Hiking Gear Reviews

We’ve tested hiking gear from Salomon, Patagonia, The North Face, Merrell, Scarpa, Keen, Lowa, and more.

Is hiking your jam or a favorite of your furry friend? Our hiking experts have hit miles of trails with friends and canines to test the best hiking gear under the sun. Our trail enthusiasts buy and test every product for a truly unbiased view of everything, from the best hiking boots and top hiking shoes to daypack reviews and our favorite hydration packs. Our final test results can ensure you’re ready for whatever the journey brings.

Most Popular

Best Picks in Hiking Gear Reviews

Hiking Shorts - Women's

Planning for an upcoming hike? We've reviewed a handful of the year's best hiking shorts with varying inseams to...

Best Hiking Gear

Our experts list our favorite hiking gear picks so you can have the best experience on the trail.

Personal Locator Beacons

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

Wind Jackets - Men's

Windbreakers are a lightweight, packable, cost-effective alternative to burlier outer layers and are great for keeping...

Sunglasses - Men's

Searching for the perfect shades? We sifted through hundreds of options before selecting these 14 most promising pairs...

Rain Pants - Men's

Choosing a pair of rain pants is an unwanted bear of a task. We've done the dirty work, which involves sorting through...

Rain Pants - Women's

We analyzed over 30 models before purchasing the best 10 to put through extensive testing, so you don't have to...

Laptop Backpacks

We've loaded up our laptops, binders, and books in each of these for work, to travel across the globe, and to battle...

Hydration Packs

Are you ready for a new hydration pack? Whether you're replacing an older model or looking to try one for the first...

Daypacks - Men's

Determining the ideal daypack in the market and selecting the best option for you, your requirements, and your budget...

10 Top Down Jackets

We're constantly testing the best down jackets on all our adventures. We tested down jackets for women and men, and...

Daypacks - Women's

If you're a woman in the market for a daypack, we can help. We considered 80+ different models and chose 11 of the...

Sun Shirts - Women's

In the market for a UV-protective sun shirt? Each year, we test the most interesting, most popular, and highest-rated...

10 Top Backpacks

We're always looking for the best backpacks to fuel our adventures. We tested hundreds of models this year and these...

GPS Sports Watches

Looking for the perfect GPS watch? Our experts spent hours looking over options before choosing 16 of the most popular...

Cheap Sunglasses

Hunting for affordable sunnies? We checked out hundred of pairs before selecting the 17 best cheap sunglasses on the...

Umbrellas

When the weather goes sideways, you want an umbrella that won't. In this review, we tested 12 of the industry's...

10 Top Softshell Jackets

Softshell jackets are a rare class of garment that offers a blend of weather resistance and breathability, making them...

Softshell Jackets - Men's

We've spent years putting softshell jackets to the test, unearthing the best options for a variety of uses. Whether...

Softshell Jackets - Women's

Finding the best softshell can be a challenging task due to the multitude of options available. Our experienced...

Sun Hats

We evaluated over 50 models and purchased 20, which our team of experts put through extensive side-by-side testing. We...

Binoculars

What are the best binoculars? We took 16 different models through rigorous outdoor testing to find out. We went...

Rain Jackets - Men's

Whether you need an all-around rain jacket or one suited for specific types of applications or budgets, we have a pick...

Sports Sunglasses

Looking for the best pair of sport sunglasses available? We researched 100+ models and then bought the 24 best for our...

Sunglasses - Women's

Ready to don your perfect pair of shades? We researched hundreds of options before choosing the most promising 15...

Hiking Pants - Men's

This side-by-side hiking pants review looks at pairs that are light and airy, as well as heavy and durable, for hiking...

Hydration Bladders

Searching for the best hydration bladder? Our experts have personally tested today's top models for hiking, running...

Handheld GPS

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

Walkie Talkies

We put 9 radios to a head-to-head test after exhaustive research on all of the top models on the market. After months...

Hiking Shoes - Men's

We selected the top hiking shoes and put them to the test. After months of hiking on all types of trails, we wrote the...

Hiking Shoes - Women's

We're here to help you sort through the options for the best women's hiking shoes. We tested the market's leading...

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...

Sling Bags

Looking for a sling-style bag to hit the trail, commute to work, or navigate airports? We tested 17 top-selling...

Hiking Boots - Men's

We've done the homework on men's hiking boots, buying the most popular models, hiking many miles on varied terrain...

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...

Water Bottles

We're at it again, testing this year's best water bottles. There are some familiar vessels but most are new contenders...

Fleece Jackets - Men's

Looking for a new fleece for the colder months? We purchased the top 16 fleece jackets and rigorously tested them to...

10 Top Fleece Jackets

Over the last 10 years, we've bought and tested over 124 fleece jackets to bring you the best options on the market...

Hiking Pants - Women's

To help you find your next pair of women's hiking pants, we've tested over 60 models over 10 years to bring you the...

Hiking Boots - Women's

Now is the time to invest in your next pair of hiking boots. But where to begin? We have narrowed down the options to...

Rain Jackets - Women's

Looking for the perfect rain jacket to fit your active lifestyle? We have tested over 40 models in the past decade to...

Sun Protection Shirts

Finding the right UPF-rated sun shirt can be a challenge. To help, we've picked the best options on the market and put...

10 Top Trail Running Shoes

If you need a pair of trail running shoes, since 2013, we've tested more than 300 pairs in preparation for this...

10 Top Sunglasses

Whether you need a pair of sunglasses for a garden party, a trail run, or ripping down a mountain on your new mountain...

Trail Running Shoes - Women's

Searching for your next trail running shoe? With our expert advice and experience testing various models this season...

Winter Gloves

Determined to find the best winter gloves for your needs, we researched 30 of the best options on the market before...

Trekking Poles

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

Fleece Jackets - Women's

Seeking a deliciously warm fleece jacket? After looking over the best contenders on the market, we chose 11 of the...

Wind Jackets - Women's

Searching for the essential layer for just about any three-season adventure? For the last 9 years, we've tested the...

Hiking Shorts - Men's

Hiking shorts are an essential piece of equipment for spring and summer adventures. We buy and test the best...

Best Patagonia

We have exposed ourselves to the weather for over a decade to test over 270 different Patagonia goods, including more...

Hiking Socks

Is a bomber hiking sock the next thing on your adventure gear list? We spent countless hours researching, purchasing...

Energy Bars

With literally hundreds of choices available in the energy bar world, it can be hard to figure out which are the best...

Hats - Women's

After perusing over 100 of the best hats for women on the market, we selected 8 to test side by side. We wore each...

Budget Rain Jackets - Women's

Not everyone needs an expensive coat that can withstand a hurricane. We pitted the top budget options head to head to...

Budget Wind Jackets - Women's

Searching for that final layer to keep you cozy? Over the course of 8 years, we've tested a huge range of...

Headlamps

Need a headlamp? Our comprehensive review is here to help. We researched over 50 models before subjecting the best 27...

Hiking Gear Reviews Learning Center

How To Choose Binoculars For Your Needs and Budget

Binoculars are probably the world's most used optical instrument. That's not to say that telescopes don't have their...

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 Hiking Pants

Choosing the correct hiking pant can be a difficult task, with many different factors going into your decision. In...

How to Choose a Daypack for Hiking

A daypack is a simple purchase, with complicated ramifications. A good day pack will accompany you for far more than...

How to Choose the Right Rain Jacket

A rain jacket that keeps you dry when the skies let loose may be the first piece of performance outdoor clothing you...

How to Choose Hiking Boots

Why buy a pair of hiking boots when the salesperson at the local gear shop told you that all hikers are wearing trail...

Recent Gear Reviews in Hiking Gear Reviews

Best Buy

Hugut Lightweight Cargo - Women's Review

The Hugut Lightweight Cargo shorts are very affordable and relatively functional for days when you are moving...