Editors' Choice 2014: Mountain Hardwear Optic 2.5
Enjoy the best of indoor/outdoor living.
Gear
Gear
Sierra Designs Flashlight 2 UL Tent Review
An unconventional design delivers comfort and protection for even the tallest campers—with no weight penalty.
Outdoor Research Helium Bivy
This shelter disappears in your pack—like any good bivy—but tent-like upgrades make it way more livable than most.
Big Agnes Super Scout UL2 Tent Review
This non-freestanding shelter blends the best features of tents and tarps, offering bug protection and a ballroom-size vestibule for about a pound per person.
Mountain Hardwear Tangent 2 Tent Review
Alpine storms can’t shake this four-season shelter. It’s no ultralight, but the strength-to-weight ratio is hard to beat.
Big Agnes Slater UL3+ Tent Review
Amazing features for the weight: Even tall folks can stretch out in this 96-inch-long dome (the longest in our test), and the giant vestibule offers welcome shelter in prolonged storms.
Marmot Stormlight 3 Tent Review
It’s strong enough to handle wintry conditions, but light enough to carry all year.
Brooks-Range Tension 40 Tent Review
It’s one of the lightest three-person tents we've used, yet it has two doors and headroom.
REI Quarter Dome 3 Tent Review
This three-season dome saves weight and money.
The North Face Talus 4 Tent Review
This freestanding shelter fits a whole family—on a family budget. But space is best for parents with young kids, not teens.
Ticla Refugio Tarp Review
As luxurious as a portable shade tree and open to welcome breezes, it offers cool refuge for four in hot conditions.
Exped Tarp II Review
An easy-to-pitch tarp
Patagonia Ascensionist 45 Daypack Review
It’s light, low-profile, and “perfect in that there’s nothing left to take away,” according to one tester.
Mammut Neon Crag 28 Backpack Review
This retro-looking rucksack sports a single, roomy packbag that can easily compress low-volume loads. It’s well-suited for dayhikes, sessions at the crag, or anyone who’s tough on gear.
CamelBak Arete 18 Hydration Pack Review
Use this streamlined chameleon as a stand-alone hydration daypack (it comes with a 2-liter reservoir) or slip it into the sleeve of your big pack and use it for day jaunts or summit sprints from basecamp.
Arc'teryx Alpha FL 30 Daypack Review
Ultralight, waterproof, and comfortable—the top-loading Alpha FL 30 hits a rare trifecta. Plus, its shape provides unmatched mobility.
Kelty TraiLogic PK 50 Multiday Review
It’s ideal for newbies who need some packing guidance and type As who like to have a precise spot for every little thing.
Fjällraven Friluft 55 Multiday Pack Review
A breathable, stable trampoline-style multiday pack.
Marmot Apollo 60 Multiday Backpack Review
This top-loader is big-load friendly, built like a tank, and has great access.
Mystery Ranch Terraplane Multiday Backpack Review
This 85-liter behemoth manages the heaviest loads.
REI Flash 58 Multiday Pack Review
The Flash has been a perennial favorite for its low weight and price, and female testers raved about its new women’s suspension system.
Millet UBIC Multiday Pack Review
This burly, big-volume, well-organized pack boasts a unique system of exterior straps that lend it year-round performance—without adding a lot of weight.
Bergans Rondane 65 L Multiday Backpack Review
It’s as light as some daypacks, but the Rondane has the muscle to carry weeklong loads.
Gregory Z 65/J 63 Multiday Pack Review
The Z nails the tester wish list: ventilated trampoline suspension with a super-stable carry; low weight for the capacity; and smart, uncluttered organization.
Mountain Hardwear South Col 70 OutDry
The South Col proved ideal for mountaineers: comfortable and stable mile after mile with loads up to 60 pounds.
Editors' Choice Snow Awards 2013
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Gear Pro: Outfit Yourself for a Day Hike
Everything you need for a typical spring day hike.
Treasure Island: Canada's Haida Gwaii
See exclusive photos of our man's trip to this exotic island off the coast of Canada.
Gear Pro: British Columbia Gear Testing
An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at a BACKPACKER gear testing trip.
10 Amazing Cave Hikes in the U.S.
Adventures abound, both above and below ground.
Gear Pro: Weekend Hike Essentials
These 7 items make a killer kit for your spring weekends..
The 6 Most Dangerous National Parks
National parks are pretty safe, but some carry more risk than others.
9 Signs You're an Old School Backpacker
Fads come and go, but you've been a backpacker through it all. Here are a few signs you're a diehard dirtbag.
Ask a Bear: Bivys in Bear Country?
When I sleep in my beloved bivy, am I just wrapping myself up like a six-foot bear burrito?
2014 Reader Photo Contest Winners
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Gear Pro: Quick Zipper Fix
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Gone Girl: Photographs from the Search for Aubrey Sacco
Author Tracy Ross shares her personal photos and reflections from her trip to Nepal with Aubrey Sacco's family after the trekker's disappearance.
Backcountry Power
Juice your tablet anywhere with these three devices.
Field Test: Trail-worthy Tablets
Supercharge your backcountry experience with these tablets, apps, and accessories.
Tablet Review: SAMSUNG Galaxy Note 8
Best tablet for map junkies
Tablet Review: ASUS MeMO Pad HD
A perfect tablet for content creators
Essential Backcountry Apps for Android Devices
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Essential Backcountry Apps for iOS Devices
Stay connected with your favorite Apple device in the backcountry
Rugged Tablet Accessories
Upgrade any tablet with these smart gadgets.
Backcountry Power: Bushnell POWERSYNC SolarBook 850
A five-solar-panel power pack for the long-haul hiker.
Backcountry Power: Solio Xcellerator + Hub
A highly packable solar panel
Backcountry Power: Mophie Powerstation Pro
For its pocket-friendly size, this rugged, impact- and splash-resistant battery packs a punch
Tablet Review: Apple iPad Mini
A tester favorite thanks to the easy-to-use interface, long battery life, and large selection of quality apps.
Readers' Choice 2014: Vaude Cheyenne 500 Sleeping Bag
A supremely comfortable bag for mild-weather backpacking trips and car camps.
Readers' Choice 2014: Vasque St. Elias GTX Boots
Boots built for Alaska.
Readers' Choice 2014: Merrell Belay Hiking Pants
Technical hiking pants that fit a woman's curvy figure.
Readers' Choice 2014: Leatherman Wave Multitool
A 17-tool powerhouse.
Readers' Choice 2014: Big Agnes King Solomon Sleeping Bag
A luxurious two-person sleeping bag.
Readers' Choice 2014: Gregory Maya 18 Backpack
This frameless little pack is a great all-arounder for bike commuting and dayhikes.
Readers' Choice 2014: Asolo Vertex GV Hiking Boots
Quintessential backpacking boots - high-cut, durable, and can handle rugged terrain.
Readers' Choice 2014: Mountainsmith Haze 50 Backpack
A durable, ultralight pack that's affordable.
Readers' Choice 2014: Eastern Mountain Sports Traverse
A dependable, year-round shelter from Eastern Mountain Sports.
Gear Review: Columbia BugaTrek Omni-Heat
For casual winter adventures, a warm-and-cozy boot.
10 Trails to Cure the Winter Blues
Cabin fever got you down? These trails are even better in the cold weather months.
7 Ridiculously Expensive Pieces of Gear
You'll need a whole lot of disposable income to nab any of these big ticket items.
Even More Great Books for the Trail
Readers weigh in with their picks for the best outdoor books of all time.
Great Outdoor Books for the Trail
Whether read before the trek, during the adventure, or after it's over, these books remind us why we love the wild.
Editors' Choice Awards 2013
From a bomber ultralight tent to the best GPS watch we've seen, here are the 15 products that passed the ultimate field test.
Gear Review: Komperdell Alpinist
Check out Glenna Xie's author page.
Gear Review: Northern Lites Quicksilver
Check out Glenna Xie's author page.
Gear Review: Faber Sommet
Check out Glenna Xie's author page.
Gear Review: Tubbs Xpedition
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Gear Review: Atlas Fitness
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Gear Review: MSR Evo Ascent
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Mountain Hardwear UltraLamina 0
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) Radiant 20F PLUS
Think outside the bag with this minimalist blanket from Brooks-Range.
Exped DownMat XP 9 M
Stay warm with this down-lined inflatable sleeping pad from Exped.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Dream
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
NEMO Canon -40 Sleeping Bag
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Editors' Choice Snow Award 2013: The North Face Thermoball Hoodie
A synthetic puffy that rivals the weight and warmth of down.
Mountain Equipment Snowline SL Sleeping Bag
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
The North Face Aleutian 3S Down
A packable synthetic sleeping bag with an extremely durable DWR shell
Ask Kristin: $300 tent or a $100 tent?
Sometimes they look the same, but there are several key differences.
Ask Kristin: Need a Sleeping Bag that will fit 6'7"
To get the best answer for your question, I went to two BACKPACKER staffers who can relate: Jon Dorn and Ben Fullerton, both 6’6”. Here are a few of their three-season picks.
Ask Kristin: Allergic to Wool
For long johns, there are plenty of polyester options. If it’s maximum warmth you’re after, look for higher lofted polyesters, with gridded channels that trap heat and accelerate wicking....