A headlamp is one of the most important 10 essentials for backpacking, hiking, fastpacking, trail running, climbing, and any other kind of outdoor adventure sport. Using your smartphone as a flashlight doesn’t cut it. But the days of carrying extra AA and …
Read More »Gear Guides
10 Best Thru-Hiking Backpacks
What are the best backpacks for thru-hiking? A thru-hiking pack needs to be comfortable, durable, and have enough capacity to hold the gear needed to live on the trail for up to six months at a time, as well as long food …
Read More »10 Best Backpacking Quilts of 2023
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 …
Read More »10 Best Hiking Knee Braces, Ankle Supports, Compression Sleeves, and Straps
If you are a hiker or backpacker, you understand the frustration of being sidelined due to a leg injury or pain. However, there are many conditions such as knee pain, ankle instability, iliotibial band syndrome (ITB), plantar fasciitis, tendinitis, or hamstring and …
Read More »10 Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2023
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 …
Read More »Hyperlite Mountain Gear Backpacks: How to Choose
Hyperlite Mountain Gear (HMG) specializes in making rugged multi-sport backpacks and shelters with Dyneema Composite Fabrics. Their distinctive white and black backpacks are quite popular and easy to spot on National Scenic Trails and in the backcountry. One of the things that …
Read More »Sleeping Pad R-Values of 2023
A backpacking or camping sleeping pad’s R-value measures its resistance to heat loss to the ground when you lie on it at night. Pads with higher R-values do this more effectively than pads with lower R-values. R-value isn’t a measure of warmth …
Read More »10 Best Snowshoes for Winter Hiking in 2023
For winter snowshoeing on hiking trails and in the backcountry, you 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 …
Read More »10 Best Synthetic Insulated Hiking Jackets of 2023
An insulated hoodie or lightweight synthetic jacket can be used for hiking or backpacking as an outer layer or mid-layer during spring and autumn when mornings and nighttime temperatures stay cool. Our preference is to use jackets that have hoods because we …
Read More »10 Best Winter Hiking Pants of 2023
The best winter hiking pants are highly breathable softshell pants that prevent the accumulation of perspiration when hiking, snowshoeing, climbing/mountaineering, or even ski touring in winter. They’re made with woven nylon or polyester that is warmer and more windproof than normal three-season …
Read More »10 Best Down Jackets for Hiking and Backpacking in 2023
A down jacket has multiple uses on a hiking or backpacking gear list. It can be used as an insulating midlayer on its own or under a shell, as a warm outer jacket when you’re less active in camp or as an …
Read More »10 Best Winter Sleeping Bags of 2023
The most important attributes of a sleeping bag for winter camping and backpacking are warm insulation, compressibility, low weight, and ample interior space to store gear and water so it doesn’t freeze overnight. Cost is also a factor, although a good winter …
Read More »10 Best Lightweight Winter Tents and Shelters (2023)
Winter tents and shelters for mountaineering, winter backpacking, and backcountry skiing tours need to be stronger and wind-worthy for camping in exposed windy terrain that is subject to heavy snow loads. Some are single-walled since they’re only intended for winter use when …
Read More »10 Best Winter Traction Devices and Crampons in 2023
Winter hiking often requires the use of traction devices like microspikes or crampons that give your feet a better grip on ice and packed snow, while increasing your safety by preventing slips and falls on hard ice. The products listed below are …
Read More »