Backpacking Reviews
We put the top brands to the test: Salomon, Garmin, Scarpa, Merrell, Keen, The North Face and Patagonia.
Exploring Colorado's Rocky Mountain wilderness with the Aura AG 50.
Credit: Briana Valorosi
Backpacking in your future? Our team of backcountry experts has been taking notes on the best backpacking gear for over 14 years. Our process: we purchase the top 10-20 products in each category (like our top backpacking tents and sleeping pad reviews) and then we send them into the field. After months of use and abuse, in a wide range of conditions, we rate and score how each product performed. Next, we make recommendations and give awards. If you are looking for the lightest load possible, check our our ultralight backpacking section. Whether you dream of hitting the trail with one of our favorite backpacking packs, a pair of hiking boots, or anything in between, let us help.
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Best Picks in Backpacking Reviews
Ultimate Backpacking Gear Checklist
If you are gearing up for backpacking, our comprehensive backpacking list will keep you on track.
First Aid Kits
Nobody wants to need a first aid kit, but if you do, you will be very glad to have the right one. We thoroughly tested...
Down Jackets - Men's
Our experts reviewed 16 of the most promising down jackets available to find the best fitting, the warmest, and the...
Budget Backpacks
We know not everyone wants to pay for a top-tier backpack, so we've ranked some of the best budget backpacks on the...
Trekking Poles
Looking for the best trekking poles for your next hike or backpacking trip? Whether you're concerned with comfort...
Personal Locator Beacons
You seek some level of communication from the wild. We have examined your options and report on our findings for your...
Backpacking Stoves
We've been testing the best backpacking stoves for over a decade, and this current review has our 20 favorites. We...
Portable Solar Chargers
Are you in the market for a new solar setup? We've tested over 100 different solar chargers and panels before...
Base Layers - Women's
Searching for a new base layer top? Our latest review of women's base layers features 21 of the best models available...
Backpacking Water Treatment
What's the best backpacking water filter? For over a decade, we have tested 45 unique models to find out. Our team of...
Sleeping Pads - Men's
No matter what your budget or backpacking style is, we can help you find a pad that will give you the best sleep while...
Backpacking Sleeping Bags - Women's
With so many great products to choose from it's hard to decide what to buy. We help you choose by testing and...
Backpacking Chairs
Have you been stumped by the quest for a comfortable backcountry seat for your rump? We gathered data on countless of...
Multi-tool Knives
We directly compare 22 different models and draw on decades of experience with many more. Our findings are...
Handheld GPS
Looking to improve your backcountry navigation? We bought and tested 4 of the best GPS units on the market to help you...
10 Top Hiking Shoes
We've got you if you're hunting for the best hiking shoe. The 10 best models have been rounded up after testing over...
Backpacking Sleeping Bags - Men's
A sleeping bag is a cornerstone of your overnight kit. Picking the best one isn't easy. To ease the confusion we...
10 Top Hiking Boots
If you've been itching to hit the trails, get your paws on one of the top-rated hiking boots from our selection of the...
Pocket Knives
We are pocket knife experts who understand that you don't need to be a knife expert; you just want a tool to get...
Down Jackets - Women's
As you venture into the mountains or around town, a good down jacket can do wonders to make your adventures more...
Backpacking Packs - Men's
Over the past decade, we've spent hundreds of days testing 13 of the best backpacking packs to give you the needed...
10 Top Rain Jackets
If wet weather is keeping you cooped up inside, get your hands on a top-ranked wet weather winner from our lineup of...
Backpacking Packs - Women's
Ready to go backpacking? We tested the top women's specific backpacks on the market to determine which one is best...
Backpacking Tents
We analyzed hundreds of models before deciding on the top contenders to purchase for testing. We'll help you find the...
Base Layers - Men's
A solid base layer is at the core of keeping you warm, dry, and comfortable as you set out on your next great...
Sporks
Sporks are the perfect utilitarian utensils for eating away from the comfort of home. From workday lunch breaks to...Backpacking Reviews Learning Center
How to Choose the Right Trekking Poles
Ten years ago hardly anyone used trekking poles. Now it's rare to see someone on an overnight adventure without them...
How to Choose a Backpacking Sleeping Pad
We help you find the perfect pad for your next backcountry adventure and let you know where to spend and where to save...
How to Choose a Personal Locator Beacon
What device should you buy and for what application? Below we break it down. Once finished, however, do read our...
How to Choose a Portable Solar Charger or Mini Solar Panel
From weekends in the woods to being a digital nomad in the remote corners of the world, solar panels have their place...
How to Choose the Right Backpacking Backpack
We want to make it easy for you to find the right pack for your next adventure. If you need help sorting through your...
How to Choose a Down Jacket
This article helps you decide which down jacket is the perfect one for you by going into much greater depth about the...Recent Gear Reviews in Backpacking Reviews
Editors' Choice
Rab Electron Pro Review
The Rab Electron Pro comes with all the features you'd want to battle cold weather in the alpine in an...
Editors' Choice
Rab Neutrino Pro - Women's Review
We've been impressed with the Rab Neutrino Pro since we saw guides wearing it at surprisingly high elevations in...
Editors' Choice
Garmin inReach Messenger Plus Review
The Garmin inReach Messenger Plus is the best device on the market with the best service and features. It uses the...
Editors' Choice
Garmin inReach Messenger Review
The Garmin inReach Messenger Plus scores a touch higher than the inReach Messenger because it can send photos and...
Best Buy
Merino.tech 250 Crew - Women's Review
If budget is your top priority and you can afford to skimp on performance features other more expensive base layer...
Editors' Choice
Feathered Friends Egret UL 20 - Women's Review
The highest quality bag in this review, the Feathered Friends Egret UL 20, knocks its competitors off their pedestals...
Editors' Choice
Big Agnes Skyline UL Review
After months of testing backpacking chairs in a wide range of environments, the Big Agnes Skyline UL stands out as the...
Top Pick
Therm-a-Rest Z Seat Review
The Therm-a-Rest Z Seat will make the cut of even the most discriminating ultralight adventurer. You can strap this to...
Editors' Choice
Benchmade 15032 North Fork Review
What makes a super pricey knife twice as good as one that costs half as much? It's the little things. We didn't think...
Best Buy
CRKT Drifter Review
At a quick glance, the CRKT Drifter is an admirable compact blade, perfect for daily use or really any outdoor...
Editors' Choice
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT Review
We are huge fans of the uber-warm Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT. This newest version has everything we've always...
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...
Top Pick
Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7 Review
Adventure Medical Kits has some of the most diverse and highest quality first aid kits available on the market today...
Top Pick
Hiluckey HIS025 25000mAh Power Bank Review
The Hiluckey HIS025 25000mAh Power Bank is a 25,000 mAh battery bank with a small four-panel fold-out solar array...
Top Pick
Black Diamond Pursuit Review
The Black Diamond Pursuit provides exceptional performance at a lower price than other top-of-the-line options. The...
Top Pick
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Review
Weighing in at a mere 10 ounces, the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z wins our Top Pick for Best Lightweight Pole...
Best Buy
Teton Sports 55L Scout Review
The Teton Sports 55L Scout is one of the most budget-friendly backpacking packs that we would actually take...
Editors' Choice
Decathlon Forclaz MT500 Air 50+10 Review
The Decathlon Forclaz MT500 Air 50+10 has all the features you would want in a quality backpacking pack at a very...
Editors' Choice
Granite Gear Blaze 60 Review
The Granite Gear Blaze 60 is one awesome backpack. Almost everything about this pack was perfectly designed, and it...
Top Pick
Osprey Aether 65 Review
Osprey's new Aether 65 builds on the company's well-known pack adjustability systems by adding the ability to extend...
Top Pick
Ultralight Adventure Equipment Circuit Review
The ULA Circuit holds its own against the top traditional packs even as an ultralight-inspired bag. Its simple design...
Top Pick
Deuter Aircontact Core 60+10 SL - Women's Review
If you like to stay organized on your multiday excursions, look no further than the Deuter Aircontact Core. This...
Top Pick
Leatherman Charge+ TTi Review
Leatherman has been designing and building multi-tools for more than 40 years, and the Leatherman Charge+ TTi is the...
Top Pick
Leatherman Signal Review
The Leatherman Signal is the most "outdoorsy" multi-tool we know of. It has multiple features that are endemic to it...
Best Buy
REI Co-op Midweight Half-Zip Review
The REI Co-op Midweight Half-Zip is a warm base layer with more durability than wool. The Goldilocks fabric is not too...
Top Pick
Patagonia Capilene Thermal Weight Zip-Neck - Women's Review
The Patagonia Capilene Thermal Weight Zip-Neck is an excellent layer for maintaining warmth when temperatures drop...
Top Pick
LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Review
If you want a durable and versatile lightweight water filtration system, look no further than the LifeStraw Peak...
Best Buy
Aquamira Water Treatment Drops Review
If you're seeking a bare-bones water treatment approach, the Aquamira Water Treatment Drops is the best out there...
Top Pick
Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody - Women's Review
This latest version of the Arc'teryx Cerium brings a suite of adaptable traits we love for many reasons, winning it...
Best Buy
REI Co-op 650 Down Review
The REI Co-op 650 Down is a basic, hoodless down jacket option that won't break the bank. This is one of the most...
Best Buy
NEMO Aurora 2 Review
With one of the tallest ceilings in the test and more headroom than most backpacking tents, the Nemo Aurora 2 feels...
Best Buy
REI Co-op Trailmade 2 Review
A simple setup, a very reasonable price tag, and a fairly generous floor area make the REI Co-op Trailmade 2 a good...
Best Buy
Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15 Review
The Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15 is our favorite down sleeping bag for those on a budget. While the down...
Best Buy
REI Co-op Trailmade 20 Review
The REI Co-op Trailmade 20 is a high-value choice and one of our top-performing synthetic models. While we tested...
Best Buy
The North Face Cat's Meow - Short Review
The North Face Cat's Meow has been around for years, receiving new iterations periodically. Recently, we decided to...
Top Pick
Goal Zero Nomad 5 Review
If you're prioritizing portability over all else in a portable solar charger, the Goal Zero Nomad 5 is for you. This...
Top Pick
Homestock+ Professional Review
The Homestock+ Professional is our choice for a front-country first aid kit to keep in the car, thanks to its solid...
Best Buy
Meriwool Merino 250 Long Sleeve Review
In many ways, tops like the Meriwool Merino 250 Long Sleeve are helping redefine stereotypes about fine, 100% Merino...
Top Pick
MSR Whisperlite Universal Review
The MSR Whisperlite Universal is our top choice for a liquid fuel stove. When you want all the features that you love...
Top Pick
MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Review
Who says you can only eat freeze-dried food on fast and light missions in the backcountry?! With the lightweight...
Top Pick
Vargo Titanium ULV Review
If shaving ounces from your backpacking kit is a top priority, the Vargo Titanium ULV (Ultra Light Version) is the...
Editors' Choice