Best Hiking Gear of 2024

Analysis and Award Winners

• ----

Footwear

The right shoes can make or break a hike. While hiking boots are still popular, there are a number of lighter options that may be a better option for most hikes such as a pair of top-rated hiking shoes or one of the best trail running shoes.

Men's Hiking Shoes

When selecting the appropriate hiking gear for your next trek, a pair of the best hiking shoes should be your first consideration and your most important investment. These typically have a low ankle cut and knobby soles, and offer more support than other shoes. These are the ones we recommend:

Women's Hiking Shoes

Many hiking shoes can be considered unisex, but for those looking for a women's specific fit, we've got you covered. The differences between men's and women's hiking shoes are minimal, but they are there. Women's versions will typically have a narrower design and a smaller volume toe box. Here are our top choices for women:

Men's Trail Running Shoes

If your typical excursion involves a quick moving pace and a lighter pack loads, a lightweight trail running shoe will likely be a good fit. Sticky rubber and large lugged outsoles provide traction and stability for your time on the trail, but the running-centric design keeps things light and cushy. If this sounds appealing to you, these are the models we recommend:

Women's Trail Running Shoes

Women's trail running shoes are similar to the men's and unisex models in that they offer more stability on uneven surfaces and more aggressive outsoles provide traction on trail surfaces. These are our favorite options for women who like to keep their hikes light and fast:

Hiking Socks

Almost as important as your shoe is the thin layer of hiking gear that lies between skin and boot. The best hiking socks are generally made from materials like wool or a synthetic polymer and they usually have a mid-calf cut to offer more protection. These are our go-to pairs:

Hiking Backpacks

While that simple backpack you've had for years may get you by, there are a number of newer packs that might make hiking more fun and streamlined. To really go light, you may want to skip the daypack altogether and consider a fanny or hip pack.

Daypacks

We can think of a million and one ways to put our favorite daypacks to use, whether on the trail, biking around town, or gearing up for a long-haul flight. These options earned the highest marks in our testing:

Women's Daypacks

Daypacks that are made to fit women generally have narrower-set shoulder straps and a shorter torso length. The best women's daypacks performed well in a variety of situations. Check out our favorites:

Sling Bags and Fanny Packs

If you like to keep your hikes short and sweet, you probably don't need to bring a ton of gear with you. Generally lightweight and small, our favorite sling bags come in many shapes, sizes, and colors, so you can find your goldilocks of hiking gear storage. These packs are our favorite to use:

Water Bottles and Bladders

Hydration is both a comfort and safety issue. Every hiker should carry adequate water with them, and we review the best water bottles and top-rated hydration bladders to help you with that goal. If you go on extended hikes where you want to purify water in streams or lakes, you might also want to take a look at our review of the best backpacking water filters, some of which weigh less than a smartphone.

Water Bottles

A water bottle is one of the most widely useful and necessary pieces of hiking gear you can have in your arsenal. From walks in the park to miles of endless trail, a great water bottle should always be at your side (or in your pack). These are the bottles we would never leave home without:

Hydration Bladders

One of the best hydration bladders we tested can turn any regular daypack into a hydration pack, giving it a 2-in-1 ability. Alternatively, maybe your older bladder is past its prime and you are looking for a replacement. In either case, these are the products we recommend to quench your thirst:

Hiking Clothing Essentials

When that unexpected storm rolls in, you want clothing that repels water while maintaining breathability. We look at key water-protective clothing for men and women's apparel as well as other key layers to help you adapt to changing temperatures and precipitation. We also include sun shirts and hats to keep your skin protected.

Men's Rain Jackets

Don't let a splash of rain ruin your hike. In many environments, the weather can turn in a matter of minutes, so it pays to be prepared with the best men's rain jacket to keep you dry in any event. These are our top picks for men:

Women's Rain Jackets

When you are miles from home, staying warm and dry is critical. A lightweight, easily packable top-rated women's rain jacket can keep your mood from turning sour if you get caught in unexpected weather, and keep you from having to turn back early. These are our favorite rain jackets with a women's-specific fit:

Men's Rain Pants

While maybe not as essential as a rain jacket, a pair of top-rated rain pants comes in handy for those who dislike letting the weather slow them down. Layering up from head to toe with waterproof material will keep you cozy and dry in the wettest conditions. Here are the rain pants we trust:

Women's Rain Pants

Sure, you could probably wear a men's pair of rain pants and stay just as dry, but a pair of women's rain pants will probably be more comfortable and flattering (to the extent that rain pants can be flattering). These pairs are our lady tester's favorites:

Men's Windbreakers

Windbreakers are one of the lightest, most compactable layers you can include in your pack when heading out, and give an immense payout when it comes to temperature regulation. In our opinion, it's silly not to have one handy at all times. Many options have a DWR coating that will last through a light sprinkle, but they are best suited to environments with little to no precipitation. These were the best windbreakers in our testing:

Women's Windbreakers

Just as in the men's version, a women's windbreaker is one of the best items to keep handy out on the trail, and in our opinion, is one of the most important pieces of a complete layering system. These are best women's windbreaker jackets from our tests:

Men's Hiking Shorts

If you live and play in a warm climate, shorts are likely your go-to attire. The best hiking shorts for men we tested are made from lightweight synthetic blend materials, have useful pockets, and may even be somewhat water-resistant. These are our favorite styles:

Women's Hiking Shorts

Women's hiking shorts have many of the same features as the men's versions, like synthetic, quick-dry materials, and handy pockets. However, they have a roomier cut in the seat and are often available with shorter inseams. We recommend these styles for lady hikers:

Men's Hiking Pants

Whether your hikes take you to high altitudes where temperatures drop, through thick underbrush, or expose you to the intense desert sun, you may want more protection than a pair shorts can offer. Whatever the reason, men's hiking pants offer more coverage and can be more versatile than their short counterparts. AFter extensive testing, these pants are our favorites:

Women's Hiking Pants

The best women's hiking pants prioritize features such as comfort, mobility, breathability, and weather resistance, similar to the men's versions. However, ladies have more variety when it comes to style. In addition to the traditional straight-leg baggies, there are options that are more legging-esque, and some that have a flare-leg cut. We tested a little bit of everything and these are our favorites:

Hiking Electronics

We cover the big advances in hiking gear tech that can help you navigate with a handheld GPS device or a gps watch. If you are heading deep in the backcountry, you might want to consider a top-ranked satellite messenger for when you're out of cell service. These gadgets are no replacement for maps and common sense, but they can add an element of security and direction.

Handheld GPS

A handheld GPS is a more durable alternative to many popular smartphone GPS apps. Thanks to their superior battery life, and all-around hardiness, we recommend using one if you ever roam out of cell service or are out in harsh conditions that a smartphone may not be able to handle. Most of the top handheld GPS options we tested will do the trick, but these are our favorites:

GPS Watches

If you want a hands-free option, a watch with an integrated GPS is the way to go. These handy timepieces can track your distance, pace, and location, and many have a smartphone app that makes viewing your stats easier.

Why Trust GearLab

At GearLab, hiking runs deep in our blood, and we love getting out on the trails and testing the latest hiking gear on the market. For over a decade, our experts have hiked hundreds of miles, from the steep forests of the Pacific Northwest, to the craggy peaks of the Sierra Nevada and the rolling hills of the Appalachian Mountains. After extensive research, we pick the top products by narrowing down the choices to only include the best of the bunch. We then purchase each item and start rigorous side-by-side testing. Our team creates a series of metrics and unbiased rating systems in order to accurately score each product. This helps us separate the best from the rest so you can find the perfect hiking gear.

Ryan Huetter is a Washington state native turned Sierra Nevada adventurer. As an outdoor professional with a IFMGA guide certification, Ryan spends 200+ days of the year hiking, either for work or for play, which has cemented the importance of having good quality and reliable gear.Ben Applebaum-Bauch is an avid thru-hiker and has traversed the Long, Pacific Crest, Oregon Coast, and Colorado trails, to name a few. As a professional guide, he has led multi-week backpacking, canoeing, and cycling trips through New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and Nova Scotia. Also on this review is Jane Jackson and Trish Matheny. Jane has put hundreds of miles on trails in beautiful places, from the high Himalayas to the rugged alpine playground of the Patagonian Mountains in Argentina. Trish is a climber, yoga aficionado, and all-around mountainista. In addition to these four, our bevy of outdoor gear testers includes dozens of other mountain guides, educators, and recreational enthusiasts, all of whom contributed their expertise to round out in-depth research and testing on these award-winning products.

Hit the Trail!

We hope this list of our favorite hiking gear helps you maximize your hiking experiences. Our reviews of each of the categories cited are linked above and provide much more detailed ratings and rankings of competing products. Also, see our Buying Advice articles for each key category where we go deep on what to look for in each category. Happy trails!