Ad-free. Influence-free. Powered by Testing.
GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison.
Learn MoreTop Sections
Hiking, Backpacking & Camping
The Ultimate Backpacking Checklist
Looking for a quality backpacking gear packing list to help you prepare for an upcoming trip. Our backpacking expert...
Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads
A great night of sleep in the backcountry can be a challenge, but if you choose a lightweight, packable sleeping pad...
The Best Camping Chairs
The perfect camping chair balances portability with ergonomic support and rugged durability for seasons of use...Men's Clothing
The Best Fleece Jackets for Men
Whether there's a slight chill or it's downright frigid, a fleece jacket is the classic cool-weather layer. The best...
The Best Rain Jackets for Men
Is a storm brewing? Whether you're running out the door to catch a bus or braving the elements while tackling outdoor...
The Best Hiking Pants for Men
Whether you're sauntering out on a day hike or putting in the miles on a backpacking trip, you want a pair of pants...Women's Clothing
The Best Rain Jackets for Women
When the skies go dark, it's comforting to know you have the right tool for the task: a great rain jacket. Whether you...
The Best Fleece Jackets for Women
A great fleece is versatile, durable, and most of all, keeps you toasty when the temperature dips. Our test team's...
Best Sun Protection Shirts for Women
In the heat of summer, keeping your skin protected from UV damage can feel like a full-time job. While it's always a...Shoes & Boots
Hiking Boots (Men's & Women's), Hiking Shoes (Men's & Women's), Trail Running Shoes (Men's & Women's) or see all in Footwear
The Best Barefoot Shoes for Women
Our field testing team is full of movement artists and runners of all types, who cover a variety of terrain types...
The Best Barefoot Shoes
We know "barefoot shoe" sounds contradictory, but these shoes aim to offer minimal material between your foot and the...
The Best Sandals for Women
A good pair of sandals supports your feet during summer adventures, whether that includes backyard BBQs, morning...Climbing
Best Climbing Gear
Welcome to the Holy Grail of climbing gear lists! Here you will find our top picks: the gear our climber-testers would...
The Best Approach Shoes
Rock climbers need special sticky rubber shoes on the wall, but it helps to have a technical shoe with strategically...
The Best Climbing Shoes
For over a decade, we have purchased and tested the best climbing shoes to test side-by-side. Our team of certified...Biking
The Best Mountain Bike Pedals
Pedals are two of the five contact points you have with our bike and can drastically affect your performance and...
Best Bike Gear
We put together our dream team of bike-related products and accessories -- everything we would choose for our perfect...
10 Best Bike Helmets | Impact Tested & Ranked
A good helmet is a non-negotiable regardless of the route you choose to take, as it can significantly reduce the risk...Snow Sports
The Best Climbing Skins for Backcountry Skiing
Climbing skins make backcountry skiing possible – if you can't get up, you can't ski down. Among all of the...
The Best Backcountry Ski Bindings
While the skis matter, it's the bindings that are really the difference between "resort skis" and "touring skis". As...
The Best Splitboard Bindings
It is easy to put a lot of energy into researching your first board or the next board in the quiver. The case could be...Paddling
Best Water Gear
With the right gear, staying active and enjoying warm, sunny days on the water is easy. Our gear list features only...
Best Inflatable Kayaks
Want a kayak but have a small car or limited storage space? Inflatable kayaks are packable and portable, and they are...
Best Paddle Boards
Stand Up Paddle boards (SUPs) are one of our favorite ways to spend a relaxing day out on the water. The most popular...Fitness
Best Running Gear
We have hands-on experience with almost every type of gear you may need as a runner, and even some that you don't (but...
The Best Yoga Mats
A great yoga mat is so much more than just a slab of squishy material for child's pose. You want enough grip to keep...
Best Exercise Equipment
No matter where you are in your fitness journey, adding to your personal gym will help you get moving from the comfort...Travel
The Ultimate Travel Packing List
Planning your next getaway and wondering what you need to pack for your travels? Our expert travel gear editors have...
10 Best Travel Bags
Vacation is fun, lugging around a bag with wobbly wheels or an uncomfortable strap is not. Your luggage should...
The Best Duffel Bags
A duffel can be a catch-all, carry-all, do-everything sort of bag. Whether you want it to hold it all for your next...Recent Gear Reviews
See all recent product reviews
Top Pick
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Review
The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT is the best option for anyone wanting to reduce the weight of their overnight kit...
Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro Insulated Review
The Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro Insulated is a comfortable, incredibly warm sleeping pad designed for winter...
Top Pick
Onetigris Tigerblade Review
The Onetigris Tigerblade stood apart from the competition thanks to its durable, high quality, and sturdy collapsible...
REI Co-op Flexlite Review
The REI Co-op Flexlite is a worthy consideration perfect choice for anyone prioritizing an ultralight and packable...
Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus Review
The Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus builds on the trusted Iridium network, adding audio and photo messaging, as well as a...
Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review
The Garmin GPSMAP 67i is a full-featured handheld navigator with integrated inReach satellite technology, making it...
Therm-A-Rest Z Lite Sol Review
The Therm-A-Rest Z Lite Sol is an affordable, reliable closed-cell foam pad. It hasn't changed in years because you...GearLab Learning Center
See all recent Learning Center articles
