Outdoor Research Foray 3L Rain Jacket Review

We tested the carbon-neutral Outdoor Research Foray 3L rain jacket and reviewed it based on waterproofness, breathability, comfort, fit, sustainability, and more.

apparel, backpacking, hikingElliot KoeppelDecember 12, 2025elliot koeppel, rain jackets, outdoor research foray, outdoor research aspire

Zpacks Duplex Classic Tent Review

In-depth review of the Zpacks Duplex based on 10,000 miles of backpacking, it’s our favorite two-person tent and best ultralight backpacking tent for waterproof DCF fabric, ease of set up, and spacious design.

backpacking, Thru-Hiking & BackpackingLiz ThomasNovember 29, 2025tent, backpacking tent, zpacks duplex, zpacks, ultralight, ultralight tent

Best Fleece Jackets of 2025/26

We tested 29 jackets to find the best fleece for hiking, running, camping, climbing, and in town based on warmth, comfort, breathability, and more.

apparel, hiking, backpacking, camping, ski & snowSam SchildNovember 29, 2025fleece, apparel, sam schild

Best Midlayers of 2025/26

We test the best midlayers for warmth, breathability, and layering. Explore top picks for hiking, skiing, and cold-weather adventures in our expert guide.

Ski and Snow, backpackingSam SchildNovember 27, 2025midlayers, merino wool, fleece, wool, sam schild, best of

Best Women’s Hiking Shoes of 2025/26

We trail-tested over 25 models to put together our list of the best hiking shoes for women, looking at comfort, waterproofing, protection, and support.

Footwear, backpackingEbony RobertsNovember 25, 2025hiking shoes, ebony roberts, footwear, women's, women's footwear, best hiking shoes, best of

Best Synthetic Insulated Jackets of 2025/26

We spent 4 years testing 24 of the most popular synthetic insulated jackets and tested the top models for months in conditions as diverse as mountains in Arizona to snow storms near Bend, Oregon to walking a toddler in Portland. We considered models by Patagonia, Arc’teryx, L.L.Bean, Mountain Hardwear, Rab, Outdoor Research, The North Face, and Montbell.

Best Winter Hiking Boots of 2025/26

We tested the top winter hiking boots for warmth, durability, and comfort on cold-weather trails. Get expert tips on choosing the best fit and features.

backpacking, footwear, Footwear, Snow SportsAubri DrakeNovember 17, 2025winter hiking boots, aubri drake, winter gear, snow gear, footwear, men's footwear, women's footwear, best of

I Took the Columbia Newton Wander Up 13,000-Foot Peaks, Creek Trails & Mud—Here’s How They Held Up

We tested the Columbia Newton Wander Hiking Boots in varying terrains and weather conditions and reviewed based on comfort, traction, waterproofness, insulation, fit, and more.

backpacking, footwear, hikingMary Beth SkylisNovember 17, 2025mary beth skylis, columbia newton wander, hiking boots, single product review, single product reviews

Best Lightweight Rain Jackets of 2025/26

We spent 6 years testing and reviewing waterproof, breathable, and packable rain gear for hiking, backpacking, and travel to find the best lightweight rain jackets.

Thru-Hiking & Backpacking, backpackingAmanda JamesonNovember 14, 2025rain jackets, hiking, backpacking, amanda jameson, apparel, men's, women's, men's apparel, women's apparel, best of

Best Down Jackets of 2025/26

We reviewed 44 down jackets to find the 7 best puffy jackets for most outdoor activities: hiking, camping, backpacking—ultralight to extreme cold.

I Tested the COROS PACE 4 on Runs, Workouts, and Hikes — Here’s Where It Impressed Me Most

The COROS PACE 4 is the perfect GPS running and sports watch for people seeking performance, simplicity, and comfort.

1 Pound? Full Frame? How the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 50L Held Up on the Arizona Trail

We tested the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 50L to see if its carbon fiber frame, Ultra 100X fabric, and sub-1.5-pound weight deliver on ultralight backpacking performance.

backpacking, backpacking gear, hiking, thru-hikingLiz ThomasOctober 22, 2025liz thomas, zpacks arc haul ultra, backpacking backpack

I Wore the COROS APEX 4 on Hikes, Bike Rides & Daily Wear — Here’s Where It Shines

A significant upgrade from the COROS APEX 2, the APEX 4 has improved mapping capabilities as well as unique features such as adventure journaling.

Tested from the Mojave Desert to the High Sierras: How the VOORMI River Run Sun Hoodie Holds Up

Is the VOORMI River Run Hoodie Sun Shirt worth it? We tested its fit, comfort, breathability, durability, and style to see how it performs hiking, bikepacking, backpacking, and thru-hiking.

backpacking, camping, single product reviewsLiz ThomasOctober 13, 2025liz thomas, voormi river run, sun shirt, backpacking gear, single product review, single product, outdoor apparel, men's apparel, women's apparel

50 Nights, Sub-Freezing to Warm Summer: What I Learned Testing the Kelty Cosmic 20

The Kelty Cosmic 20 camping sleeping bag combines 550-fill down insulation with durable construction - our review tests real-world warmth and packability for car campers, cabin and summer camp trips, sleepovers, and entry-level backpackers.

backpacking, backpacking gear, Camping, campingLiz ThomasOctober 9, 2025kelty cosmic sleeping bag, sleeping bag, camping sleeping bag, backpacking sleeping bag, kelty, camping, backpacking, single product review, single product, liz thomas

Why the Salomon XA Pro 3D V9 GTX Blurs the Line Between Trail-Runner and Hiking Shoe

We tested the Salomon XA Pro 3D V9 GORE-TEX hiking shoes for durability, weatherproofing, and comfort on long hikes. Here’s how it performed on the trail.

backpacking, hiking, footwearEbony RobertsOctober 8, 2025ebony roberts, salomon xa pro 3d gore-text, footwear, hiking boots, men's footwear, women's footwear, salomon, hiking shoes, single product, single product review

What 8 Years and Thousands of Miles Reveal About the TOAKS Titanium Backpacking Cook Pot

We spent 8 years testing the TOAKS Titanium 750 mL Backpacking Cook Pot on backpacking trips, thru-hikes, and camping to see if its lightweight and durability hold up over time.

backpacking, campingLiz ThomasOctober 8, 2025liz thomas, TOAKS titanium, cook pot, backpacking gear, single product review, single product

My Real-World Experience With the La Sportiva TX Hike—Lightweight Feel, Serious Traction

We tested the La Sportiva TX HIke Mid GTX Hiking Boots for durability, weatherproofing, and comfort on long hikes. Here’s how it performed on the trail.

backpacking, hiking, footwearMary Beth SkylisOctober 7, 2025mary beth skylis, la sportiva hike mid gtx, footwear, hiking boots, men's footwear, women's footwear

Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp Review

We tested the Black Diamond Spot 400 headlamp, which won our Best Battery-Operated Headlamp, for brightness, waterproofness, functionality, and battery life

camping, electronics, hiking, backpacking, runningMike Unger & Liz Thomas & Naomi HudetzSeptember 29, 2025mike unger, naomi hudetz, liz thomas, black diamond spot 400 headlamp, headlamps

For Hikers Who Want a Low-Cut Shoe That Works Like a Boot: The Oboz Katabatic LT Low GTX

We tested the Oboz Katabatic LT Low GTX hiking shoes, a waterproof hiking shoe that balances the agility of trail running shoes with the stability of hiking boots

footwear, hiking, backpackingEbony RobertsSeptember 29, 2025ebony roberts, oboz katabatic lt low gtx, hiking shoes

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