Best backpacking gear for 2026 includes ultralight tents, reliable water filters, and comfort-focused sleep systems tested ...

Any outdoor activity with a dedicated user base is going to be filled with people picky about their gear, and backpackers are no exception. Not only that, but buying a gift for a backpacker comes with ...

Joe Jackson, Outside online's Gear Guy, never thought that the ten years he spent as a raft guide, outdoor retail employee, and vagabond would turn into a career. Buying your first backpacking setup ...

The Sea to Summit Etherlight XR is a great option for backpackers seeking to strike a solid balance between weight, insulating power, and comfort. The regular size weighs 16.6oz and boasts a 4.1 R ...

Does my dog need an ultralight water bowl? Well, no--but every ounce counts, right? When I'm already carrying extra food and water for my best friend, I'm glad when her gear is as light and compact as ...

Backcountry shelter has changed a lot in the 16 years since REI debuted the Half Dome 2. But this tent? Not so much. REI knew it had something good from the get-go: a tent that's big enough, tough ...

This year I’m planning 29 guided backpacking trips. They are scheduled through October, run three to seven days, and are scattered throughout North America in the high desert, eastern woodlands, ...

The best backpacking sleeping pads aren’t just lightweight and portable to keep your pack weight down. They’re comfortable, too. Between hauling gear and trekking up different terrains, you need a ...

The stuff of backpackers' dreams is real, and it's almost here. — -- It's a common backpacker's dilemma: carrying few enough clothes to easily move from place to place and keeping those few ...