Backpacking Reviews
We put the top brands to the test: Salomon, Garmin, Scarpa, Merrell, Keen, The North Face and Patagonia.
Exploring Colorado's Rocky Mountain wilderness with the Aura AG 50.
Credit: Briana Valorosi
Backpacking in your future? Our team of backcountry experts has been taking notes on the best backpacking gear for over 14 years. Our process: we purchase the top 10-20 products in each category (like our top backpacking tents and best sleeping pad reviews) and then we send them into the field. After months of use and abuse, in a wide range of conditions, we rate and score how each product performed. Next, we make recommendations and give awards. If you are looking for the lightest load possible, check our our ultralight backpacking section. Whether you dream of hitting the trail with one of our favorite backpacking packs, a pair of the best hiking boots, or anything in between, let us help.
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The Ultimate Backpacking Checklist for 2024
If you are gearing up for backpacking, our comprehensive backpacking list will keep you on track.
Best Backpacking Sleeping Bag of 2024
A sleeping bag is a cornerstone of your overnight kit. Picking the best one isn't easy. To ease the confusion we...
Best Handheld GPS of 2024
Looking to improve your backcountry navigation? We bought and tested 4 of the best GPS units on the market to help you...
10 Best Hiking Boots of 2024
If you've been itching to hit the trails, get your paws on one of the top-rated hiking boots from our selection of the...
Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2024
Over the past decade, we've spent hundreds of days testing 16 of the best backpacking packs to give you the needed...
10 Best Rain Jackets of 2024
If wet weather is keeping you cooped up inside, get your hands on a top-ranked wet weather winner from our lineup of...
10 Best Hiking Shoes of 2024
We've got you if you're hunting for the best hiking shoe. The 10 best models have been rounded up after testing over...
Best Hiking Shoes for Men of 2024
We selected the top hiking shoes and put them to the test. After months of hiking on all types of trails, we wrote the...
Best Budget Backpacking Pack of 2024
We know not everyone wants to pay for a top-tier backpack, so we've ranked some of the best budget backpacks on the...
Best Trekking Poles of 2024
Looking for the best trekking poles for your next hike or backpacking trip? Whether you're concerned with comfort...
Best Hiking Boots for Men of 2024
We've done the homework on men's hiking boots, buying the most popular models, hiking many miles on varied terrain...
Best Base Layer for Women of 2024
Searching for a new base layer top? Our latest review of women's base layers features 20 of the best models available...
Best Backpacking Backpacks for Women of 2024
Ready to go backpacking? We tested the top women's specific backpacks on the market to determine which one is best...
Best Multi-Tools of 2024
We directly compare 22 different models and draw on decades of experience with many more. Our findings are...
Best Backpacking Chair of 2024
Have you been stumped by the quest for a comfortable backcountry seat for your rump? We gathered data on over fifty of...
Best Base Layers of 2024
A solid base layer is at the core of keeping you warm, dry, and comfortable as you set out on your next great...
Best Pocket Knives of 2024
We are pocket knife experts who understand that you don't need to be a knife expert; you just want a tool to get...
Best Backpacking Tents of 2024
We analyzed hundreds of models before deciding on the top contenders to purchase for testing. We'll help you find the...
Best Hiking Shoes for Women of 2024
We're here to help you sort through the options for the best women's hiking shoes. We tested the market's leading...
Best Sleeping Bags for Women of 2024
With so many great products to choose from it's hard to decide what to buy. We help you choose by testing and...
Best Down Jackets for Men of 2024
Our experts reviewed 16 of the most promising down jackets available to find the best fitting, the warmest, and the...
Best Backpacking Stoves of 2024
We've been testing the best backpacking stoves for over a decade, and this current review has our 20 favorites. We...
Best First Aid Kits of 2024
Nobody wants to need a first aid kit, but if you do, you will be very glad to have the right one. We thoroughly tested...
Best Hiking Boots for Women of 2024
Now is the time to invest in your next pair of hiking boots. But where to begin? We have narrowed down the options to...
Best Portable Solar Chargers of 2024
Are you in the market for a new solar setup? We've tested over 110 different solar chargers and panels before...
Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2024
What's the best backpacking water filter? For over a decade, we have tested 45 unique models to find out. Our team of...
Best Down Jacket for Women of 2024
As you venture into the mountains or around town, a good down jacket can do wonders to make your adventures more...
Best Satellite Messengers of 2024
We are wilderness professionals and recreationists who understand technology. We look at satellite messaging...
Best Spork
Sporks are the perfect utilitarian utensils for eating away from the comfort of home. From workday lunch breaks to...Backpacking Reviews Learning Center
How to Choose the Right Trekking Poles
Ten years ago hardly anyone used trekking poles. Now it's rare to see someone on an overnight adventure without them...
How to Choose a Personal Locator Beacon
What device should you buy and for what application? Below we break it down. Once finished, however, do read our...
How to Choose Hiking Boots
Why buy a pair of hiking boots when the salesperson at the local gear shop told you that all hikers are wearing trail...
How to Choose Hiking Shoes
Want some help finding the right shoe for your feet and trail objectives? This article dissects the key considerations...
How to Choose the Right Backpacking Backpack
We want to make it easy for you to find the right pack for your next adventure. If you need help sorting through your...
How to Choose a Portable Solar Charger or Mini Solar Panel
From weekends in the woods to being a digital nomad in the remote corners of the world, solar panels have their place...Recent Gear Reviews in Backpacking Reviews
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Teton Sports 55L Scout Review
The Teton Sports 55L Scout is one of the most budget-friendly backpacking packs that we would actually take...
Editors' Choice
Decathlon Forclaz MT500 Air 50+10 Review
The Decathlon Forclaz MT500 Air 50+10 has all the features you would want in a quality backpacking pack at a very...
Editors' Choice
Garmin GPSMAP 66st Review
The Garmin GPSMAP 66st is essentially a suped-up version of other models offered in the already high-end GPSMAP series...
Editors' Choice
Granite Gear Blaze 60 Review
The Granite Gear Blaze 60 is one awesome backpack. Almost everything about this pack was perfectly designed, and it...
Best Buy
REI Co-op Flash 55 Review
The REI Flash 55 is an all-around great value backpacking pack among an impressive backpack lineup. It carries a...
Best Buy
Columbia Crestwood Review
The Columbia Crestwood is living proof that you can find a good quality pair of hiking shoes for under a hundred...
Top Pick
Merrell Moab 3 Review
The Merrell Moab 3 is the latest version of the beloved Moab line and proves to be a recommendable shoe due to its...
Top Pick
Ultralight Adventure Equipment Circuit Review
The ULA Circuit holds its own against the top traditional packs even as an ultralight-inspired bag. Its simple design...
Top Pick
Deuter Aircontact Core 60+10 SL - Women's Review
If you like to stay organized on your multiday excursions, look no further than the Deuter Aircontact Core. This...
Top Pick
Leatherman Charge+ TTi Review
Leatherman has been designing and building multi-tools for more than 40 years, and the Leatherman Charge+ TTi is the...
Top Pick
Leatherman Signal Review
The Leatherman Signal is the most "outdoorsy" multi-tool we know of. It has multiple features that are endemic to it...
Best Buy
REI Co-op Midweight Half-Zip Review
The REI Co-op Midweight Half-Zip is a warm base layer with more durability than wool. The Goldilocks fabric is not too...
Best Buy
Columbia Crestwood - Women's Review
The Columbia Crestwood features a suede leather and mesh combination upper that offers a sneaker-like feel and out of...
Best Buy
Merrell Moab 3 - Women's Review
The Merrell Moab 3 is a comfortable hiking shoe with a ton of support for high arches. The bellow tongue and ankle...
Best Buy
Columbia Crestwood - Women's Review
The Columbia Crestwood really impressed our testing team with its affordable and lightweight design. These boots felt...
Top Pick
Patagonia Capilene Thermal Weight Zip-Neck - Women's Review
The Patagonia Capilene Thermal Weight Zip-Neck is an excellent layer for maintaining warmth when temperatures drop...
Best Buy
REI Co-op Midweight Base Layer Crew - Women's Review
If you're looking for a versatile synthetic base layer available for a price that doesn't break the bank, the REI...
Best Buy
CIVIVI Button Lock Elementum II Review
We found ourselves pleasantly surprised with the second generation Elementum, and feel it has earned a solid spot...
Top Pick
LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Review
If you want a durable and versatile lightweight water filtration system, look no further than the LifeStraw Peak...
Best Buy
Aquamira Water Treatment Drops Review
If you're seeking a bare-bones water treatment approach, the Aquamira Water Treatment Drops is the best out there...
Top Pick
Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody - Women's Review
This latest version of the Arc'teryx Cerium brings a suite of adaptable traits we love for many reasons, winning it...
Best Buy
Wantdo Packable Down Hoody - Women's Review
Looking for packable warmth on a tight budget that performs acceptably well? The Wantdo Packable Down Hoody might be...
Best Buy
REI Co-op 650 Down Review
The REI Co-op 650 Down is a basic, hoodless down jacket option that won't break the bank. This is one of the most...
Top Pick
The North Face Summit Breithorn Hoodie Review
The Summit Breithorn Hoodie boasts an impressive combination of 800-fill hydrophobic down insulation and awesome...
Best Buy
NEMO Aurora 2 Review
With one of the tallest ceilings in the test and more headroom than most backpacking tents, the Nemo Aurora 2 feels...
Best Buy
REI Co-op Trailmade 2 Review
A simple setup, a very reasonable price tag, and a fairly generous floor area make the REI Co-op Trailmade 2 a good...
Editors' Choice
Feathered Friends Egret UL 20 - Women's Review
The highest quality bag in this review, the Feathered Friends Egret UL 20, knocks its competitors off their pedestals...
Best Buy
Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15 Review
The Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15 is our favorite down sleeping bag for those on a budget. While the down...
Best Buy
REI Co-op Trailmade 20 Review
The REI Co-op Trailmade 20 is a high-value choice and one of our top-performing synthetic models. While we tested...
Best Buy
The North Face Cat's Meow - Short Review
The North Face Cat's Meow has been around for years, receiving new iterations periodically. Recently, we decided to...
Top Pick
Kershaw Leek Review
In our extensive testing of a select group of the world's best pocket knives, we found the Kershaw Leek to represent...
Top Pick
Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-Tex - Women's Review
Much like the versions that came before it, the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-Tex is a high-performing boot that scored...
Top Pick
Salomon X Ultra Mid 4 Gore-Tex Review
The Salomon X Ultra Mid 4 GTX is the latest edition of a long line of great boots, and we did not think there was much...
Top Pick
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX Review
If technical trails, rocky summits, and extended periods of off-trail travel are your scene, then take a hard look at...
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Goal Zero Nomad 5 Review
If you're prioritizing portability over all else in a portable solar charger, the Goal Zero Nomad 5 is for you. This...
Top Pick
FlexSolar 40W Review
The FlexSolar 40W is one of the highest-watt panels we tested that you can still reasonably carry in a backpack. This...
Editors' Choice
Leki Cressida FX Carbon Review
The Leki Cressida FX Carbon are brilliantly designed trekking poles that are versatile, comfortable, and compact...
Top Pick
Homestock+ Professional Review
The Homestock+ Professional is our choice for a front-country first aid kit to keep in the car, thanks to its solid...
Editors' Choice
Surviveware Small Review
The Surviveware Small earns our Editors' Choice award and recognition as best first aid kit in our test, thanks to its...
Best Buy
ACR Bivy Stick Review
The ACR Bivy Stick is small but with high performance. It isn't perfect, but no currently available device is. We...
Best Buy
Somewear Global Hotspot Review
The Somewear Global Hotspot is a small and affordable two-way satellite communication device. It requires your...
Best Buy