From short overnights to multi-day trips into the backcountry, every backpacker wants the right tools for the job. Below we cover all the gear you need for your backpacking adventures, including detailed round-ups, reviews, and...
Women know the struggles in finding a good pair of hiking pants: Fit, comfort, and storage considerations all can be difficult to dial in. But the market has improved significantly of late, with a range of designs that offer impressive performance and...
In choosing the right backpacking tent, you have a wide range of options from minimalist ultralight shelters to inexpensive and heavier entry-level models. But uses and budgets vary, and the ideal...
For all the minimalist backpackers and bikepackers, thru-hikers, and ounce-counters out there, the lightweight gear world is full of options to complete your sleep system. Below we break down the best...
Move over sunburns, heat exhaustion, and sunscreen sweat, sun shirts are the newest solar antidote. With full upper-body coverage (our picks are all hooded), UPF ratings for protection against both UVA...
The momentum in hiking footwear is moving away from bulky boots toward lightweight shoes and even trail runners that are faster and more comfortable. You do lose some ankle support when carrying a heavy pack or traversing rocky trails...
From short overnights to multi-day trips into the backcountry, every backpacker wants the right tools for the job. Below we cover all the gear you need for your backpacking adventures, including detailed round-ups, reviews, and...
Women know the struggles in finding a good pair of hiking pants: Fit, comfort, and storage considerations all can be difficult to dial in. But the market has improved significantly of late, with a range of designs that offer impressive performance and...
In choosing the right backpacking tent, you have a wide range of options from minimalist ultralight shelters to inexpensive and heavier entry-level models. But uses and budgets vary, and the ideal...
For all the minimalist backpackers and bikepackers, thru-hikers, and ounce-counters out there, the lightweight gear world is full of options to complete your sleep system. Below we break down the best...
Move over sunburns, heat exhaustion, and sunscreen sweat, sun shirts are the newest solar antidote. With full upper-body coverage (our picks are all hooded), UPF ratings for protection against both UVA...
The momentum in hiking footwear is moving away from bulky boots toward lightweight shoes and even trail runners that are faster and more comfortable. You do lose some ankle support when carrying a heavy pack or traversing rocky trails...
From short overnights to multi-day trips into the backcountry, every backpacker wants the right tools for the job. Below we cover all the gear you need for your backpacking adventures, including detailed round-ups, reviews, and...
Women know the struggles in finding a good pair of hiking pants: Fit, comfort, and storage considerations all can be difficult to dial in. But the market has improved significantly of late, with a range of designs that offer impressive performance and...
In choosing the right backpacking tent, you have a wide range of options from minimalist ultralight shelters to inexpensive and heavier entry-level models. But uses and budgets vary, and the ideal...
For all the minimalist backpackers and bikepackers, thru-hikers, and ounce-counters out there, the lightweight gear world is full of options to complete your sleep system. Below we break down the best...
Move over sunburns, heat exhaustion, and sunscreen sweat, sun shirts are the newest solar antidote. With full upper-body coverage (our picks are all hooded), UPF ratings for protection against both UVA...
The momentum in hiking footwear is moving away from bulky boots toward lightweight shoes and even trail runners that are faster and more comfortable. You do lose some ankle support when carrying a heavy pack or traversing rocky trails...
In a surprising move, REI replaced their popular Kingdom series with the Wonderland line last year. We’ve had a chance to test both the four- and six-person versions (note: The photos below are of the Wonderland 4), and we have to admit that the new...
The Merrell Moab is a staple on trails across the country, and the aptly named Speed takes the winning design and trims it down for quick-moving day hikes and other lightweight adventures. We recently took the updated “2” to Chilean Patagonia for...
Camping chairs are a fairly static category with few noteworthy innovations each year, but New Hampshire-based Nemo came up with a very intriguing design in their Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair. Now in its second iteration, the Stargaze offers a hammock...
New Hampshire-based Nemo is a strong player in the premium backpacking tent space, but their Aurora takes aim at those looking to maximize livability without breaking the bank. Recently updated with more sustainable materials and a stronger...
The Kaha 2 GTX is Hoka’s top-of-the-line hiking boot, with Gore-Tex waterproofing, a leather upper, and Vibram tread. We’ve had largely positive experiences with Hokas, but the Kaha 2 underwhelmed on a challenging backpacking trip in Southern Patagonia.
REI Co-op entered the world of ultralight backpacking in a big way with the release of their Flash 55 pack. The combination of price, ample storage, and low weight made it a quick favorite, and the second...
In a surprising move, REI replaced their popular Kingdom series with the Wonderland line last year. We’ve had a chance to test both the four- and six-person versions (note: The photos below are of the Wonderland 4), and we have to admit that the new...
The Merrell Moab is a staple on trails across the country, and the aptly named Speed takes the winning design and trims it down for quick-moving day hikes and other lightweight adventures. We recently took the updated “2” to Chilean Patagonia for...
Camping chairs are a fairly static category with few noteworthy innovations each year, but New Hampshire-based Nemo came up with a very intriguing design in their Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair. Now in its second iteration, the Stargaze offers a hammock...
New Hampshire-based Nemo is a strong player in the premium backpacking tent space, but their Aurora takes aim at those looking to maximize livability without breaking the bank. Recently updated with more sustainable materials and a stronger...
The Kaha 2 GTX is Hoka’s top-of-the-line hiking boot, with Gore-Tex waterproofing, a leather upper, and Vibram tread. We’ve had largely positive experiences with Hokas, but the Kaha 2 underwhelmed on a challenging backpacking trip in Southern Patagonia.
REI Co-op entered the world of ultralight backpacking in a big way with the release of their Flash 55 pack. The combination of price, ample storage, and low weight made it a quick favorite, and the second...
In a surprising move, REI replaced their popular Kingdom series with the Wonderland line last year. We’ve had a chance to test both the four- and six-person versions (note: The photos below are of the Wonderland 4), and we have to admit that the new...
The Merrell Moab is a staple on trails across the country, and the aptly named Speed takes the winning design and trims it down for quick-moving day hikes and other lightweight adventures. We recently took the updated “2” to Chilean Patagonia for...
Camping chairs are a fairly static category with few noteworthy innovations each year, but New Hampshire-based Nemo came up with a very intriguing design in their Stargaze Reclining Camp Chair. Now in its second iteration, the Stargaze offers a hammock...
New Hampshire-based Nemo is a strong player in the premium backpacking tent space, but their Aurora takes aim at those looking to maximize livability without breaking the bank. Recently updated with more sustainable materials and a stronger...
The Kaha 2 GTX is Hoka’s top-of-the-line hiking boot, with Gore-Tex waterproofing, a leather upper, and Vibram tread. We’ve had largely positive experiences with Hokas, but the Kaha 2 underwhelmed on a challenging backpacking trip in Southern Patagonia.
REI Co-op entered the world of ultralight backpacking in a big way with the release of their Flash 55 pack. The combination of price, ample storage, and low weight made it a quick favorite, and the second...
The outdoor clothing market is vast, with everything from budget-focused brands to sustainability leaders and high-end backcountry specialists. With years of experience testing a wide range of hiking...
One of the first steps to enjoying a backpacking trip is learning how to load your pack properly. There are a lot of considerations that go into a well-packed backpack, from nailing the capacity and balancing your pack's contents to keeping critical...
We get this question a lot: Do your hiking shoes or boots need to be waterproof, or can you do without? Hikers and backpackers fall on both ends of the spectrum: some prefer the unparalleled breathability...
A day hike can be as simple as walking a well-maintained trail near your home, or as complex as a dawn-to-dusk journey through a remote wilderness. The items you bring may vary slightly depending...
There’s no shortage of rain jackets to choose from, and one way to narrow down your search is by determining what sort of construction best fits your needs. Depending on their application, rain jackets...
Ask any hiker or backpacker on the trail and they’ll likely tell you that the key to success—i.e., staying comfortable mile after mile—is a good pair of hiking footwear. From well-established brands like...
The outdoor clothing market is vast, with everything from budget-focused brands to sustainability leaders and high-end backcountry specialists. With years of experience testing a wide range of hiking...
One of the first steps to enjoying a backpacking trip is learning how to load your pack properly. There are a lot of considerations that go into a well-packed backpack, from nailing the capacity and balancing your pack's contents to keeping critical...
We get this question a lot: Do your hiking shoes or boots need to be waterproof, or can you do without? Hikers and backpackers fall on both ends of the spectrum: some prefer the unparalleled breathability...
A day hike can be as simple as walking a well-maintained trail near your home, or as complex as a dawn-to-dusk journey through a remote wilderness. The items you bring may vary slightly depending...
There’s no shortage of rain jackets to choose from, and one way to narrow down your search is by determining what sort of construction best fits your needs. Depending on their application, rain jackets...
Ask any hiker or backpacker on the trail and they’ll likely tell you that the key to success—i.e., staying comfortable mile after mile—is a good pair of hiking footwear. From well-established brands like...
The outdoor clothing market is vast, with everything from budget-focused brands to sustainability leaders and high-end backcountry specialists. With years of experience testing a wide range of hiking...
One of the first steps to enjoying a backpacking trip is learning how to load your pack properly. There are a lot of considerations that go into a well-packed backpack, from nailing the capacity and balancing your pack's contents to keeping critical...
We get this question a lot: Do your hiking shoes or boots need to be waterproof, or can you do without? Hikers and backpackers fall on both ends of the spectrum: some prefer the unparalleled breathability...
A day hike can be as simple as walking a well-maintained trail near your home, or as complex as a dawn-to-dusk journey through a remote wilderness. The items you bring may vary slightly depending...
There’s no shortage of rain jackets to choose from, and one way to narrow down your search is by determining what sort of construction best fits your needs. Depending on their application, rain jackets...
Ask any hiker or backpacker on the trail and they’ll likely tell you that the key to success—i.e., staying comfortable mile after mile—is a good pair of hiking footwear. From well-established brands like...
From our campsite, the green valley rises, steepens, and becomes rocky and cold. Eventually it turns to glacier and then vast, snow-blanketed mountain. I pull the hood of my down jacket tight...
The arctic landscape has an allure that is difficult to describe; not only is it reminiscent of being in the alpine—stunted trees, big skies, and unimpeded vistas—but the utter remoteness and rawness is palpable...
“Do you think that rain is coming our way?” We pedal under the bright sun, constantly glancing nervously over our shoulders as if being chased by a predator...
All good plans start with a wild idea, but this one might just take the cake. Back in the spring, Kaytlyn—who I’d never met at the time—approached me with an ambitious proposal. She wanted to link up a series of North Cascades high routes on foot...
Brian and I had spent four days hiking in Tombstone Territorial Park the previous summer on a trip that just scratched the surface and whet our appetites for more. Throughout the past year, we dreamed of returning to see the classic spires and tundra...
“Remember: sea level is for sissies,” we call out, referring to a sticker we’d purchased the previous day as a nod to our North Vancouver home that sits across the street from the ocean. We repeat this mantra...
From our campsite, the green valley rises, steepens, and becomes rocky and cold. Eventually it turns to glacier and then vast, snow-blanketed mountain. I pull the hood of my down jacket tight...
The arctic landscape has an allure that is difficult to describe; not only is it reminiscent of being in the alpine—stunted trees, big skies, and unimpeded vistas—but the utter remoteness and rawness is palpable...
“Do you think that rain is coming our way?” We pedal under the bright sun, constantly glancing nervously over our shoulders as if being chased by a predator...
All good plans start with a wild idea, but this one might just take the cake. Back in the spring, Kaytlyn—who I’d never met at the time—approached me with an ambitious proposal. She wanted to link up a series of North Cascades high routes on foot...
Brian and I had spent four days hiking in Tombstone Territorial Park the previous summer on a trip that just scratched the surface and whet our appetites for more. Throughout the past year, we dreamed of returning to see the classic spires and tundra...
“Remember: sea level is for sissies,” we call out, referring to a sticker we’d purchased the previous day as a nod to our North Vancouver home that sits across the street from the ocean. We repeat this mantra...
From our campsite, the green valley rises, steepens, and becomes rocky and cold. Eventually it turns to glacier and then vast, snow-blanketed mountain. I pull the hood of my down jacket tight...
The arctic landscape has an allure that is difficult to describe; not only is it reminiscent of being in the alpine—stunted trees, big skies, and unimpeded vistas—but the utter remoteness and rawness is palpable...
“Do you think that rain is coming our way?” We pedal under the bright sun, constantly glancing nervously over our shoulders as if being chased by a predator...
All good plans start with a wild idea, but this one might just take the cake. Back in the spring, Kaytlyn—who I’d never met at the time—approached me with an ambitious proposal. She wanted to link up a series of North Cascades high routes on foot...
Brian and I had spent four days hiking in Tombstone Territorial Park the previous summer on a trip that just scratched the surface and whet our appetites for more. Throughout the past year, we dreamed of returning to see the classic spires and tundra...
“Remember: sea level is for sissies,” we call out, referring to a sticker we’d purchased the previous day as a nod to our North Vancouver home that sits across the street from the ocean. We repeat this mantra...
Traditional hard-sided coolers lead the charge in ice retention and durability, but for those who don’t need a week’s worth of cold food and drinks, a soft-sided cooler can be a viable alternative. Compared to hard models, soft coolers are considerably...
Patagonia has one of the most extensive fleece collections on the market, and their performance-focused Regulator (R) series is designed with active use in mind. Straddling the softshell and...
Hardshell jackets are designed for the mountains: they’re highly windproof, waterproof, breathable, and durable. This is the outer layer you turn to for ultimate protection while backcountry and resort skiing, mountaineering, alpine climbing, and...
Whether you’re headed to the beach, tailgating before your favorite sporting event, or camping in the wild, there's a good chance you'll want to keep your food and drinks cold. Thankfully, the market is packed with high-quality coolers that excel at...
Co-founded by decorated mountain athlete Killian Jornet and Spanish shoemaking brand Camper, Nnormal is taking a new—and exciting—approach to trail runners and hiking shoes. While minimalist, their designs are built to last and can be repaired and...
Inflatable stand up paddle boards (SUPs, for short) are taking the boating scene by storm, and it’s easy to see why. These compact vessels are easy to transport (no car rack required), surprisingly durable...
From short day hikes and summit scrambles to all-day adventures into the backcountry, you’ll want the right pack for the job. Most people carry water and food, a layering piece and rain shell, and a few other accessories like a first-aid kit or...
Patagonia is an irrefutable leader in the rain jacket market, and the Boulder Fork is the latest addition to their well-rounded collection. Slotting in between the everyday-friendly Torrentshell and more technical Granite Crest, the new shell is...
A premium two-person backpacking tent can cost upwards of $500, but not everyone needs best-in-class performance. Casual weekenders and those just dipping their toes into backpacking can save a lot of money with a budget design. These tents are often...
Traditional hard-sided coolers lead the charge in ice retention and durability, but for those who don’t need a week’s worth of cold food and drinks, a soft-sided cooler can be a viable alternative. Compared to hard models, soft coolers are considerably...
Patagonia has one of the most extensive fleece collections on the market, and their performance-focused Regulator (R) series is designed with active use in mind. Straddling the softshell and...
Hardshell jackets are designed for the mountains: they’re highly windproof, waterproof, breathable, and durable. This is the outer layer you turn to for ultimate protection while backcountry and resort skiing, mountaineering, alpine climbing, and...
Whether you’re headed to the beach, tailgating before your favorite sporting event, or camping in the wild, there's a good chance you'll want to keep your food and drinks cold. Thankfully, the market is packed with high-quality coolers that excel at...
Co-founded by decorated mountain athlete Killian Jornet and Spanish shoemaking brand Camper, Nnormal is taking a new—and exciting—approach to trail runners and hiking shoes. While minimalist, their designs are built to last and can be repaired and...
Inflatable stand up paddle boards (SUPs, for short) are taking the boating scene by storm, and it’s easy to see why. These compact vessels are easy to transport (no car rack required), surprisingly durable...
From short day hikes and summit scrambles to all-day adventures into the backcountry, you’ll want the right pack for the job. Most people carry water and food, a layering piece and rain shell, and a few other accessories like a first-aid kit or...
Patagonia is an irrefutable leader in the rain jacket market, and the Boulder Fork is the latest addition to their well-rounded collection. Slotting in between the everyday-friendly Torrentshell and more technical Granite Crest, the new shell is...
A premium two-person backpacking tent can cost upwards of $500, but not everyone needs best-in-class performance. Casual weekenders and those just dipping their toes into backpacking can save a lot of money with a budget design. These tents are often...
Traditional hard-sided coolers lead the charge in ice retention and durability, but for those who don’t need a week’s worth of cold food and drinks, a soft-sided cooler can be a viable alternative. Compared to hard models, soft coolers are considerably...
Patagonia has one of the most extensive fleece collections on the market, and their performance-focused Regulator (R) series is designed with active use in mind. Straddling the softshell and...
Hardshell jackets are designed for the mountains: they’re highly windproof, waterproof, breathable, and durable. This is the outer layer you turn to for ultimate protection while backcountry and resort skiing, mountaineering, alpine climbing, and...
Whether you’re headed to the beach, tailgating before your favorite sporting event, or camping in the wild, there's a good chance you'll want to keep your food and drinks cold. Thankfully, the market is packed with high-quality coolers that excel at...
Co-founded by decorated mountain athlete Killian Jornet and Spanish shoemaking brand Camper, Nnormal is taking a new—and exciting—approach to trail runners and hiking shoes. While minimalist, their designs are built to last and can be repaired and...
Inflatable stand up paddle boards (SUPs, for short) are taking the boating scene by storm, and it’s easy to see why. These compact vessels are easy to transport (no car rack required), surprisingly durable...
From short day hikes and summit scrambles to all-day adventures into the backcountry, you’ll want the right pack for the job. Most people carry water and food, a layering piece and rain shell, and a few other accessories like a first-aid kit or...
Patagonia is an irrefutable leader in the rain jacket market, and the Boulder Fork is the latest addition to their well-rounded collection. Slotting in between the everyday-friendly Torrentshell and more technical Granite Crest, the new shell is...
A premium two-person backpacking tent can cost upwards of $500, but not everyone needs best-in-class performance. Casual weekenders and those just dipping their toes into backpacking can save a lot of money with a budget design. These tents are often...
Jason Hummel is a leading adventure photographer and ski mountaineer based in Tacoma, Washington. He authored Alpine State of Mind, a beautifully presented book of adventure stories and...
Misty Mountain's headquarters in the hills of Western North Carolina is not the kind of place you just stumble upon. It's the kind of place you set off to find. And when you arrive...
America’s Top 10 Conservation Heroes is a series honoring the individuals and organizations that have made the biggest mark on conservation, environmental protection, and awareness of the outdoors...
Sarah Uhl calls herself an artist, activist, and joy evangelist. That's quite the job description, and yet she’s pulling it off, brush stroke by brush stroke. A plein air painter from Carbondale, CO...
At Switchback Travel, we love stories. Nothing moves or motivates us quite like artfully written and insightful accounts of the world. And while the online format is great, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t have a soft spot for books...
The time could have been 9pm or 5am, and we wouldn’t have known the difference. It was a clear, mid-June day in the land of the midnight sun. The warm orb hung high in the sky as I pulled onto the summit block...
Jason Hummel is a leading adventure photographer and ski mountaineer based in Tacoma, Washington. He authored Alpine State of Mind, a beautifully presented book of adventure stories and...
Misty Mountain's headquarters in the hills of Western North Carolina is not the kind of place you just stumble upon. It's the kind of place you set off to find. And when you arrive...
America’s Top 10 Conservation Heroes is a series honoring the individuals and organizations that have made the biggest mark on conservation, environmental protection, and awareness of the outdoors...
Sarah Uhl calls herself an artist, activist, and joy evangelist. That's quite the job description, and yet she’s pulling it off, brush stroke by brush stroke. A plein air painter from Carbondale, CO...
At Switchback Travel, we love stories. Nothing moves or motivates us quite like artfully written and insightful accounts of the world. And while the online format is great, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t have a soft spot for books...
The time could have been 9pm or 5am, and we wouldn’t have known the difference. It was a clear, mid-June day in the land of the midnight sun. The warm orb hung high in the sky as I pulled onto the summit block...
Jason Hummel is a leading adventure photographer and ski mountaineer based in Tacoma, Washington. He authored Alpine State of Mind, a beautifully presented book of adventure stories and...
Misty Mountain's headquarters in the hills of Western North Carolina is not the kind of place you just stumble upon. It's the kind of place you set off to find. And when you arrive...
America’s Top 10 Conservation Heroes is a series honoring the individuals and organizations that have made the biggest mark on conservation, environmental protection, and awareness of the outdoors...
Sarah Uhl calls herself an artist, activist, and joy evangelist. That's quite the job description, and yet she’s pulling it off, brush stroke by brush stroke. A plein air painter from Carbondale, CO...
At Switchback Travel, we love stories. Nothing moves or motivates us quite like artfully written and insightful accounts of the world. And while the online format is great, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t have a soft spot for books...
The time could have been 9pm or 5am, and we wouldn’t have known the difference. It was a clear, mid-June day in the land of the midnight sun. The warm orb hung high in the sky as I pulled onto the summit block...