Gear

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.

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.

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

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

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

How to get the most out of your trekking poles

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

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

An ultralight backpack that does it all

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

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

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

A daypack and waterproof stuff sack in one

A bargain base layer designed to maximize wicking and enhance layering

Catch the hot spot before it's too late

Our field testers praise PreCip for its strength and breathability

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What to do when your soles come undone.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Slip into the most comfortable all-leather backpacking boot you've worn in years

Be cool in fastpacking's finest footwear

Satellite broadcasting gets light, cheap, and trailworthy

Use a map, compass, and GPS unit to plot an ambitious route with this beginner's guide to bushwhacking

Get started--or get simple--with the best GPS deal

This ultralight weekender stabilizes any load

Two tried-and-true favorites--the Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero and the Smith Sliders sunglasses--join our gear hall of fame

These Editors' Choice Green Award-winning socks are soft on the planet-and your feet

Pamper your feet with the most supportive footbeds we've tested

Stay dry in the wettest weather with this lid, winner of a 2005 Editors' Choice Gold Award

Not going light? Experience a revolution in big-load backpack comfort

Winners of the 2005 Editors' Choice Gold Award, these innovative shades continue to lead eyewear evolution.

This versatile midsize pack is the sweetest deal of the year

These boats are so light they redefine where you can paddle

Young hikers deserve performance shoes

Meet the new benchmark in lightweight, three-season shelter

This shoe fits the fastpacker interested in traveling long distances on hot days.

Your complete guide to the latest in outdoor electronics, including a smart watch, a weatherproof MP3 player, and the best in GPS.

Give this boot a little time to really feel broken-in, and it will reward you with years of comfortable hiking.

The Trek brings serious trail mileage capabilities to the original (and winning) Trango S.

When it was time for Ladies' Choice, they picked the boot that 'just plain fit.'

Check out the best lightweight boot for your heavyweight foot.

If there's a rough and tough masochist in the ultralight category, it's the Cyclone.

Just ask our Northwest editor how these boots hold up and he'll tell you a little bit about the 13-mile, 6,000-foot-elevation trail he covered. Easy as instant-pudding pie.