Feathered Friends Daybreak Vest
This vest is packed down tiny, and delivers maximum core warmth.
Gear
Gear
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.
16 Great Songs for Backpacking
From folk songs to oldies to rock 'n roll, this eclectic list will inspire your next trip.
Climbing Mount Shasta
BACKPACKER readers are climbing 14,180-ft Mt. Shasta in support of Big City Mountaineers! Check out the photos from their summit bid.
VuVantage VuPackPole Camera Accessory Review
The perfect accessory for your POV camera.
Text Anywhere Off-Grid Messenger Review
This satellite-powered hotspot allows texting in the most remote locations.
Bushnell SolarWrap 250 Battery
This solar-powered lithium battery recharges efficiently.
Sony NEX-5T Camera Review
This easy-to-use camera takes quick and clear shots.
Nikon 1 AW1 Camera Review
A waterproof camera that's ready for any adventure.
Olympus TG-2 iHS Camera Review
An updated Editors' Choice camera with an improved focus range.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active Smartphone Review
Phone is able to handle the most vigorous explorations.
Dell Venue 7 Tablet Review
A durable tablet with plenty of storage.
Power Practical Lithium 4400 Battery Bank Review
This battery pack has enough power to charge multiple devices.
Boom Movement Swimmer Speaker Review
High quality sounding bluetooth speaker is multi-sport ready.
Hall of Fame: Camp Food
An indisputable fact of hiking life: Food tastes better outdoors. A simple cheese sandwich can be heaven. A chunk of dark chocolate feels like a winning lottery ticket. And a savory, hot meal can turn a tired, wet hiker into an entirely new person.
The Best Portable Power Sources for Backpacking
Find the Charge That's Right For You
Reader Photo Contest
Enter your best shot in our monthly photo contest.
adidas Terrex Swift Mountain Summer Jacket Review
A combination of double- and single- weave nylon makes this jacket extra breathable.
Editors' Choice 2014: Marmot Essence Shell
There's always room to pack this featherweight, bombproof shell.
Rab Ventus Pull-On/Lunar Pull-On Jacket Review
Rab Ventus Pull-On/Lunar Pull-On Jacket Review
Black Diamond Equipment B.D.V. Jacket Review
A tester favorite for those all-day excursions.
Mountain Hardwear Super Chockstone Jacket Review
If you're hard on jackets, this Mountain Hardwear is for you.
Beautiful Fall Foliage Photos
Check out these amazing photos of fall colors across the country and beyond, from Yosemite to Banff to Acadia.
Eddie Bauer First Ascent BC Ultralight Hardshell Review
A versatile hard shell that's light too.
Sierra Designs Stow Windshirt Softshell Review
The lightest shell in our test.
Arc'teryx Alpha SL Shell Review
A shell that is light, sleek, and minimalist.
Columbia Rainstormer Shell Review
A bargain jacket with full amenities.
Mountain Hardwear Super Light Plasmic Shell Review
A light and comfortable shell.
The North Face Verto Storm Shell Review
Put it in your pack and you can forget it's there...until you really need it.
Salomon GTX Active Shell Review
This minimalist shell kept testers dry during heart-pumping activities in the wettest weather.
L.L.Bean NeoShell Bounder Shell Review
A versatile, three-layer shield
2014 Reader Adventure Travel Photos
Our readers travel to some of the most beautiful wilderness areas in the world. Need proof? Just get an eyeful of these winning entries.
6 Trail-Ready Summer Cocktails
Hand-picked summer refreshments from our Backcountry Bartenders.
Gear Hall of Fame: Socks
The BACKPACKER editors pick the pairs that have stood the test of time.