Gear Guides

10 Most Durable Lightweight Backpacks of 2023

10 Best Durable Lightweight Backpacks

The growing use of ultralight, abrasion-resistant, and waterproof pack materials like Ultra, Woven Dyneema, EcoPak, and Liteskin has ushered in a new era of durable lightweight, sub-3-pound backpacks that can withstand the abuse of multiple thru-hikes, bushwhacking, packrafting, canyoneering, and winter hiking …

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10 Best One-Person Backpacking Tents of 2023

10 Best One Person Backpacking Tents

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 bad weather protection. While …

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10 Best Kids Backpacking Packs for 2023

10 Best Backpacks for Kids

Buying a kid’s backpack is very different from buying an adult backpack because kids have smaller physical proportions. They also grow very quickly so you want to make sure that you purchase a backpack that can be adjusted over time. In addition …

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10 Best Camp Shoes of 2023

10 Best Camp Shoes and Stream Crossing Shoes

Many hikers and backpackers carry camp shoes to help their feet recover after a hot day of hiking or to change into for stream crossings to keep their socks and hiking footwear dry. Sandals, water shoes, slides, clogs, and minimalist footwear are …

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10 Best Budget Backpacking Tents Under $250

10 Best Budget Backpacking Tents under $250

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 budget tents available if you know what to look for. Here are our …

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10 Best Trekking Poles of 2023

10 Best Trekking Poles

Trekking poles provide many benefits to hikers and backpackers from added stability and balance on rough trails to less wear and tear on knees and hips, especially when hiking downhill. The most popular trekking poles used by hikers and backpacks are adjustable …

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10 Best Sleeping Bag Stuff Sacks of 2023

10 Best Sleeping Bag Stuff Sacks

Stuff sacks are an essential piece of backpacking and camping gear that keep sleeping bags or quilts dry, organized, and compressed. However most of the manufacturer’s stuff sacks that come with sleeping bags or quilts are designed for uncompressed storage, not field …

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10 Best Men’s Hiking Pants of 2023

10 Best Men’s Hiking Pants

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

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10 Best Backpacking Chairs of 2023

10 Best Backpacking Chairs of 2023

A lightweight backpacking chair is a luxury item that can make the camping portion of a backpacking trip much more enjoyable and relaxed. If you like to sit around a campfire to socialize at night or read outdoors while sitting upright, bringing …

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10 Best Ultralight Backpacking Tents of 2023

10 Best Ultralight Backpacking Tents

Ultralight backpacking tents are a good option when you’re trying to reduce the weight of your backpacking gear but you’re unwilling to give up the comfort of a tent and sleep under a tarp without insect protection. The lightest weight ultralight backpacking …

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