Gear

Our hiking columnist has spent more than a quarter of the past four years on trail. Every morning out there, without fail, he eats another perfect packet of Pop-Tarts.

In defense of the hiking world’s black sheep.

An extremely fancy jacket, a free app, and a rock-solid waterproof box make the list of our editors' favorite gear this month.

Silnylon has been the affordable waterproof tent fabric of choice for decades, but a new competitor is shaking things up.

Competitor Ashly Winchester packed an ultralight sleeping bag, multiple lights, and KT tape to keep herself going.

The frameless Mustang Survival Highwater 22L is the best of frameless backpacks and drybags in one slick package.

From a gadget that’s a fork on one end and a spoon on the other to a titanium utensil that will survive the apocalypse, there are dozens of different sporks on the market. But which is the best?

Getting lost on the trail after dark is a nuisance. As two dayhikers in Big Sur discovered this month, doing it without a headlamp can become an emergency.

Just as cozy with remarkable technology? Consider me a convert.

For years, our editor thought toe socks looked dumb and were useless on the trail. After spending a winter testing them out, he's ready to admit that he was wrong about at least one of those things.

Down booties, gossamer-thin wind jackets, and struggle-free snowshoes: Here’s what our editors brought with them on their winter adventures.

Hint: He never stopped hiking.

Should the Yonder replace your Nalgene?

Going minimalist can heighten anxieties about staying safe in the backcountry. Here’s how to let some of them go.

Some of our favorite gear is garbage. And that's why we love it so much.

More people are going ultralight than ever before—and there's more gear out there for them, too. Three ultralight gear pros take the temperature of the rapidly growing category.

Wintry parking lots and cumbersome ski gear have finally met their match

Pocket-laden shorts, an old Timex watch, and a half of a Gatorade bottle were his keys to success.

From what to buy to what to leave behind, our ultralight columnist offered up essential advice this year.

Washing your face or bowl with Dr. Bronner's? Sure. Using it to cure congestion? Maybe. Using it as toothpaste? Hmm.

Which down alternative does the best job of keeping you warm without weighing you down?

Which of these popular aprés accessories burns brighter?

From tiny pocket knives to freeze-dried foods, these ultralight-friendly gifts are best presented in a sub-1-ounce merino sock.

Led by one of the outdoors' biggest retailers, some manufacturers may soon ditch women's and men's sleeping bags for nonbinary ones made to fit a wide variety of bodies.

Get ready for your best winter ever with tips from these cold-weather experts

From backyard to basecamp, these are the gifts we’ll be giving to the cushy campers in our lives.

Tools like Lighterpack can help you slim down and optimize your pack weight.

Affordable earbuds, slimming thermals, and an eye-popping camping blanket: Here’s what our editors brought with them on their fall adventures.

Adventure-ready features and planet-friendly materials make this watch a win-win

Our hiking columnist knows firsthand that buying gifts for the hiker in your life can induce anxiety. These affordable finds from independent companies can’t miss.

Yes, a $25 tchotchke can be an indispensable backcountry tool.

Garmin's new small satellite communication tool is simpler, but it's their new app that makes the real difference

Through the past five decades, there have been a lot of trend-setters and trailblazers. These are the best of backpacking.

Outdoorsy folks get stoked on gear year-round, but the holidays are a chance to surprise your favorite trailblazer with the latest and greatest items for their gear closet.

Goodbye clunky plastic containers and disposable packaging: This is how I'm rehydrating my meals from now on.

These made-in-the-U.S.A. layer, packs, and boots are designed to stand up to the rigors of combat. But how do they stand up to civilian hiking gear?

Lightweight gear isn’t just for Triple Crowners

A tarp, sun hoodie, and pee rag are her secret weapons.

Document your adventures in a whole new way with the 4K Skydio 2+ drone

Choose a brighter future with this eco-friendly new headlamp

A shoulder-season jacket, a bright-as-daylight headlamp, and a device to keep your devices safe: Here’s what our editors brought with them on their fall adventures.

Leave the conventions behind with these five shoulder-season gear tips

These little Scandanavian gummies have earned a permanent place in our packs. Why? Let us count the ways.

Skip the ounce-counting with a new tent, quilt, and pack from one of ultralight’s best-loved brands.

Hours of testing, tasting, and innovating goes into these freeze-dried backpacking pouches

Stay warm, stay hydrated, and explore the season’s top national parks

From a minimalist pair of trail runners to a two-in-one water filter, this gear is ready to help you turn your next family reunion or business trip into a memorable hiking adventure.

These boots are the only ones you’ll need all winter long

Galadriel—we’ve got notes

Whether because of poorly-fitting shoes, moisture, or just bad luck, every hiker’s tangled with those raw, fluid-filled bumps. Science can tell you how they form—but can it stop you from getting them?

These two titans of active insulation are more different than they might seem.

The next level in lightweight backpacking requires making some tough choices. Here’s how to navigate them.

Don’t go peeping without it.

Dial in your setup for cold-weather adventures with advice from polar explorers

The Sierra Designs Crescent 2 is beginner-friendly two-person shelter, and right now it's more than 50% off.

Featuring dual-compatibility for power and 50:50 burn time, these two headlamps are ready for any adventure

Check out Backpacker Editors's author page.

We combed through vintage magazines and catalogs to find out how low you could go back in the day.

After 2,194.3 miles, this is the equipment that they loved the most.

This portable solar panel offers an endless supply of renewable energy so you can unplug without powering down on your next adventure

Because nothing is worse than finding out you’ve got a dud after a hard-charging day in the backcountry.

Our testers weathered alpine gusts, freak downpours, and rough granite slabs to find the very best softshells. Eight jackets rose to the top.

Are women's sleeping bags really warmer than men's? How long can I keep a down sleeping bag stuffed before it's ruined?

Backcountry tech is more abundant than ever, but it can add up quickly in an ultralight kit.

The next time you find yourself camping by a wild body of water, catch your own dinner with this packable fly fishing gear

Heading into the wilderness with your hiker-in-training? This gear will make the trip as fun for you as it is for your little one.

The Ultra gets a titanium case, sapphire face, significantly better battery life, and better GPS and off-grid route-tracking features, making it a much more robust backcountry tool

Alcohol-free doesn't have to mean tasteless. These drinks satisfy your beer craving without the buzz.

For carrying weight while moving quickly in the mountains, the Slope Runner Exploration 18L is our new favorite vest-pack hybrid

Who knew the famous comfort, durability, and versatility of the Merrell Moab could be improved?

Lightweight gear has a reputation for fragility, but there are exceptions to the rule.

Fanny packs, bear spray, and camp stoves: These are the products that helped us adventure over the past month.

I came for their looks. I stayed for their all-day comfort and all-terrain performance.

By some measures, Jenny Bruso’s advocacy for body inclusivity in the outdoors has been a wild success. But she says the fight has barely begun.

A disco ball, frozen lobster tails, a cat: We polled editors about the strangest gear they had ever packed for a trip.

Yes, Starbucks Via will do the trick. But is it the best way for gram-counters to get caffeinated?

After 1,706 miles, this is what PCT thru-hikers appreciate most.

Dan Durston dreamed up his innovative tent design while thru-hiking in Canada.

Both of these shoes are beloved by long-distance hikers. Which is right for you?