A backpacking sleep system refers to the collection of gear and clothing used for sleeping in camp. It’s called a system because the items have to work together and complement one another to perform a common function. For example, a sleeping pad, …

The Osprey Talon Velocity 30 is a frameless backpack with a running vest-style suspension that’s great for day hiking, fastpacking, multi-sport adventures, and travel. It’s loaded with all the features you’d expect on a premium daypack and comes with an adjustable torso …

Suspended-mesh backpacks (also called Ventilated backpacks) have a large gap behind the mesh that encourages airflow to help your shirt dry faster if you perspire. They’re much more comfortable than conventional backpacks when you’re hiking in hot and humid weather or when …

What are the best gifts you can buy for an ultralight backpacker who’s a minimalist and eschews material possessions? It’s a quandary, isn’t it? Here are some tried and true gear favorites that all ultralight backpackers lust for. They may be minimalists, …

The White Mountain National Forest is located about 2 and 1/2 hours north of Boston, 6 hours north of New York City, and about 2 hours from Portland, Maine. It’s visited by over 6 million people per year, and provides numerous recreational …

The best hiking daypacks are functional, fit well, and durable. They have to be because they’re your home away from home, carrying all of your essentials including outdoor gear, food, water, and survival gear. Many daypacks are also good for multiple sports …

The Altra Timp 5 is a highly-cushioned zero-drop trail running shoe with a wide toe box that’s popular with hikers and backpackers. They have thick Vibram soles made with Megagrip rubber (new) that provide excellent traction on dry and wet surfaces with …

The leading causes of wetness inside your rain jacket are condensation and perspiration. Condensation occurs water vapor encounters a colder surface and changes from a gaseous form into a liquid one. When the air is humid it has a lot of water …

The La Sportiva Wildcat is a moderately cushioned trail runner that provides excellent stability for hiking and trail running in rugged terrain. It has a mesh upper that drains water and dries quickly with nylon molded shanks and external thermoplastic stabilizers for …

Ultralight backpacking tents have become increasingly popular, particularly those made with an ultralight material called Dyneema DCF. Unfortunately, they’ve also become very expensive, putting the lightest weight tents out of reach of most people. But many high-quality ultralight backpacking tents are available …

You don’t need to buy an expensive rain jacket for hiking and backpacking because an inexpensive one will work just as well as one costing an arm and a leg. In fact, most backpackers use rain jackets that cost $100 or less …

The SlingFin Portal 1 is a freestanding double-wall tent that’s a one-person version of their bomber Portal 2-person tent, which we first used several years ago and recommend highly. The freestanding Portal 1 tent is superbly made, and suitable for 3+ season …

The Six Moon Designs Wy’East Daypack is a 30-liter daypack that’s good for all-day hikes, commuting, and travel. While it’s made by a company that specializes in ultralight rolltop backpacks for thru-hiking, it has a top-lid pocket and internal security pocket that …

There are two kinds of backpacks you can buy: ones with fixed-length torsos and one with adjustable-length torsos. Fixed-length packs tend to be a little lighter weight than packs with adjustable lengths, but they either fit you or they don’t. Adjustable length …