Gear Review: Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Daypack
An ultralight daypack that fits in the palm of your hand
Gear
Gear
Gear Review: Smartwool Arm Warmers
Transform your shortsleeve tee to long with these cozy add-ons.
How to Buy the Right Sleeping Bag
Buy the right bag for your sleeping style and destinations, and it will keep you warm for years.
Gear Review: Pacific Outdoor Equipment Ether Elite Sleeping Pad
A cushy sleeping pad for ultralighters
Gear Review: Mammut LightPump Mat
A luxurious mattress that insulates from the cold ground
Gear Review: Kelty Backpacker Sleeping Pad
An affordable and rugged self-inflating mattress
Gear Review: REI Expedition -20 Winter Sleeping Bag
A puffy, waterproof sleeping bag that really seals in heat
Gear Review: Sierra Designs Solar Flare Winter Sleeping Bag
A seriously warm women's sleeping bag
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear ExtraLamina 0 Winter Sleeping Bag
A bargain cold-weather bag with plenty of roll-around room
Gear Review: GoLite Adventure 4s Winter Sleeping Bag
A toasty, big and tall bag with a recycled nylon shell
Gear Review: The North Face Hotlum 3-Season Sleeping Bag
This rugged down bag won't break the bank.
Gear Review: Big Agnes Tumble Mountain 3-Season Sleeping Bag
An innovative down bag with no cold spots
Gear Review: GoPro HD Hero Camera
A versatile body camera that shoots HD video
Gear Review: Lafuma Warm'n Light 950 Pro 3-Season Sleeping Bag
A trim-fitting bag that packs light and small
Gear Review: Kelty Cosmic 3-Season Sleeping Bag
A super warm down bag at a super good price
Gear Review: Sierra Designs Vapor 3-Season Sleeping Bag
The lightest 15-degree bag on the market
Gear Review: GoLite RS 1 Summer Sleeping Bag + Season Quilt
A summertime quilt for steamy nights
Gear Review: Eastern Mountain Sports Velocity Summer Sleeping Bag
An affordable synthetic bag with down-like performance
Gear Review: The North Face Mercurial Sleeping Bag Liner
Crank up your bag's temperature rating by 10 degrees with this liner.
Gear Review: Eureka! Kotey Summer Sleeping Bag
A slim-fitting, summer bag for under 100 bucks
Gear Review: Vaude Ice Peak 150 Summer Sleeping Bag
A down bag that packs tiny and heats up fast
Sleep Aid Suggestions?
While trying to sleep in the backcountry my mind wants to stay in alert mode at night causing considerable sleep loss. I've tried OTC sleep aids and melatonin (3 mg) to only modest success. Any additional suggestions would bevery appreciated.
What's a Good Couples Sleeping Bag?
My friends are getting married in a and I want to give them a piece of gear specifically for couples. I looked into couples sleeping bags, my first choice, but I can't spend more than $200. Can you suggest something thoughtful and high quality?
How to Purchase the Right Tent
Purchase a tent that fits and make it last forever with these key tips.
Gear Review: REI Cirque ASL 2 Mountaineering Tent
A weather worthy two-person tent
Gear Review: Hilleberg Jannu Mountaineering Tent
A roomy, lightweight tent that can handle big weather
Gear Review: Black Diamond Skylight Mountaineering Tent
A strong, superlight two-person tent with lavish space
Gear Review: Sierra Designs Zolo 3 Tent
A palatial three-person tent with two giant vestibules
Gear Review: MSR Carbon Reflex 3 Tent
Weather-worthy three-person tents don't come any lighter than this one.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Drifter 3 Tent
A bargain three-person tent
Gear Review: Big Agnes Hager House Tent
This three-person tent can be pitched in a variety of ways, depending on your trip.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Skyledge 2.1 Tent
Check out Kelly Bastone's author page.
Gear Review: Kelty Gunnison Pro Tent
If you want a dependable three-season shelter that can handle light winter conditions, this is it.
Gear Review: Sierra Designs LT Strike 2 Tent
Choose this tent for its awesome space-to-weight ratio, and use it in moderate three-season conditions.
Gear Review: Marmot Haven 2P Tent
This roomy tent weighs less than four pounds yet offers 56 square feet of space.
Gear Review: NEMO Morpho 1P Tent
The Morpho is like three tents in one.
Gear Review: GoLite Eden 1P Tent
This durable tent wins "Best All Around" for the one-person category.
Gear Review: Big Sky Mirage 1P Tent
Goodbye bivy sack, hello headroom.
Gear Review: Eureka! Forte SQ 2XT Tent
With moderate weight and ample interior space for two, this freestanding double-wall hits a value sweet spot.
Measure Your Torso for a Perfect Backpack Fit
Measure your torso to guarantee a perfect fit. Then hit the gear shop with our proven buying tips to find the best pack for your body type.
Gear Review: Osprey Aether 70/Ariel 65 Weeklong Pack
Don't worry, the updates to these tried-and-true packs are worthy.
Gear Review: REI XT 85/XT 75 Weeklong Pack
These packs have everything but added weight.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Wiki 65/Nalu 60 Weeklong Pack
This pack is always comfortable regardless of weight.
Gear Review: Deuter ACT Lite 65 + 10/60 + 10 SL Weeklong Pack
This pared-down pack hauls big loads.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Infinity 60/Innova 60 Weeklong Pack
A dynamic suspension gives this pack all-day comfort.
Gear Review: Mammut Trion Guide 45+ Weekend Pack
Soft shoulder blade and lumbar pads ensure comfort no matter the payload.
Gear Review: Mountainsmith Lariat 65+/Juniper 50+ Weekend Pack
These Transformers-worthy packs sport convertible fanny packs and summit packs.
Gear Review: Deuter Spectro AC 32/28SL
This stable pack is made for rough terrain.
Gear Review: Granite Gear Escape AC 60/Escape AC 60 K Ultralight Weekend Pack
A great choice for mileage-oriented trekkers who want an ultralight pack that can handle any load.
Gear Review: Gregory Z55/Jade 50
This pack has total load transfer, comfort, and a conveniently laid-out packbag.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Fluid 32 Daypack
This daypack wears skis and ice axes as accessories.
Gear Review: CamelBak Vantage 35/Vista 32 Hydration Pack
Carry up to 100 ounces of hydration power with this comfortable daypack.
Gear Review: Kelty Lakota 4000 Weekend Pack
This pack hits a sweet spot for affordability and performance.
Gear Review: ClikElite Nature 35 Camera Pack
This is a true hiker's camera pack.
Gear Review: Marmot Eiger 40 XT Daypack
This workhorse pack has been redesigned with an easy-access opening.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Nitro/Pulse Daypack
This daypack is made for scrambling and holds up to 25 pounds.
Editors' Choice Awards 2010/Gear Guide 2010 Table of Contents
Check out The Backpacker Editors & Contributors's author page.
Gear Review: CamelBak Flow Meter
This digital device measures both how much you've drunk and how many ounces you have left in your hydration reservoir.
Liquid Assets: Hydration Gadgets
Quench your backcountry thirst with these new water (and wine!) products.
Headlamps Test: Lightest of the Lights
We hike and camped through 78 inky nights from Whitney to Katahdin to evaluate five featherweight headlamps--then ran a battery of controlled tests to rank brightness and longevity.
Shoot Photos Like a Pro: Photo Survival Guide
The outdoors can be tough on a camera, so be prepared with this survival guide.
Shoot Photos Like a Pro
Our top photographers share their secrets. Plus: 6 trail-friendly cameras.
Shoot Photos Like a Pro: Cameras
You can't shoot like a pro, if you don't have the right camera. Here, six models for every type of shooter.
Shoot Like a Pro: Cameras – Panasonic DMC LX3K
This point-and-shoot works great in low light and has manual controls.
Shoot Like a Pro: Cameras – Pentax Optio W80
This waterproof, freezeproof, crushproof camera produces vivid photos and video.
Shoot Like a Pro: Cameras – Olympus Stylus Tough-8000
This slim, waterproof point-and-shoot has great image stabilization.
Shoot Like a Pro: Cameras – Olympus E-P1
This Olympus has interchangeable lenses that take magazine-worthy shots.
Shoot Like a Pro: Cameras – Pentax K-x
This DSLR is under $700 and works great for landscape and wildlife shots.
How to Shoot Like a Pro: Cameras – Nikon D300s
This still and video camera comes complete with 10 in-camera editing features.
Shoot Photos Like a Pro: Photo Editing Software
Refine your work with these top programs.
Shoot Photos Like a Pro: Exposure
Learn the basics of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO.
Shoot Photos Like a Pro: Wildlife
Capture great wildlife photos with patience and know-how regarding their movements and your camera.
Shoot Photos Like a Pro: Night Photography
Avoid grainy nighttime shots by shooting at a low ISO.
Shoot Photos Like a Pro: Action Shots
Learn when to stop the action or pan along for the best shot.
Shoot Photos Like a Pro: Summits
Emphasize the steepness, and the accomplishment, with these techniques.
Shoot Photos Like a Pro: Portraits
Get a classic shot of friends or family.
Shoot Photos Like a Pro: When to Shoot What
High noon. Check. Dawn and dusk. Check. Overcast days. Check.
Shoot Photos Like a Pro: Landscapes – Water & Snow
Water and snow shots can be a lighting nightmare--but not with these tips.
Shoot Like a Pro: Landscapes – Wide Angle, Zoom, & Macro
Whether you're shooting wide angle or on zoom, learn how to best capture the beautiful scenery around you.
What Hydrates Best?
Is there something that works better than water and if so, what? Also, does warm liquid hydrate better than cold, or vice versa?