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Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides

We hope to inspire adventure and promote wilderness conservation through in-depth gear reviews, skill-based tutorials, and comprehensive trip guides.

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Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2026
a hiker blowing air into a sleeping pad pump sack

Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2026

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 2026
backpacker pouring water into bowl outdoors

Best Backpacking Meals & Food of 2026

Our guide to the best backpacking meals and tips will help you fill your belly and fuel your hikes while out backpacking, camping, and thru-hiking.
Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2026

Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2026

Whether you’re looking to tackle a thru hike or haul some serious gear, we’ve got backpack recommendations for every type of adventure.
Best Backpacking Tents of 2026
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 2026

We put the top-performing backpacking tents on the market through the wringer to find the best balance of comfort, weight, ease of use, and more. Find your new home-away-from home with our guide.
Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2026
A man sits up in a sleeping bag with the hood over his head. He is smiling and looking off camera.

Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2026

Our list of trail-tested backpacking sleeping bags will help you find a cozy sack for everything from summer summits to winter wanderings.
Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2026
A hiker pumps with the msr guardian filter. the pre filter is submerged in murky water and a nalgene bottle is attached to the bottom of the filter.

Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2026

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

Oiselle Roga Women’s Hiking Shorts Review
A woman wearing a pair of purple running shorts jogs across a wooden bridge.

Oiselle Roga Women’s Hiking Shorts Review

Last Updated: June 12, 2026
These shorts are remarkably soft, breathable, lightweight, making them great for trail runners and fast-paced hikers who don’t mind compromising on storage and coverage.
Best Camping Hammocks of 2026
A backpacker relaxing in a red Eno Ultralight Sub6 hammock near a mountain lake in the Enchantments

Best Camping Hammocks of 2026

Last Updated: June 11, 2026
From ultra-customizable options for experienced hammock campers to budget designs that wowed us, all of our picks make it easy to get a good night’s sleep suspended off the ground.
Best Hiking Shorts for Women 2026
Close-up image of a woman in hiking shorts standing on a rocky outcropping with a view of the trail and forest below.

Best Hiking Shorts for Women 2026

Last Updated: June 11, 2026
From sunny summits to rugged trails, our handpicked selection of the best women’s hiking shorts will keep you comfortable, dry and stylish on every trek.
Warbonnet Ridgerunner Hammock Review
A man lies in a hammock in the woods at sunset.

Warbonnet Ridgerunner Hammock Review

Published: June 11, 2026
This bridge-style hammock is remarkably comfortable and comes with a nice set of premium features, including a dark bug net that makes for great stargazing.
Grand Trunk Air Bivy Hammock Kit Review
A man hangs in an orange hammock with a tarp behind him in a forest.

Grand Trunk Air Bivy Hammock Kit Review

Published: June 11, 2026
This hammock-and-tarp kit is appealing for budget-conscious campers and backpackers with an impressive combination of comfort, ease of use, and price.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 2 Backpacking Tent Review

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 2 Backpacking Tent Review

Last Updated: June 10, 2026
This tent features a tried-and-true ultralight platform with thoughtful details that set it apart from the gram-saving competitors.
Best Hiking Shorts for Men of 2026
Waist-down view of a hiker standing on a rocky trail in the men's Patagonia Quandary hiking shorts

Best Hiking Shorts for Men of 2026

Last Updated: June 10, 2026
Discover your new favorite trail-ready hiking shorts from Patagonia, prAna, REI, and more. Our experts bring you tailored suggestions for the best in comfort, durability, and style from trail to town.
Best Backpacking Tents of 2026
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 2026

Last Updated: June 10, 2026
We put the top-performing backpacking tents on the market through the wringer to find the best balance of comfort, weight, ease of use, and more. Find your new home-away-from home with our guide.
Men’s Janji 5″ Multi Shorts Review
A man walks up a rocky ridgeline with snowy mountains and the ocean in the distance.

Men’s Janji 5″ Multi Shorts Review

Published: June 10, 2026
These lightweight, durable shorts offer quick-dry performance and versatile storage, designed for moving fast on trail and for training, with reliable comfort for all-day pursuits.
Men’s REI Flash Shorts Review
A closeup of blue shorts worn on a man standing on a trail.

Men’s REI Flash Shorts Review

Published: June 10, 2026
These lightweight shorts offer quick-drying comfort, breathable performance, and unrestricted mobility, making them a versatile choice for hiking, running, and warm-weather adventures.
Men’s Terignota Sendero Shorts Review
A close-up view of a logo on a pair of shorts.

Men’s Terignota Sendero Shorts Review

Published: June 10, 2026
These shorts feature an innovative cargo-carrying system, provide all-day comfort, and offer lightweight performance at an accessible price point for any budget.
Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2026
A hiker pumps with the msr guardian filter. the pre filter is submerged in murky water and a nalgene bottle is attached to the bottom of the filter.

Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2026

Last Updated: June 8, 2026
We’ve filtered out the nonsense to bring you our purest recommendations of the best water filters around.
Men’s La Sportiva Ultra Raptor III Review
Person wearing olive green and black hiking shoes with red details on a rocky terrain.

Men’s La Sportiva Ultra Raptor III Review

Last Updated: June 8, 2026
This hiking shoe delivers durable protection, secure stability, and grippy traction for rugged terrain and technical trails, perfect for demanding routes in varied conditions.
Men’s La Sportiva Prodigio 2 Review
Person wearing blue and orange running shoes on a dirt path.

Men’s La Sportiva Prodigio 2 Review

Last Updated: June 8, 2026
Tackle your next fast-and-light hike into the mountains with these high-performance trail-running shoes.
Men’s On Cloudrock Low Waterproof Hiking Shoes Review
Close-up of feet in brown hiking shoes on a forest floor with pine needles and a pine cone.

Men’s On Cloudrock Low Waterproof Hiking Shoes Review

Published: June 8, 2026
This waterproof hiking shoe delivers dependable wet-weather protection and rugged durability for long days on the trail, keeping feet dry and comfortable in challenging conditions.
Men’s Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 Review
Hiker using trekking poles on a rocky, grassy slope.

Men’s Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 Review

Published: June 8, 2026
This rugged mountain hiking shoe delivers technical performance and excellent traction for those tackling challenging alpine terrain, rocky scrambles, and muddy backcountry trails.
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