Hiking pants are an important piece of hiking gear but one that men often take for granted. Hiking pants have to be highly breathable, durable, quick-drying, and easy to vent when you get too hot, but warm when the temperature drops. Fit, …

I got my first pair of Possumdown Gloves eight years ago and have been wearing them year-round ever since. Imported from New Zealand, possum down gloves are made using a blend of brushtail possum fur and merino wool which makes them super …

More and more backpackers are switching from sleeping bags to backpacking quilts because they’re lighter weight, more compressible, and more comfortable, especially for side sleepers. While top quilts have always been popular with the hammock crowd, they’re also a great sleeping system …

The REI Flash 3 is a freestanding, double-wall 3-person tent that’s lightweight and compact enough for backpacking but spacious enough for car camping. While REI rates it for 3 people, I think it’s on the small size for three full-grown adults unless …

An insulating sleeping pad is a must-have for backpackers who sleep on the ground in tents and under tarp shelters to prevent body heat loss to the ground. The best backpacking sleeping pads are air mattresses or foam pads because they’re lightweight …

Freestanding tents are the holy grail of backpacking tents because they can be set up quickly just about anywhere, on wooden tent platforms, rock, sand, snow, and even climber’s portaledges, without having to be staked to the ground first. This is particularly …

Backpacking tents are getting increasingly expensive, especially ultralight tents made with specialty fabrics. But take heart. There are plenty of good values and budget tents if you know what to look for. Here are our recommended picks for the top 10 best …

The REI Magma 850 Down Hoodie Jacket provides an excellent balance between warmth, features, cost, and durability. Insulated with highly compressible premium goose down, it’s an ideal insulation layer for cold-weather camping and hiking when you need a warm jacket to enjoy …

The Paria Outdoors Thermodown 30 Quilt ($160) is an affordable down camping and backpacking quilt insulated with 700 fill power goose down that costs 50% less than the premium ultralight quilts sold by companies like Enlightened Equipment or Katabatic Gear. Featuring a …

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 should you look for in a rain jacket for hiking and backpacking? While having a waterproof/breathable jacket can be a plus, it’s pretty easy to overwhelm their ability to vent moisture in the rain when you’re perspiring with a backpack strapped …

Water filtration and water purification are as important in freezing weather as they are the rest of the year. Giardia, bacteria, and cysts don’t go to sleep when temperatures dip near or below freezing, nor do beavers, mice, deer, rabbits, and all …

Paria Outdoors Tri-Fold Carbon Cork Trekking Poles are adjustable-length, folding (z-style) trekking poles that fold away for easy packing or travel. They’re much more affordable at just $60/pair than other folding carbon trekking poles with cork handles and are a great alternative …

The REI Flash 22 is a frameless daypack for easy day hikes, commuting, and travel. It is loaded with features, including a fold-over top pocket, a laptop-compatible hydration sleeve, internal organizational sleeves, a hidden side security pocket, trekking pole holders, daisy chains, …