Top 10 Gear Picks

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 for just this reason. While outdoor clothing manufacturers …

Winter backpacking tents need to be a good deal stronger than regular three season tents if you are camping in exposed windy terrain that is subject to heavy snow loads. The strongest and most wind resistant tents are wedge or dome-shaped and freestanding, so they are completely sell supporting. You still …

A headlamp is one of the most important 10 essentials for backpacking, hiking, and any kind of outdoor adventure sport. But traditional battery-powered headlamps are rapidly being replaced by rechargeable headlamps which are more convenient and less wasteful to use because you don’t need to throw out dead batteries. While you should …

The most important attributes of a winter sleeping bag for backpacking and thru-hiking are: high value insulation, low weight, compressibility, and interior space, so you can be comfortable and store gear, like damp boots and water bottles, in your sleeping bag so they don’t freeze overnight. Cost is also a …

For serious winter snowshoeing over hiking trails and in the backcountry, you’ll want a winter hiking snowshoe that is durable, with aggressive crampons for traction, and a secure binding system that locks your boots to the snowshoes. If you’re interested in getting off the grid and snowshoeing through steep terrain …

Winter hiking boots have evolved tremendously over the past 10 years and are now lighter weight and more comfortable than ever before. Gone are the days when you needed to choose between military surplus boots, plastic mountaineering boots, or heavy pac boots to keep your feet warm. Today’s winter boots …

Winter backpacking backpacks are more specialized than regular three season backpacks, with a stronger emphasis on heavier weight loads, external attachment points, and durability for carrying bulky gear with sharp points like snowshoes, skis, ice axes, and crampons. They also favor more pockets and the ability to access and put …

Sporks are one of the backpacking industry’s greatest inventions. It’s a wonder that they’re not more widely used since having multifunction utensils would be such a great way to cut down on the plastic utensils polluting our oceans and urban landscape. Perhaps more amazing, is the amount of creativity and design …

Freestanding tents are the holy grail of backpacking and mountaineering 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. Because they’re so desirable, many tent manufacturers claim that their …

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 …

Ultralight and lightweight backpacks have become a lot tougher and harder to rip up over the past few years. The widespread use of Dyneema Composite Fabrics (formerly called cuben fiber), XPac, and high tenacity nylon has ushered in a new era of durable sub-3-pound backpacks that can withstand the abuse …

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 most popular daypacks preferred by day hikers? How much capacity should a daypack have? Do hikers prefer streamlined hydration packs or general purpose backpacks with a hydration pocket for day hiking? We surveyed 800 hikers to find out what daypacks they prefer and their top picks include …

Hiking pants are an important piece of hiking gear but one that we often take for granted. They have to be highly breathable and quick drying, easy to vent when you get too hot, but warm when the temperature drops. Fit, freedom of movement, and pockets are also key factors.  What …