The new Alpenglow Gear Alpenblow Lux sleeping pad inflator is our favorite ultralight pad pump with inflation, deflation, lantern, and white noise.
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We interviewed dozens of PCT and CDT hikers to consider dozens of shorts models. Then we tested them over 1000s of miles of thru-hiking to find the best pair of shorts for thru-hikers of all sizes and shapes.
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We tested the best backpacking sleeping bags over thousands of miles on the trail, and chose the best bags based on comfort, warmth, packability, and weight.
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We tested electrolyte powders, tablets, capsules, and drops in hot and harsh conditions such as hiking, running, and biking to bring you this list of the best electrolyte supplements on the market.
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After testing dozens of socks over thousands of miles of hiking, here are 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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We tested GPS and ABC hiking watches across 400+ days of thru-hiking and backpacking. Top pick: the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar, with strong mapping and battery picks from Garmin and COROS.
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To find the best sleeping pads, we tested 20 pads over 1000s of miles of backpacking, bikepacking, and bicycle touring. See our top picks for best overall, 4-season, budget, foam, side-sleeper, and hybrid.
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The Six Moon Designs Lunar Orbiter is a freestanding ultralight tent with dual vestibules and a silpoly build. We tested it for 2 years in wind, rain, and snow.
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We tested the best sun hats hiking to find the best sun hats for hiking, backpacking, and other 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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Hands-on Garmin Enduro 3 review from a double Triple Crown thru-hiker. Solar charging, multi-week battery life, training tools, and how it stacks up in 2026.
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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 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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We tested 50 lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight men’s and women’s base layer tops over four years. We put these base layers to work, and came out with the best base layers for warmth, durability, comfort, and ability to wick away sweat and odor over time.
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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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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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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.
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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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We spent 400+ 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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Stay safe, stay connected, and stay found in the backcountry with a satellite messenger or personal locator beacon.
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