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...
In choosing the right backpacking tent, you have a wide range of options from minimalist ultralight shelters to inexpensive and heavier entry-level models. Uses and budgets vary, and the ideal tent for beginners and those taking shorter trips differs...
Whether you’re embarking on a half-day hike, climbing a 14er, or seeing the sights in a foreign city, a daypack offers just-right carrying capacity alongside load-bearing support and convenient organization. Our female editors have been hitting the...
Spacious, user-friendly, and feature-rich camping tents are made to facilitate a relatively luxurious experience in the outdoors. Many of these behemoths offer enough room to set up cots or even chairs and a table for card games on a rainy day. For car...
It's tough to beat a great down jacket, whether it’s for casual use or tearing around the backcountry. This cozy insulation type offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio on the market and packs down smaller than synthetic options for easy storage. From...
Running on varied and challenging trails is a welcome break from the monotony of pounding pavement (or even worse, the belt of a treadmill). Better yet, trail running is an immensely easy sport to get into and requires only minimal gear. Our team has...
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...
In choosing the right backpacking tent, you have a wide range of options from minimalist ultralight shelters to inexpensive and heavier entry-level models. Uses and budgets vary, and the ideal tent for beginners and those taking shorter trips differs...
Whether you’re embarking on a half-day hike, climbing a 14er, or seeing the sights in a foreign city, a daypack offers just-right carrying capacity alongside load-bearing support and convenient organization. Our female editors have been hitting the...
Spacious, user-friendly, and feature-rich camping tents are made to facilitate a relatively luxurious experience in the outdoors. Many of these behemoths offer enough room to set up cots or even chairs and a table for card games on a rainy day. For car...
It's tough to beat a great down jacket, whether it’s for casual use or tearing around the backcountry. This cozy insulation type offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio on the market and packs down smaller than synthetic options for easy storage. From...
Running on varied and challenging trails is a welcome break from the monotony of pounding pavement (or even worse, the belt of a treadmill). Better yet, trail running is an immensely easy sport to get into and requires only minimal gear. Our team has...
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...
In choosing the right backpacking tent, you have a wide range of options from minimalist ultralight shelters to inexpensive and heavier entry-level models. Uses and budgets vary, and the ideal tent for beginners and those taking shorter trips differs...
Whether you’re embarking on a half-day hike, climbing a 14er, or seeing the sights in a foreign city, a daypack offers just-right carrying capacity alongside load-bearing support and convenient organization. Our female editors have been hitting the...
Spacious, user-friendly, and feature-rich camping tents are made to facilitate a relatively luxurious experience in the outdoors. Many of these behemoths offer enough room to set up cots or even chairs and a table for card games on a rainy day. For car...
It's tough to beat a great down jacket, whether it’s for casual use or tearing around the backcountry. This cozy insulation type offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio on the market and packs down smaller than synthetic options for easy storage. From...
Running on varied and challenging trails is a welcome break from the monotony of pounding pavement (or even worse, the belt of a treadmill). Better yet, trail running is an immensely easy sport to get into and requires only minimal gear. Our team has...
La Sportiva is a technical specialist with a competitive lineup of mountain-ready shoes and boots that excel on challenging terrain. A longtime favorite of mine, their Bushido trail runner does a great job showcasing the brand’s expertise with standout...
New Hampshire-based Nemo makes some of our favorite backpacking tents, from the ultralight Hornet Elite to the spacious and feature-rich Dagger. The Mayfly Osmo fills a nice gap between the two, with a hard-to-beat balance of weight and durability for...
If you've ever gone car camping, you've likely seen the classic red Everest stove from Camp Chef churning out meals. The Everest 2X is the most current version of this camp kitchen staple, redesigned to be a bit beefier and more durable than the now...
For backpackers who tend to sleep hot or value keeping their pack weight to a minimum, a quilt is an excellent alternative to a fully enclosed sleeping bag. Hyperlite Mountain Gear specializes in the ultralight space, and their 20-Degree Quilt...
Patagonia is an irrefutable leader in the rain jacket market, and the Boulder Fork is the latest addition to their well-rounded collection. Slotting in between the everyday-friendly Torrentshell and more technical Granite Crest, the new shell is...
La Sportiva is a climbing specialist through and through, with a healthy lineup of rock and approach shoes designed for maximum grip on technical terrain. I recently brought the women’s TX4 Evo Mid GTX—a mid-height variation of their flagship TX4...
La Sportiva is a technical specialist with a competitive lineup of mountain-ready shoes and boots that excel on challenging terrain. A longtime favorite of mine, their Bushido trail runner does a great job showcasing the brand’s expertise with standout...
New Hampshire-based Nemo makes some of our favorite backpacking tents, from the ultralight Hornet Elite to the spacious and feature-rich Dagger. The Mayfly Osmo fills a nice gap between the two, with a hard-to-beat balance of weight and durability for...
If you've ever gone car camping, you've likely seen the classic red Everest stove from Camp Chef churning out meals. The Everest 2X is the most current version of this camp kitchen staple, redesigned to be a bit beefier and more durable than the now...
For backpackers who tend to sleep hot or value keeping their pack weight to a minimum, a quilt is an excellent alternative to a fully enclosed sleeping bag. Hyperlite Mountain Gear specializes in the ultralight space, and their 20-Degree Quilt...
Patagonia is an irrefutable leader in the rain jacket market, and the Boulder Fork is the latest addition to their well-rounded collection. Slotting in between the everyday-friendly Torrentshell and more technical Granite Crest, the new shell is...
La Sportiva is a climbing specialist through and through, with a healthy lineup of rock and approach shoes designed for maximum grip on technical terrain. I recently brought the women’s TX4 Evo Mid GTX—a mid-height variation of their flagship TX4...
La Sportiva is a technical specialist with a competitive lineup of mountain-ready shoes and boots that excel on challenging terrain. A longtime favorite of mine, their Bushido trail runner does a great job showcasing the brand’s expertise with standout...
New Hampshire-based Nemo makes some of our favorite backpacking tents, from the ultralight Hornet Elite to the spacious and feature-rich Dagger. The Mayfly Osmo fills a nice gap between the two, with a hard-to-beat balance of weight and durability for...
If you've ever gone car camping, you've likely seen the classic red Everest stove from Camp Chef churning out meals. The Everest 2X is the most current version of this camp kitchen staple, redesigned to be a bit beefier and more durable than the now...
For backpackers who tend to sleep hot or value keeping their pack weight to a minimum, a quilt is an excellent alternative to a fully enclosed sleeping bag. Hyperlite Mountain Gear specializes in the ultralight space, and their 20-Degree Quilt...
Patagonia is an irrefutable leader in the rain jacket market, and the Boulder Fork is the latest addition to their well-rounded collection. Slotting in between the everyday-friendly Torrentshell and more technical Granite Crest, the new shell is...
La Sportiva is a climbing specialist through and through, with a healthy lineup of rock and approach shoes designed for maximum grip on technical terrain. I recently brought the women’s TX4 Evo Mid GTX—a mid-height variation of their flagship TX4...
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...
The outdoor clothing market is vast, with everything from budget-focused brands to sustainability leaders and high-end backcountry specialists. With years of experience testing a wide range of hiking...
Whether you’re a first-time backpacker or a seasoned veteran, everyone could use a good packing list to make sure they’re prepared before hitting the trail. Our detailed checklist below covers everything from critical backpacking equipment (tent, pack...
While ultralight backpacking gear used to be more niche (and tricky the get ahold of), the past few years have seen a surge in mainstream brands integrating weight-saving designs and materials into readily available gear. One of the biggest areas that...
Choosing a sleeping bag can be a confusing experience. There are so many considerations to keep in mind: down or synthetic? Snug mummy or roomy rectangular shape? And perhaps the most puzzling question of all: which temperature rating should you choose...
Your pack is arguably the most important piece of gear in your backpacking kit, and a proper (or improper) fit can make or break your time spent in the backcountry. It all starts with nailing the size, which can then be adjusted and fine-tuned to hug...
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...
The outdoor clothing market is vast, with everything from budget-focused brands to sustainability leaders and high-end backcountry specialists. With years of experience testing a wide range of hiking...
Whether you’re a first-time backpacker or a seasoned veteran, everyone could use a good packing list to make sure they’re prepared before hitting the trail. Our detailed checklist below covers everything from critical backpacking equipment (tent, pack...
While ultralight backpacking gear used to be more niche (and tricky the get ahold of), the past few years have seen a surge in mainstream brands integrating weight-saving designs and materials into readily available gear. One of the biggest areas that...
Choosing a sleeping bag can be a confusing experience. There are so many considerations to keep in mind: down or synthetic? Snug mummy or roomy rectangular shape? And perhaps the most puzzling question of all: which temperature rating should you choose...
Your pack is arguably the most important piece of gear in your backpacking kit, and a proper (or improper) fit can make or break your time spent in the backcountry. It all starts with nailing the size, which can then be adjusted and fine-tuned to hug...
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...
The outdoor clothing market is vast, with everything from budget-focused brands to sustainability leaders and high-end backcountry specialists. With years of experience testing a wide range of hiking...
Whether you’re a first-time backpacker or a seasoned veteran, everyone could use a good packing list to make sure they’re prepared before hitting the trail. Our detailed checklist below covers everything from critical backpacking equipment (tent, pack...
While ultralight backpacking gear used to be more niche (and tricky the get ahold of), the past few years have seen a surge in mainstream brands integrating weight-saving designs and materials into readily available gear. One of the biggest areas that...
Choosing a sleeping bag can be a confusing experience. There are so many considerations to keep in mind: down or synthetic? Snug mummy or roomy rectangular shape? And perhaps the most puzzling question of all: which temperature rating should you choose...
Your pack is arguably the most important piece of gear in your backpacking kit, and a proper (or improper) fit can make or break your time spent in the backcountry. It all starts with nailing the size, which can then be adjusted and fine-tuned to hug...
"I guess I just really want to do something different—something I'm not comfortable doing. Something aside from hiking." I quickly threw "Imja Tse" into Google, gripping the phone between my shoulder and ear as details unfolded. "It'd be about a month...
“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...
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...
Don’t undo your bootlaces until you have seen the river. As we sit in dusty, windswept Ulgii, one of Mongolia’s westernmost cities, and await our delayed flight back to the capital city of Ulaanbaatar...
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...
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...
"I guess I just really want to do something different—something I'm not comfortable doing. Something aside from hiking." I quickly threw "Imja Tse" into Google, gripping the phone between my shoulder and ear as details unfolded. "It'd be about a month...
“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...
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...
Don’t undo your bootlaces until you have seen the river. As we sit in dusty, windswept Ulgii, one of Mongolia’s westernmost cities, and await our delayed flight back to the capital city of Ulaanbaatar...
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...
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...
"I guess I just really want to do something different—something I'm not comfortable doing. Something aside from hiking." I quickly threw "Imja Tse" into Google, gripping the phone between my shoulder and ear as details unfolded. "It'd be about a month...
“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...
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...
Don’t undo your bootlaces until you have seen the river. As we sit in dusty, windswept Ulgii, one of Mongolia’s westernmost cities, and await our delayed flight back to the capital city of Ulaanbaatar...
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...
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...
Patagonia has one of the most extensive fleece collections on the market, and their performance-focused Regulator (R) series is designed with active use in mind. Straddling the softshell and fleece categories, the R1 TechFace Hoody takes their popular...
For the best combination of protection and support on the trail, look no further than a hiking boot. Compared to other forms of hiking footwear, boots are epitomized by their mid-height build, which offers best-in-class stability on technical terrain...
New Hampshire-based Nemo is a strong player in the premium backpacking tent space, but their Aurora takes aim at those looking to maximize livability without breaking the bank. Recently updated with more sustainable materials and a stronger...
Is it possible to look like a million bucks, keep sensitive documents concealed, and feel cozy while trotting around the globe? I didn't think so—until I met the Bluffworks Envoy Lightweight Travel Pants. These pants had been on my radar for years...
From short day hikes and summit scrambles to all-day adventures into the backcountry, you’ll want the right pack for the job. Most people carry water and food, a layering piece and rain shell, and a few other accessories like a first-aid kit or...
Recently reintroduced after a multi-season hiatus, Outdoor Research’s Transcendent Hoodie is more backcountry-ready than ever. While past versions of the jacket used low-quality, 650-fill down, the latest Transcendent is packed with lofty...
While traditional mummy-style sleeping bags remain the most popular option for backpackers, those who sleep hot or count ounces are increasingly moving toward more streamlined quilts. Enlightened Equipment was one of the first to offer ultralight...
If your mountain biking gear budget has been stretched thin and you’re tempted to skimp on the helmet, don’t. Skip that extra bit of carbon instead. It’s true, mountain bike helmet prices are creeping up, but we find little reason to complain. For...
REI Co-op entered the world of ultralight backpacking in a big way with the release of their Flash 55 pack. The combination of price, ample storage, and low weight made it a quick favorite, and the second...
Patagonia has one of the most extensive fleece collections on the market, and their performance-focused Regulator (R) series is designed with active use in mind. Straddling the softshell and fleece categories, the R1 TechFace Hoody takes their popular...
For the best combination of protection and support on the trail, look no further than a hiking boot. Compared to other forms of hiking footwear, boots are epitomized by their mid-height build, which offers best-in-class stability on technical terrain...
New Hampshire-based Nemo is a strong player in the premium backpacking tent space, but their Aurora takes aim at those looking to maximize livability without breaking the bank. Recently updated with more sustainable materials and a stronger...
Is it possible to look like a million bucks, keep sensitive documents concealed, and feel cozy while trotting around the globe? I didn't think so—until I met the Bluffworks Envoy Lightweight Travel Pants. These pants had been on my radar for years...
From short day hikes and summit scrambles to all-day adventures into the backcountry, you’ll want the right pack for the job. Most people carry water and food, a layering piece and rain shell, and a few other accessories like a first-aid kit or...
Recently reintroduced after a multi-season hiatus, Outdoor Research’s Transcendent Hoodie is more backcountry-ready than ever. While past versions of the jacket used low-quality, 650-fill down, the latest Transcendent is packed with lofty...
While traditional mummy-style sleeping bags remain the most popular option for backpackers, those who sleep hot or count ounces are increasingly moving toward more streamlined quilts. Enlightened Equipment was one of the first to offer ultralight...
If your mountain biking gear budget has been stretched thin and you’re tempted to skimp on the helmet, don’t. Skip that extra bit of carbon instead. It’s true, mountain bike helmet prices are creeping up, but we find little reason to complain. For...
REI Co-op entered the world of ultralight backpacking in a big way with the release of their Flash 55 pack. The combination of price, ample storage, and low weight made it a quick favorite, and the second...
Patagonia has one of the most extensive fleece collections on the market, and their performance-focused Regulator (R) series is designed with active use in mind. Straddling the softshell and fleece categories, the R1 TechFace Hoody takes their popular...
For the best combination of protection and support on the trail, look no further than a hiking boot. Compared to other forms of hiking footwear, boots are epitomized by their mid-height build, which offers best-in-class stability on technical terrain...
New Hampshire-based Nemo is a strong player in the premium backpacking tent space, but their Aurora takes aim at those looking to maximize livability without breaking the bank. Recently updated with more sustainable materials and a stronger...
Is it possible to look like a million bucks, keep sensitive documents concealed, and feel cozy while trotting around the globe? I didn't think so—until I met the Bluffworks Envoy Lightweight Travel Pants. These pants had been on my radar for years...
From short day hikes and summit scrambles to all-day adventures into the backcountry, you’ll want the right pack for the job. Most people carry water and food, a layering piece and rain shell, and a few other accessories like a first-aid kit or...
Recently reintroduced after a multi-season hiatus, Outdoor Research’s Transcendent Hoodie is more backcountry-ready than ever. While past versions of the jacket used low-quality, 650-fill down, the latest Transcendent is packed with lofty...
While traditional mummy-style sleeping bags remain the most popular option for backpackers, those who sleep hot or count ounces are increasingly moving toward more streamlined quilts. Enlightened Equipment was one of the first to offer ultralight...
If your mountain biking gear budget has been stretched thin and you’re tempted to skimp on the helmet, don’t. Skip that extra bit of carbon instead. It’s true, mountain bike helmet prices are creeping up, but we find little reason to complain. For...
REI Co-op entered the world of ultralight backpacking in a big way with the release of their Flash 55 pack. The combination of price, ample storage, and low weight made it a quick favorite, and the second...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
