Royal Robbins Venture Crew
The most comfortable sock of 2021.
Gear
Gear
Sierra Designs Night Cap 20°F
The sleeping bag with best features of 2021
Swiftwick Pursuit Four Ultralight
The most breathable sock of 2021.
Bridgedale Trail Run Lightweight T2 Merino Sport
The sock with best protection of 2021.
Feetures Elite Max Cushion No Show Tab
The best sock for trail running of 2021.
NEMO Kayu 30°F
The most durable sleeping bag of 2021
Darn Tough Scout
The best overall sock of 2021.
Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 30°F
The most best all-around sleeping bag of 2021
REI Co-op Down Time 25°F
The most comfortable sleeping bag of 2021
Deal of the Week: Deuter Guide Lite 24 / Guide Lite 22 SL
It may look minimalist, but this pack has everything you need for a day exploring the alpine.
Sierra Designs Tabernash 2
The best bargain tent of 2021.
Hilleberg Helags 3
The tent with best protection of 2021.
Marmot Torreya 4P
The tent with best features of 2021.
Eureka! Kohana
The best value tent of 2021.
Black Diamond Mega Light
The most versatile tent of 2021.
NEMO Dragonfly 3P
The best space-to-weight tent of 2021.
REI Co-op Half Dome SL 2+
The best all-around tent of 2021.
Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 2
The most packable tent of 2021.
Six Moon Designs Owyhee
The lightest tent of 2021.
The North Face Flight Training Pack 12
The best backpack for trail running of 2021
Matador Beast18
The most packable backpack of 2021.
Arc’teryx Aerios 30
The best backpack for organization of 2021.
Exped Verglas 30
The most weatherproof backpack of 2021
Mountain Laurel Designs Hell 27
The lightest backpack of 2021
Patagonia Altvia Pack 36
The most eco-friendly backpack of 2021
Gregory Katmai 65/Kalmia 60
The most comfortable backpack of 2021
Granite Gear Perimeter 50
The best backpack for big and tall backpackers of 2021
Deuter Futura Air Trek 60+10/Futura Air Trek 55+10 SL
The biggest backpack of 2021
Kelty Asher 55
The best bargain backpack of 2021
Lowe Alpine Cholatse 52:57 /Cholatse ND 50:55
The most durable backpack of 2021
Osprey Talon Pro 30/Tempest Pro 28
The best all-around backpack of 2021
Stay Dry With The 7 Best Hardshells On The Market Right Now
These jackets will keep you on the trail no matter how bad the weather.
Columbia OutDry Ex Nanolite
The most breathable shell of 2021.
Norrøna Falketind
The shell with best features of 2021.
Sponsored Content
The New Science of Hiking
The North Face VECTIV™ line of footwear helps you move with confidence and power further no matter the trail.
Editors’ Choice: This is Our Favorite Backpacking Gear of 2021
A comfy camp chair, a tricked-out tent, one of the best free apps we've ever used, and more: this is the best gear of the season.
Editors’ Choice 2021: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer UL Hooded Down Jacket
Barely any weight, but plenty of warmth: The Ghost Whisperer UL is in a class by itself.
Editors’ Choice 2021: Sierra Designs Get Down 20°F
Sleep well for less with this affordable system.
Editors’ Choice 2021: MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier
Set it and forget it with this gravity-powered water purifier.
Editors’ Choice 2021: Outly
Find paradise with this guide to campsites around the U.S.A.
Editors’ Choice 2021: Sea to Summit Telos TR2
This detail-heavy, spacious, and light tent has earned its place as our home on the trail.
Editors’ Choice 2021: Osprey Aether 55 / Ariel 55
Get all the bells and whistles with this luxury pack
Editors’ Choice 2021: Big Agnes Sidewinder SL 20°F
Stop tossing and turning and get the backcountry beauty sleep you deserve.
Editors’ Choice 2021: Good To-Go Chicken Pho
Fuel up better with this savory soup.
Editors’ Choice 2021: NEMO Moonlite Reclining Chair
You're at camp, sore and tired. You deserve to kick back—and this chair can help.
Deal of the Week: The North Face ThermoBall Eco Insulated Jacket
Save your money—and the earth—with this markdown.
More Miles, Less Weight: We Found the Ultimate Minimalist Running Belt
Store everything you need for a fast-and-light run in this waist-hugging pack.
The Key to Hiking Comfort Isn’t What You Think
Go beyond the jargon to find the perfect midsole for your hiking style.
Chaco Z/Chromatic
A brightly colored alternative to the Z/1 Classic
My Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody Survived 5 Years in the Mountains But You Can’t Tell by Looking At It
You'll never want to take this breathable puffy off.
Empty Your Pack: Uberlight Thru-Hiker
The lightest of the ultralight trim their packs lists to help them become stripped-down mile-making machines.
Deal of the Week: Rab Kinetic Plus Softshell Jacket
This Editors' Choice-winning jacket is ready for all of your spring adventures. Grab it now for as much as 35% off.
Deal of the Week: Yaktrax Hand Warmers
Cold digits? These hand warmers can help—at 40% off.
The Essential Gear for Bikepacking
The best bikepacking gear starts with the backpacking gear you already have, then add these six essentials.
Customize Your Footwear With This Versatile Insole Kit
The Tread Labs Pace Insole Kit let us dial in our fit no matter what pair we were wearing.
Here’s What Backpacker’s Editors Loved in February
A custom bike pack, a light-as-air ski boot, and some very handy velcro straps: Here are our editors' favorite things of the month.
Here’s What it Takes to Test Cold-Weather Gear
Gear testing isn’t all beautiful vistas and sunny days. Sometimes it means sleeping outside when it’s below zero.
Deal of the Week: CamelBak Cleaning Brush Kit
These handy brushes will make your reservoir sparkle like new.
Empty Your Pack: A Weekend Warrior in PNW Bear Country
When you have to carry a bear canister, it pays to pare down the rest of your gear. Active Pass member Matt Wise shows us how he does it.
Keep Your Phone Warm with the Phoozy XP3
This handy phone case will keep your phone warm and safe on your winter adventures.
Ledlenser’s H7R Signature Is a Superpowered Headlamp for Moving Fast
Night bikers and skiers will have a hard time outrunning this light's powerful beam.
Through Deserts and Mountains, the Tarptent Cloudburst 3 Was My Reliable Friend
It's light and roomy, but is this tent durable enough to survive the Pacific Crest Trail? Let's find out.
The Best Helmets for Ski Touring
These brain buckets provide lightweight protection on backcountry adventures.
Deal of the Week: FITS Light Ski Socks
Need another pair of ski socks heading into spring? Score this deal, quick.
Empty Your Pack: 55+ Ultralight Thru-Hiker
Barney "Scout" Mann hiked the Triple Crown after turning 55. Here's his ultralight pack list for trips of any distance.
The 5 Best Deals for Hikers from Backcountry’s Winter Yard Sale
Grab these backpacks, footwear, tents, and more for up to 45% off.
What We’re Testing Now: Thule Stir Alpine 40L
A first-look review of the Thule Stir Alpine 40L
The Best 2021 Valentine’s Day Gifts for Backpackers
Check out Patrice and Justin La Vigne's author page.
The 5 Best Gear Deals from REI’s Winter Clearance Sale
Shoulder season is around the corner and the days are getting longer—which means it's high time to start thinking about what you need to replace or upgrade to be ready to hit the trail when the snow melts and the mud dries. Save big—up to 30% off—on past-season styles with these smart picks from Backpacker.
Chaco Chillos Slide
Check out Backpacker Contributors's author page.
Deal of the Week: Altra Lone Peak 4.5
Stay light on your feet with these cushiony, comfy trail runners.
How Companies are Making Ultralight Gear Lighter Than Ever
Ultralight backpackers have more options than ever now—and gear seems to be getting lighter every year. Two ultralight specialty manufacturers explain how they make packs and shelters that cut weight without falling apart on the trail.
How Backpacker Tests Cold-Weather Gear
Gear Editor Eli Bernstein details what goes in to choosing our favorite winter products.
6 Ways a Ski Strap Can Save You in Winter
Six reasons why you should always pack a ski strap on winter trips.
Deal of the Week: Sea to Summit Comfort Plus Sleeping Pad
Check out Chris Meehan's author page.
Sponsored Content
Snowshoeing Gear List: 7 Must-Have Winter Essentials
Stay warm and dry this season with these top snowshoeing gear picks.
Yes, You Can Go Ultralight on a Winter Hike
Nasty weather and cold temperatures make cutting your base weight in winter a challenge. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done—just ask winter Pacific Crest Trail hikers Justin “Trauma” Lichter and Shawn “Pepper” Forry.
Readers Review: Camp Rocking Chairs
Bringing a rocker on a car-camping trip is ultimate comfort. We asked readers for their thoughts on three new chairs from GCI.
Patagonia Pack Out Hike Tights
Leggings have become a stay-at-home staple—but these can handle the trail too.