In the field stuff happens, and knowing how to cope can be the difference between a great trip and a miserable one. Plus, your backpack should last many years, but only if you know how to keep it working properly.
In the field, stuff happens, and knowing how to cope can be the difference between a great trip and a miserable one.
What is the BACKPACKER Editors' Choice Awards? It's the best gear in the world, full stop. For a quarter century, our editors and contributors have taken the most promising products hiking and camping around the world in search of the cream of the crop. On the awards' 25th anniversary, we collect their favorites.
A lightweight backpack, custom-molded boots, and the best lip balm we've ever tried: meet our favorite gear of the season.
The best new gear. That’s what earns our seal of approval, and only after months of hardcore testing. This year, we subjected dozens of products to heinous trail conditions from Alaska to Wales. In the end, 18 survived to take our top honor.
The year’s best packs, boots, tents, jackets, and sleeping bags. Period. Plus, a never-die headlamp, a life-saving beacon, a back-saving ultralight chair, and more innovative, trail-tested gear.
From the perfect backpacking pack to the coolest stargazing tool we’ve ever seen, here’s this year’s most innovative and trailworthy new hiking gear.
Cutting-edge technology, category-defining comfort, and exceptional value earn these 12 new products the BACKPACKER seal of approval.
Find a satellite communicator, a fastpacking shoe, and more in our round-up of the year's best gear.
Innovation, value, unbeatable quality— here’s the best stuff we’ve tested this year.
Ten years into BACKPACKER's Editors' Choice awards, the gear has changed, but the goal hasn't.
After a gnarly hike down California's Lost Coast, these pieces shone.
Lightweight cookware and a revolutionary headlamp are among the highlights of this look back at 2001's best equipment.
A handy lantern and large, lightweight shelters make our list of the year's best gear.
Nine innovative new products to improve life on the trail, plus a few classics worth their weight in gold.
Socks with frying pan technology, a pack built like a taco, boots that would make Darth Vadar smile. Innovation abounds in this year's "Best New Gear" Awards.
10 new and noteworthy products that should be on every backpacker’s wish list.
After 18 days near the Arctic Circle, these boots, socks, packs, canoes, and more came out on top.
Clean out your gear closet! Here's our rundown of new, gotta-have products.
From burly leather boots to a useful multitool, these are our favorite pieces of gear this season.
To find out where marketing hype ends and true excellence begins, we trolled the aisles at trade shows last fall (where new gear debuts) and drew up a list of likely candidates. Then we took samples into the woods and beat the heck out of them. When the dust settled, the survivors made it onto this year's best-of-the-breed list.
How do you separate good gear from great gear? Six months of backpacking around the globe will do it. Our testers hiked, camped, climbed, and paddled in heat, cold, rain, snow, and wind to winnow hundreds of promising products down to a few dozen finalists.
After months and miles of testing, we found 12 products that set new benchmarks for performance, innovation, and value. From tents with wide-open views to the comfiest sleeping pad we've ever used, here's the best gear you'll find this year.
The environment all too often pays the price for high-performing gear. But these 10 products save waste from landfills, ditch harmful chemicals, and allow you to adventure guilt-free.
The future is now. These 10 gear picks set new standards in their respective categories.
Ditch the reservation and go backpacking instead with these romantic presents.
This shell boasts the perfect balance of breathability and durability for backcountry skiing.
These cozy slippers are made for winter camping.
These above-treeline buddies are a blast from the past.
From a lighter winter boot to a tech-stuffed jacket, these eleven pieces of gear are what's coming next.
One of the comfiest pads out there is a steal this week.
Grippy low-tops
It's not too late: Fill in the gaps on your shopping list with this BACKPACKER-tested gear from $13 to $450.
The right timepiece lets you play harder, stay safer, and enhances the outdoor experience while minimizing screen time.
Trayvax makes wallets that will outlast you – and are good for the environment.
These 11 travel essentials are fit for the trail, the plane, and everywhere in between.
Warmth meets style
Most eco-friendly
A new ski treatment could make wax a thing of the past.
Versatile beanie
Best value helmet
Most comfortable
Best wicking
Best blister prevention
Whether you're holiday shopping or treating yourself, these 18 deals are worth checking out.
This ultralight ice axe is a useful companion on long tours.
This full-featured beacon is easy to use.
This light avalanche beacon is easy to carry.
This intuitive avalanche pack gets an upgrade.
Searching for the perfect present? We did the work for you. Presenting our picks for the best gifts for hikers that money can buy, arranged by price.
Keep your hands toasty during high-output activities with these lightweight running gloves.
These burly gloves withstood everything we threw at them.
These two piece gloves are some of the most versatile we've tried.
Protect your eyes with these enlightened picks.
A good backpacking trip starts with good footwear. Come prepared with these brand-new hiking boots and shoes.
Most versatile
Packable bargain
Best for day missions
Anti-fogging potion
Warmest bag
Largest capacity
Best freerider
Editors’ Choice Update
Mileage monster
Best value
Double-wide winter pad
Best all-around
Best for touring
Versatile binding
Best value
Best all-around
Women’s pick
Best powder surfer
Lightest
Most spacious tent
Supportive boot
Most bomber
Best ride
Sturdiest tent