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

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 ...

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 ...

What’s the best backpacking stove? To answer this question, I tested 29 stove models from six different brands, interested only in those that I’d be happy to carry for an extended outing in the ...

Backpacking through Europe no longer has to mean empty bank accounts, overnight buses out of desperation, or skipping meals ...

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, ...

Backpacking is just like day hiking. Except instead of finishing the day by going home to a shower and a home-cooked meal, you camp alongside the trail, don’t shower, and eat someone’s best attempt at ...

Alex Hutchinson is a National Magazine Award-winning journalist and Outside’s Sweat Science columnist, covering the latest research on endurance and outdoor sports. The results of these studies are ...