Trekking poles are one of the most multi-purpose gear items you can carry into the backcountry. We've tested dozens of models over thousands of miles to find the best.
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To find the best child hiking carrier for babies and toddlers, we reviewed backpacks and tested the Osprey Poco line, Deuter Kid Comfort, Kelty, Thule, and more
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The best wool and synthetic hiking and backpacking socks — hiking socks to prevent blisters, the best socks for hiking in hot weather, compression, and more.
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One of the best ways to move from surviving to thriving in nature is to sleep in a well-ventilated, durable, weatherproof camping tent. We found camping tents that are easy to set up and durable enough for repeated use by teenagers.
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We spent 300+ nights testing the best headlamps for brightness, battery life, comfort, and ease of use for backpacking, hiking, running, climbing, and camping.
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We review the best men’s and women’s lightweight hiking boots for day hikes and lightweight backpacking, including the top waterproof and Gore-Tex models.
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Clean drinking water is essential when you head into the backcountry. An effective, reliable water filter or purifier ensures that you have it. We field-tested 20 systems over 6 years to find the one for you.
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We put in 125 hours of research and 500 days of trail testing to review the best GPS and ABC watches for hiking, backpacking, and multisport outdoor activities.
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We ran 2,000 miles in 24 of the most popular trail running shoes to find the best trail running shoes for hiking and backpacking, road-to-trail running, narrow feet, wide feet, beginner trail runners, and distance running.
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Long-term, in-depth review of the ULA Circuit backpacking backpack for lightweight hikers, thru-hiking, and hiking with dogs.
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We review sports detergents to find the best laundry detergent for workout clothes. Gym clothes require a tough sports wash that can address tough stains and odors. We tested the best-selling sports laundry detergent, the best everyday laundry detergent, and the best laundry boosters to meet your needs and budgets.
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We reviewed waterproof, breathable, and packable rain gear for hiking, backpacking, and travel to find the best lightweight rain jackets.
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We review top-rated hiking gaiters for all terrains and budgets, and provide tips on choosing the perfect fit.
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We reviewed 44 down jackets to find the 7 best puffy jackets for most outdoor activities: hiking, camping, backpacking—ultralight to extreme cold.
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One of few people to thru-hike the PCT northbound and southbound weighs in on the differences in gear and strategy. Here’s the gear, strategy, and plan for PCT NOBO vs. SOBO.
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Updated for 2025, our gear list and strategy for the Appalachian Trail prepares you for a thru-hike or long distance section of the AT. As weather and ecosystems change, so should your gear. Here’s what we’ve learned from 5 thru-hikes and 11,000 AT miles of trial-and-error.
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More than just a gear list, read our comprehensive gear strategy for the Pacific Crest Trail. As weather and ecosystems change, so should your gear. Here’s what we’ve learned in 20,000 PCT miles of trial-and-error.
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An in-depth, trail-tested review of the MSR Hubba Hubba LT 3, a lightweight, durable 3-season tent with easy setup, excellent ventilation, and a spacious design for backpacking.
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We hiked 1000s of miles to find the best hiking boots for men, women, wide feet, hiking and backpacking. We test for fit, support, durability, and breathability
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We review the best 4-season tents for mountaineering, backcountry ski trips, gusty winds, cold weather, heavy precipitation, and challenging conditions. We looked for 4-season tents with headroom, easy set-up, solid pole structure, good ventilation and that can take heavy snow loads.
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