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Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides

Men’s Merrell Moab 3 Review
Man's legs from knee down steps across a deep gap between large sandstone boulders wearing the Merrell Moab 3 hiking shoes.

Men’s Merrell Moab 3 Review

Last Updated: January 20, 2025
These shoes offer robust, breathable performance from burly mesh and leather uppers and provide solid protection from rocks and pokey bushes.
Men’s Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX Review
Closeup of a hiker's feet in the Darn Tough Light Hiker Micro Crew socks and Salomon X Ultra shoes on the rim of the Grand Canyon

Men’s Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX Review

Last Updated: January 20, 2025
These are comfortable out of the box. Their supportive, springy midsole and stable outsoles guarantee a smooth and cushioned ride that makes them amazingly versatile.
Men’s Danner Trail 2650 Review

Men’s Danner Trail 2650 Review

Last Updated: January 20, 2025
These are versatile hiking shoes that are exceptionally stylish and comfortable whether you’re thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail or walking the dog to the coffee shop.
Men’s Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 Review

Men’s Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 Review

Last Updated: January 20, 2025
We’ve used these shoes to scramble long Class 4 ridge traverses at 13,000’ in the Colorado Rockies, hike hundreds of miles on local trails, and even tackle half marathons.
Men’s Keen Targhee IV WP Review

Men’s Keen Targhee IV WP Review

Last Updated: January 20, 2025
These classic leather kicks are perfect for rugged, technical backcountry conditions and provide some of the best waterproofing of any hiking shoes we tested, making them ideal for wet trails and cooler weather.
Men’s HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX Review

Men’s HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX Review

Last Updated: January 20, 2025
These shoes are comfortable, waterproof, and durable. They’re perfect for medium to long hikes on established trails in all sorts of weather conditions.
Men’s Brooks Cascadia 18 Review
The lower legs of a man with a pair of blue trail running shoes in the foreground with large, oceanside cliffs in the background on an overcast day at sunset.

Men’s Brooks Cascadia 18 Review

Last Updated: January 20, 2025
These are some of our favorites. We’ve logged over 6,000 miles in them across the CDT, PCT, and Colorado Trail.
NEMO Fillo Backpacking Pillow
Close up of NEMO Fillo camp pillow with mountains blurred in the background

NEMO Fillo Backpacking Pillow

Published: January 20, 2025
The NEMO Fillo is a hybrid air/foam pillow that adds cushioning to the traditional inflatable camp pillow for a comfort upgrade. Is it still backpacker-friendly?
Weekender Gel Memory Foam Camping Pillow Review
The cushioned cover of the Weekender Gel Memory foam pillow is partially pulled off to reveal the pillow's solid block of gel memory foam

Weekender Gel Memory Foam Camping Pillow Review

Published: January 20, 2025
We tested the Weekender Gel Memory Foam against other camp pillows. Here’s how it stacks up in comfort, packability, support, and ease of use.
Trekology Aluft Pro Camp Pillow Review
Close up of Trekology Aluft Pro pillow with mountains in the background

Trekology Aluft Pro Camp Pillow Review

Published: January 20, 2025
Do you want a budget camping and backpacking pillow that holds its own against more expensive pillows? Meet the Trekology Aluft Pro, winner of our best buy badge.
Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Backpacking Pillow Review
Close up shot of Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Regular Pillow sitting on a boulder with blurred mountains in the background

Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Backpacking Pillow Review

Published: January 20, 2025
As one of the best backpacking pillows on the market, the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow scores high on comfort, weight, packability, and support.
Klymit LUXE Camping Pillow Review
Close up of the Klymit LUXE pillow fully inflated with mountains blurred in the background

Klymit LUXE Camping Pillow Review

Published: January 20, 2025
This is a large inflatable camping pillow with a quilted pillow top. Here’s how it compared to other luxury air pillows in our side by side testing.
Exped Mega Pillow Review
The author rests on the Exped Mega Pillow with a relaxed look on his face

Exped Mega Pillow Review

Published: January 20, 2025
Our gear analyst took this pillow to the wilderness to test its comfort, packability, support, and ease of use. Here’s what we learned.
Therm-a-Rest Compressible Camp Pillow Review
Close up of the Therm-a-rest Compressible Pillow propped up by a piece of twisted driftwood

Therm-a-Rest Compressible Camp Pillow Review

Published: January 20, 2025
We’re split on if this is a backpacking pillow or not, but it’s undoubtedly a comfortable camping pillow, wherever we use it.
Western Mountaineering Cloudrest Pillow Review
Cloudrest Down Pillow propped up with the Sandia Mountains in the background

Western Mountaineering Cloudrest Pillow Review

Published: January 20, 2025
What happens when Western Mountaineering makes a backpacking pillow with 800-fill down? Learn more about its comfort, weight, packability, and support.
Women’s New Balance Fresh Foam X Trail More v3 Review
New Balance Women's Fresh Foam X Trail More V 3 close up on trail

Women’s New Balance Fresh Foam X Trail More v3 Review

Published: January 20, 2025
Taking cushioning to new heights, these shoes are designed to not just protect your feet from trail debris, but raise them above it while still maintaining a minimal 4 mm drop.
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