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Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides

Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad Review
a sea to summit ultralight insulated sleeping pad inflated in a backpacking tent with an ultralight pack and pod beside it.

Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad Review

Published: November 15, 2024
It’s nice when a pad doesn’t break your bank or your back. This version’s simple and clever design features provide you with a reliable and cushioned sleep.
Zion Traverse Backpacking Guide

Zion Traverse Backpacking Guide

Last Updated: November 13, 2024
Also called the Trans-Zion Trek is a gorgeous full plate sampler of the Kolob Canyons, Hop Valley, Wilcat Canyon, Horse Pasture Plateau and the West Rim with Zion Canyon as its centerpiece.
100+ Best Gifts for Hikers: Expert-Tested Gear

100+ Best Gifts for Hikers: Expert-Tested Gear

Last Updated: November 13, 2024
Give the gift that gets them outside with our guide to the best gifts for hikers and backpackers.
NEMO Tensor Trail Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad Review
A man stands next to a lake gripping a large yellow inflatable camping pad.

NEMO Tensor Trail Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad Review

Last Updated: November 12, 2024
Thick, cushy, quiet, and very comfortable (even for side-sleepers), this ultralight pad is a perfect companion for summer backpacking trips that stay above freezing temps at night.
Zpacks Vertice Rain Jacket Review
a hiker with their hood up in a forest in the rain.

Zpacks Vertice Rain Jacket Review

Last Updated: November 11, 2024
This featherweight shell provides excellent coverage, is incredibly breathable, and is surprisingly durable for how light it is.
Zion Narrows Top Down Backpacking Guide
A hiker wearing an Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultralight Backpack in a slot canyon in Utah

Zion Narrows Top Down Backpacking Guide

Last Updated: November 11, 2024
One of the nation’s deepest and longest slot canyons, The Narrows is the consummate epic adventure. Sheer walls of sandstone reach thousands of feet above the North Fork of the Virgin River, framing blue slivers of sky while lush hanging gardens pulsate from the canyon walls.
CleverHiker Gear Guide

CleverHiker Gear Guide

Last Updated: November 11, 2024
Trail-tested recommendations on the best hiking, backpacking, and camping gear for maximizing comfort, minimizing weight, and increasing smiles.
15 Winter Camping Tips
A hiker situating a sleeping bag in a 4-season tent on a winter camping trip

15 Winter Camping Tips

Last Updated: November 7, 2024
The magic of winter camping, where snowfall transforms familiar trails into pristine wilderness adventures. Experience the profound satisfaction of wandering through untouched powder on snowshoes and digging your own sanctuary for a cozy camp.
Winter Camping Checklist
two tents pitched in the snow with mt hood in the distance

Winter Camping Checklist

Last Updated: November 7, 2024
When you go into the backcountry during the harshest season of the year, it pays to have the right equipment to keep…
Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon Backpacking Guide

Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon Backpacking Guide

Last Updated: November 6, 2024
Located in the Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness of Utah and Arizona, this spectacular and unique hike winds through one of the deepest and longest slot canyons in the world.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm NXT Sleeping Pad Review

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm NXT Sleeping Pad Review

Last Updated: November 5, 2024
One of the best warmth-to-weight ratios of any sleeping pad on the market, but is it worth the spendy price tag? We put the new iteration to the test to see how it holds up to real-world conditions.
Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2024
A backpacker holding the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite in Yosemite National Park

Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2024

Last Updated: November 5, 2024
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…
NEMO Tensor All-Season Sleeping Pad Review
the nemo tensor all-season sleeping pad inflated for display on an alpine meadow with a rocky mountain backdrop on a sunny day

NEMO Tensor All-Season Sleeping Pad Review

Published: November 5, 2024
An ultralight, technical pad for all 4-seasons. It delivers a low decibel, comfortable, warm sleep, with a premium feeling top fabric and a protective bottom material.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Review
A man stands outdoors, holding a large yellow sleeping pad, with forest and mountains in the background.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Review

Last Updated: November 1, 2024
A global best-seller and one of our favorite backpacking sleeping pads for years just one-upped itself with a lofty 3 inches of insulation and 6x quieter design.
Zpacks Duplex Zip Tent Review
A hiker adjusting the Zpacks Duplex Zip in a plateau with mountains in the background.

Zpacks Duplex Zip Tent Review

Last Updated: November 1, 2024
We put 500 miles on the Zpacks Duplex Zip to see how it stacks up against the best ultralight tents on the market.
Aquamira Water Purification Drops Review
Closeup of Part A and Part B Aquamira dropper bottles

Aquamira Water Purification Drops Review

Last Updated: October 30, 2024
These purification drops are a popular water treatment option among backpackers because they’re affordable, lightweight and easy to use.
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