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Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides

We hope to inspire adventure and promote wilderness conservation through in-depth gear reviews, skill-based tutorials, and comprehensive trip guides.

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Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2026
a hiker blowing air into a sleeping pad pump sack

Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2026

Whether you’re looking for inflatable or foam, ultralight or ultra-plush, we’ll help you get a great night’s sleep in the backcountry with our trail-tested picks…
Best Backpacking Meals & Food of 2026
A hiker eating from a titanium backpacking pot in a lush, green forest

Best Backpacking Meals & Food of 2026

Backpacking Food Meal planning is one of the most important considerations for any backpacking trip. The food you choose will depend on taste preference, nutritional value, caloric density of each meal, and how easy it is to cook. Some hikers bring dehydrated meals because they’re quick and easy. Others prepare DIY dinner recipes and use […]
Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2026

Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2026

Whether you’re looking to tackle a thru hike or haul some serious gear, we’ve got backpack recommendations for every type of adventure.
Best Backpacking Tents of 2026
The NEMO Hornet OSMO 2 and Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 backpacking tents pitched in a campsite surrounded by granite peaks in the Sawtooth Mountains

Best Backpacking Tents of 2026

We put the most promising backpacking tents on the market through the wringer to find the ones with the best balance of comfort, weight…
Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2026
A man sits up in a sleeping bag with the hood over his head. He is smiling and looking off camera.

Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2026

Our list of trail-tested backpacking sleeping bags will help you find a cozy sack for everything from summer summits to winter wanderings
Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2026
Closeup of the Sawyer Squeeze water filter in front of an alpine lake

Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2026

We’ve filtered out the nonsense to bring you our purest recommendations of the best water filters around.

All Backpacking Gear Reviews, Expert Tips, & Trail Guides Content

Zion Narrows Top Down Backpacking Guide
A hiker wearing an Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultralight Backpack in a slot canyon in Utah

Zion Narrows Top Down Backpacking Guide

One of the nation’s deepest and longest slot canyons, The Narrows is the consummate epic adventure. Learn more in our trip guide
Best Winter Ice Cleats & Traction Devices 2026
A hiker wearing the Hillsound Flexsteps with trail running shoes

Best Winter Ice Cleats & Traction Devices 2026

Whether you’re trekking in the depths of winter or traversing north-facing slopes in spring, a pair of traction devices offers surefootedness and peace of mind in slick conditions.
How to Hike & Backpack More Comfortably While Pregnant
Pregnant person hiking on a flat trail, wearing maternity shorts and a t-shirt, with their white/yellow medium sized dog.

How to Hike & Backpack More Comfortably While Pregnant

Pregnancy doesn’t have to pause your time outside. These practical tips help you hike and backpack more comfortably, safely, and confidently as your body changes.
Best Winter Jackets for Women of 2026
A woman zips the Fjallraven Nuuk

Best Winter Jackets for Women of 2026

We tested this year’s finest winter jackets and parkas in Colorado, Montana, and British Columbia to find the most stylish, toasty, and windproof layers for taking on driving snow, wintery mixes, and sub-zero temperatures.
Mountain Hardwear Mineral King All-Season Tent Review
A person sitting at the open doorway of the tent in snowy conditions, pulling a large backpack into the vestibule while wearing winter boots and a warm jacket.

Mountain Hardwear Mineral King All-Season Tent Review

This is a winter-ready tent with burly fabrics and a proven layout, creating an approachable, high-value option for winter and shoulder-season adventures.
Mountain Hardwear Trango 2 Four-Season Tent Review
The Mountain Hardwear Trango2 4-season tent covered in snow on a winter camping trip

Mountain Hardwear Trango 2 Four-Season Tent Review

A rugged, storm-ready shelter built for harsh winter conditions, this tent delivers excellent durability and dependable weather protection. Ideal for demanding adventures where strength and security matter most.
The North Face Mountain 25 Four-Season Tent Review
The North Face Mountain 25 with its vestibule door open, revealing the yellow inner tent and a snow-covered campsite around it.

The North Face Mountain 25 Four-Season Tent Review

A rugged, expedition-ready 4-season tent built for harsh alpine conditions, offering outstanding strength, improved ventilation, and long-term durability for serious winter use, though its heavy weight limits versatility.
10 Tips for Hiking & Backpacking in the Rain
A person is standing in a mountain meadow on a rainy day wearing a soaked pair of the Dynama pants.

10 Tips for Hiking & Backpacking in the Rain

There’s no doubt that rainy and cold conditions add an element of challenge to getting outside. Our tips will keep you happy and dry.
Best 4-Season Tents of 2026
The Samaya 2.0 tent pitched on snow with evergreen trees and panoramic views of rugged mountain peaks in the background.

Best 4-Season Tents of 2026

The fun doesn’t stop when snow starts to fall. All of our top-rated winter tent picks are trail-tested in the mountains so you can find a trustworthy shelter for 4-season adventuring.
Best Winter Boots for Women of 2026
All the boots we tested are lined up on top of the snow with mountains in the background.

Best Winter Boots for Women of 2026

We’ve braved the winter chill to find top-notch boots that blend function with fashion. These winter wonders will keep you stomping away with confidence.
Best Winter Boots for Men of 2026
A closeup of the leather of winter hiking boots.

Best Winter Boots for Men of 2026

We’ve covered hundreds of miles on and off trail to bring you the best winter boots available – from heavy-duty options to some closer to insulated running shoes.
10 Best Winter Gloves of 2026
A man shows the palms of his gloves.

10 Best Winter Gloves of 2026

From snow and slush to icy water, we’ve dunked our hands and hiked mile after mile to find which gloves will keep your hands the warmest no matter what winter throws at you.
Men’s Paka Apu Parka Review
A man snowshoes through a winter landscape with mountains in the background.

Men’s Paka Apu Parka Review

This jacket combines alpaca and synthetic insulation with dependable weather protection, offering warm, breathable comfort and trustworthy performance for active use in cold winter conditions.
Men’s Arc’teryx Atom SV Review
A person in a green jacket and yellow gloves stands in a snowy yard holding firewood, surrounded by snow-covered trees.

Men’s Arc’teryx Atom SV Review

Lightweight yet warm, this alpine-focused jacket excels in cold, fast-moving missions, offering exceptional comfort, breathability, and packability for demanding mountain pursuits and backcountry adventures.
Men’s Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka Review
A man stands on a snowy hill overlooking the ocean at sunset.

Men’s Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka Review

This versatile 3-in-1 jacket combines warmth, waterproof protection, and everyday style, making it a dependable choice for city commutes and cold-weather adventures alike.
100+ Best Gifts for Hikers: Expert-Tested
CleverHiker Gift Guide Hero Image - Winter 2

100+ Best Gifts for Hikers: Expert-Tested

From socks to sleeping bags, we’ve got every adventure covered in this year’s outdoor gift guide. Check out our top-notch gear picks for hikers, backpackers, and weekend warriors, with something for every budget.
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