Gear

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

Pick up the pace with these lightweight trekking poles.

An atypical hoop tent that's cleverly spacious.

Breathable low-cut hikers for medium-volume feet.

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

A spacious ultralight tent that stays dry.

Light boots that are good for medium-sized feet.

A bright mini-lamp with one-click operation.

Boots for women that are both sturdy and compact.

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

A water bottle that doubles as an emergency lantern.

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

A pack that cuts the weight without sacrificing the comfort.

A pack with everything you need.

An ultralight pack that can hold a sizable load.

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

A sleeping bag that's ideal for small women.

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

A traditional tent with ample room for one.

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

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

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

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

Proven extra-tough after 30 straight days of hiking

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

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.

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

Capture every backcountry moment with this wafer-slim digital camera

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

How to get the most out of your trekking poles

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

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

An ultralight backpack that does it all

A light pack cover that kept contents dry in rain from New Zealand to the Pacific Northwest

A bargain pack with enough room for winter gear, a week's worth of food, camera supplies, and more--as long as it's all under 45 pounds

Three tents that'll save you money, weight, your friendship, and your head

A daypack and waterproof stuff sack in one

Catch the hot spot before it's too late

A hiking boot that provides outstanding protection against rocks, cactus, snow, and rain

A bargain base layer designed to maximize wicking and enhance layering

Enough support and comfort to carry a big load for 56 miles in four days--that is, if you're up to it

A little extra money buys a lot of extra wear with Arc'Teryx's latest T

Our field testers praise PreCip for its strength and breathability

What to do when your soles come undone.

Want to impress friends and family? Strap this baby to your pack.

Don't let your kid board the bus underdressed this winter

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

Comfortable, water-resistant fabric earns points lost from this jacket's boxy fit

Prevent blisters, hike grit-free, and find arch support in a lightweight boot

Introducing a new breed of synthetic boots: fast, nimble, and surprisingly supportive.

A special pocket makes hydration easier for backpackers carrying this midsize.

Repair a busted backpack with this simple sewing technique

Sunglasses built so strong they'd knock out ZZ Top--despite the price.

If solitude is your thing, dish out the extra green for this spacious, sturdy solo tent.

Channel your nimble-footed inner child with these grippy, hikeable shoes.

This upgrade suits the fastpacker's need for a roomy, bugproof tent during hot and humid nights.

A cushy sole makes these a good choice for long trail days.

The Harry Potter hat for AT hikers: a bandanna that doubles as the key to the trail.

Keep your wallet and load a little lighter with Outdoor Research, Marmot, and Integral Designs

Prevent embarassing, water-wasting splashes by replacing your water bottle's lid with the Gription.

This sack earns high marks as an affordable, versatile summer bag.

Don't throw big-ticket boots in the bin when a quick makeover will do the trick.

These nimble shoes are a steal for hikers with narrow feet.

Excellent fit, support, and waterproofing set a high bar for low-priced boots.

On hot summer days, these breathable shoes beat the heat.

Not sure if you need a digital camera you can put in your pocket or one with all the lenses and accessories? No problem. Here's a guide to help you make the right choice.

Troubleshooting tips for 9 common problems

6 tricks for successful backcountry shooting

Add valuable intermediate techniques to your shooting repertoire.

Learn your camera's capabilities by doing, not reading.

Before you buy a camera, you have to get some details straight. Here's a list of the most frequently asked questions and their answers.

At first glance, digital cameras can be intimidating. Use this guide to take the guesswork out of the features on your camera.

Cram all of your stuff and your hiking partner's five extra bags of gorp into this light daypack.

Stop dreaming, start planning with our top tips and picks for boots and gaiters

Three field-tested bags and how they'll save money, space, and your feet

New Zealand is pretty to look at, but harsh on gear--making it just what we needed for our Kiwi challenge.