Gear Guides

10 Best Rechargeable Headlamps of 2023

10-Best-Rechargeable-Headlamps-of-2023

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 …

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10 Best Backpacking Quilts of 2023

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 …

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10 Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2023

10 Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads

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 …

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Sleeping Pad R-Values of 2023

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 …

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10 Best Snowshoes for Winter Hiking in 2023

10 best snowshoes for winter hiking

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 …

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10 Best Winter Hiking Pants of 2023

10 Best Winter Hiking Pants

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 …

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10 Best Winter Sleeping Bags of 2023

10 Best Winter Sleeping Bags

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 …

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