Backpacking Reviews
We put the top brands to the test: Salomon, Garmin, Scarpa, Merrell, Keen, The North Face and Patagonia.
Exploring Colorado's Rocky Mountain wilderness with the Aura AG 50.
Credit: Briana Valorosi
Backpacking in your future? Our team of backcountry experts has been testing backpacking products side-by-side for over 14 years. Our process: we purchase the top 10-20 products in each category (like backpacking tents and sleeping pads) and then we send them into the field. After months use and abuse, in a wide range of conditions, we rate and score how each product performed. Next, we make recommendations and give awards. Whether you need a new backpacking backpack, a pair of hiking boots, or anything in between, let us help.
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Best Picks in Backpacking Reviews
Best Backpacking Gear of 2022
If you are gearing up for Backpacking, we've got you covered with our comprehensive list of the best gear of the year.
Best Hiking Boots of 2022
We've done the homework for you on men's hiking boots, buying the most popular models, hiking many miles on varied...
Best Hiking Boots for Women 2022
Now is the time to invest in your next pair of hiking boots. But where to begin? We have narrowed down the options to...
Best Hiking Shoes of 2022
We selected the top hiking shoes and put them to the test. After months of hiking on all types of trails, we wrote the...
Best Hiking Shoes for Women of 2022
We're here to help you sort through the options for the best women's hiking shoes. We tested the market's leading...
Best Rain Jackets of 2022
Whether you need an all-around rain jacket or one suited for specific types of applications or budgets, we have a pick...
Best Rain Jackets for Women of 2022
In the market for the perfect rain jacket? We've tested over 25 models in the past 6 years to bring you this line-up...
Best Down Jackets of 2022
Searching for an awesome new down jacket but aren't sure where to begin? Our experts reviewed 12 of the best and most...
Best Down Jacket for Women of 2022
As you venture into the mountains or around town, a good lightweight down jacket can do wonders to make your...
Best Windbreaker of 2022
Windbreakers are a lightweight, packable, cost-effective alternative to burlier outer layers, and are great for...
Best Base Layer of 2022
A solid base layer is at the core of keeping you warm, dry, and comfortable as you set out on your next great...
Best Base Layer for Women of 2022
Ladies, are you seeking a new base layer top? Our latest review of women's base layers features 17 of the best models...
Best Budget Down Jackets for Women of 2022
Want a nice down jacket that won't break the proverbial piggy bank? We're with you. Down jackets are among the best...
Best Backpacking Tent of 2022
We analyzed hundreds of models before deciding on the top 14 to purchase for testing. We'll help you find the most...
Best Budget Backpacking Tent of 2022
We researched over 45 models of budget-friendly backpacking tents and selected our top contenders to take out on trail.
Best Handheld GPS of 2022
Looking to improve your backcountry navigation? We bought and tested 7 of the best GPS units on the market to help you...
Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2022
We spent hundreds of days testing 15 of the best backpacking packs to give you the needed info to choose what's best...
Best Backpacking Backpacks for Women of 2022
Ready to go backpacking? We tested the top women's specific backpacks on the market to determine which one is best...
Best Budget Backpacking Packs of 2022
We know not everyone wants to pay for a top-tier backpack, so we've ranked some of the best budget backpacks on the...
Best Travel Backpacks of 2022
If you are in search of the perfect travel backpack, then you've come to the right place. Through ample research and...
10 Best Sleeping Bags of 2022
Our never-ending hunt continues for the perfect sleeping bag in this 2022 update. Within this review, we highlight our...
Best Backpacking Sleeping Bag of 2022
A sleeping bag is a cornerstone of your overnight kit. Picking the best one isn't easy. To ease the confusion we...
Best Sleeping Bags for Women of 2022
With so many great products to choose from it's hard to decide what to buy. We help you choose by testing and...
Best Ultralight Sleeping Bag of 2022
We tested 15 of the top models available today to help you find the best bag for your lifestyle. Ultralight sleeping...
Best Trekking Poles of 2022
Looking for the best trekking poles for your next hike or backpacking trip? Whether you're concerned with comfort...
Best Backpacking Stoves of 2022
We've been testing the best backpacking stoves for over a decade, and this current review has our 20 favorites. We...
Best Backpacking Chair of 2022
Have you been stumped by the quest for a comfortable backcountry seat for your rump? We gathered data on over fifty of...
Best Spork of 2022
Sporks are the perfect utilitarian utensils for eating away from the comfort of home. From workday lunch breaks to...
Best Budget Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2022
On a budget for your backpacking gear? Save cash with a bargain sleeping bag for your backcountry adventures without...
Best Portable Solar Charger of 2022
Are you in the market for a new solar setup? Perhaps the hundreds of options available online are a bit overwhelming...
Best Satellite Messengers of 2022
We've got the most wilderness-savvy tech testers you have heard of. We look at satellite messengers first from the...
Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2022
What's the best backpacking water filter? For over a decade, we have tested 43+ unique models to find out. Our team of...
Best Pocket Knife of 2022
We are knife experts that understand that you don't wish to be a knife expert. You want a tool to do tasks. We've...
Best Multi-tool of 2022
We directly compare 19 different models and draw on decades of experience with many more. Our findings are...
Best First Aid Kit of 2022
Nobody plans on needing a first aid kit, but if you do need one you will be very glad that you have it, and that the...Recent Gear Reviews in Backpacking Reviews
Editors' Choice
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Review
Top-shelf performance is what you get with this excellent two-door tent. It offers spacious comfort at a level way...
Editors' Choice
Gregory Deva 60 Review
This plush pack provides the level of support that is signature to Gregory but is slimmed down to make it sleeker and...
Editors' Choice
Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino Quarter Zip - Women's Review
A lightweight base layer with features such as hood, 1/4 zip, and thumbholes in the sleeve to increase warmth...
Editors' Choice
Arc'teryx Zeta SL Review
Scoring high in all metrics, it offers excellent versatility, durability, and water resistance, while still...
Best Buy
Black Diamond Distance Z Review
You'll be hard-pressed to find a lighter, higher-performing pole for less money. A great balance of weight and price...
Best Buy
Merrell Siren Edge 3 - Women's Review
A lightweight and inexpensive shoe that provides in comfort what it lacks in waterproofing or durability. We recommend...Backpacking Reviews Learning Center
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...
How to Choose a Personal Locator Beacon
What device should you buy and for what application? Below we break it down. Once finished, however, do read our...
How to Choose the Right Trekking Poles
Ten years ago hardly anyone used trekking poles. Now it's rare to see someone on an overnight adventure without them...
How to Choose Hiking Shoes for Women
What do you do when the options for hiking shoes are overwhelming? This article will help you understand the different...
How to Choose the Right Backpacking Backpack
We want to make it easy for you to find the right pack for your next adventure. If you need help sorting through your...
How to Choose a Backpacking Tent
Picking the right backpacking tent means checking out a list of variables. Probably the first issue is deciding which...Ad-free. Influence-free. Powered by Testing.
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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