Gear Review: The North Face Mercurial Sleeping Bag Liner
Crank up your bag's temperature rating by 10 degrees with this liner.
Gear
Gear
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?
Gear Review: GSI Outdoors Stemless Wine Glass
Quaff wine in backcountry style with this stemless glass.
Gear Review: Innate Esse Water Bottle
Keep your wine at the perfect temperature in the backcountry with this perfectly sized bottle.
Sleeping Bags: Do I Need a Waterproof Laminate?
I need a new winter sleeping bag. Should I choose a sleeping bag with or without a waterproof laminate? Can you explain the difference?
Gear Review: Salomon XT Wings GTX Trail Runner
A souped-up trail runner.
Gear Review: Osprey Manta 25 Hydration Pack
With a 100-ounce reservoir and shoulder straps and hipbelt that hugged our testers' every curve, this pack excelled at hauling water on the move.
Gear Review: Klean Kanteen Wide 64 oz. Water Bottle
With a wide mouth, stainless steel construction, and large capacity, this water bottle did the trick on a hike of Vermont's Long Trail.
Gear Review: Exped Explorer Trekking Poles
Lighter than many carbon-fiber models and extremely collapsible, these poles are perfect for all hikers and ultralighters.
Gear Review: First Ascent Guide Gloves
Featuring a merino lining and insulated with Primaloft these gloves were soft enough for nose-wiping yet tough enough for ice axes and high-friction rappelling.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Octane/Spark Backpack
With a snug fit and excellent compression system, this daypack handles up to 20 pounds and stuck like glue canyoning in southern Utah.
Gear Review: Patagonia M10 Jacket
At 10.5 ounces, this jacket worked as a windshell in the Swiss Alps and and handled rain and wind in New England and the Rockies.
Gear Review: Coast LED Lenser Micro Headlamp
The Coast Lenser is the lightest and cheapest headlamp we tested.
Gear Review: Mammut Lucido TXlite Headlamp
The Mammut Lucido provides the steadiest light.
Gear Review: Petzl Tikka Plus 2 Headlamp
The Petzl Tikka features the best light quality.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Spot Headlamp
The Black Diamond Spot has the brightest light and best battery life.
Gear Review: Princeton Tec Remix Headlamp
This best all-around headlamp passed every test we threw at it.
What's the Best Way to Pitch a Tent in Cold Weather?
My tent has zip in/out panels and I'm not sure what the right balance is between keeping the heat in and getting the condensation out.
Garmin International Oregon 550t
This top-shelf GPS can pinch hit as a digital camera.
MapMyFitness, Inc. iMapMyWalk App
This top-shelf GPS can pinch hit as a digital camera.