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Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides

How to Lace Hiking Boots & Shoes
A hiker in a red rain jacket sitting on a rock to tie his Salomon Quest 4 GTX boots

How to Lace Hiking Boots & Shoes

How many ways can you tie your shoes? If you like to hike, you’ll need more than one.
Cirque of the Towers 3-Day Backpacking Loop – Wind River, WY
alpenglow on a granite craggy ridgeline reflecting over a lake

Cirque of the Towers 3-Day Backpacking Loop – Wind River, WY

The Wind River Range in Wyoming is a place you truly have to see to believe. It’s an outdoor adventurer’s dream come true. Where immense glacier-carved granite spires tower over crystal-clear lakes, rolling meadows, and fields choked with high-alpine wildflowers.
Mount Adams Backpacking Guide

Mount Adams Backpacking Guide

The Mount Adams Wilderness should definitely be on your radar if you’re looking for the rare backpacking adventure in the Pacific Northwest that’s not overcrowded.
Best Women’s Backpacking Gear of 2026
A hiker wearing the Gossamer Gear Gorilla backpack looking at some large mountains in the distance

Best Women’s Backpacking Gear of 2026

We tell you the key differences in women-specific backpacking gear and what we pack for every backcountry visit.
Are Hiking Sandals Really a Thing?

Are Hiking Sandals Really a Thing?

Boots and shoes are still mainstays of the trail, but hiking sandals have a lot of merits that might just make you a convert.
Women’s New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro V9 Review
Close up of the New Balance Fresh Foam Hiero 9 with ferns

Women’s New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro V9 Review

With extra thick cushion from the Fresh Foam X in the midsole, and an extra sticky Vibram outsole these shoes will have you bounding down the trails.
Women’s Topo Athletic MTN Racer 4 Trail Runner Review
close up of a runner holding the Topo Athletic MTN Racer 4

Women’s Topo Athletic MTN Racer 4 Trail Runner Review

This shoe offers incredible traction and comfort by combining a high-cushion midsole with a Vibram outsole, deep lugs, and a secure yet roomy fit.
Women’s Topo Athletic Traverse Trail Runner Review
close up of the Topo Athletic Traverse

Women’s Topo Athletic Traverse Trail Runner Review

Truly skilled on all trail types, this durable, low-drop, moderately cushioned shoe provides plenty of space for your toes.
Women’s Altra Lone Peak 9+ Trail Runner Review
Runner on a bridge wearing the Altra Lone Peak 9+

Women’s Altra Lone Peak 9+ Trail Runner Review

The original Foot Shaped toe box trail shoe is in its ninth edition, sporting a refined upper without compromising its renowned roominess. Luggy tread and moderate cushion make this a contender for hikers, runners, and backpackers alike.
Moon Lence Portable Camping Chair Review
a backpacker stares across a canyon while sitting comfortably in the Moon Lence Portable chair

Moon Lence Portable Camping Chair Review

This chair is affordable and comfortable, but there are tradeoffs, too. Learn more in our first-hand review of this budget option.
Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat Pad Review
close up of the thin foam cushion pods of the Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat sit pad

Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat Pad Review

Backpacking demands redefining “chair.” Thru-hikers and ultralight backpackers might be tempted to add this sit pad to their must-have list of backcountry luxuries.
Women’s Title Nine MVT 7/8 Train Hiking Leggings Review
Woman wearing bright blue leggings in a camouflage like pattern on a hike, with one foot up on a rock, stretching her calf and hamstring. She has curly hair and is wearing a purple rain jacket.

Women’s Title Nine MVT 7/8 Train Hiking Leggings Review

For the hiker who prefers a compression fit with a snug waistband, these leggings are ideal for the active hiker who might even end up jogging downhill for fun.
Helinox Ground Chair Review
Close up of Helinox Ground Chair with rocks and driftwood in the background

Helinox Ground Chair Review

If you’re looking for a stable backpacking chair that lets you extend your legs at camp, this low rider is a top pick.
REI Flexlite Air Stool Review
REI stool set up on the stand in front of gray boulders

REI Flexlite Air Stool Review

We prefer REI’s latest camp stool over the original because it’s lighter, more packable, and carries more weight.
INIU P512 20000 22.5W Power Bank Review
The Iniu 20000 PD power bank sitting on a granite slab while charging a rechargeable Biolite headlamp with the Wallowa Mountains at sunset in the background

INIU P512 20000 22.5W Power Bank Review

With 20,000mAH this bank will keep your electronics powered on a long loop, point-to-point, or thru-hike. Just snuggle up with it at night to keep it’s juice!
REI Flexlite Air Chair Review
Close up of backpacking chair set up in the sand in front of boulders

REI Flexlite Air Chair Review

Lightweight, comfortable, and packable, this chair gives us everything we want from a backpacking chair at a nice price point.
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