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Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides

REI Trail Hut 2 Budget Tent Review
A tent with no fly on sits in a grassy field with a sunset in the background.

REI Trail Hut 2 Budget Tent Review

Published: February 3, 2025
This is an easy to use, compact, and dome-style tent with increased interior space from an included ridge pole.
Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Outfitter Budget Tent Review
campers at their tent site during alpenglow on the flanks of mt. hood

Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo Outfitter Budget Tent Review

Published: February 3, 2025
This is a spacious two-person backpacking tent that weighs only 3.7 pounds at a very reasonable price; it is constructed of 190T polyester and 40D mesh with dual doors and vestibules and dual curved poles for increased headroom.
Tarptent StratoSpire 2 Budget Tent Review
The Tarptent Stratospire 2 pitched with the rainfly and one vestibule door open, revealing the inner mesh and sleeping bag inside. Desert landscape with distant mountains in the background.

Tarptent StratoSpire 2 Budget Tent Review

Published: February 3, 2025
As an ultralight non-freestanding shelter built with functionality, versatility, and comfort in mind, this tent is equipped with a plethora of features, thoughtfully designed, and constructed for an array of situations and adverse conditions.
Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket Review
A person standing in snowy terrain wearing the Rab Microlight Alpine jacket fully zipped with the hood up for maximum protection.

Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket Review

Published: February 3, 2025
Built for cold-weather adventures, this jacket combines 700-fill hydrophobic down with a Pertex Quantum shell for reliable warmth and durability. Ideal for climbing and mountaineering, it’s a top choice for those prioritizing insulation over weight.
Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody Review
Front view of a person smiling while wearing the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody with the hood fully zipped, standing in a snowy landscape with trees in the background.

Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody Review

Published: February 3, 2025
This versatile down jacket offers warmth, comfort, and weather resistance for cool-weather adventures. Though not the lightest, it excels in moderate conditions and is a reliable choice for everyday use.
Best Budget Down Jacket: REI 650 Review
A man in a blue REI 650 Down Jacket stands with his hands in his pockets, gazing off into the snowy forest during an early winter evening.

Best Budget Down Jacket: REI 650 Review

Published: February 3, 2025
This lightweight, budget-friendly down jacket excels in warmth, packability, and versatility. It is ideal for everyday wear and casual outdoor activities in cooler conditions.
Best Winter Boots for Women of 2025
All the boots we tested are lined up on top of the snow with mountains in the background.

Best Winter Boots for Women of 2025

Published: February 2, 2025
We’ve braved the winter chill to find top-notch boots that blend function with fashion. These winter wonders will keep you stomping away with confidence.
Best Winter Jackets for Women of 2025
a woman zipping the fjallraven nuuk

Best Winter Jackets for Women of 2025

Last Updated: January 31, 2025
We tested this year’s finest winter jackets and parkas this winter in Colorado, Montana, and British Columbia to bring you a complete guide to the best winter coats on the market. These kept us feeling stylish and toasty in howling winds, driving snow, wintery mixes, and sub-zero temperatures.
Testing an $80 Tent: Clostnature Polaris 2 Review
The Clostnature Polaris 2 pitched with doors open and the awning deployed and a backpack under the vestibule. Rolling mountains in the background.

Testing an $80 Tent: Clostnature Polaris 2 Review

Published: January 31, 2025
Campers looking for an affordable shelter that sets up quickly and has all of the necessary features should consider this tent. Equipped with reinforced corners and a shade awning, it has everything you need for your next outdoor adventure.
Coleman Peak 1 Budget Tent Review
Inner mesh tent of the Coleman Peak 1 with rainfly off and one of the doors rolled back. Shows the interior space with a sleeping bag and rolling hills and bushes in the background.

Coleman Peak 1 Budget Tent Review

Published: January 31, 2025
Durable materials, an included footprint, and unique features that enhance your time outdoors make this tent a great go-to choice for car camping.
Men’s prAna Brion II Shorts Review
Man walking in woods.

Men’s prAna Brion II Shorts Review

Published: January 31, 2025
We love this pair for its town-to-trail style. When it comes to shorts that transition easily from day hikes to a brewery with friends, this is the one you want.
Vuori Kore Shorts Review
Man walks down a trail in blue shorts.

Vuori Kore Shorts Review

Published: January 31, 2025
These versatile hiking shorts balance comfort, durability, and performance, making them a great choice for trails, travel, and everyday wear.
Marmot Tungsten 2 Budget Tent Review
The Marmot Tungsten 2 pitched on pine needles among scattered rocks and pine trees.

Marmot Tungsten 2 Budget Tent Review

Published: January 31, 2025
This is an easy-to-use spacious tent with dual doors and vestibules, a color-coded assembly, pre-bent poles, and a ridge pole for extra interior space and a wider ceiling. It also features a lampshade pocket for diffused light.
Cotopaxi Brinco Shorts Review
Man hiking down a trail with a pack and trekking poles in green shorts.

Cotopaxi Brinco Shorts Review

Published: January 31, 2025
Built for adventure, these lightweight, quick-drying hiking shorts blend style and performance. See how they stack up on the trail.
Men’s prAna Stretch Zion II Shorts Review
Man wearing shorts steps on a tree.

Men’s prAna Stretch Zion II Shorts Review

Published: January 30, 2025
These shorts have a great balance of mobility and durability. The fabric is stretchy, easy to move in, and thick yet breathable.
Men’s patagonia Multi Trails Shorts Review
Man stands in a clearing in a forest.

Men’s patagonia Multi Trails Shorts Review

Published: January 30, 2025
We love these shorts for their flattering fit and hand pocket zippers, which we always appreciate on a pair of athletic wear.
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