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Hiking & Camping Reviews

From hiking boots to tents, our experts test the best from Osprey, Black Diamond, REI, Salomon, Big Agnes, Kelty, and more
Hiking & Camping Reviews
The XTherm was one of the best sleeping pads we tested again! It is light enough to allow for the addition of the Z Lite without too much struggle. Not only does the Z Lite create a pop-free barrier between inflatables and the ground, it adds a significant insulation layer between your body and warmth sucking granite.
Credit: Brian Martin
Whether you love hiking, backpacking, or camping, our team of backcountry experts has been testing products side-by-side for over 12 years. Our process: we purchase the top 10-20 products in each category (like backpacking tents and sleeping pads) and then we send our expert testing team into the field. After months of using products in a wide range of conditions, we rate and score how each product performed and make recommendations based on key performance metrics. Whether you need a backpack, a sleeping bag, a camping tent, a cooler, a pair of top-rated hiking boots, or anything in between, let us help you find the perfect product for you.

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Looking for the best camping gear on the market? Waste no time and get in here to see the best of the best when it...
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Best Backpacking Gear of 2023

If you are gearing up for Backpacking, we've got you covered with our comprehensive list of the best gear of the year.
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10 Best Hiking Boots of 2023

If you've been itching to hit the trails, get your paws on one of the top-rated hiking boots on the market from our...
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Best Hiking Boots for Men

We've done the homework for you on men's hiking boots, buying the most popular models, hiking many miles on varied...
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Best Hiking Boots for Women

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Best Hiking Shoes of 2023

We selected the top hiking shoes and put them to the test. After months of hiking on all types of trails, we wrote the...
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10 Best Rain Jackets of 2023

If wet weather is keeping you cooped up inside, get your hands on a top-ranked wet weather winner from our lineup of...
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Whether you need an all-around rain jacket or one suited for specific types of applications or budgets, we have a pick...
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In the market for the perfect rain jacket? We've tested over 35 models in the past decade to bring you this line-up of...
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Our experts reviewed twelve mid and lightweight down jackets to find the best fitting, the warmest, and the most...
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10 Best Tents of 2023

We've tested and rated the top tents in multiple categories and have recommendations for every kind of camper, from...
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From deserts to coastlines, we've tested camping tents for a decade and know a thing or two about sleeping well in the...
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Best Ultralight Tent

To bring you the best ultralight tent review, we've focused on options weighing less than two pounds. Thru-hiking on...
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Best Bivy Sack of 2023

What is the best bivy sack? Throughout the past few years, we have traveled near and far with a pack full of bivys to...
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Best Budget Backpacking Tent

We researched over 60 models of budget-friendly backpacking tents and selected our top contenders to take out on trail.
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Best Rooftop Tents of 2023

Rooftop tents are all the rave, but purchasing one can turn into a bit of a headache. We selected 10 of the most...
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Best Hammock of 2023

How do you find the perfect hammock in a market exploding with options? You lay around a lot. We tested the top...
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Best Handheld GPS of 2023

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Best GPS Watch of 2023

Looking for the perfect GPS watch? Our experts spent hours looking over options before choosing 13 of the most popular...
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Best Canopy Tent

If you're on the prowl for a canopy tent to suit your needs, you've come to the right place. Our experienced team has...
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Best Altimeter Watch

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Best Coolers of 2023

Looking to keep your food fresh and beers cold while you're out adventuring? We've researched and tested the best...
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Best Soft Coolers

Which soft cooler is the best? To find out, we took 13 of the top-rated and most popular models available and compared...
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Best Powered Cooler

Feel like you're drowning in a sea of technical specs without a clue of what's best? Let us throw you a life raft of...
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Best Lantern of 2023

We traveled and camped in parks from coast to coast, always with a well-lit campsite as we tested the top models on...
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Best Binoculars of 2023

What are the best binoculars? We took 16 different models through rigorous testing in the outdoors to find out. We...
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Best Backpacking Backpacks

We spent hundreds of days testing 16 of the best backpacking packs to give you the needed info to choose what's best...
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Best Sun Hat

We evaluated over 40 models and purchased 15, which our team of experts put through extensive side-by-side testing. We...
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Best Umbrella

When the weather goes sideways, you want an umbrella that won't. In this review, we tested 11 of the industry's...
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Best Budget Backpacking Packs

We know not everyone wants to pay for a top-tier backpack, so we've ranked some of the best budget backpacks on the...
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Best Daypacks of 2023

Sizing up the daypack market and choosing what is best for you, your needs, and your budget is tough. Here we've done...
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Best Budget Backpack of 2023

Are you in need of a new backpack for school or everyday use? Our team of reviewers independently purchased ten of the...
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Best Travel Backpacks of 2023

If you are in search of the perfect travel backpack, then you've come to the right place. Through ample research and...
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Best Hydration Pack of 2023

Are you ready for a new hydration pack? Whether you're replacing an older model or looking to try one for the first...
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Best Running Hydration Pack

After months of researching the most popular running packs on the market, our testers dedicated hundreds of miles in...
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Best Hydration Bladder

Searching for the best hydration bladder? Our experts have personally tested today's top models for hiking, running...
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10 Best Sleeping Bags

Our never-ending hunt continues for the perfect sleeping bag in this 2022 update. Within this review, we highlight our...
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Best Laptop Backpack

Seeking the best laptop backpack? After perusing over 80 of the best options on the market, we chose 11 to test...
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Best Fanny Packs of 2023

Are you on the hunt for a fanny pack? Looking to add a little flair to your outfit with a "bum bag"? Look no further...
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Best Trekking Poles of 2023

Looking for the best trekking poles for your next hike or backpacking trip? Whether you're concerned with comfort...
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Best Camping Mattress

Our search for the best camping mattress starts with sifting through over 40 models and choosing the top 14 from the...
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Best Camping Cot

Searching for a comfortable way to sleep in the great outdoors? We bought the 10 best camping cots currently available...
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Best Budget Hammock of 2023

After researching more than 50 models, we bought the top 8 hammocks and put them to the test with a thorough hands-on...
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Best Camping Blanket

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Best Camping Pillows of 2023

After side-by-side testing of 17 of the industry's top models, we feel confident that we've found some of the best...
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Best Camping Stoves of 2023

Love to cook? Searching for the best camping stove for you and your crew? Then, you've come to the right place. We...
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Best Portable Grill of 2023

Our comprehensive review directly compares some of the best products available, so that you can focus on what to grill...
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Best Camping Chairs of 2023

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Best Camping Tables of 2023

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Best Spork of 2023

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10 Best Sunglasses of 2023

Whether you need a pair of sunglasses for a garden party, a trail run, or for ripping down a mountain on your new...
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Best Cheap Sunglasses of 2023

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Best Sport Sunglasses

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Best Walkie Talkies of 2023

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Best Water Bottles of 2023

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Best Camping Shower of 2023

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Best Folding Saws

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Best Pocket Knife

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Best Fishing Net of 2023

We picked the best fishing nets and tested each one to give you the information you need to make the right choice. Get...
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Best Fishing Rod of 2023

The right fishing rod can mean the difference between angling glory and going home empty, so get ready to haul in the...
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Best Fishing Reel of 2023

After thoroughly researching the market, we bought 8 of the best reels and rigorously tested them for months. All, so...
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Best Fishing Lines

We purchased the best fishing lines and tested each one to give you the information you need to make the right choice...
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Best Duffel Bags

A dependable duffel bag will take you and all your gear on the best adventures and will also make everyday travel a...
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Best Tent Stakes of 2023

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Hiking & Camping Reviews Learning Center

How to Choose a Down Jacket

How to Choose a Down Jacket

This article helps you decide which down jacket is the perfect one for you by going into much greater depth about the...

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GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison.

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