Hiking Gear Reviews
We’ve tested hiking gear from Salomon, Paragonia, The North Face, Merrell, Scarpa, Keen, Lowa, and more.
Lead tester Jane Jackson heading out onto the trail to test some of the highest quality and most popular hiking boots for women available today.
Credit: Eric Bissell
Is hiking your jam or a favorite of your furry friend? Our hiking experts have hit miles of trails with friends and canines to test the top hiking gear under the sun. Our trail enthusiasts buy and test every product for a truly unbiased view of everything from hiking boots and hiking shoes and trekking poles to daypacks and hydration packs. Our final test results can ensure you’re ready for whatever the journey brings.
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Best Hiking Gear of 2023
Our experts list our favorite hiking gear picks so you can have the best experience on the trail.
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...
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...
Best Hiking Boots for Women
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 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...
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...
Best Hiking Shoes for Women of 2023
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 for Men
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
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...
10 Best Backpacks
We're always looking for the best backpacks to fuel our adventures. We tested hundreds of models this year and these...
Best Trail Running Shoes
Looking for a new pair of trail runners? We have tested close to 100 of the most popular models over the past decade...
Best Trail Running Shoes for Women
Searching for your next trail running shoe? With our expert advice and experience testing various models this season...
Best Fleece Jackets of 2023
Looking for a new fleece to heat up your life? We purchased the top 10 fleece jackets and rigorously tested them for...
Best Fleece Jackets for Women of 2023
Seeking a deliciously warm fleece jacket? After looking over the best options on the market, we chose 13 of the...
Best Softshell Jackets of 2023
Our review tests the top softshell jackets and lets you know which ones are the best for the activities you regularly...
Best Softshell Jackets for Women of 2023
It can be challenging to find the best softshell because there are so many types and styles. Our reviewers have spent...
Best Windbreakers of 2023
Windbreakers are a lightweight, packable, cost-effective alternative to burlier outer layers and are great for keeping...
Best Windbreaker Jacket For Women
Searching for the essential layer for just about any three-season adventure? For the last 9 years, we've tested the...
Best Sun Protection Shirts of 2023
Finding the right UPF sun shirt can be a challenge. To help, we've picked 14 of the best options on the market and put...
Best Sun Protection Shirts for Women
In the market for a protective sun shirt? We took the top 17 women's sun shirts and put them through rigorous testing...
Best Hiking Pants
This comparative hiking pants review looks at pants that are light and airy, as well as heavy and durable, for hiking...
Best Hiking Pants for Women
To help you find your next pair of women's hiking pants, we've tested nearly 45 models over 10 years to bring you the...
Best Hiking Shorts of 2023
Hiking shorts are an essential piece of equipment for spring and summer adventures. We buy and test the best...
Best Hiking Shorts for Women of 2023
Planning for an upcoming hike? We reviewed a handful of the year's best hiking shorts with varying inseams to...
Best Rain Pants for Women of 2023
We analyzed over 30 models before purchasing the best 9 to put through extensive testing, so you don't have to...
Best Rain Pants of 2023
Choosing a pair of rain pants is an unwanted bear of a task. We've done the dirty work, which involves sorting through...
Best Budget Rain Jackets for Women of 2023
Not everyone needs an expensive coat that can withstand a hurricane. We pitted the top options head to head to see...
Best Budget Down Jacket of 2023
Are you looking for a new cold-weather layer? We researched over 25 of the top-selling down jackets available today...
Best Budget Fleece Jacket of 2023
Are you looking for a warm and lightweight layer to add to your arsenal of cold weather clothing? After investigating...
Best Budget Fleece Jackets for Women of 2023
Ladies, are you looking for a budget fleece jacket that won't drain your wallet? We selected 9 of the market's best...
Best Budget Windbreaker for Women of 2023
Searching for that final layer to keep you cozy? Over the course of 8 years, we've tested a huge range of...
Best Handheld GPS of 2023
Looking to improve your backcountry navigation? We bought and tested 7 of the best GPS units on the market to help you...
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...
Best Altimeter Watch
To help you find the best altimeter watch for your needs, we researched over 40 and bought the best to test...
The Hunt for the Best Headlamps
Need a headlamp? Our comprehensive review is here to help. We researched over 50 models before subjecting the best 27...
Best Binoculars of 2023
What are the best binoculars? We took 16 different models through rigorous testing in the outdoors to find out. We...
Best Sun Hat
We evaluated over 40 models and purchased 15, which our team of experts put through extensive side-by-side testing. We...
Best Hats for Women of 2023
After perusing over 100 of the best hats for women on the market, we selected 8 to test side by side. We wore each...
Best Umbrella
When the weather goes sideways, you want an umbrella that won't. In this review, we tested 11 of the industry's...
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...
Best Daypacks for Women of 2023
If you're a woman in the market for a daypack, we can help. We considered 80+ different models and chose 13 of the...
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...
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...
Best Hydration Bladder
Searching for the best hydration bladder? Our experts have personally tested today's top models for hiking, running...
Best Laptop Backpack
Seeking the best laptop backpack? After perusing over 80 of the best options on the market, we chose 11 to test...
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...
Best Trekking Poles of 2023
Looking for the best trekking poles for your next hike or backpacking trip? Whether you're concerned with comfort...
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...
Best Cheap Sunglasses of 2023
Hunting for affordable sunnies? We checked out hundred of pairs before selecting the 12 best cheap sunglasses on the...
The Best Sunglasses for Men of 2023
Searching for the perfect shades? We sifted through hundreds of options before selecting these 10 most promising pairs...
The Best Sunglasses for Women of 2023
Ready to don your perfect pair of shades? We researched hundreds of options before choosing the most promising 12...
Best Sport Sunglasses
Looking for the best pair of sport sunglasses available? We researched 100+ models and then bought the 26 best for our...
Best Satellite Messengers of 2023
We have a stellar team of electronics and wilderness experts track down and use every satellite communication product...
Best Walkie Talkies of 2023
We put 9 radios to a head to head test after scouring all of the top models on the market. After 150+ hours of testing...
Best Energy Bar
With literally hundreds of choices available in the energy bar world, it can be hard to figure out which are the best...
Best Water Bottles of 2023
We've been back in the ring testing this year's top water bottles. We have compared and assessed all aspects of these...
Best Hiking Socks
Is a bomber hiking sock the next thing on your adventure gear list? We spent countless hours researching, purchasing...Recent Gear Reviews in Hiking Gear Reviews
Best Buy
CamelBak Classic Light 70 Review
Despite not having a ton of storage space, smart features like a pair of bungee cords and helmet carry straps paired...
Editors' Choice
Osprey Syncro 12 Review
A wonderful blend of comfort, support, and top of the line conveniences in a reasonably lightweight package. The...
Best Buy
Columbia Rebel Roamer Review
This is our favorite budget rain pant and an excellent pair for anyone needing a pair for infrequent use, especially...
Editors' Choice
Outdoor Research Foray Pants Review
Many users want rain pants that are unobtrusive most of the time. All you need is protection for a few hours of rain...
Best Buy
Garmin Forerunner 955 Review
The Forerunner series is made for runners with its ultra-lightweight design. While it doesn't have the best battery...
Best Buy
ACR Bivy Stick Review
This is a small, high-performance communication device with usability, technological, and portability attributes that...Hiking Gear Reviews Learning Center
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 Binoculars For Your Needs and Budget
Binoculars are probably the world's most used optical instrument. That's not to say that telescopes don't have their...
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 Trail Running Shoes
We recommend making a basic self-assessment to help you determine what your specific needs are when it comes to a...
How to Choose Hiking Shoes
Want some help finding the right shoe for your feet and trail objectives? This article dissects the key considerations...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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