Hiking & Camping Reviews
From hiking boots to tents, our experts test the best from Osprey, Black Diamond, REI, Salomon, Big Agnes, Kelty, and more
Not only does a closed-cell foam pad create a pop-free barrier between inflatables and the ground, but it also 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 top 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, or a just curious about the best camping tents, or the top coolers, let us help you find the perfect product for you.
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The Ultimate Camping Gear Checklist
Looking for a great camping packing list? We've got you covered. Our expert camping editors have compiled this...
Best Hiking Gear
After years of playing in the outdoors and getting our hands on a wide variety of gear, we have had the chance to...
The Ultimate Backpacking Checklist
Looking for a quality backpacking gear packing list to help you prepare for an upcoming trip. Our backpacking expert...
10 Best Hiking Boots
Sure, any ol' boots will get you outside, but the right hiking boots will make your favorite trail even more enjoyable...
The Best Hiking Boots for Men
Have your hiking essentials ready to go? Backpack? Check. Sun protection? Check. Granola bars? Check. Boots? You'll...
The Best Hiking Boots for Women
No, your feet don't have to hurt out on the trails. Whether you're bagging peaks or strolling in the dusty desert...
10 Best Hiking Shoes
While it's true that you could wear any old shoe hiking, a dedicated pair of hiking shoes will offer support and...
10 Best Rain Jackets
Whether your forecast calls for a soggy commute, a rain day weekend adventure, or there's a chance of a surprise...
The Best Down Jackets for Men
Whether you're throwing on a jacket to walk the dog around the block or gearing up for an alpine adventure, the right...
The Best Down Jacket for Women
A down jacket is more than just a great way to stay warm through the depths of winter. Of course, you want it to be...
The 10 Best Backpacks
The right backpack keeps everything where it belongs, blending comfort so seamlessly that you barely notice it's...
The Best Backpacking Tents
Whether you're a seasoned backpacker or just diving into the activity for the first time, our expert camping and...
The Best Camping Tents
Are you looking for the perfect camping tent? We've got you. Since 2012, our team has reviewed hundreds of tents...
The Best Ultralight Tents
At GearLab, we've been testing and reviewing ultralight tents since 2012. Our expert ultralight fast-packers have...
The Best Bivy Sack
Our testers used the bivy sacks in this review over all sorts of terrain - hanging off the sides of cliffs, basking in...
The Best 4-Season Tents
If you like to get outside no matter what the weather forecast says, a 4-season tent is a good investment. We bought a...
The Best Rooftop Tents
What's wrong with a good old sleeping pad and a tent on the ground? RTTs offer several advantages over classic tents...
The Best Hammocks
Hammocks are great for relaxing, but if you plan to sleep in your hammock, you're going to want to find the comfiest...
The Best Handheld GPS
Getting lost is the last thing you need on any outing. A handheld GPS unit can help you find your way even in remote...
The Best GPS Watches
A GPS watch can be a handy sidekick for the backcountry, fitness training, or daily activities, providing you with...
The Best Canopy Tents
A canopy tent gives you instant shelter wherever you need it—shade for outdoor events, a home base for vendors and...
The Best Coolers
New cooler models are better insulating than ever. But are they worth the extra weight and cost? Let's find out....
The Best Soft Coolers
We've vetted, purchased, and tested over 30 soft coolers since 2017. Our most recent test compares the best models...
The Best Electric Coolers
An electric cooler keeps your food and drinks perfectly chilled on the go—no ice, no mess—whether you're camping...
The Hunt for the Best Headlamps
We've extensively tested 63 of the best headlamps over the past 6 years. For our current iteration, we bought, tested...
The Best Lanterns
A great lantern can light up the campsite or even your backyard hangout spot. It's also a great backup to have on hand...
The Best Binoculars
We test 16 top binoculars to help you find the best options for birding, backpacking, or general use. After...
Best Backpacking Backpacks
We've tested over 100 backpacking packs spanning over more than a decade now, so we feel confident saying we know what...
Best Backpacking Backpacks for Women
Designed with women in mind, backpacking packs for women are tailored to the female form to enhance comfort...
The Best Ultralight Backpack
The right ultralight backpack provides just enough capacity to stash all your basic backpacking essentials while...
The Best Sun Hats
The right sun hat can make your time outside more comfortable and protect your skin. Over the last 14 years, we have...
The Best Umbrellas
Stormy days require the right tool: a high-quality umbrella that will not only shield you from the elements but also...
Best Budget Backpacking Pack
To get you on the trail without breaking the bank, we put 9 budget backpacking packs to the test in head-to-head...
The Best Hiking Daypacks
We purchased and tested 13 of this year's finest daypacks, and our team evaluated each one by collectively trekking...
The Best Hiking Daypacks for Women
Want the best daypack to carry your hiking essentials? After researching 80+ options, our team of experts bought the...
The Best Hydration Packs
Whether you're hiking or biking, a hydration pack is a nifty companion. It can stash all the water and essentials you...
Best Running Hydration Vest for Women
Searching for a women's hydration vest for running? You've come to the right place. We have exhaustively tested 14 of...
Best Running Hydration Vest for Men
We've tested close to 40 unique running hydration packs in the past 8 years, with our top 15 in this review. We sought...
10 Best Hydration Vests for Running
Looking for the perfect hydration vest for your runs? We've bought and tested over 70 top-rated running vests over the...
The Best Hydration Bladder
Our outdoor experts have tested 21 of the best hydration bladders over the last 8 years. This updated review features...
10 Best Sleeping Bags
A great sleeping bag can make your overnights in the outdoors more comfortable, more fun, and hopefully more...
Best Camping Sleeping Bags
When you're snoozing under the stars, a camping sleeping bag tops the list of gear essentials. The best ones keep you...
Best Laptop Backpack
No matter if you are flying across the country for meetings, headed to a local cafe for a change of scene while...
Best Backpacking Sleeping Bag
You can't put a price on a great night's sleep, and staying warm and comfortable in the backcountry can help you feel...
The Best Sleeping Bags for Women
A warm and cozy sleeping bag is at the top of the list for essential pieces of gear. Whether you're after the lightest...
The Best Sling Bags
For over two months, we bought 11 top sling bags and incorporated them into every part of our lives. We considered...
The Best Fanny Packs
Fanny packs make a great choice for the essentials when traveling, hiking or days out in the city, but they're also...
The Best Ultralight Sleeping Bag
Over the last ten years, we have bought and tested over 45 ultralight sleeping bags. This review compares 17 of the...
The Best Trekking Poles
A solid pair of trekking poles provides you with support to tackle the trail ahead, giving you leverage on the climb...
Best Winter Sleeping Bags
We have tested 60 of the best winter sleeping bags side-by-side over the past decade to find the warmest, most...
Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads
It can be a challenge to get a great night of sleep in the backcountry, but if you can achieve it, there's nothing...
The Best Sleeping Pad for Women
The difference between an okay and the best sleeping pad can make or break your outdoor slumber. A quality sleeping...
The Best Camping Mattress
If you want a comfortable night's sleep in your tent or car, you want a camping mattress. The best options will not...
The Best Camping Cot
We bought the 10 most promising camping cots and took them to our favorite campsite for side-by-side testing. Night...
The Best Budget Hammock
We researched over 50 of the best hammocks and bought the top eight budget models for testing. Hours of lying around...
The 5 Best Camping Blankets
Our camping experts researched over 50 of the best camping blankets before purchasing 16 to cozy up with or set up a...
The Best Camping Pillows
We traveled the world testing camping pillows in tents, hammocks, RVs, and airplanes. We measured each against five...
The Best Backpacking Stoves
Ways to stay nourished while on backcountry excursions have come a long way from throwing a can of beans on the fire...
The Best Fire Pits
The right fire pit will bring you together with friends and family without leaving you coughing and smelling like a...
Best Camping Cookware Sets
We put the top camping cookware sets to the test, taking them on expeditions, backpacking trips, and casual...
The Best Camping Stoves
Over the last 12 years, we have hand-picked, purchased, and rigorously tested over 40 unique camping stoves. For this...
Best Camping Coffee Maker
There's truly nothing like rolling out of your sleeping bag and brewing some fresh beans in the wilderness. A great...
The Best Portable Grills
The best portable grills are compact, easy to haul, and output enough power to grill up a tasty meal outdoors wherever...
The Best Backpacking Chairs
Are you on the hunt for the best backpacking chair? We've tested more than 40 different models over the past 10 years...
The Best Camping Chairs
Sick of a numb bum and ready for comfort? We bought 15 of the best camping chairs and spent months rigorously testing...
The Best Camping Tables
We bought 16 of the most promising camping tables and took them on many road trips, where we set up camp in everything...
The Best Spork
After 10 years of analyzing the best sporks, we've bought and tested just about every design out there. This review...
10 Best Sunglasses
Whether you need sunglasses for daily wear or ones that stay secure during your next run, the right pair ensures...
The Best Cheap Sunglasses
You want sunglasses that look great and perform well. But can you achieve this without coughing up an arm and a leg...
The Best Sport Sunglasses
Stop adventuring outside without protecting your eyes! A quality pair of sports sunglasses shield your peepers from...
10 Best Solar Chargers
A good solar charger lets you power your essential communication and outdoor electronics, no matter how far off the...
Best Portable Solar Chargers
A dead device is deadweight when an electrical outlet is nowhere in sight, which is when a portable solar charger...
Best Solar Panels for Camping
The right camping solar panel keeps your phones and key electronics charged without relying on noisy generators. This...
Best Satellite Communicators
We took 13 satellite communicators into the backcountry and assessed their emergency and non-emergency functions...
The Best Walkie Talkies
The best walkie-talkies provide dependable range and clear communication to keep you connected during outdoor...
The Best Energy Bars
We bought 17 top energy bars and meal replacements and had our food experts conduct blind texture and taste tests with...
The Best Duffel Bags
There are all kinds of different styles of travel bags, but the classic duffel is one of the most versatile. They can...
The Best Water Bottles
Water is vital for health, with experts advising at least 8 glasses daily, or more for active individuals. A water...
Best Backpacking Water Filters
Clean water: You need it, and we want to be sure you've got it, wherever you go. Bacteria, viruses, protozoa...
The Best Camping Shower
Outside doesn't have to mean dirty with a camping shower. We researched 60+ options before purchasing the 10 best to...
The Best Folding Saws
Folding saws can be an incredibly versatile tool to have on hand, whether stashed in your garage for quick pruning...
The Best Pocket Knives
A pocket knife can be a useful tool throughout your day. We look for models with quality blades, ergonomic handles...
The Best Multi-Tools
Carrying a multi-tool is a little bit like carrying a toolbox in your pocket. Having one on hand can allow you to...
The Best Axes
From survival to recreation, a sturdy axe is your trusty sidekick for limbing branches, clearing brush, and splitting...
The Best First Aid Kits
Need a first aid kit for your home, car, or next outdoor adventure? First aid professionals, ski patrollers, and...
The Best Fishing Lines
We bought 7 of the best fishing lines on the market and rigorously tested each one side-by-side to give you the...
The Best Fishing Reel
For many people, fishing has grown from fond childhood memories to something we still enjoy as an adult and now share...
The Best Fishing Net
Ready to land that trophy fish? After thoroughly researching the market, we bought 8 of the best fishing nets and...
The Best Fishing Rod
Ready to haul in the catch of the day? We took an in-depth look at today's market, bought 9 of the best spinning rods...