Getting into the wild doesn’t have to be an investment. Here are our tried-and-tested favorites that won't break the bank
With REI’s hiking boots sale, now’s the time to upgrade your outdoor footwear—and save
These five pieces got our gear columnist through a week of surviving off the bare minimum in the backcountry
The surprising intersection between adventure, art, and iconic hiking boots
Slippery granite rock and snowed-in trails were no match for the gear we used this June
Our gear columnist was never a fan of wind jackets until he tried this one
Springtime corn ski sessions and hikes in the Rockies were just a few of the adventures we went on. This is the gear we used to get out there.
After a half-century of market-leading innovation, the storied pack maker kicks off the next 50 years with models that raise the bar on performance, sustainability, and fit
Our testers put 15 cold-weather rucksacks through the wringer—and crowned six champions
Making your own camp stove out of a cat food or soda can used to be a rite of passage for backpackers. But with canister stoves getting lighter and cheaper—and fire bans getting more and more common—one Backpacker editor argues their time has come. (Plus: Another editor dissents.)
The granola brand bolsters naked hiking communities with a system to review the country’s top nude hikes
UltraTNT can help manufacturers create lightweight tents that don’t deform under tension. The downside? It’s still heavier than Dyneema.
Our hiking columnist went to the AT’s legendary Trail Days this year with one mission—to figure out what hikers were and weren’t putting on their feet
Six testers tried out 8 trekking poles. These ones came out on top.
We dunked 19 filters across the country, from silty streams in California’s Agua Caliente Creek to clear lakes in Washington’s Olympic Mountains, to find the year’s best.
Twelve testers put 33 boots to rock, dirt, and sand. These nine vaulted to the top.
16 testers tried 40 hikers. These ones came out on top.
Our team of testers vetted 20 new rucksacks. These ones came out on top.
If you've been held back from doing something that excites or intrigues you, read on
15 testers tried 12 of the season’s top packs. These rose above the rest.
In an industry dominated by a single body-type, the Virga 3 is making waves
When upgrading your kit becomes a way to ignore your problems
Developed and tested on the Pacific Crest Trail—the new adidas TERREX Free Hiker 2.0 is your next long-distance shoe
According to our testers, two new GNSS units from Garmin make it an easy answer
We destroyed packs from three different price points to help you decide which one to buy
Stop relying on bulky socks to keep your feet warm when you hike
Backpacker executive editor Adam Roy has fully embraced the eccentric footwear after previously swearing them off. Here’s why.
After having my butt saved numerous times by a trekking pole, I now make sure to always pack one in my backcountry kit
Going minimalist can heighten anxieties about staying safe in the backcountry. Here’s how to let some of them go
Some of our favorite gear is garbage. And that's why we love it so much
From what to buy to what to leave behind, our ultralight columnist offered up essential advice this year
Washing your face or bowl with Dr. Bronner’s? Sure. Using it to cure congestion? Maybe. Using it as toothpaste? Hmm.
Which down alternative does the best job of keeping you warm without weighing you down?
From tiny pocketknives to freeze-dried foods, these ultralight-friendly gifts are best presented in a sub-one-ounce merino sock
If you’re small-framed, you could be in for some serious savings
Trailblazers and trendsetters from the past five decades
Our hiking columnist knows firsthand that buying gifts for the hiker in your life can induce anxiety. These affordable finds from independent companies can’t miss.
When you gotta go, you gotta go. These make it easier no matter where you are.
These boots are the only ones you’ll need all winter long
After 2,194.3 miles, this is the equipment that they loved the most
Six pieces of equipment for running around a 14,000-foot mountain
Sun hoodies are the multi-tool of the hiker’s wardrobe, but they often get gross, fast. Not Coalatree’s new Suray.
For carrying weight while moving quickly in the mountains, the Slope Runner Exploration 18L is our new favorite vest-pack hybrid
We’ve had two months to overthink the equipment choices of our favorite Hawkins high schoolers on ‘Stranger Things’. We have some suggestions to make.
It’s time to sharpen your pencils and pack your bags—the school year is here again
I came for their looks. I stayed for their all-day comfort and all-terrain performance.
A complete list of everything the new record holder carried and wore
They’re 1,706 miles in and this is what they like most
Two hikers go head to head on the best carryall for a walk in the woods
Is the PürTrek pole-filter mashup a brilliant idea or a Frankensteinian mess?
It’s way more expensive and not as comfortable. Our gear director weighs the pros and cons of an über-light kit.
Bomber bags for air travel, daily commuting, or any adventure off the beaten path
From finding an open site to tracking the weather, these apps will up your camping game
This pack bridges the gap between ultralight and ultracomfy
A beginner friendly backpacking pack with everything you need—and nothing you don’t
From the backcountry to the airport, this pack has you covered
Shoulder the load and make miles with these trail-ready rucksacks
These hikers will help you carry your load and stay comfortable and secure, no matter the terrain
After finishing the Appalachian Trail, I experienced severe pain in my lower right leg. Little did I know, toe socks and spacers would be my saving grace.
It’s time to settle a longstanding debate once and for all. Which sandal will be crowned king?
They’re essentially adventure flip-flops and therefore superior to every other sandal