gear Review: Princeton Tec Byte
A great headlamp for ultralighters.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Storm
The Storm has multiple setting options for only $50 and four ounces.
The End-of-Summer Gear
Close out the season in style, with sandals, eyewear, a wearable air conditioner (for your dog), and a proper skinny-dipping accessory.
Gear Review: Fenix HL20 Headlamp
Some headlamps only provide a little light to get you by. Not so with the 105-lumen Fenix HL20–and it runs on a normal AA battery too!
Gear Review: Costa Del Mar Zane Sunglasses
Worth the price, the Costa Del Mar Zane sunglasses have polarized lenses perfect for spotting fish despite the water's glare.
Gear Makeover Contest – Meet the Winners!
These six readers convinced us their gear needed an update! Look for their full makeovers in our January 2012 Readers' Choice issue.
Summer Trail Smarts: Purify Water
Learn several techniques to purify water in the backcountry.
Gear School: Headlamps
Improve your night sight with the latest headlamp technology.
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Smith Optics Heyday Sunglasses
Good-looking performance shades that fit a woman's face.
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Smartwool Spring Glove
Breathable merino wool and rugged leather make for happy hands
Petzl Tikka2 Headlamp
A tough, dependable nightlight
Gear Review: Grease Monkey Wipes
A magic eraser for grease and grime.