The Only Boots You Need
The perfect combination of protection, support, weight, and comfort.
Gear
Gear
Keen Marshall Mid WP Hiking Boot
The price-to-performance ratio is off the charts.
Ahnu Coburn Hiking Boot
Enjoy the best of both worlds: enough flex for a natural stride and the support for big-trip loads and terrain.
LOWA Innox Mid GTX Hiking Boot
This boot eats up big miles, no matter how heavy your pack.
Salomon X Ultra Mid GTX Hiking Boot
It breathes and flexes like a trail runner, but the rugged outsole is all boot.
Columbia Newton Ridge Plus Hiking Boot
A bargain-priced boot that doesn't settle.
Ecco BIOM Terrain Plus Hiking Boot
Bomber materials and construction shine in a technical, off-trail backpacking boot.
Hanwag Tatra GTX Custom Fit Hiking Boots
If your foot is extra wide or super skinny, or if you have a protruding bunion, this is the boot for you!
7 Tough Sleeping Bags
Three-season bags that are warm, comfortable, and ready for abuse.
The North Face Cat’s Meow Sleeping Bag Review
A longtime staff favorite the Cat's Meow, from The North Face, receives a rugged facelift.
Big Agnes Encampment 15 Sleeping Bag Review
You can drag this burly bag around camp, using it for everything from a blanket for stargazing to a makeshift “sofa” by the fire.
Therm-a-Rest Saros 20 Sleeping Bag Review
It’s a solid synthetic bag at a great price, with a classic mummy cut that pleased everyone.
Mountain Hardwear Lamina 20 Sleeping Bag Review
Thanks to its unique welded construction, it’s the most packable (15 by 7 inches) synthetic bag in the test.
Rab Ascent 500 Sleeping Bag Review
Through four months of nonstop use—often in miserably damp conditions—the Ascent lofted up like new every night.
Mountain Equipment Glacier 500 Sleeping Bag Review
It has the best warmth-to-weight ratio here; testers pushed it 10 degrees below its 23°F rating.
NEMO Strato Loft 25 Sleeping Bag Review
The rectangular shape, combined with a little stretch, makes this the most comfortable bag in the test.
Make a Salve With a Garden Weed
Weeds usually end up in the compost bin, but this one can be used a salve for bug bites and blisters.
Make Snow Traction With Bungee Cord
With just some bungee cord, some small steel chain, and a pair of needlenose pliers, you can build your own custom-fit traction devices for under $10.
Smith’s Pocket Pal Knife Sharpener
Keep your knives in top form, even on the trail with this pocket-sized sharpening tool.
Salewa Firetail EVO Mid GTX Hiking Boot
A versatile hiker that's light like a trail runner but stiff enough for bigger hikes.
Mountain Khakis Peaks Flannel Shirt
A live-in comfy flannel that serves as a great trail shirt.
Fjällräven Akka View 2 Tent Review
A splurge of a tent and worth every penny.
Trail Undies
Cheap cotton skivvies don’t cut it for multiple days of hard wear. These wicking, quick-dry britches will keep you much, much happier.
Jockey Modern Sport Boxer Briefs Review
Cheap underwear - found at Target - that are perfect for hiking.
Ibex D-Lux Boxers
Pricey boxers with the right amount of breathing room.
Helly Hansen H/H Dry Stripe Boxer
Hot-weather boxers that repel sweat.
Super.Natural Base Boxer 175
Underwear our testers loved. Really loved.
ExOfficio Give ’n Go Lacy Low-Rise Bikini Cut Brief
Our female testers favorite trail undies.
How Do I Keep Running All Winter Long?
If you love your current shoes and don’t want to shell out for winter-specific runners, add a strap-on cleat like the STABILicers Run ($40; 32north.com) and a pair of running gaiters, like the Outdoor Research Stamina ($35; outdoorresearch.com), which will keep snow and slush from penetrating the upper or sneaking in over the top.
Ibex Shak Stretchy Vest
This stretchy vest is made of sheeps wool and will keep your bodies core warm when it's cool outside.
REI Windbrake Vest
Here lies a fleece fabric that's the most wind-resistance out of 10 vests we've tested.
Rab Strata Vest
This vest packs down tiny and works best when you're on the move.
Feathered Friends Daybreak Vest
This vest is packed down tiny, and delivers maximum core warmth.
11 Haunted Hikes That Will Give You the Chills
Ghostly tales and unsolved mysteries will send a chill down your spine on these spooky hikes.
Gear Guide 2014: Shells
If you've ever suffered through a storm with a shell that leaks or makes you wet from sweat, you know why a good jacket matters. Find yours here.
Trail Clothes for Every Condition
Pants, shirts, jackets, shorts, tees, and socks for every climate and condition.
Coconut Chia Pudding
Chia is the darling of the nutrient dense treat world, and this no-brainer showcases its versatility.
ESEE-4 Knife Review
A splurge that's worth it.
Energizer High Performance Headlight
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Big Agnes Scout Plus UL2 Tent Review
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Topo Athletic MT Trail Runner Review
A minimalist trail runner
Mammut MTR 201 Dyneema Trail Runner Review
Check out Kristin Hostetter's author page.
Backcountry Eggs in a Bag
Get your eggs fix with none of the mess with this easy method.
Gear Guide 2014: Electronics
Send messages from anywhere. Take better photos. Pack portable power. And five more gadget picks.
Wigwam Weather Warrior Sock Review
Calf-high socks perfect for all shoulder-season activities
Farm to Feet Adventure Sport Greensboro Low
Check out Kelly Bastone's author page.
Salomon Field Pant
Softshell pants that are waterproof from the knees down.
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket
A puffy perfect for volatile alpine conditions.
Mountain Khakis Rendezvous Quarter Zip Shirt
A midweight merino wool base- or midlayer.
Howler Brothers Loggerhead Longsleeve
Check out Kelly Bastone's author page.
Bergans Utne Shorts
Perfect for hiking in scorching temps, these barely-there nylon shorts balance stretch and quick drying time
Patagonia Upslope Full-Zip Fleece Hoody
A performance piece that feels like a sweatshirt.
Mammut Lugano/Ascona Shirt
A trail-worthy flannel.
Dynafit Trail Tee
A gauzy tee built for heat.
Mountain Hardwear Chockstone Midweight Active Pant
Slim-fitting pants with top-notch durability and weather resistance.
Bourbon Bread Pudding
Bread pudding is the ultimate way to end your day—or start it.
Smith Optics Pivlock Overdrive Sunglasses Review
The light weight, snug fit, and interchangeable lenses make these Smith shades extremely versatile.
The North Face Tadpole FL Tent Review
A two-person, freestanding tent that can handle any storm.
Freewaters GPS Sandal Review
A legtimately supportive camp sandal at a reasonable price.
Fjällräven Move-in Sleeping Bag Review
Check out Merrill McCauley's author page.
Solo Stove Titan Review
A wood-burning stove that collapses small and burns big.
Field Test: Daypacks
From ultralight to ultraweatherproof, our testers found the perfect load hauler for every trip and hiker.
CamelBak Fourteener 24 Daypack Review
A hydration pack made for big days.
Granite Gear Superior Daypack Review
Looks like a backpack, protects like a raincoat.
Osprey Talon 22/Tempest 20 Daypack Review
Your stuff disappears into this daypack, and it disappears on your back.
Exped Mountain Lite 20 Daypack Review
A simple, clean, top-loading rucksack.
Ultralight Packs
Roll these up and stow them in your duffel or big pack for summits or dayhikes.
Marmot Kompressor Verve 26 Daypack Review
A breathable pack for sweaty testers.
Salomon Synapse Flow 30 AW Daypack Review
A low-profile bag that the wily climbers loved.
The Best Stargazing Spots for Backpackers
Pitch your tent in one of these 9 parks for a prime view of the cosmos.
The Best Volcano Hikes in the U.S.
Make like Frodo and climb one of these volcanically active peaks—no passport required.
2014 Fall Book Roundup
6 new books that backpackers will love this season.
The Best National Park Dayhikes
Only have a day to spare? Here are our short-and-sweet picks for 10 popular national parks
The Best Ghost Town Hikes in the U.S.
These eerily beautiful ghost towns—complete with abandoned mines and train depots—add historical interest to nearby hikes.
10 Wildflowers That Can Kill You
Here are 10 poisonous and otherwise hazardous flowers to watch out for on the trail.
The Best Fossil Hikes in North America
Want to feel young? Hike to some of the continent's coolest prehistoric sites.
6 Sweet New Stoves at Outdoor Retailer 2014
The backcountry stove market is heating up! We tracked down six brand-new options for cooks of every kind, plus one revolutionary pot.
The 7 Coolest Tents at Outdoor Retailer Summer 2014
"Livability" is this year's buzzword for tents. Some do it by cutting weight, others by making huge tents you can stand in. Our senior editor picked out his favorites.
The Best Watchtower Hikes in the U.S.
These towers offer the best views in town, and you can hike to them.
The Best Lighthouse Hikes in the U.S.
These see-worthy beacons are just a day hike away.