Home > Hiking

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.

Popular Content

Best Hiking Daypacks of 2026
A person with a black dog looks out over a rocky landscape filled with pines. An EXPED brand pack is on their bag and a fly fishing rod is strapped to the side.

Best Hiking Daypacks of 2026

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 2026
woman unzipping the hyperlite mountain gear versa fany pack next to a rushing white water river

10 Best Hiking Fanny Packs of 2026

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 2026
Multiple energy bars on a camp table

10 Best Energy Bars for Hiking & Protein Bars of 2026

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 2026
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 2026

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 2026
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 2026

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
Two women hiking, featuring hiking leggings of two different styles and patterns, one plain blue, and another also blue but camouflage like. Also a small dog, yellow fur. Both women are wearing day packs and rain jackets. The background is green plants and trees. The women are looking out at the view.

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

Oiselle Roga Women’s Hiking Shorts Review
A woman wearing a pair of purple running shorts jogs across a wooden bridge.

Oiselle Roga Women’s Hiking Shorts Review

Last Updated: June 12, 2026
These shorts are remarkably soft, breathable, lightweight, making them great for trail runners and fast-paced hikers who don’t mind compromising on storage and coverage.
Best Hiking Shorts for Women 2026
Close-up image of a woman in hiking shorts standing on a rocky outcropping with a view of the trail and forest below.

Best Hiking Shorts for Women 2026

Last Updated: June 11, 2026
From sunny summits to rugged trails, our handpicked selection of the best women’s hiking shorts will keep you comfortable, dry and stylish on every trek.
Best Hiking Shorts for Men of 2026
Waist-down view of a hiker standing on a rocky trail in the men's Patagonia Quandary hiking shorts

Best Hiking Shorts for Men of 2026

Last Updated: June 10, 2026
Discover your new favorite trail-ready hiking shorts from Patagonia, prAna, REI, and more. Our experts bring you tailored suggestions for the best in comfort, durability, and style from trail to town.
Men’s Janji 5″ Multi Shorts Review
A man walks up a rocky ridgeline with snowy mountains and the ocean in the distance.

Men’s Janji 5″ Multi Shorts Review

Published: June 10, 2026
These lightweight, durable shorts offer quick-dry performance and versatile storage, designed for moving fast on trail and for training, with reliable comfort for all-day pursuits.
Men’s REI Flash Shorts Review
A closeup of blue shorts worn on a man standing on a trail.

Men’s REI Flash Shorts Review

Published: June 10, 2026
These lightweight shorts offer quick-drying comfort, breathable performance, and unrestricted mobility, making them a versatile choice for hiking, running, and warm-weather adventures.
Men’s Terignota Sendero Shorts Review
A close-up view of a logo on a pair of shorts.

Men’s Terignota Sendero Shorts Review

Published: June 10, 2026
These shorts feature an innovative cargo-carrying system, provide all-day comfort, and offer lightweight performance at an accessible price point for any budget.
Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2026
A hiker pumps with the msr guardian filter. the pre filter is submerged in murky water and a nalgene bottle is attached to the bottom of the filter.

Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2026

Last Updated: June 8, 2026
We’ve filtered out the nonsense to bring you our purest recommendations of the best water filters around.
Best Hiking Shoes for Men of 2026
A hiker standing on a rock wearing the HOKA Speedgoat 6 trail running shoes with a beautiful view of craggy mountain peaks in the background at high altitude.

Best Hiking Shoes for Men of 2026

Last Updated: June 8, 2026
We’ve hiked thousands of miles in the best hiking shoes available to see which ones gained the most traction with our team of experts…
Men’s La Sportiva Ultra Raptor III Review
Person wearing olive green and black hiking shoes with red details on a rocky terrain.

Men’s La Sportiva Ultra Raptor III Review

Last Updated: June 8, 2026
This hiking shoe delivers durable protection, secure stability, and grippy traction for rugged terrain and technical trails, perfect for demanding routes in varied conditions.
Men’s On Cloudrock Low Waterproof Hiking Shoes Review
Close-up of feet in brown hiking shoes on a forest floor with pine needles and a pine cone.

Men’s On Cloudrock Low Waterproof Hiking Shoes Review

Published: June 8, 2026
This waterproof hiking shoe delivers dependable wet-weather protection and rugged durability for long days on the trail, keeping feet dry and comfortable in challenging conditions.
Men’s Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 Review
Hiker using trekking poles on a rocky, grassy slope.

Men’s Scarpa Ribelle Cross 2 Review

Published: June 8, 2026
This rugged mountain hiking shoe delivers technical performance and excellent traction for those tackling challenging alpine terrain, rocky scrambles, and muddy backcountry trails.
LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Water Filter Review
A hiker inserts a water filter into a water bladder.

LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Water Filter Review

Published: June 8, 2026
This adaptable squeeze filter effortlessly produces safe and delicious water in the backcountry and is compatible with a range of different water bottles and bladders.
Katadyn Hiker Pro Water Filter Review
A water filter on a rock.

Katadyn Hiker Pro Water Filter Review

Published: June 8, 2026
This pump filter comes in a lightweight package while eliminating the hassle of squeezing water bladders or waiting on chemical treatments to work.
Best Hiking Daypacks of 2026
A person with a black dog looks out over a rocky landscape filled with pines. An EXPED brand pack is on their bag and a fly fishing rod is strapped to the side.

Best Hiking Daypacks of 2026

Last Updated: June 3, 2026
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.
Osprey Stratos 24/Sirrus 24 Daypack Review
Close up of a man in a red hiking shirt wearing a blue Osprey Stratos daypack in a redrock slot canyon

Osprey Stratos 24/Sirrus 24 Daypack Review

Last Updated: June 3, 2026
For a comfortable, durable, and well-organized daypack, it’s hard to beat this Osprey standout. It’s one of the most comfortable and supportive we’ve tested.
Black Diamond Pursuit 15 Daypack Review
A male hiker stares at pink streaked hoodoos with the Black Diamond Pursuit on his back.

Black Diamond Pursuit 15 Daypack Review

Published: June 3, 2026
If you’re into scrambling, peak-bagging, or fastpacking, we like this lightweight, body-hugging daypack that borrows some of the best features from running vests.
1 2 3 … 37