Best Ultralight Tents of 2025

Last Updated: June 4, 2025

In the ultralight backpacking world, The Big Three refers to the most important (and heaviest) pieces in your kit: your backpack, sleep system (sleeping bag and pad), and shelter. Shaving a pound or two off of each of these items can go a long way...

Best Softshell Jackets of 2025

Last Updated: June 4, 2025

For high-output activities, it’s hard to beat a softshell jacket. Their breathable and stretchy fabrics offer fantastic performance and a really comfortable fit that moves with you. As long as you don’t take them out in a rain storm, their durable...

Best Backpacking Tents of 2025

Last Updated: May 30, 2025

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...

Best Camping Lanterns of 2025

Last Updated: May 29, 2025

Camping lanterns have come a long way since their inception. Nowadays, the market is flush with modern options that combine impressive brightness alongside fun features like multicolor lighting modes, USB ports for powering your electronics, and even...

Durston X-Mid 2 Tent Review

Last Updated: May 29, 2025

The X-Mid 2-person tent was Durston’s debut product in 2018, and it immediately became one of the most sought-after ultralight trekking pole-supported tents...

Free Fly Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie II Review

Last Updated: May 27, 2025

I’m a sucker for sun hoodies—I love the protection and coverage they offer for everything from climbing to hiking and even everyday wear in the summer months. I’ve tested lots of designs over the years and continually find myself reaching for the Free...

Bushwhacking with Elephants: Crossing Kenya's Aberdare Range

Last Updated: May 23, 2025

"Howl a few times like a hyena when we have some distance between us and an elephant, and we'll try to reconvene in that valley below," Martin wheezed out as we thrashed our way up the bamboo-strewn...

Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2025

Last Updated: May 22, 2025

Everyone exploring the backcountry needs water, but staying hydrated is not as simple as drinking straight from streams and lakes. To protect against protozoa, bacteria, and even viruses, there are myriad water filtration and purification systems built...

Brooks Caldera 8 Trail Running Shoe Review

Last Updated: May 22, 2025

Trail running shoes are a stacked category, and the ones that works best for you depend on your running style, terrain, foot shape, and cushion preferences. I run in dozens of shoes for my job as a footwear tester, but the pair I find myself reaching...

Best Rooftop Tents of 2025

Last Updated: May 20, 2025

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 or fold out from the top of your vehicle and come...

Best Backcountry (Touring) Skis of 2025

Last Updated: May 20, 2025

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 that material and construction technologies are...

Best Hitch Bike Racks of 2025

Last Updated: May 20, 2025

If you’re searching for the best way to transport bikes, hitch-mounted racks are the way to go. Securely attaching to the receiver hitch of your vehicle, they offer unmatched versatility and ease of use. There are a wide range of options to choose from...