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Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides

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Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2025
A backpacker holding the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite in Yosemite National Park

Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2025

Whether you’re looking for inflatable or foam, ultralight or ultra-plush, we’ll help you get a great night’s sleep in the backcountry with our trail-tested picks…
Best Backpacking Meals & Food of 2025
A hiker eating from a titanium backpacking pot in a lush, green forest

Best Backpacking Meals & Food of 2025

Backpacking Food Meal planning is one of the most important considerations for any backpacking trip. The food you choose will depend on taste preference, nutritional value, caloric density of each meal, and how easy it is to cook. Some hikers bring dehydrated meals because they’re quick and easy. Others prepare DIY dinner recipes and use […]
Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2025

Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2025

Our team of seasoned backcountry experts hiked thousands of miles using the best backpacking packs on the market to narrow down this list of…
Best Backpacking Tents of 2025
The NEMO Hornet OSMO 2 and Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 backpacking tents pitched in a campsite surrounded by granite peaks in the Sawtooth Mountains

Best Backpacking Tents of 2025

We put the most promising backpacking tents on the market through the wringer to find the ones with the best balance of comfort, weight…
Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2025
A backpacker sitting on a rock in the REI Magma 30 sleeping bag at sunset

Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2025

From summer summits to winter wanderings, our trail-tested list of the best backpacking sleeping bags will keep you warm and cozy in…
Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2025
Closeup of the Sawyer Squeeze water filter in front of an alpine lake

Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2025

We’ve filtered out the nonsense to bring you our purest recommendations of the best water filters around.

All Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides Content

Arc’teryx Cerium Down Hoody Review
A man shoveling snow from around the vestibule of his tent. It's a sunny day, and snow is flying through the air from the shovel.

Arc’teryx Cerium Down Hoody Review

Published: February 7, 2025
Looking for unmatched warmth in a sleek, lightweight design? This alpine mid-layer balances high-performance insulation, packability, and weather resistance, excelling in outdoor adventures and everyday wear.
Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Hoody Review
A person wearing sunglasses and the Mountain Hardwear StretchDown Hoody with the hood up, standing in a snowy forest.

Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Hoody Review

Published: February 7, 2025
A durable and stretchy down jacket offering excellent mobility, cozy warmth, and versatility for outdoor activities and casual wear, ideal for shoulder seasons and active adventures.
10 Best Hydration Mixes & Electrolyte Powders of 2025
Semi-aerial view of dozens of electrolyte powders and mixes on a camping table

10 Best Hydration Mixes & Electrolyte Powders of 2025

Last Updated: February 6, 2025
Sip, sip, hooray! We’ve trail-tested the most flavorful, nutritious, and delicious hydration mixes out there so you can stay fueled up on your adventures.
Women’s Brooks Catamount 4 Review
Brooks Women's Catamount 4 close up on trail

Women’s Brooks Catamount 4 Review

Published: February 6, 2025
Built for speed with plenty of cushion and just enough traction to grip a wide variety of terrain without compromising weight, these shoes will propel you up and down the trail.
Kelty Late Start 2 Budget Tent Review
Inside view of the Kelty Late Start 2 interior showing the mesh walls, bathtub floor and floor space. Dry patches of grass and scattered bushes in the background

Kelty Late Start 2 Budget Tent Review

Published: February 5, 2025
This model is a unique twist on the classic dome-style tent with convenient corner pockets for a quick and effortless setup. The color-coded rainfly has pre-attached guy lines that are ready to use or stow away in their individual pockets.
Spacious Budget Tent: Mountainsmith Morrison EVO 2 Review
A Mountainsmith Morrison EVO 2 tent set up in the wilderness, with pine trees, fallen logs, and large boulders in the background.

Spacious Budget Tent: Mountainsmith Morrison EVO 2 Review

Published: February 5, 2025
This is an exceptionally large 2-person, three-season tent that offers unmatched interior space and a plethora of storage options. With oversized dual doors and vestibules and eleven interior pockets including loft and door stow pockets, this tent comes stacked with great storage options and plenty of space.
Naturehike Cloud Up 2 Review
The Naturehike CloudUp 2 pitched on a hilltop, showcasing its unique profile from the rear. Rolling hills and blue sky are visible in the background.

Naturehike Cloud Up 2 Review

Published: February 5, 2025
This is a lightweight crossover tent with a Y-hub pole structure allowing for fast setup and ample tension pullouts for increased ventilation – a good choice for a smaller tent that works in the frontcountry and can even handle small treks into the backcountry.
MontBell Plasma 1000 Down Parka Full Review
A person wearing the MontBell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka, standing outdoors on a snowy trail while adjusting the front zipper.

MontBell Plasma 1000 Down Parka Full Review

Published: February 5, 2025
Ultralight and incredibly warm, this down jacket is perfect for thru-hikers and backcountry travelers seeking exceptional warmth-to-weight performance for minimalist, three-season adventures.
REI Magma 850 Down Hoodie Review
Person standing in a snowy forest wearing the REI Magma 850 Down Hoody, facing sideways with the hood up.

REI Magma 850 Down Hoodie Review

Published: February 5, 2025
A lightweight, versatile down jacket with great warmth, packability, and thoughtful features. It’s sustainably made and balances performance with comfort, ideal for backpacking or around town.
8000+ Miles Logged: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Hoody Review
A person sits in a red tent pitched on snow, wearing a lightweight down jacket with snow-covered boots.

8000+ Miles Logged: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Hoody Review

Published: February 5, 2025
This ultralight and packable down jacket is built for adventure. With an exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio and compact design, it’s the ultimate choice for backpackers, climbers, and anyone pushing the limits outdoors.
Wet Weather Warrior: Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie Review
A person wearing the Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoody with the hood up, surrounded by a snowy forest landscape.

Wet Weather Warrior: Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie Review

Published: February 5, 2025
This rugged down jacket combines high-quality insulation and waterproof fabric for durability and moisture resistance, making it perfect for shoulder-season adventures in light rain, snow, and freezing temperatures. Reliable and versatile.
Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Parka Review
A man walks down a rocky ridge over an ocean view in the winter.

Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Parka Review

Published: February 5, 2025
Combining premium down insulation with stretchy, durable fabric, this parka offers unmatched warmth and freedom of movement.
Six Moon Designs Skyscape Scout Budget Tent Review
View of the Six Moon Designs Skyscape Scout with the vestibules and inner door rolled back showing a backpack and sleeping bag inside. Large rock pinnacles and desert landscape in the background.

Six Moon Designs Skyscape Scout Budget Tent Review

Published: February 4, 2025
Taking inspiration from Six Moon Designs’ popular Skyscape Trekker Model, the Skyscape Scout’s features are similar, but it’s instead constructed of a more affordable 190T polyester material, making exceptional lightweight gear more accessible.
Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket Review
A man in a puffy jacket smiles as he walks through a desert canyon.

Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket Review

Published: February 4, 2025
Warm and durable, with 800-fill down and weather-resistant fabric, this retro-inspired jacket is perfect for outdoor adventures or everyday wear. It effortlessly balances style, comfort, and performance.
Rab Neutrino Pro Down Jacket Review
A man in winter gear hikes through deep snow in a field.

Rab Neutrino Pro Down Jacket Review

Published: February 4, 2025
Packed with hydrophobic down and offering unbeatable warmth, this jacket is lightweight, water-resistant, and built for extreme cold.
REI Stormhenge 850 Hybrid Winter Jacket Review
A man snowshoes through a blizzard

REI Stormhenge 850 Hybrid Winter Jacket Review

Published: February 4, 2025
Perfect for hiking or everyday wear, this jacket features responsibly sourced down, breathable fabric, and smart features for all your adventures.
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