Switchback Travel | Adventure, Outdoor Gear & Photography

Hiking Gear Guides

A complete look at the best hiking gear of 2017, from light and packable tents and sleeping bags to proven backcountry footwear and clothing

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On Location: Kanab Creek

A journey into the largest northern tributary of the Grand Canyon

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The Best Down Jackets

For the ultimate in lightweight warmth, we break down the year's top down jackets from ultralight to winter weight

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Review: Outdoor Research Realm

We take OR’s new hardshell on an epic adventure through southeast Alaska

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Norway Guide

Europe’s true wilderness is not found in the Alps, but the northern reaches of the continent from the 57th parallel north well into the Arctic Circle

Learn More About Norway
Lightweight Hiking Shoes

For those that want to move fast and light on the trail, see our picks for the year’s top hiking shoe models

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Review: La Sportiva TX3

From ridge scrambles to glacier travel, we give La Sportiva’s versatile new approach shoe an extended test

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The Best 4-Season Tents

From lightweight mountaineering to basecamping and treeline use, we break down the top cold weather tents

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Annapurna Circuit Trek

One of the world’s great trekking routes is threatened but alive (and recovering)

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Adventure Travel

Kenai Peninsula

The Kenai Peninsula offers Alaska’s widest variety of activities in one of its most accessible regions. People come from all over the world to whale watch in Seward, see glaciers calve in Kenai Fjords National Park...

On Location: Kanab Creek

Imagine that there is a place out there right under your nose that defies all logic and description. A place that is both unmistakably desert, and at the same time oasis. A place with dripping ferns, bubbling springs, and waterfalls—but all contained...

Everest Base Camp Trek

The Everest Base Camp trek passes through the land of the Sherpas to the foot of the world’s highest mountain, Sagarmatha, Nepalese for Mount Everest. The fullest views of Mt. Everest actually are from the Tibetan side, but...

New Zealand's Best Adventure Towns

New Zealand firmly has established itself as one of the world’s top adventure destinations. Queenstown receives much of the attention—it is indeed chock-full of adventure opportunities—but a host of other...

Skiing the Haute Route

When I first moved to Chamonix, skiing wasn't a priority. As a mountain photographer I was there for the climbing and the landscapes. However, I soon discovered why Chamonix is considered to be...

Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown has been dubbed the “Adventure Capital of the World” and the reputation is well earned. In close proximity are seemingly endless adrenaline-inducing activities such as bungee jumping, skydiving, jet boating, whitewater rafting, heli-biking...

10 Great Day Hikes from Seattle

From the peaks of the Cascades, across the coastal rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula, to towering volcanoes like Mt. Rainier, hiking Washington’s diverse landscapes...

Lofoten Islands Hiking

The Lofoten Islands are a grand stage for hiking. Many of the trails have far-reaching views of the mountain spires and sea, and they range from easy beach walks to steep, challenging treks into the Lofoten backcountry...

Lofoten Islands, Norway

Norway’s Lofoten Islands are referred to as the Lofoten Wall because, quite literally, they are vertical rows of granite shooting out of the Arctic Sea. A number of colorful fishing villages hug the shoreline and a majority...

Kenai Peninsula

On Location: Kanab Creek

Everest Base Camp Trek

New Zealand's Best Adventure Towns

Skiing the Haute Route

When I first moved to Chamonix, skiing wasn't a priority. As a mountain photographer I was there for the climbing and the landscapes. However, I soon discovered why Chamonix is considered to be...

Queenstown, New Zealand

10 Great Day Hikes from Seattle

From the peaks of the Cascades, across the coastal rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula, to towering volcanoes like Mt. Rainier, hiking Washington’s diverse landscapes...

Lofoten Islands Hiking

Lofoten Islands, Norway

Kenai Peninsula

On Location: Kanab Creek

Everest Base Camp Trek

New Zealand's Best Adventure Towns

Skiing the Haute Route

When I first moved to Chamonix, skiing wasn't a priority. As a mountain photographer I was there for the climbing and the landscapes. However, I soon discovered why Chamonix is considered to be...

Queenstown, New Zealand

10 Great Day Hikes from Seattle

From the peaks of the Cascades, across the coastal rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula, to towering volcanoes like Mt. Rainier, hiking Washington’s diverse landscapes...

Lofoten Islands Hiking

Lofoten Islands, Norway

Outdoor Gear Guides

Hiking and Backpacking Gear Reviews

Of all the outdoor activities we cover here at Switchback Travel, hiking and backpacking are two of the dearest to our hearts. They are some of the easiest ways to get outdoors for people...

Best 4-Season Tents of 2017-2018

From backcountry ski tours to mountaineering in some of the most inhospitable weather on Earth, a 4-season tent is the last line of defense between you and the elements. Accordingly, these tents are much stronger...

Best Down Jackets of 2017-2018

Nothing beats a great down jacket, whether it’s for causal use or tearing around the backcountry. Below we break down the best down jackets of 2017-2018, including the top down sweaters, ultralights...

Best Backcountry Skis of 2017-2018

Unlike their lift-assisted alpine cousins, backcountry skis have two jobs: getting you uphill efficiently while retaining enough power to make the downhill worth the effort (and fun). The good news is...

Best Vests for Hiking of 2017-2018

For cool fall and spring conditions, it’s hard to beat a vest. This simple layering piece is super cozy, adds warmth to your core, is easy to throw over a flannel, and less bulky and cheaper than a full jacket. But...

Best Hiking Boots of 2017

Hiking boots are critical to your comfort and performance on the trail, but this no longer means a stiff and burly model that will weigh you down. The trend is toward lighter materials that still offer decent support, and waterproof boots...

Best All-Mountain Skis of 2017-2018

If you're searching for that elusive one-ski quiver, this is the category to find it. The definition of “all-mountain” varies by manufacturer and retailer, but generally includes skis from 85mm to 105mm...

Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2017

Cozying into your sleeping bag at the end of a long day on the trail is one of the simple pleasures of backpacking. Today’s backpacking sleeping bags offer not only exceptional warmth for their weight...

Best Camping Tents of 2017

Spacious, bulky, and feature-rich, tents for camping are made for a relatively luxurious experience in the outdoors. These behemoths offer plenty of room to set up cots or even chairs and a table for card games on a rainy day...

Best Backpacking Packs of 2017

Gone are the days when backpacking consisted of strapping on a huge external frame and lumbering through the forest with an aching body. Trends in backpacks these days err towards minimalism and...

Best Hiking Pants of 2017

A great pair of hiking pants provides comfort, freedom of movement, the versatility to perform well in a range of environments, and durability over the long haul. Many of today’s top hiking pants are made from lightweight nylon...

Does Your Down Jacket Need a Hood?

A down jacket is a wonderful insulating piece: it’s light, packable and offers premium warmth that you simply can’t find in a synthetic equivalent. In choosing your perfect puffy, one of the forks in the road...

Hiking and Backpacking Gear Reviews

Of all the outdoor activities we cover here at Switchback Travel, hiking and backpacking are two of the dearest to our hearts. They are some of the easiest ways to get outdoors for people...

Best 4-Season Tents of 2017-2018

Best Down Jackets of 2017-2018

Best Backcountry Skis of 2017-2018

Best Vests for Hiking of 2017-2018

Best Hiking Boots of 2017

Best All-Mountain Skis of 2017-2018

Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2017

Best Camping Tents of 2017

Best Backpacking Packs of 2017

Gone are the days when backpacking consisted of strapping on a huge external frame and lumbering through the forest with an aching body. Trends in backpacks these days err towards minimalism and...

Best Hiking Pants of 2017

Does Your Down Jacket Need a Hood?

Hiking and Backpacking Gear Reviews

Of all the outdoor activities we cover here at Switchback Travel, hiking and backpacking are two of the dearest to our hearts. They are some of the easiest ways to get outdoors for people...

Best 4-Season Tents of 2017-2018

Best Down Jackets of 2017-2018

Best Backcountry Skis of 2017-2018

Best Vests for Hiking of 2017-2018

Best Hiking Boots of 2017

Best All-Mountain Skis of 2017-2018

Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2017

Best Camping Tents of 2017

Best Backpacking Packs of 2017

Gone are the days when backpacking consisted of strapping on a huge external frame and lumbering through the forest with an aching body. Trends in backpacks these days err towards minimalism and...

Best Hiking Pants of 2017

Does Your Down Jacket Need a Hood?

In-Depth Gear Reviews

Review: Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody

Patagonia’s Nano-Air took the active insulation market by storm, designed to be a synthetic jacket that truly can be worn all day through a variety of conditions. For casual use, light exercise in cool temperatures, and...

Review: Salomon Odyssey Pro

Salomon aims to shake up the hiking shoe market with the unapologetically lightweight Odyssey Pro. Taking a number of cues from a cushioned trail-running model, the shoe is a great choice for non-technical day hikes or ultralight...

Review: Arc'teryx Alpha FL

For spring of 2017, Arc’teryx introduced a new version of their Alpha FL hardshell. The Alpha series is climbing and alpine-focused and the “FL” represents fast and light. True to its name, this updated jacket remains minimalist and...

Review: MSR Access 3

Tent manufacturers constantly are pushing the limits of weight and weather protection, and 4-season tents designed to withstand harsh conditions tend to fall on the heavy side of the spectrum. Yet MSR essentially created a new category with their...

Review: Lowa Renegade GTX Mid

Nearly every major hiking boot brand has its signature model, and for Lowa, it’s the Renegade GTX. We took the popular mid-height boot out backpacking and day hiking...

Review: Nemo Dagger 2P

Nemo has come on very strong in the tent market with a number of quality offerings for backpackers. We took the 2-person version of their high-end Dagger for a series of summer trips into the Alpine Lakes of Washington State and the...

Review: Gregory Paragon 58

Best known for their heavy hauling Baltoro, the all-new Paragon backpack from Gregory cuts weight to appeal to the core overnight and weekend crowd. We’ve had a chance to get out on a couple trips with the 58-liter model, and...

Review: La Sportiva TX3

As an alpine rock climber and climbing guide, my feet frequent a great deal of trail, rocks, and snow—especially during the summer months. I took on the La Sportiva TX3 as my faithful companion this season, from high-mileage...

Review: REI Co-op Traverse 70

REI has made an in-house line of backpacking packs for years, but it wasn’t until recently that it truly became competitive with heavy hitters from brands like Osprey and Gregory. We took the large capacity 70-liter Traverse out for a jaunt...

Review: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2

Following last year’s update to the Fly Creek HV UL tent, Big Agnes has added a second “HV,” or high volume model, with their popular Copper Spur. Already loved by ounce counting backpackers and...

Review: Merrell Moab 2

More than 10 years after the original Moab was released, Merrell has given us the Moab 2 for 2017. The first edition reached legendary status, so we were excited to see what Merrell had done for the reboot. To cut right to the chase...

Review: REI Co-op Quarter Dome 2

In years past, REI’s Quarter Dome was on the cusp of breaking through in the lightweight tent market. It was a fantastic value for the weight, but the build quality was a step down from the competition and...

Review: Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody

Review: Salomon Odyssey Pro

Review: Arc'teryx Alpha FL

Review: MSR Access 3

Review: Lowa Renegade GTX Mid

Nearly every major hiking boot brand has its signature model, and for Lowa, it’s the Renegade GTX. We took the popular mid-height boot out backpacking and day hiking...

Review: Nemo Dagger 2P

Review: Gregory Paragon 58

Review: La Sportiva TX3

Review: REI Co-op Traverse 70

Review: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2

Review: Merrell Moab 2

Review: REI Co-op Quarter Dome 2

Review: Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody

Review: Salomon Odyssey Pro

Review: Arc'teryx Alpha FL

Review: MSR Access 3

Review: Lowa Renegade GTX Mid

Nearly every major hiking boot brand has its signature model, and for Lowa, it’s the Renegade GTX. We took the popular mid-height boot out backpacking and day hiking...

Review: Nemo Dagger 2P

Review: Gregory Paragon 58

Review: La Sportiva TX3

Review: REI Co-op Traverse 70

Review: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2

Review: Merrell Moab 2

Review: REI Co-op Quarter Dome 2

Photography

Digital Camera Buyer's Guides and Reviews

Welcome to our Darkroom! What started as one camera article has expanded into a burgeoning section of information covering everything from inexpensive point-and-shoots to full-frame...

Best Travel Cameras of 2017

An ideal travel camera is lightweight, versatile, and captures great images. Point-and-shoots are the smallest and least expensive option, but they have some limitations in terms of image quality. Mirrorless interchangeable-lens...

Best DSLR Cameras of 2017

Digital SLR cameras (or DSLRs for short) are among the best of the best: they have the largest sensors, the most megapixels, and the highest quality selection of lenses. We break down the leading DSLRs on the...

Best Cameras for Hiking and Backpacking

Hiking and backpacking requires a lightweight and durable camera that captures great images. Depending on your budget, the options abound in categories from compact point-and-shoots...

Best Mirrorless Cameras of 2017

The mirrorless camera revolution is in full swing. These impressive digital cameras pack large sensors into compact bodies, offering image quality that is far superior to point...

Best Full-Frame Cameras of 2017

Full-frame cameras are the best of the best—they have the largest sensors, the most megapixels, the highest quality components, and lenses that are unmatched by any other class of camera. Despite the larger size...

10 Great Sony FE (Full Frame) Lenses

Sony’s full-frame mirrorless cameras have created a lot of buzz in the photography world, and they keep improving with each rendition. It’s true that the FE lens options for Sony still...

Fujifilm 18-55mm lens Delicate Arch photo

10 Great Fujifilm X-Mount Lenses

Fujifilm’s mirrorless camera systems have come on strong, with models like the X-T2 and X-Pro2 garnering serious followings among photography enthusiasts...

10 Great Canon EF-S (APS-C) Lenses

The EF-S lens options for your Canon DSLR are immense, from standard kit zooms to specialty primes and third-party lenses. To help you wade through the fray, we’ve picked the...

14 Great Micro Four Thirds Lenses

Micro Four Thirds cameras have exploded over the past few years, with a wide variety of options now on the market from budget to professional. Our picks of 14 Great Micro Four Thirds lenses...

Best Cameras Under $500

With the quality of digital cameras continually improving and prices falling, $500 or less can buy you an excellent digital camera in 2016. All within this price range, you can get an entry-level digital SLR, a mirrorless...

Lens Buyer's Guides and Reviews

Experienced photographers know that a great lens is every bit as important as a great camera. Don’t make the mistake of focusing solely on your DSLR or mirrorless camera purchase and buying a cheap lens as an afterthought...

Digital Camera Buyer's Guides and Reviews

Welcome to our Darkroom! What started as one camera article has expanded into a burgeoning section of information covering everything from inexpensive point-and-shoots to full-frame...

Best Travel Cameras of 2017

Best DSLR Cameras of 2017

Best Cameras for Hiking and Backpacking

Hiking and backpacking requires a lightweight and durable camera that captures great images. Depending on your budget, the options abound in categories from compact point-and-shoots...

Best Mirrorless Cameras of 2017

The mirrorless camera revolution is in full swing. These impressive digital cameras pack large sensors into compact bodies, offering image quality that is far superior to point...

Best Full-Frame Cameras of 2017

10 Great Sony FE (Full Frame) Lenses

Sony’s full-frame mirrorless cameras have created a lot of buzz in the photography world, and they keep improving with each rendition. It’s true that the FE lens options for Sony still...

10 Great Fujifilm X-Mount Lenses

Fujifilm’s mirrorless camera systems have come on strong, with models like the X-T2 and X-Pro2 garnering serious followings among photography enthusiasts...

10 Great Canon EF-S (APS-C) Lenses

The EF-S lens options for your Canon DSLR are immense, from standard kit zooms to specialty primes and third-party lenses. To help you wade through the fray, we’ve picked the...

14 Great Micro Four Thirds Lenses

Micro Four Thirds cameras have exploded over the past few years, with a wide variety of options now on the market from budget to professional. Our picks of 14 Great Micro Four Thirds lenses...

Best Cameras Under $500

Lens Buyer's Guides and Reviews

Digital Camera Buyer's Guides and Reviews

Welcome to our Darkroom! What started as one camera article has expanded into a burgeoning section of information covering everything from inexpensive point-and-shoots to full-frame...

Best Travel Cameras of 2017

Best DSLR Cameras of 2017

Best Cameras for Hiking and Backpacking

Hiking and backpacking requires a lightweight and durable camera that captures great images. Depending on your budget, the options abound in categories from compact point-and-shoots...

Best Mirrorless Cameras of 2017

The mirrorless camera revolution is in full swing. These impressive digital cameras pack large sensors into compact bodies, offering image quality that is far superior to point...

Best Full-Frame Cameras of 2017

10 Great Sony FE (Full Frame) Lenses

Sony’s full-frame mirrorless cameras have created a lot of buzz in the photography world, and they keep improving with each rendition. It’s true that the FE lens options for Sony still...

10 Great Fujifilm X-Mount Lenses

Fujifilm’s mirrorless camera systems have come on strong, with models like the X-T2 and X-Pro2 garnering serious followings among photography enthusiasts...

10 Great Canon EF-S (APS-C) Lenses

The EF-S lens options for your Canon DSLR are immense, from standard kit zooms to specialty primes and third-party lenses. To help you wade through the fray, we’ve picked the...

14 Great Micro Four Thirds Lenses

Micro Four Thirds cameras have exploded over the past few years, with a wide variety of options now on the market from budget to professional. Our picks of 14 Great Micro Four Thirds lenses...

Best Cameras Under $500

Lens Buyer's Guides and Reviews

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