Top 10 Gear Picks

One person, solo backpacking tents are ideal if you’re thru-hiking, fast-packing, or backpacking big miles and want to trim your gear weight as low as possible. More livable than bivy sacks, one person tents are designed for sleeping and to protect you in bad weather. While some solo tents are …

It seems like backpacking tents are getting more and more expensive, especially ultralight tents made with specialty fabrics. But take heart. There are still plenty of good values and bargain tents available if you know what to look for. Here are our picks for the top 10 best budget backpacking tents …

Hiking Boots and trail shoes are becoming much lighter weight. There’s no doubt about it. We surveyed hundred of backpackers to find out what their favorite hiking boots and trail shoes and it’s clear that the era of heavy leather hiking boots is on the wane. But people are people …

Ventilated backpacks, also called suspended-mesh backpacks, keep you cooler and drier when backpacking in hot or humid weather or when you’re carrying a heavy load. First invented by Deuter Packs, they’re one of the most sought-after backpack features by backpackers. While many backpack manufacturers claim that their backpacks are ventilated, …

Sleeping bags are still the most popular nighttime insulation option with backpackers because they’re warmer in cold, damp, or drafty weather, especially below freezing. While mummy bag designs still prevail, there’s a lot more variety in the types of sleeping bags that have become available in the five years, including …

What are the best backpacking tents? The majority of backpackers purchase two person tents so they can bring company or enjoy more interior space. Favorite tents include the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2, the MSR Hubba Hubba, the REI Quarter Dome, the Tarptent Rainbow, and the NEMO Hornet 2P, among …

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 because they’re easier to use in the confined space of a hammock, they’re also …

When choosing a sleeping pad for backpacking and camping, it’s best to consider its weight, durability, size, thickness, insulation, comfort, and price before making a decision to buy it. Here are our picks for the best 10 sleeping pads available today, based on these dimensions. Many of these sleeping pads …