Ask Kristin: Your Gear Questions, Answered
Gear editor Kristin Hostetter answers reader questions about backpacking gear.
Gear
Gear
Duckworth Comet Loose Crew
A workhorse for hiking in sub-45°F temps.
Mystery Ranch Terraplane
The 85-liter Terraplane may be the last load-hauler you’ll ever buy.
Fox River PEAK Series Forester/Cypress
Made in Osage, Iowa, the midweight Forester (and women’s Cypress) pampers feet.
Danner Mountain Light II
This U.S.-built boot is like stepping into a tank lined with velvet.
Fall 2015 Preview: Electronics & Accessories
From powerful lanterns to wilderness texting, these innovations caught our eye at the Outdoor Retailer show.
Fall 2015 Preview: Camping Accessories
The coolest camping gadgets and accessories hitting the market later this year.
Fall 2015 Preview: Next Year's Most Innovative Outerwear
Our scout hits the show floor and rounds up the coolest new outerwear hitting the market next year.
Fall 2015 Preview: The Best New Ski Boots of the Year
Our scout rounds up next year's best new ski boots at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market. Hint: they're lighter and stronger than ever.
Editors' Choice 2015: California Dreaming
Our editors head to California to test out the coolest new gear. Look for their findings in the 2015 Spring Gear Guide, coming this spring.
8 Challenges Worth Training For
From an Antarctic marathon to the roof of Africa, here are 8 challenging hikes we can all aspire to.
Photo Essay: Life as a Wilderness Ranger
An Oregon wilderness ranger reflects on America's wild spaces and shares his best backcountry photos of 2014.
Go Ultralight: Gear to Get You There
Cut pack weight in half with nine proven winners.
Go Ultraluxe: Gear to Get You There
Enjoy decadent comfort—on the trail and in camp.
The 2015 Life List
Every hiker's life list should include these 9 epic adventures.
What to Wear to Hike in a Storm
Don’t run for shelter when the sky opens up. Embrace nature’s wild side—and your own. But stay (relatively) dry with these top storm-hiking picks from our gear team.
10 Things You Should NEVER DO
Avoid these 10 embarrassing gaffes at all costs.
Edelrid Python TouchTec 10mm Climbing Rope
This classic, durable rope now has an added safety feature, which will help prevent accidents and teach good climbing practices.
6 Winter Tents
From ultralight to ultra bomber these six tents will keep you outside all winter long.
Mountain Hardwear Trango 4
Roomy, strong, and sturdy—it’s everything we want in a foul-weather home away from home.
Mountain Laurel Designs DuoMid
It shaves pounds (!) off your heavy winter kit.
Big Sky International Chinook 2P
Get a summer tent and a winter tent for the price of just one.
ALPS Mountaineering Tasmanian 3
Get legit winter protection for a trio of campers at a three-season price.
Cabela’s Instinct Two-Person
It handles all but the worst of winter without weight or price penalties.
The Best Insulated Jackets for Winter
Get warmth without looking like a marshmallow. We rounded up the 9 best best insulated jackets for winter.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2014: Softshell Jackets
Eight softshell jackets with performance perks.
Arc’teryx Lithic Comp
A softshell with strategically placed waterproof zones.
Bergans of Norway Visbretind
It combines windproof chest protection (perfect for descents) with a breathable backpanel (ideal for climbing).
La Sportiva Trango
Stretchy, butter-soft fabric makes this lightweight jacket perfect for fast-paced tours.
Marmot Misto
A touch of breathable insulation keeps you from getting chilled—or overheating—in cold conditions.
Millet Trident WDS Grid
Armored fabric and windproof construction provide cozy refuge from icy gusts.
Marmot Megawatt
The down/synthetic hybrid construction provides deep-freeze warmth without sacrificing breathability.
Patagonia Nano-Air Jacket
It takes the place of a windshirt, a soft-shell, and a light puffy.
Sierra Designs DriDown Baffled Parka
Fluffy and full-cut, it’s like an upper-body sleeping bag, ideal for camp lounging.
Mountain Hardwear Super Compressor
It’s the toastiest synthetic belay jacket we’ve ever tested.
Outdoor Research Super Layer
Highly breathable construction makes this light puffy ideal for working hard in cold conditions.
The North Face DNP Jacket
This ultralight, packable synthetic jacket has climber-approved freedom of movement.
Outdoor Research Trailbreaker
This midweight softshell strikes a balance between weather protection and breathability, all for a great price.
Arc’teryx Ephus/Eldora Hoody
The lightly insulated Ephus (and women’s Eldora) packs wind and weather protection into a lightweight, low-bulk design.
Voormi Drift
Rugged, water-resistant, and breathable, this wool jacket pairs backcountry performance with frontcountry looks.
Columbia Diamond 890 Turbodown Hooded
A unique construction boosts insulation without adding ounces.
Helly Hansen Warm Flow FZ Hoodie
This thin fleece/wool jacket shined in the world’s toughest alpine conditions.
Berghaus Antelao Pant
This full-featured, three-layer Gore-Tex Pro Shell pant stands up to hard use in fierce weather.
Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Touring Pants
Storm-worthy and breathable, this softshell pant proved ideal for working hard in all conditions.
Montane Fast Alpine Neo Pants
This tough, protective bib is more comfortable than most, thanks to a great fit and stretchy hardshell fabric.
Patagonia Super Cell Pants
Supremely packable and lightweight, this minimalist hardshell works year-round.
Scott Solute Pant
Supple, quiet fabric gives this hardshell jeans-like comfort for all-day wear and après lounging.
5 Workhorse Mitts & Gloves
Keep your digits warm and working in these five winter gloves and mittens.
Black Diamond Glissade Glove
These workhorses performed beyond their price.
Marmot 8000 Meter Mitts
These are the most dexterous high-alpine mitts we’ve used.
Gordini Stash Lite Touch Glove
These ultrabreathable featherweights pack a lot of warmth into a tiny, affordable package.
Montane Prism Glove/Minimus Mitt
They’re a light, packable layering system for your hands.
Castelli CW.3.1
These cycling-oriented gloves fit as close as a Tour de France jersey.
The Best Winter Footwear for 2015
Keep your feet warm and dry with the best winter footwear of the season.
The 3 Coziest Camp Shoes
These camp shoes will warm your toes on any winter adventure.
LOWA Ice Renegade GTX
Above-average grip and warmth won us over, and zero break-in period clinched it.
Salewa Snow Trainer Insulated GTX
Get big-mountain performance in a midweight boot with instant comfort.
New Balance 99v1 Gore-Tex
This weatherproof trail runner excels in the sloppiest conditions.
Cabela’s XPG Mid Gore-Tex
It’s light and affordable for a Gore-Tex-lined, all-purpose midcut.
Mammut Nordwand High GTX
No need to pay a weight or warmth penalty on high-altitude tours with these stout boots.
Salewa Capsico Insulated
A warm camp shoe with better-than-average traction.
adidas Padded PrimaLoft
Like a puffy for your feet.
Pakems High Top
These camp shoes will warm your toes on any winter adventure.
Hydro Flask Insulated Water Bottle 32 oz.
Wide-mouth convenience meets all-day heat in a new convenient, standard size.
Our Favorite 7 Winter Hardshells
There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. These seven hardshells will bear the burden of anything Mother Nature offers.
Outdoor Research Mentor
Full side zips offer better ventilation than you typically get from shells this tough.
Strafe Cham
The Cham merges freeride styling with durable fabrics and ounce-shaving design.
Berghaus Vapour Storm
A unique venting design and ultra-breathable fabric make this minimalist jacket ideal for hard-working hikers and skiers.
Eddie Bauer First Ascent Insulated Neoteric
Most insulated jackets are so bulky, they’re only practical for lift-served skiing—but this toaster is trim and breathable enough for day tours in cold temperatures.
Mammut Segnas/Silvretta Advanced
Snow-specific features and highly breathable Gore-Tex Active Shell make this three-layer jacket ideal for both ski-touring and ski-mountaineering.
Marmot Kirwin
Get top-shelf storm protection at half the cost of a top-shelf shell.
Mountain Hardwear Minalist
Cut full and long, this three-layer jacket features freeride styling that fits tall guys beautifully.
Snow Pants for Big Kids
Storm-worthy shell pants for powder days.
Marker Phoenix
Get extra protection without paying extra.
Icebreaker Nova
Stay comfortable and warm, rain or shine.
Dynafit Performance Dry Headband
There’s no reason not to pack this tiny ear-warmer.
currexSole EDGEPRO Insole
Thinner and lighter than most insoles, the EDGEPRO provides support without hogging volume in a ski or hiking boot.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2014: Electronics
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Samsung Galaxy S5
It has a long battery life, a huge display, and built-in map apps.
Nokia Lumia Icon
A tough phone with a great camera.