Meet Me Here: a Map, a Watch, and a Surprise
Emma’s friend set her up with a ViewRanger map and let the app guide her to a backcountry surprise.
Gear
Gear
6 Kid-Tested Water Shoes for Your Family's Summer Adventures
Our fleet of little feet put these shoes through the paces.
The Four Best Sun Shirts for Summer Hiking
Beat the heat with these light, protective layers.
NEMO Hornet Elite 2P
Featherweight tent
Sea to Summit Aeros Down Pillow
Luxury accessory
Western Mountaineering AstraLite Quilt
Cozy comforter
The Best Canister Stoves for Backpackers
Our favorite canister stoves hit a sweet spot between performance, weight, and packability. For soloists and small groups, kitchen duty doesn’t get any easier.
MSR WindBurner
Best stove for bad weather
SOTO Amicus
Lightest stove
Primus Power Trail
Fastest stove
10 Perfect Father's Day Gifts for Dads Who Hike
From a comfy chair that's light enough for a daypack to a full-size camp kitchen, this gear is ready to upgrade any dad's next trip.
What We’re Testing Now: Mammut Ducan Spine 50-60
This pack’s suspension helps the load move with you.
The Best Gear for Summer Trail Runs
Warm weather means it's time to go farther, and get there faster. Here are our top picks for summer trail runs, from smooth singletrack to alpine ridges.
July Member Gear Discount
This month’s exclusive discount brought to you by Xero Shoes!
Tested: The 7 Best Boots for Mountaineering
Going up? On routes that require more than just your standard hiking footwear, these boots will keep you on track.
La Sportiva Trango Tech GTX
The most affordable boot in the test is also durable.
Asolo Freney Mid GV
A plush interior makes this boot best for chilly ascents.
Salewa Raven 3
This do-anything boot excels all over the mountain.
Mammut Taiss Light Mid GTX
This boot proves good support doesn’t have to be heavy.
Garmont Ascent GTX
This boot’s traction and stiffness shine on steep climbs.
SCARPA Ribelle Tech OD
Great flexibility means no-problem approaches.
LOWA Alpine SL GTX
A reinforced upper boosts protection and cuts ounces.
Hiking and Helping in Nepal
Last spring, BACKPACKER readers went to Nepal on a unique mission: work on a school-building project, then go on a life-list trek. Turns out, hiking and helping go perfectly together.
What We're Testing Now: Mountain Hardwear Phantom Hoody
One of our favorite puffies gets a durability upgrade.
Newsletter Exclusive Deal: Patagonia Nine Trails 28L/26L
Hit the trail with this versatile daypack.
Photo of the Month: Icebergs on Nizina Lake
Our photo editor gets close to a calving glacier—maybe a little too close.
June Member Gear Discount
This month’s exclusive discount brought to you by Gregory!
The Best Comfort Backpacking Gear, According to BACKPACKER's Gear Editor
Backpacking should be about pleasure, not pain.
How to Choose the Right Backpack
Finding the right backpack isn’t always a quick or easy process, but you’ll thank yourself later for investing the time now.
BACKPACKER Editor Dennis Lewon Picks His Favorite Budget Gear
Spend less, hike more with a system that prioritizes affordability and durability.
Protect Your Gear In These 3 Extreme Environments
Don’t let fear of ruining your belongings keep you from getting out.
Get the Shot With This Hike-Ready Photography Kit
Channeling your inner Jimmy Chin is easier than ever thanks to light, affordable camera gear. Here's what you need to get started in adventure photography.
5 Things You Should Never Forget to Pack for Summer Backpacking
These must-haves for hiking and backpacking season can make or break your trip.
The 9 Best Mother's Day Gifts for Hikers
Forget the flowers: Show Mom you care with a gift that helps her hit the trail (and recover from it).
How This Palm-Sized Device Saves Lives
A personal locator beacon could be the difference between coming home or not.
The 5 Best Windshells for Hikers
These featherweight windshells ensure that the weather doesn’t blow your plans away.
Arc’teryx Incendo SL/Cita SL
Lightest windshell
Patagonia Houdini Air
Warmest windshell
Ortovox Merino Windbreaker
Most comfortable
Montane Lite-Speed
Best protection
The 7 Best Daypacks for Every Kind of Hike
From quick jaunts to the biggest days, these packs will keep you comfortable no matter how heavy (or light) your load.
Deuter Trail Pro 36 / 34 SL
Most versatile
Mystery Ranch Scree 32
Best access
JanSport Tahoma 27
Best value
Hydro Flask Journey Series 20L
Best hydration pack
Black Diamond Distance 15
Best for peakbagging
Gregory Miwok 12 / Maya 10
Best fit
The 4 Best Socks of 2019
Happy feet make for a happy hiker. Pamper them with these four pairs.
The Best Climbing Gear of 2019
Go up, up, and away with a light harness, a versatile shoe, and more.
Gear Aid Kotu Tonto Knife
Most durable knife
Point6 37.5 Hiking Light Crew
Most durable sock
Outdoor Element Firebiner
Best gadget
Stratis Adventurist
Most comfortable sock
Balega Enduro Quarter
Best fitting sock
Ultimate Direction FK Trekking Poles
Lightest poles
Petzl Meteor
Breathable helmet
Black Diamond Solution
Featherweight harness
LEKI Micro Vario Carbon Black Series CLD
Most durable carbon poles
Petzl GRIGRI
Versatile belay device
Gabel Carbon Force F.L.K.
Most versatile
Komperdell C3 Carbon Pro
Best traction
SOG PowerPint
Best all-round multitool
Smartwool PhD Endurance Pro Print
Best socks for trail running
Evolv Nighthawk / Skyhawk
Bargin shoe
BACKPACKER's Favorite Old Gear
Every piece of gear starts off new and shiny. But then come the miles. And the rocks. And the sun and the rain and the marmots. The stuff that lasts becomes part of our trip memories, intertwined with the journey. We keep using these things because we love them—and we love bucking our throwaway culture. Guides, editors, and testers share some all-time favorites here, and we hope your shiny new gear will someday look the same.
Big Agnes Duster 15°F
Best kids sleeping bag
Deuter Kid Comfort Active SL
Best child carrier
KEEN Targhee Little Kids’ Waterproof Boot
Best kids boots
Helly Hansen K Barrier Down Insulator
Best kids puffy
Reima Narvik Thermal Set
Best kids baselayers
Smith Basecamp
Best for small faces
BUFF Junior New Original
Best kids accessory
Costa Pescador
Greenest
Sunski Treeline
Best deal
HydraPak Velocity IT 1.5L
Best insulation
Platypus Big Zip EVO
Best all-around reservoir
BioLite HeadLamp 330
Most comfortable
Vaurnet 03
Best all-around