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 review 44 down jackets to find the 7 best puffy jackets for most outdoor activities: hiking, camping, backpacking to around town—ultralight to extreme cold
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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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Impressive features, long battery life, different sizes, and solar options make the Garmin Instinct 2 series our favorite ABC GPS watch.
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Garmin inReach Messenger in-depth review — easy-to-use, affordable satellite communicator (vs. inReach Mini) with emergency SOS, 2-way texting, weather, and more.
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Looking for a way to stay upright in icy conditions? Sure-footed traction in snow and ice allows you to carry your outdoor life into the shoulder seasons and beyond.
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We tested 2 dozen lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight men’s and women’s base layer tops for 4 years. We put these base layers to work, and came out with the best base layers for warmth, durability, comfort, wicking away sweat, and not retaining odor over time.
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We spent 200+ 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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The Patagonia Micro Puff is our favorite synthetic insulated jacket with an incredible warmth-to-weight ratio and retains its warmth when wet.
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We review 20 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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In-depth review of the ZPacks Duplex based on 9000 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
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Thru-hikers share what’s in their backpacking backpack. Gear lists for an ultralight, super ultralight (SUL), and comfort trail kit for AT, PCT, and JMT hikes.
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We researched, tested, and used our own experience to find the best lightweight backpacks for backpacking. We researched 18 packs to find the best overall for most people, best Dyneema (DCF), high volume, heavy loads, budget, frameless ultralight packs for multi-day trips in the backcountry.
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We tested electrolyte powders, tablets, capsules, and drops in hot and harsh conditions across thousands of miles to bring you this list of the best electrolyte supplements on the market.
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We review 25 popular backpacking tent reviews to find the backpacking tents for all kinds of backpackers, hikers, and campers. Then we tested on 1000’s of miles of backpacking in climates from desert to temperate rain forest to find the best backpacking tents for most people.
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To find the best child hiking carrier for babies and toddlers, we reviewed backpacks and tested the Osprey Poco Plus and Deuter Kid Comfort side-by-side.
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We analyzed the best water filter and water purifier reviews to find the best way to keep your drinking water safe in the backcountry. Our research and experience pointed us towards the internet’s consensus on the best water filters for backpacking.
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Whether you’re day hiking, swimming at the local watering hole, camping, at the park, or relaxing in your very own backyard, as a hammock camper you’ll be the envy of every ground dweller around.
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We review 28 satellite messengers and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) GPS two way-messenger devices including the Garmin InReach Mini, SPOT and Somewear based on weight, budget, battery life and subscriptions
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We researched and tested the best tough cameras for your backcountry (and front country) adventures - waterproof, freeze-proof, drop-proof, shock-proof cameras that function no matter the extremes of weather and environment.
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