Of all the outdoor activities we cover here at Switchback Travel, hiking is nearest and dearest to our hearts. It is one the easiest ways to get outdoors for people of all experience levels, and simply put, any time spent on the trail has a way of soothing the soul. Below are our detailed hiking gear reviews for the year, including round-ups, in-depth reviews, and informational articles covering everything from hiking footwear and clothing to daypacks and trekking poles. For overnight adventures, see our detailed backpacking gear reviews.


Hiking Footwear & Clothing | Hiking Gear | In-Depth Reviews | Learning Center

Hiking Footwear & Clothing

Hiking shoes (water crossing in Altra Lone Peak 8)

Best Hiking Shoes of 2024

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, but the weight...
Women's hiking shoes (Merrell Moab Speed 2 on rock)

Best Women's Hiking Shoes of 2024

Whether you’re setting out on a casual day hike or hitting the trail with overnight gear, there’s a hiking shoe up for the task. Compared to traditional hiking boots, hiking shoes are characterized by their low-top design, which translates to less...

Best Hiking Boots of 2024

Hiking boots are critical to your comfort and performance on the trail, but this no longer means a stiff and burly model that will weigh you down. The trend is toward lighter materials that still offer decent support, and waterproof boots...
Women's hiking boots (La Sportiva boots stepping in water)

Best Women's Hiking Boots of 2024

For the best combination of protection and support on the trail, look no further than a hiking boot. Compared to other forms of hiking footwear, boots are epitomized by their mid-height build, which offers best-in-class stability on technical terrain...
Trail-running shoe (in alpine terrain)

Best Trail Running Shoes of 2024

Running on varied and challenging trails is a welcome break from the monotony of pounding pavement (or even worse, the belt of a treadmill). Better yet, trail running is an immensely easy sport to get into and requires only minimal gear. Our team has...
Sports sandals (hiking over log on beach in Chaco sandals)

Best Hiking Sandals of 2024

Whether you spend your summer days on the trail or in the water, a quality pair of hiking sandals is likely on your must-have list. Designs run the gamut from backcountry-focused offerings that prioritize comfort, support, and grip to everyday...
Hiking footwear (crossing creek in Salomon Quest 4)

Best Hiking Footwear Brands of 2024

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...
Salomon hiking footwear (Quest 4 GTX splashing through puddle)

Salomon Hiking Footwear: How to Choose

Salomon is a clear frontrunner in the hiking footwear market, with an extensive collection that ranges from capable backpacking-ready boots to light and nimble low-top shoes. At the time of publishing, their hiking lineup comprises 14 core models—many...
Hiking socks (Darn Tough socks with Oboz Bridger boots)

Best Hiking Socks of 2024

You can’t overvalue a great pair of hiking socks: They keep your feet comfortable and dry while helping to prevent blisters and hotspots. We've tested the full array of styles in varied conditions, and below are our picks for the best hiking socks of...
Rain Jackets (Hiking with the Arc’teryx Beta LT in The Winds) (t)

Best Rain Jackets of 2024

With a long history in the Pacific Northwest, the Switchback team knows a thing or two about rain. From months of daily drizzle to heavy downpours in the mountains, we're acutely aware of the benefits of a quality waterproof and breathable shell—not...
Norrøna Falketind Paclite rain jacket (crossing creek)

Best Women’s Rain Jackets of 2024

Let’s face it: It rains, and sometimes it pours. Thankfully, a good rain jacket can provide a solid layer of defense against the elements. Our female editors have tested dozens of designs on trails near and far to bring you our 18 favorites below...
Hiking in Fjallraven Keb Eco-Shell hardshell jacket

Best Hardshell Jackets of 2024

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 4...
Windbreaker jackets (sitting in truck at trailhead)

Best Windbreaker Jackets of 2024

Let’s get right to the point: We love windbreaker jackets. In our opinion, a good windbreaker is the most versatile outdoor jacket money can buy. These small but mighty outer layers pack a punch, offering serious protection from the elements for hikers...
Norrona Falketind Down750 down jacket (prayer flags in Nepal)

Best Down Jackets of 2024

It's tough to beat a great down jacket, whether it’s for casual use or tearing around the backcountry. This cozy insulation type offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio on the market and packs down smaller than synthetic options for easy storage. From...
Women's down jacket (wearing Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody in mountains)

Best Women’s Down Jackets of 2024-2025

As impressively warm and cozy insulators, down jackets are one of our favorite pieces of outdoor gear. Whether you’re looking for an uber-light alpine piece for the mountains, a casual and well-tailored option for around-town use, or something in...
Arc'teryx Atom AR (synthetic insulated jackets)

Best Synthetic Insulated Jackets of 2024

Synthetic insulation might not offer quite the warmth-to-weight ratio of down, but it resists moisture, breathes better, and is more cost-efficient. With the choice of both types of jackets in our gear closet, we find ourselves consistently reaching...
Hiking pants (Arc'teryx Gamma LT in mountains)

Best Hiking Pants of 2024

A great pair of hiking pants offer comfort, freedom of movement, the versatility to perform well in a range of environments, and durability over the long haul. In terms of materials, many of today’s top pants are made from lightweight and stretchy...
Women's hiking pants (backpacking up pass in Rab Elevation Pants)

Best Women’s Hiking Pants of 2024

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...
Women's travel pants (standing in cafe wearing Vuori Miles Jogger)

Best Women’s Travel Pants of 2024

Traveling can be an involved and exhausting undertaking, but staying comfortable on long plane rides and packed buses can help make the experience a little more bearable. Travel pants can be a key part of this equation. Many of today’s leading designs...
Hiking shorts (prAna Stretch Zion closeup in Utah)

Best Hiking Shorts of 2024

Most hikers know the value of a quality pair of hiking pants, but for midsummer conditions or particularly active days on the trail, we turn to hiking shorts. In addition to being more breathable and quicker to dry, most of our favorite modern hiking...
Women's hiking shorts (Topo Designs Dirt Short)

Best Women’s Hiking Shorts of 2024

For midsummer conditions or high-exertion days on the trail, nothing beats the easy-breezy feel of a hiking short. Today’s offerings run the gamut from technically savvy softshell designs...
Lying in field of huckleberries (sun shirts)

Best Sun Protection Shirts of 2024

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 that ensure protection against both UVA and UVB rays, and breathable fabrics, sun...
Hiking in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness (women's hiking shirts)

Best Women's Hiking Shirts of 2024

Shopping for a hiking shirt isn’t as research-intensive as looking for the best hiking boot or backpack, but the next-to-skin layer is still an important part of your trail apparel. First to consider is the shirt’s fabric—polyester offers the best in...
Outdoor clothing brands (group hiking in Cascade Mountains)

Best Outdoor Clothing Brands of 2024

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...
Best Plus-Size Outdoor Apparel (camping out with friends)

Best Plus-Size Outdoor Apparel

The outdoor industry has been notoriously slow to produce apparel in sizes beyond small to extra large, and finding even basic items like well-fitting hiking pants and baselayers in plus sizes can still be an...

Hiking Gear

Hiking daypacks (group hiking toward mountains)

Best Daypacks for Hiking of 2024

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...
Women's daypacks (hiking in group)

Best Women's Hiking Daypacks of 2024

Whether you’re embarking on a half-day hike, climbing a 14er, or seeing the sights in a foreign city, a daypack offers just-right carrying capacity alongside load-bearing support and convenient organization. Our female editors have been hitting the...
Drinking from hydration reservoir (Osprey Mira 22 hydration pack)

Best Hydration Packs of 2024

No matter the length or location of your hike, hydration is one of the keys to staying happy and healthy on the trail. There are a number of ways to ensure that you drink enough water throughout the day, but by far the most convenient is a hydration...
Trekking poles (hiking with Black Diamond poles in Washington State)

Best Trekking Poles of 2024

Serious hikers have known the benefits of trekking poles for decades. Aside from providing stability while hauling a heavy load or moving over technical terrain, hiking poles have distinct advantages even on easy trails. They’re great for setting a...
Child Carrier Pack (hiking near Mount Rainier)

Best Baby Carriers for Hiking of 2024

For hitting the trail with a little one in tow, it’s hard to beat a baby carrier pack. Their supportive designs allow for a comfortable and safe ride, and we’ve spent countless hours hiking with both a happy child...
Fanny pack (zipping up Free Range Equipment Canvas Phanny)

Best Fanny Packs of 2024

Once considered an unfashionable fad of the '90s, fanny packs—also known as waist, lumbar, and hip packs—are making a serious comeback in 2023. From replacing a purse while running errands around town to keeping the essentials handy on the trail, many...
Running vest (Nathan VaporHowe front pocket)

Best Running Hydration Vests and Packs of 2024

Whether you’re training for an ultra-marathon, embarking on a leisurely trail run, or tackling a ridge scramble in the alpine, a running vest is the perfect tool for hauling your essentials. These designs have a shape and fit that’s comfortable while...
GPS watch (closeup of Coros Apex screen)

Best Fitness Watches of 2024

Despite their diminutive size, fitness watches can really pack a punch. These modern timepieces put the power of a GPS device onto your wrist, allowing you to track your movements, follow a preloaded route, or even navigate complex terrain—hands-free...
GPS watch (testing the Garmin Fenix 7 in Nepal)

Best GPS Watches of 2024

For hikers and mountaineers alike, a quality GPS watch is a worthy addition to your gear collection. Built to handle the extremes, GPS watches have a distinct look with durable, scratch-resistant faces and large screens flanked by glove-friendly...
Satellite messenger devices (Bivy Stick, Somewear, Garmin inReach Mini, SPOT X)

Best Satellite Messengers of 2024

We’re all for big adventures that take us off the grid, but it’s never a bad idea to have a way of getting in touch. For organizing a pick up, initiating a rescue, or just checking in, a satellite messenger has become our go-to means of staying...
Handheld GPS (mapping with the Garmin Montana 700i)

Best Handheld GPS of 2024

Whether deep in the backcountry or on open water, proper navigation is a must. And for route finding, recording tracks, or finding a geocache, there’s no more durable and long-lasting navigator than a handheld GPS. While it will never fully replace a...
Water bottle (Drinking from Hydro Flask Lightweight in Utah)

Best Water Bottles for Hiking of 2024

There’s no need for us to tell you the value in staying hydrated, no matter what your day has in store. But looking for advice on which reusable water bottle to choose? That’s something we can help with...
Hydration bladder lineup (CamelBak, Platypus, Gregory, MSR, HydraPak)

Best Hydration Bladders of 2024

Whether we’re hiking, biking, running, or climbing, on-the-go hydration is an essential part of our kit. There’s simply no better way to encourage drinking consistently during activity, which is vital to performance and enjoyment (after bonking one too...
Percussion massager (using the Theragun Pro 4)

Best Massage Guns of 2024

We’re all suckers for a massage, whether it’s to relax, work out a few kinks, warm up the body pre-workout, or speed up recovery after a big effort. And there’s no shortage of at-home methods, including...

In-Depth Reviews

Hiking shoes

Hiking Shoe Reviews

Lightweight hiking shoes have a clear advantage over burlier hiking boots: by shaving significant weight and bulk, they’re much faster, nimbler, and sprightlier on the trail. You do lose some ankle support, but many hikers prefer the added...
Hiking boots

Hiking Boot Reviews

Your hiking boots are arguably the most important part of your kit: they protect your feet across technical terrain, cushion you from harsh impacts on the trail, and are built to perform mile after mile. Below we’ve compiled all of our detailed hiking...
Rain Jacket (hiking above glacier)

Rain Jacket Reviews

Whether you’re looking to stay protected on your daily commute or headed out on a backpacking trip in a notoriously wet environment, a quality rain jacket is a must-have to fend off the elements. Below you’ll find all of our detailed rain jacket...
Down Jacket

Down Jacket Reviews

Down jackets are one of our favorite pieces of outdoor gear: they’re impressively warm for their weight, pack down well, and provide a cozy haven from the cold. From performance pieces built for the backcountry to casual models that wear well around...
Synthetic jacket

Synthetic Jacket Reviews

Compared to down, synthetic jackets breathe better, resist moisture well, and are more cost-efficient, making them popular among outdoor enthusiasts for activities like hiking, backcountry skiing, climbing, and more. Below we list all of our detailed...
Backpacks

Backpack Reviews

From day hikes to extended treks and high-mountain adventures, a backpack is relied on to keep your gear safe and organized while offering high levels of comfort. Below are our in-depth pack reviews, including high-capacity designs...

Hiking Shoe Reviews

Hiking shoes

Hiking Shoe Reviews

Lightweight hiking shoes have a clear advantage over burlier hiking boots: by shaving significant weight and bulk, they’re much faster, nimbler, and sprightlier on the trail. You do lose some ankle support, but many hikers prefer the added...
Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX hiking shoe (holding Quicklace cinch)

Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX Hiking Shoe Review

Every few years, Salomon revamps their best-selling X Ultra line, and they launched the latest “4” in spring 2021. Building on the success of the prior generation, the retooled shoe features a modernized and sleeker upper, updates to the lacing system...
Merrell Moab 3 hiking shoes (standing on edge of rock)

Merrell Moab 3 Hiking Shoe Review

With only three iterations in well over a decade on the market, Merrell has taken a slow and steady approach to updating their extremely popular Moab collection. The latest “3” was released in late spring 2022 and builds on its predecessor with a...
Altra Lone Peak 8 (standing on rock)

Altra Lone Peak 8 Shoe Review

Altra’s Lone Peak 8 has garnered a loyal following among thru-hikers and minimalist trail runners for its accommodating fit and excellent out-of-the-box comfort. Building off the success of the outgoing 7, the latest iteration retains the same roomy...
Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX hiking shoes (overlooking glacier)

Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX Hiking Shoe Review

Hoka is best known for their road and trail running shoes, but they’ve made a big push into the hiking space over the past several years. Now in its second iteration, the Anacapa is a real winner for those who stick to established trails and prioritize...
Merrell Moab Speed 2 GTX hiking shoe (closeup on rock)

Merrell Moab Speed 2 GTX Hiking Shoe Review

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...

Hiking Boot Reviews

Hiking boots

Hiking Boot Reviews

Your hiking boots are arguably the most important part of your kit: they protect your feet across technical terrain, cushion you from harsh impacts on the trail, and are built to perform mile after mile. Below we’ve compiled all of our detailed hiking...
Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid hiking boot (closeup)

Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX Hiking Boot Review

Salomon’s X Ultra lineup is legendary in the world of hiking footwear, and they overhauled the flagship collection a few years back. We brought the mid-height version of the X Ultra 4 into Washington’s Hoh Rainforest and found that it retained most of...
Merrell Moab 3 Mid Waterproof (detail)

Merrell Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boot Review

Merrell’s Moab is about as classic as hiking boots come and an extremely popular first pair of hiking footwear for many (including multiple editors on our staff). We tested one of the best-selling variations—the mid-height waterproof model—which checks...
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX hiking boot (standing on rock)

La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX Review

La Sportiva makes some of our favorite climbing shoes on the market, and that technical expertise has translated nicely to their hiking boot lineup. The Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX is case in point: It’s impressively light at just over 2 pounds and has a...
Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX boot (walking across stream)

Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX Hiking Boot Review

Scarpa’s Zodiac Plus GTX is a fully supportive yet exceptionally lightweight boot ideal for handling high-mileage days with a heavy load. This midweight hiker is designed to shine in environments when a mountaineering boot is overkill but a low-top...
Altra Lone Peak Hiker 2 hiking boot (up close detail 2

Altra Lone Peak Hiker 2 Review

Altra’s Lone Peak collection has long kept feet happy on the trail, thanks to signature features like a roomy toe box, zero-drop footbed, and lightweight construction. The recently updated Lone Peak Hiker 2 puts a stylish yet functional spin on the...

Rain Jacket Reviews

Rain Jacket (hiking above glacier)

Rain Jacket Reviews

Whether you’re looking to stay protected on your daily commute or headed out on a backpacking trip in a notoriously wet environment, a quality rain jacket is a must-have to fend off the elements. Below you’ll find all of our detailed rain jacket...
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L (hiking by alpine lake)

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket Review

Patagonia’s Torrentshell 3L rain jacket is about as popular as it gets in the outdoor apparel space. The hardwearing 3-layer build offers excellent protection and durability, you get a wide variety of color options, and it's very reasonably priced for...
Marmot PreCip Eco jacket (hiking through forest)

Marmot PreCip Eco Rain Jacket Review

Being from Seattle, we get asked for rain jacket recommendations a lot, and we often steer people to the Marmot PreCip. The reasons for this are fairly simple: the jacket punches well above its $100 price with quality waterproofing, a versatile feature...
Norrøna Falketind Gore-Tex Paclite Jacket (up close hiking)

Norrøna Falketind Gore-Tex Paclite Jacket Review

Waterproof protection comes in all forms, from burly, ski-specific hardshells to ultralight emergency layers and casual rain jackets. Finding a really functional middle ground is the Falketind Gore-Tex Paclite, Norrøna’s lightest and most packable...
Marmot Minimalist rain jacket (in the forest)

Marmot Minimalist Rain Jacket Review

Marmot’s Minimalist jacket isn’t new, but its combination of price and performance keeps it among our favorite rain shells year after year. With proven Gore-Tex waterproofing, a thoughtful feature set, and premium build quality, the...
​​Patagonia Storm10 Alpine Jacket (standing on rocky outcrop)

Patagonia Storm10 Jacket Review

Ultralight without being ultra-compromised, Patagonia’s new Storm10 Jacket is purpose-built for moving quickly in unpredictable mountain environments. With a protective 3-layer H2No construction, functional feature set, and...

Down Jacket Reviews

Down Jacket

Down Jacket Reviews

Down jackets are one of our favorite pieces of outdoor gear: they’re impressively warm for their weight, pack down well, and provide a cozy haven from the cold. From performance pieces built for the backcountry to casual models that wear well around...
Checking out the scenery in the REI 650 Down Jacket

Best Cheap Down Jacket: REI Co-op 650

Here at Switchback Travel, we’re passionate about our down jackets. We’ve tested a huge range of models over the years, from entry-level options from Outdoor Research and Columbia to premium alternatives from Patagonia, Arc’teryx, and Montbell. While...
Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody (standing in mountains)

Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody Review

Climbers, hikers, and outdoor adventurers of all types have enjoyed Patagonia’s Down Sweater for years. It’s a go-to piece that has defined a jacket category, and Patagonia gave it a significant revamp a few seasons back. Key changes include a more...
Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody (standing above lake in Patagonia)

Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody Review

Arc’teryx’s Cerium Hoody is their leading down jacket and replaces the popular Cerium LT for this year. Key changes include a slightly roomier fit, thicker shell fabric, and full suite of sustainability measures. The rest of the design remains largely...
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 jacket (fall colors)

Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Hoody Review

Ultralight without feeling ultra-compromised, the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 is one of the lightest fully featured down jackets on the market. Despite hitting a sub-9-ounce weight (for the men’s hoody model), Mountain Hardwear managed to...
Outdoor Research Transcendent Hoody (collecting wood on beach)

Outdoor Research Transcendent Down Hoody Review

The Outdoor Research Transcendent Hoody is a longtime favorite that was updated last year with wider baffles, a softer shell and lining, and responsibly sourced insulation. The latest version is among the more comfortable down jackets on the market...

Synthetic Jacket Reviews

Synthetic jacket

Synthetic Jacket Reviews

Compared to down, synthetic jackets breathe better, resist moisture well, and are more cost-efficient, making them popular among outdoor enthusiasts for activities like hiking, backcountry skiing, climbing, and more. Below we list all of our detailed...
The North Face ThermoBall Eco Hoodie (fall colors)

The North Face ThermoBall Eco Hoodie Review

Now in its fourth generation, The North Face ThermoBall remains an extremely popular insulated jacket. With its puffy synthetic fill and smooth shell, the latest “Eco” version does a pretty good...
Arc'teryx Atom LT Hoody (smiling in snowy forest)

Arc'teryx Atom Hoody Review

The Atom from Arc’teryx is a legend. This popular synthetic piece crosses over between daily wear and backcountry use as well as anything on the market, thanks to its truly impressive balance of warmth, comfort, and styling. Arc’teryx gave the...
Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody (walking to get water 2)

Patagonia Nano-Air Hoody Review

Years ago, Patagonia’s Nano-Air helped to define the active insulation market, debuting the new category with a fun “put it on, leave it on” campaign. With soft and breathable materials, the synthetic jacket is designed to be worn all day...
Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie (putting on hood in Patagonia)

Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie Review

Down-mimicking synthetic insulation isn’t exactly a new trend—Patagonia has been honing their recipe for years with their legendary Micro Puff series. But Outdoor Research has come up with a very competitive formula in their new SuperStrand LT Hoodie...
Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody (wearing jacket while fly fishing)

Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody Review

Patagonia’s Nano Puff remains one of the most popular and recognizable insulated jackets on the market today. But with a fresh crop of new rivals, we felt it was time to take another look at this legendary synthetic piece. What we found is that the...

Other Hiking Reviews

Watch home screen (Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar)

Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar Watch Review

Suunto’s recent attempts in the expedition-level watch category have fallen short of those from the likes of Garmin and Coros—until now. With the exciting release of the Vertical, the Finnish company is...
Osprey Stratos 24 daypack (hiking in Utah)

Osprey Stratos 24 Daypack Review

Osprey is a leader in the pack market, and their Stratos line is an all-around favorite for day hiking. We’ve owned multiple variations over the years, and all have delivered nearly flawless performance through extended, rough use. We’ve been testing...
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak daypack (standing in Peru mountains)

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Daybreak Daypack Review

Maine-based Hyperlite Mountain Gear is well known among ultralight enthusiasts for their premium packs and tents made with Dyneema—a naturally water-resistant material that’s incredibly strong for its weight. Their Daybreak Ultralight Daypack is case...
Osprey Talon 22 daypack (hiking in Utah)

Osprey Talon 22 Daypack Review

Osprey’s Talon is the daypack we see on the trails more than any other. And there’s good reason for its popularity: it’s light, has a nice fit, is made in a wide range of sizes and bright colorways, and hits a desirable price point. In testing the...
Prana Halle (hiking in Grand Canyon)

Prana Halle Hiking Pant Review

Perhaps no other women’s hiking pant is as ubiquitous and revered as the Prana Halle. In fact, when I bought my first pair, the two female sales associates spotted my purchase and began raving about their experiences wearing the Halle to work, out to...
MSR Guardian purifier (header)

MSR Guardian Purifier Review

MSR has been a longstanding leader in the world of backpacking filters, so it’s no surprise their Guardian has become our go-to pump for trips abroad. We took this hybrid filter and purifier along to Peru’s...

Hiking Gear Learning Center

Wearing Arc'teryx rain jacket in a deluge (rain jacket construction)

Rain Jacket Construction: 2L vs. 2.5L vs. 3L

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...
Waterproof hiking shoes (crossing creek in Adidas Terrex Free Hiker)

Do You Need Waterproof Hiking Shoes?

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 of non-waterproof footwear, while others...
Down jacket (sitting on tailgate in REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket 2.0)

How to Choose a Down Jacket

For the best in cozy and lofty warmth, down jackets are in a class of their own. That said, the category covers a wide range of options, from lightweight and packable designs for backcountry use to stylish and hardwearing models for your winter...
Day hiking in Castle Valley (Moab)

Day Hiking Checklist

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 area. The items you bring may vary depending on the difficulty and length of the hike, but no matter how...
Down jacket (insulation closeup)

Down vs. Synthetic Insulation

As the weather cools down each year, the great down-versus-synthetic insulation debate heats up. Goose and duck down fill are among the premier insulators on earth, trapping air and creating pockets of warmth around your body with very little weight...
Switchback team testing merino shirts while backpacking

Merino Wool: Is It Worth It?

Merino wool, the ultra-soft fabric most commonly found in performance baselayers and socks, is one of the most sought-after materials in the outdoor gear world. But is it worth the hype? Below we break down the pros and cons of merino wool, including...
Fall hiking gear essentials (crossing stream)

Fall Hiking Gear Essentials

Fall is our favorite time of the year to hike: the temperatures have cooled off, the bugs are mostly gone, and the colors in the mountains are incredible. For this shoulder season, we always make some adjustments to our hiking gear kit, adding a little...
Lightweight hiking shoes (backpacking with mountain views)

Hiking Shoes vs. Trail Runners

As lightweight gear gains popularity among outdoor enthusiasts, above-the-ankle hiking boots are quickly becoming obsolete. For a major bump in comfort and weight savings, hikers and backpackers are now opting for lightweight hiking shoes and trail...
Hiking footwear (crossing creek in Salomon Quest 4)

Best Hiking Footwear Brands of 2024

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...