From short overnights to multi-day trips into the backcountry, every backpacker wants the right tools for the job. Below we cover all the gear you need for your backpacking adventures, including detailed round-ups, reviews, and...
For midsummer conditions or high-exertion days on the trail, nothing beats the easy-breezy feel of a hiking short. Today’s offerings run the gamut from technically savvy softshell designs...
In choosing the right backpacking tent, you have a wide range of options from minimalist ultralight shelters to inexpensive and heavier entry-level models. But uses and budgets vary, and the ideal...
You can’t overvalue a great pair of hiking socks: they keep your feet comfortable and dry while helping to prevent blisters and hotspots. We've tested the full array of styles in varied conditions from the heat of Utah’s Canyonlands to the snow of...
Thoughts of camping chairs may conjure up images of $10 specials out front a big-box retailer, but let’s reorient ourselves to a slightly higher standard. We expect a proper camping chair to not only fold up for easy transport, but to be comfortable...
Rooftop tents have never been more popular, and it’s easy to see why. Rather than having to meticulously stake out and assemble your tent and sleep system once you arrive at camp, rooftop designs pop up...
From short overnights to multi-day trips into the backcountry, every backpacker wants the right tools for the job. Below we cover all the gear you need for your backpacking adventures, including detailed round-ups, reviews, and...
For midsummer conditions or high-exertion days on the trail, nothing beats the easy-breezy feel of a hiking short. Today’s offerings run the gamut from technically savvy softshell designs...
In choosing the right backpacking tent, you have a wide range of options from minimalist ultralight shelters to inexpensive and heavier entry-level models. But uses and budgets vary, and the ideal...
You can’t overvalue a great pair of hiking socks: they keep your feet comfortable and dry while helping to prevent blisters and hotspots. We've tested the full array of styles in varied conditions from the heat of Utah’s Canyonlands to the snow of...
Thoughts of camping chairs may conjure up images of $10 specials out front a big-box retailer, but let’s reorient ourselves to a slightly higher standard. We expect a proper camping chair to not only fold up for easy transport, but to be comfortable...
Rooftop tents have never been more popular, and it’s easy to see why. Rather than having to meticulously stake out and assemble your tent and sleep system once you arrive at camp, rooftop designs pop up...
From short overnights to multi-day trips into the backcountry, every backpacker wants the right tools for the job. Below we cover all the gear you need for your backpacking adventures, including detailed round-ups, reviews, and...
For midsummer conditions or high-exertion days on the trail, nothing beats the easy-breezy feel of a hiking short. Today’s offerings run the gamut from technically savvy softshell designs...
In choosing the right backpacking tent, you have a wide range of options from minimalist ultralight shelters to inexpensive and heavier entry-level models. But uses and budgets vary, and the ideal...
You can’t overvalue a great pair of hiking socks: they keep your feet comfortable and dry while helping to prevent blisters and hotspots. We've tested the full array of styles in varied conditions from the heat of Utah’s Canyonlands to the snow of...
Thoughts of camping chairs may conjure up images of $10 specials out front a big-box retailer, but let’s reorient ourselves to a slightly higher standard. We expect a proper camping chair to not only fold up for easy transport, but to be comfortable...
Rooftop tents have never been more popular, and it’s easy to see why. Rather than having to meticulously stake out and assemble your tent and sleep system once you arrive at camp, rooftop designs pop up...
In the wide-ranging hitch bike rack market, Kuat’s Transfer v2 hits a real sweet spot in price and performance. The platform-style rack is user-friendly, can handle an impressive array of wheel sizes and tire...
Building off the success of the first-generation Vectiv Exploris, The North Face’s Vectiv Exploris 2 Mid is a thoroughly modern design that effectively bridges the gap between a hiking shoe and boot. You get great out-of-the-box comfort and a generous...
For a time, Osprey’s Exos was the ultimate ultralight pack and a favorite among thru-hikers. The competition has grown lately, but the recent Exos (updated in mid 2022) offers a very strong mix of carrying comfort, ventilation, and organization...
Best known for their distinctive outsole design, Swiss running brand On recently entered the hiking market with a small selection of trail-ready designs, including the Cloudwander Waterproof shoes. I recently brought the women’s version to Patagonia...
In an era of rampant inflation, REI’s in-house gear is just getting more affordable with the recent introduction of their new Trailmade collection. The Trailmade replaces the Passage as the Co-op’s entry-level, three-season backpacking tent, targeted...
Still a relative newcomer in hiking footwear, Arc’teryx has stuck to what they know best: technical performance. We tested the second iteration of their fast-and-light Aerios shoe on a demanding...
In the wide-ranging hitch bike rack market, Kuat’s Transfer v2 hits a real sweet spot in price and performance. The platform-style rack is user-friendly, can handle an impressive array of wheel sizes and tire...
Building off the success of the first-generation Vectiv Exploris, The North Face’s Vectiv Exploris 2 Mid is a thoroughly modern design that effectively bridges the gap between a hiking shoe and boot. You get great out-of-the-box comfort and a generous...
For a time, Osprey’s Exos was the ultimate ultralight pack and a favorite among thru-hikers. The competition has grown lately, but the recent Exos (updated in mid 2022) offers a very strong mix of carrying comfort, ventilation, and organization...
Best known for their distinctive outsole design, Swiss running brand On recently entered the hiking market with a small selection of trail-ready designs, including the Cloudwander Waterproof shoes. I recently brought the women’s version to Patagonia...
In an era of rampant inflation, REI’s in-house gear is just getting more affordable with the recent introduction of their new Trailmade collection. The Trailmade replaces the Passage as the Co-op’s entry-level, three-season backpacking tent, targeted...
Still a relative newcomer in hiking footwear, Arc’teryx has stuck to what they know best: technical performance. We tested the second iteration of their fast-and-light Aerios shoe on a demanding...
In the wide-ranging hitch bike rack market, Kuat’s Transfer v2 hits a real sweet spot in price and performance. The platform-style rack is user-friendly, can handle an impressive array of wheel sizes and tire...
Building off the success of the first-generation Vectiv Exploris, The North Face’s Vectiv Exploris 2 Mid is a thoroughly modern design that effectively bridges the gap between a hiking shoe and boot. You get great out-of-the-box comfort and a generous...
For a time, Osprey’s Exos was the ultimate ultralight pack and a favorite among thru-hikers. The competition has grown lately, but the recent Exos (updated in mid 2022) offers a very strong mix of carrying comfort, ventilation, and organization...
Best known for their distinctive outsole design, Swiss running brand On recently entered the hiking market with a small selection of trail-ready designs, including the Cloudwander Waterproof shoes. I recently brought the women’s version to Patagonia...
In an era of rampant inflation, REI’s in-house gear is just getting more affordable with the recent introduction of their new Trailmade collection. The Trailmade replaces the Passage as the Co-op’s entry-level, three-season backpacking tent, targeted...
Still a relative newcomer in hiking footwear, Arc’teryx has stuck to what they know best: technical performance. We tested the second iteration of their fast-and-light Aerios shoe on a demanding...
Shopping for camping gear is no small feat, whether you’re a first-time camper or a seasoned veteran. But once you set up your tent, lay out your sleeping bag, and settle in by the campfire, the effort is well worth it. After researching and testing ...
Whether you’re a first-time backpacker or a seasoned veteran, everyone could use a good list to make sure they’re prepared when they head out on the trail. Our detailed checklist below covers everything from critical backpacking equipment (tent, pack...
The sleeping pad you bring on an expedition can be the difference between a comfortable outing in nature and a sleepless night spent tossing and turning. But how do you decide which pad to buy and how much warmth you’ll need? Looking at R-value is a...
We get this question a lot: Do your hiking shoes or boots need to be waterproof, or can you do without? Hikers and backpackers fall on both ends of the spectrum: some prefer the unparalleled breathability...
For thru-hikers, bikepackers, or anyone looking to travel light and fast, an ultralight sleeping bag or quilt is a no-brainer purchase that can shave noticeable weight and bulk from an overnight kit. But the choice between the two styles can be tricky...
If you’re researching backpacking tent weight, you’ve come to the right place. Below we’ve put together detailed tent weight comparison tables covering most models available for summer of 2023. If we’ve missed anything important, feel free to comment...
Shopping for camping gear is no small feat, whether you’re a first-time camper or a seasoned veteran. But once you set up your tent, lay out your sleeping bag, and settle in by the campfire, the effort is well worth it. After researching and testing ...
Whether you’re a first-time backpacker or a seasoned veteran, everyone could use a good list to make sure they’re prepared when they head out on the trail. Our detailed checklist below covers everything from critical backpacking equipment (tent, pack...
The sleeping pad you bring on an expedition can be the difference between a comfortable outing in nature and a sleepless night spent tossing and turning. But how do you decide which pad to buy and how much warmth you’ll need? Looking at R-value is a...
We get this question a lot: Do your hiking shoes or boots need to be waterproof, or can you do without? Hikers and backpackers fall on both ends of the spectrum: some prefer the unparalleled breathability...
For thru-hikers, bikepackers, or anyone looking to travel light and fast, an ultralight sleeping bag or quilt is a no-brainer purchase that can shave noticeable weight and bulk from an overnight kit. But the choice between the two styles can be tricky...
If you’re researching backpacking tent weight, you’ve come to the right place. Below we’ve put together detailed tent weight comparison tables covering most models available for summer of 2023. If we’ve missed anything important, feel free to comment...
Shopping for camping gear is no small feat, whether you’re a first-time camper or a seasoned veteran. But once you set up your tent, lay out your sleeping bag, and settle in by the campfire, the effort is well worth it. After researching and testing ...
Whether you’re a first-time backpacker or a seasoned veteran, everyone could use a good list to make sure they’re prepared when they head out on the trail. Our detailed checklist below covers everything from critical backpacking equipment (tent, pack...
The sleeping pad you bring on an expedition can be the difference between a comfortable outing in nature and a sleepless night spent tossing and turning. But how do you decide which pad to buy and how much warmth you’ll need? Looking at R-value is a...
We get this question a lot: Do your hiking shoes or boots need to be waterproof, or can you do without? Hikers and backpackers fall on both ends of the spectrum: some prefer the unparalleled breathability...
For thru-hikers, bikepackers, or anyone looking to travel light and fast, an ultralight sleeping bag or quilt is a no-brainer purchase that can shave noticeable weight and bulk from an overnight kit. But the choice between the two styles can be tricky...
If you’re researching backpacking tent weight, you’ve come to the right place. Below we’ve put together detailed tent weight comparison tables covering most models available for summer of 2023. If we’ve missed anything important, feel free to comment...
All good plans start with a wild idea, but this one might just take the cake. Back in the spring, Kaytlyn—who I’d never met at the time—approached me with an ambitious proposal. She wanted to link up a series of North Cascades high routes on foot...
With more trails than stoplights, Kaua’i is a far cry from the bustle of Waikiki or romantic resort life of Maui’s west coast. “The Garden Isle” is best known for its natural and untouched beauty, making it our favorite island for the adventurous...
With the Stewart-Cassiar Highway in our rearview mirror, we had finally reached the Yukon. This was our third trip to Canada’s westernmost territory in a calendar year, and we knew that it would feel incomplete without...
“Remember: sea level is for sissies,” we call out, referring to a sticker we’d purchased the previous day as a nod to our North Vancouver home that sits across the street from the ocean. We repeat this mantra...
In a rolling grassy landscape reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands, I stop and let out a startled gasp. Just 20 feet in front of me, a kangaroo stands on the trail and looks casually at my hiking partner and me. Then, as if slowly transposed upon...
Brian and I were less than a week into our adventure north when, during a brief phone call, my dear friend’s children insisted I read their favorite poem, "the Yukon Song." Though written for children extolling the virtues of leaving civilization and...
All good plans start with a wild idea, but this one might just take the cake. Back in the spring, Kaytlyn—who I’d never met at the time—approached me with an ambitious proposal. She wanted to link up a series of North Cascades high routes on foot...
With more trails than stoplights, Kaua’i is a far cry from the bustle of Waikiki or romantic resort life of Maui’s west coast. “The Garden Isle” is best known for its natural and untouched beauty, making it our favorite island for the adventurous...
With the Stewart-Cassiar Highway in our rearview mirror, we had finally reached the Yukon. This was our third trip to Canada’s westernmost territory in a calendar year, and we knew that it would feel incomplete without...
“Remember: sea level is for sissies,” we call out, referring to a sticker we’d purchased the previous day as a nod to our North Vancouver home that sits across the street from the ocean. We repeat this mantra...
In a rolling grassy landscape reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands, I stop and let out a startled gasp. Just 20 feet in front of me, a kangaroo stands on the trail and looks casually at my hiking partner and me. Then, as if slowly transposed upon...
Brian and I were less than a week into our adventure north when, during a brief phone call, my dear friend’s children insisted I read their favorite poem, "the Yukon Song." Though written for children extolling the virtues of leaving civilization and...
All good plans start with a wild idea, but this one might just take the cake. Back in the spring, Kaytlyn—who I’d never met at the time—approached me with an ambitious proposal. She wanted to link up a series of North Cascades high routes on foot...
With more trails than stoplights, Kaua’i is a far cry from the bustle of Waikiki or romantic resort life of Maui’s west coast. “The Garden Isle” is best known for its natural and untouched beauty, making it our favorite island for the adventurous...
With the Stewart-Cassiar Highway in our rearview mirror, we had finally reached the Yukon. This was our third trip to Canada’s westernmost territory in a calendar year, and we knew that it would feel incomplete without...
“Remember: sea level is for sissies,” we call out, referring to a sticker we’d purchased the previous day as a nod to our North Vancouver home that sits across the street from the ocean. We repeat this mantra...
In a rolling grassy landscape reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands, I stop and let out a startled gasp. Just 20 feet in front of me, a kangaroo stands on the trail and looks casually at my hiking partner and me. Then, as if slowly transposed upon...
Brian and I were less than a week into our adventure north when, during a brief phone call, my dear friend’s children insisted I read their favorite poem, "the Yukon Song." Though written for children extolling the virtues of leaving civilization and...
Whether you’re hitting the trail for a half-day hike, climbing a fourteener, or seeing the sights in a foreign city, a daypack offers just-right carrying capacity alongside load-bearing support and convenient...
Discerning backpackers look for a high-quality, lightweight, and durable tent, and MSR’s Hubba Hubba checks all of those boxes emphatically. Despite dropping a considerable 10 ounces from the past version, the latest model (updated in 2022) held up...
Here in the Pacific Northwest, we know a thing or two about rain. From months of daily drizzle to heavy downpour in the mountains, we’re acutely aware of the benefits of a quality waterproof and breathable shell. Below we break down the best rain...
One-person shelters are the definitive expression of going ultralight. Eschewing creature comforts, those that sleep solo reap the benefits of cutting precious ounces from their packs. To identify the absolute...
Osprey’s Aether is a longstanding and highly capable heavy hauler, and the upgraded “Plus” packs retain that proven performance but with more exterior storage and a convertible top lid that doubles as a daypack. I recently brought the mid-range 70...
While small and relatively unassuming, a quality outdoor pillow can go a long way toward improving your sleep, whether you’re spending the night at your local state park or trekking miles into the...
NEMO is a leader in the lightweight backpacking tent market, and their Hornet stands out for its two-door-and-vestibule layout in an ultralight package. My wife and I recently took the three-person version to...
Once considered an unfashionable fad of the '90s, fanny packs—also known as waist, lumbar, and hip packs—are making a serious comeback in 2023. From replacing a purse while running errands around town to keeping the essentials handy on the trail, many...
Osprey makes some of our favorite packs on the market, and the Ariel (the women’s counterpart to the Aether) is their dedicated heavy hauler that’s backed by years of proven performance. We recently brought the latest model to Patagonia for testing...
Whether you’re hitting the trail for a half-day hike, climbing a fourteener, or seeing the sights in a foreign city, a daypack offers just-right carrying capacity alongside load-bearing support and convenient...
Discerning backpackers look for a high-quality, lightweight, and durable tent, and MSR’s Hubba Hubba checks all of those boxes emphatically. Despite dropping a considerable 10 ounces from the past version, the latest model (updated in 2022) held up...
Here in the Pacific Northwest, we know a thing or two about rain. From months of daily drizzle to heavy downpour in the mountains, we’re acutely aware of the benefits of a quality waterproof and breathable shell. Below we break down the best rain...
One-person shelters are the definitive expression of going ultralight. Eschewing creature comforts, those that sleep solo reap the benefits of cutting precious ounces from their packs. To identify the absolute...
Osprey’s Aether is a longstanding and highly capable heavy hauler, and the upgraded “Plus” packs retain that proven performance but with more exterior storage and a convertible top lid that doubles as a daypack. I recently brought the mid-range 70...
While small and relatively unassuming, a quality outdoor pillow can go a long way toward improving your sleep, whether you’re spending the night at your local state park or trekking miles into the...
NEMO is a leader in the lightweight backpacking tent market, and their Hornet stands out for its two-door-and-vestibule layout in an ultralight package. My wife and I recently took the three-person version to...
Once considered an unfashionable fad of the '90s, fanny packs—also known as waist, lumbar, and hip packs—are making a serious comeback in 2023. From replacing a purse while running errands around town to keeping the essentials handy on the trail, many...
Osprey makes some of our favorite packs on the market, and the Ariel (the women’s counterpart to the Aether) is their dedicated heavy hauler that’s backed by years of proven performance. We recently brought the latest model to Patagonia for testing...
Whether you’re hitting the trail for a half-day hike, climbing a fourteener, or seeing the sights in a foreign city, a daypack offers just-right carrying capacity alongside load-bearing support and convenient...
Discerning backpackers look for a high-quality, lightweight, and durable tent, and MSR’s Hubba Hubba checks all of those boxes emphatically. Despite dropping a considerable 10 ounces from the past version, the latest model (updated in 2022) held up...
Here in the Pacific Northwest, we know a thing or two about rain. From months of daily drizzle to heavy downpour in the mountains, we’re acutely aware of the benefits of a quality waterproof and breathable shell. Below we break down the best rain...
One-person shelters are the definitive expression of going ultralight. Eschewing creature comforts, those that sleep solo reap the benefits of cutting precious ounces from their packs. To identify the absolute...
Osprey’s Aether is a longstanding and highly capable heavy hauler, and the upgraded “Plus” packs retain that proven performance but with more exterior storage and a convertible top lid that doubles as a daypack. I recently brought the mid-range 70...
While small and relatively unassuming, a quality outdoor pillow can go a long way toward improving your sleep, whether you’re spending the night at your local state park or trekking miles into the...
NEMO is a leader in the lightweight backpacking tent market, and their Hornet stands out for its two-door-and-vestibule layout in an ultralight package. My wife and I recently took the three-person version to...
Once considered an unfashionable fad of the '90s, fanny packs—also known as waist, lumbar, and hip packs—are making a serious comeback in 2023. From replacing a purse while running errands around town to keeping the essentials handy on the trail, many...
Osprey makes some of our favorite packs on the market, and the Ariel (the women’s counterpart to the Aether) is their dedicated heavy hauler that’s backed by years of proven performance. We recently brought the latest model to Patagonia for testing...
Misty Mountain's headquarters in the hills of Western North Carolina is not the kind of place you just stumble upon. It's the kind of place you set off to find. And when you arrive...
America’s Top 10 Conservation Heroes is a series honoring the individuals and organizations that have made the biggest mark on conservation, environmental protection, and awareness of the outdoors...
Sarah Uhl calls herself an artist, activist, and joy evangelist. That's quite the job description, and yet she’s pulling it off, brush stroke by brush stroke. A plein air painter from Carbondale, CO...
Jason Hummel is a leading adventure photographer and ski mountaineer based in Tacoma, Washington. He authored Alpine State of Mind, a beautifully presented book of adventure stories and...
At Switchback Travel, we love stories. Nothing moves or motivates us quite like artfully written and insightful accounts of the world. And while the online format is great, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t have a soft spot for books...
The time could have been 9pm or 5am, and we wouldn’t have known the difference. It was a clear, mid-June day in the land of the midnight sun. The warm orb hung high in the sky as I pulled onto the summit block...
Misty Mountain's headquarters in the hills of Western North Carolina is not the kind of place you just stumble upon. It's the kind of place you set off to find. And when you arrive...
America’s Top 10 Conservation Heroes is a series honoring the individuals and organizations that have made the biggest mark on conservation, environmental protection, and awareness of the outdoors...
Sarah Uhl calls herself an artist, activist, and joy evangelist. That's quite the job description, and yet she’s pulling it off, brush stroke by brush stroke. A plein air painter from Carbondale, CO...
Jason Hummel is a leading adventure photographer and ski mountaineer based in Tacoma, Washington. He authored Alpine State of Mind, a beautifully presented book of adventure stories and...
At Switchback Travel, we love stories. Nothing moves or motivates us quite like artfully written and insightful accounts of the world. And while the online format is great, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t have a soft spot for books...
The time could have been 9pm or 5am, and we wouldn’t have known the difference. It was a clear, mid-June day in the land of the midnight sun. The warm orb hung high in the sky as I pulled onto the summit block...
Misty Mountain's headquarters in the hills of Western North Carolina is not the kind of place you just stumble upon. It's the kind of place you set off to find. And when you arrive...
America’s Top 10 Conservation Heroes is a series honoring the individuals and organizations that have made the biggest mark on conservation, environmental protection, and awareness of the outdoors...
Sarah Uhl calls herself an artist, activist, and joy evangelist. That's quite the job description, and yet she’s pulling it off, brush stroke by brush stroke. A plein air painter from Carbondale, CO...
Jason Hummel is a leading adventure photographer and ski mountaineer based in Tacoma, Washington. He authored Alpine State of Mind, a beautifully presented book of adventure stories and...
At Switchback Travel, we love stories. Nothing moves or motivates us quite like artfully written and insightful accounts of the world. And while the online format is great, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t have a soft spot for books...
The time could have been 9pm or 5am, and we wouldn’t have known the difference. It was a clear, mid-June day in the land of the midnight sun. The warm orb hung high in the sky as I pulled onto the summit block...
