Gear

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

For the price, the Lafuma Manang 65+20 packs a hard punch with superb padding and durability.

Ward off the chill of cooler temps with these Backpacker-tested base layers and shells

Cutting-edge fabrics make outdoor gear eco-friendly.

Stay light on your feet with the Lafuma Active Raid GTX XCR, Garmont Eclipse XCR, Merrell Chameleon II XCR, Montrail Mountain Mist XCR, and Vasque Breeze Low XCR.

How the warm-weather down mummy bags Marmot Atom, Montbell Super Stretch Down Hugger #3, Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32, and Feathered Friends Osprey stack up.

A pack that's comfortably and curiously strong.

Midsize internal-frame backpacks that do everything--and do it well

Go light on your feet with the Adidas Cloudcap XCR and Garmont Nasty.

You'll never lose your partner if you're each carrying a Rino.

A favorite unit for beginners

This rugged unit will let you call home from the trail

For just over 3 ounces, you get a smart, powerhouse light with all the functions you'll ever need.

Get killer ankle and underfoot support in an ultralight hiking boot.

A reliable and moderately priced unit with high-end capabilities

Get a mobile phone, data organizer, walkie-talkie, and GPS, all in one device.

Testing confirms it: You can get a real rain jacket for less than 8 ounces.

If cost is no object, this unit is like having an interactive topo map at your fingertips.

An economically-priced sleeping bag that's one sweet deal.

Pick up the pace with these lightweight trekking poles.

A sleeping bag that's ideal for small women.

A two-setting headlamp with sharp, shadow-free light and a great price.

A pack that's light, affordable, and durable.

A bright mini-lamp with one-click operation.

A pack that cuts the weight without sacrificing the comfort.

A headlamp with a swiveling compact head and easy-to-use buttons.

A pack with everything you need.

An ultralight pack that can hold a sizable load.

A water bottle that doubles as an emergency lantern.

A traditional tent with ample room for one.

The lightest freestanding double-wall tent in the universe.

A weather- and bug-proof tent of negligible weight.

5 ways to get rid of unneeded pounds without buying a new pack

An atypical hoop tent that's cleverly spacious.

A spacious ultralight tent that stays dry.

Boots that are amazingly stable, delightfully lightweight, and surprisingly waterproof.

Breathable low-cut hikers for medium-volume feet.

Light boots that are good for medium-sized feet.

An aluminum cookset that's light in your pack and on your wallet.

Boots for women that are both sturdy and compact.

You'll never miss a shot with this camera's lightning-fast lens.

Film your first wildlife documentary with this svelte digital video recorder.

Proven extra-tough after 30 straight days of hiking

This low-cut's shallow tread grips well through it all

Keep your feet warm and dry while snowshoeing, camping, and shoveling the driveway with the Columbia Ice Dragon, North Face Ice Storm GTX, and Kamik Patriot.

How to make your cold months warmer: boots, bags, jackets, backpacks, and booties for frosty weather

Holds a week's worth of three-season supplies--or just enough for a light summit day

Our tester praises the 'rip-proof, poke-proof, and amazingly waterproof' fabric of the Traverse

Capture every backcountry moment with this wafer-slim digital camera

Keep from tripping over your partner with this tent made for two

Pinch me: Our favorite bag is also the least expensive.

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Slash weight, not weather protection, with this year's top new ultralight tents.

This furnace comes in a small package, but substitute your own stuff sack.

Sleep warm, carry less with these 20-degree sacks.

Socks so darn perfect they can make a thief out of your dearest friend

A daypack and waterproof stuff sack in one

Budget shopper or big spender? We have the perfect three-season layering system for you.

An affordable two-person tent that holds up in any weather, spring through fall