North America offers countless backpacking options. Without much fanfare, hiking and backpacking have become two of the country’s most popular outdoor activities. According to the 2022 Outdoor ...

At Backpacker, we don’t just love gear, we live in it. Over the past 12 months our staffers and testers have hiked thousands ...

Go behind the scenes at the Outside Lab. See how we used data and science to stress-test rain shells, backpacks, and ...

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 ...

Having a decent sleeping pad is critical for enjoying a good night’s sleep outdoors. The best sleeping pads — combined with a cozy sleeping bag and camping pillow — can even be as comfortable as your ...

When hiking in the backcountry, you need a good backpacking water filter to ensure access to safe, clean water. A functional water filter (and often a water purifier , too) can’t be missed on a ...

There’s nothing like getting away from daily life and embracing the beauty of nature on a camping trip. Arguably, the further you delve into nature, the more magical the experience. That said, ...

There’s nothing better after a long day of hiking and setting up camp than a hot cooked meal—and for that you will need a decent camp stove. These days you can find options that are lightweight, ...

After completing the 2,500-mile Pacific Crest Trail in 2019, I’d now consider myself an experienced backpacker. But I always make sure to tell people that this five-month-long adventure was actually ...