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Hiking 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 Hiking Daypacks of 2025
A hiker sitting next to the REI Trail 25 daypack on a mountain ridge

Best Hiking Daypacks of 2025

From summit scrambles to scenic strolls, the right daypack makes all the difference. Check out which packs made our list before you hit the trail.
10 Best Hiking Fanny Packs of 2025
woman unzipping the hyperlite mountain gear versa fany pack next to a rushing white water river

10 Best Hiking Fanny Packs of 2025

Fanny packs may have been considered a fashion faux-pas at one point, but nowadays it seems like we don’t make it a mile…
10 Best Energy Bars for Hiking & Protein Bars of 2025
Multiple energy bars on a camp table

10 Best Energy Bars for Hiking & Protein Bars of 2025

We’ve taste-tested the best energy bars for hiking and they’re almost as satisfying as finally reaching the summit. Let your snacking adventure begin!
10 Best Hiking Leggings & Tights of 2025
two people sitting on a log, one in blue leggings and one in pastel pink leggings. close-up on just the bottom half. person wearing pink leggings is touching the fabric

10 Best Hiking Leggings & Tights of 2025

Whether hiking to the summit or strolling your neighborhood trails with your dog during any season, our gear testers stretched the limits of the best hiking leggings on the market. Check out our list of products designed for women that provide all the features, fit, and durability you need on the trail.
Best Trekking Poles of 2025
A female backpacker hiking up to the top of a red, rocky mountain pass in Glacier National Park using the REI Flash Carbon trekking poles

Best Trekking Poles of 2025

We’ve rigorously tested these trekking poles over thousands of miles to find the sturdiest and most lightweight options. Get more stability on tough terrain…
Ultimate Day Hiking Checklist

Ultimate Day Hiking Checklist

We love a good checklist to help us prepare for a trip – even if we’re just going out for a day hike…

All Hiking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides Content

Best Tips for Hiking & Backpacking with a Dog
two backpackers and a dog taking a break on the ground

Best Tips for Hiking & Backpacking with a Dog

Following the tips in this guide will prepare you and your pooch for the trail and build confidence to take them…
10 Tips for Hiking with Your Dog in Winter

10 Tips for Hiking with Your Dog in Winter

Taking your dog for a rainy hike or a jaunt in the snow is incredibly fun and a great way to keep them active during the winter. But…
5 Reasons To Ditch Your Hiking Boots
Hiker showing the bottom of the Oboz Katabatic LT Mid Gore-Tex Hiking Boots

5 Reasons To Ditch Your Hiking Boots

Find out why we’ve swapped our hiking boots for trail runners and hiking shoes for big-mile adventures.
How to Clean Hiking Shoes & Boots
Closeup of a hiker's feet crossing a creek in a muddy pair of Topo Athletic Trailventure 2 hiking boots

How to Clean Hiking Shoes & Boots

In this guide, we walk you through how to take care of your footwear – so your footwear can take care of you.
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.
6 Safety Tips For Hiking with Kids

6 Safety Tips For Hiking with Kids

Our top safety tips for hiking with your kiddos will ensure that they have an experience that will cultivate a lifelong passion for the wilderness.
10 Tips for Capturing Great Adventure Photos

10 Tips for Capturing Great Adventure Photos

Taking professional-looking photos takes time, but it’s a skill worth growing if you want to better share your experiences, inspire others, and record your memories.
Are Hiking Sandals Really a Thing?

Are Hiking Sandals Really a Thing?

Hiking sandals might just be the wave of the future. Though traditional boots and shoes are still mainstays of the trail, sandals have a lot of merits that might just make you a convert.
How to Poop in the Woods: A Backpacker’s Guide
the tools for pooping in the woods (trowel, hand sanitizer and a baggie of toilet paper

How to Poop in the Woods: A Backpacker’s Guide

When nature calls, we’ve got steps to turn a backcountry bathroom break into a five-star experience. Plus, properly disposing of your #2 keeps our wild places and waterways clean and pristine.”
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 Experience Wild 2 Trail Runner Review
close up of Hiker in the Altra Experience Wild 2 climbing Mount Monadnock, NH

Women’s Altra Experience Wild 2 Trail Runner Review

Trail ready with plenty of room for your toes and thick cushioning this shoe will take you from trail to summit and back again.
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.
Best Trail Running Shoes for Women of 2025
Nike Women's Pegasus 5 close up

Best Trail Running Shoes for Women of 2025

We hit the ground running to find the best trail runners for every type of terrain. From mountain ridges to forest paths, we’ll help you find the right shoe for you.
A Guide to Backpacking & Hiking in Patagonia

A Guide to Backpacking & Hiking in Patagonia

We’ve been fortunate enough to hike and backpack extensively in Patagonia. Here’s what we’ve learned about this magical region after many years of travels to South America.
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