Backpacking

We put the top brands to the test: Salomon, Garmin, Scarpa, Merrell, Keen, The North Face and Patagonia.

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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10 Top Solar Chargers

Backpacking 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 Solar Power Bank

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...

Best Picks in Backpacking

Ultimate Backpacking Gear Checklist

If you are gearing up for backpacking, our comprehensive backpacking list will keep you on track.

Backpacking Packs

Over the past decade, we've spent hundreds of days testing the market's top backpacking packs to give you the needed...

Backpacking Water Treatment

What's the best backpacking water filter? For over a decade, we have tested up to 50 unique models to find out. Our...

Trekking Poles

Looking for the best trekking poles for your next hike or backpacking trip? Whether you're concerned with comfort...

Backpacking Sleeping Pads

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

A sleeping bag is a cornerstone of your overnight kit. Picking the best one isn't easy. To ease the confusion we...

Backpacking Stoves

We've been testing the best backpacking stoves for over a decade, and this current review has our favorites. We...

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 for Women

From icy trailheads to stormy ski days, a well-designed down jacket can mean the difference between shivering on the...

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...

Multi-tool Knives

We directly compare 23 different multitools and draw on decades of experience with many more. Our findings are...

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...

Down Jackets for Men

Our experts tested 26 of the most promising down jackets available to find the best fitting, the warmest, and the most...

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...

Satellite Communicators

You seek some level of communication from the wild. We have examined your options and report on our findings for your...

Backpacking Tents

We analyzed hundreds of models before deciding on the top contenders to purchase for testing. We'll help you find the...

Solar Power Banks

Are you in the market for a solar power bank? We've tested over 100 different portable solar chargers and panels...

Backpacking Packs for Women

Ready to go backpacking? We tested the top women's specific backpacks on the market to determine which one is best...

Base Layers for Men

A solid base layer is at the core of keeping you warm, dry, and comfortable as you set out on your next great...

Backpacking Chairs

Have you been stumped by the quest for a comfortable backcountry seat for your rump? We gathered data on countless of...

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...

Handheld GPS

Looking to improve your backcountry navigation? We bought and tested 4 of the best GPS units on the market to help you...

Backpacking Sleeping Bags for Women

With so many great products to choose from it's hard to decide what to buy. We help you choose by testing and...

Base Layers for Women

Searching for a new base layer top? Our latest review of women's base layers features 21 of the best models available...

Sporks

Sporks are the perfect utilitarian utensils for eating away from the comfort of home. From workday lunch breaks to...

Backpacking

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Backpacking Learning Center

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