Hiking gear reviews and buyer's guides. Best backpacks, trekking poles, sleeping systems and trail footwear — tested on real multi-day routes.
We analysed 1162 pieces of backpacking gear across 18 categories. Here is the lightest option, the average weight and the spread in each — the real numbers for 2026.
Read articleThe best lightweight backpack for 2026 depends on your load, not the lowest gram count. Five picks from 510 g to 2,210 g, matched to base weight.
Read articleA practical head-to-head of the Salomon X Ultra 4 vs 5 hiking shoes — fit, outsole, waterproofing and which to buy.
Read articleThe best approach shoes for 2026, ranked by grip, weight and durability — from the 310 g Arc'teryx Konseal to the $120 Five Ten Guide Tennie.
Read articleThe Carbon Z is the lighter fixed-length pole at 280g a pair; the FLZ trades 140g for FlickLock adjustability. Full weight, price and use-case verdict.
Read articleThe best ultralight backpack 2026: the 595 g Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60 leads six sub-1 kg packs ranked by weight, frame, price and trail use.
Read articleThe Durston X-Mid 2 weighs 819 g in standard polyester and 544 g as the Pro. Full weight breakdown, real packed numbers and how it compares in 2026.
Read articleThe best backpack for the Wicklow Way in Ireland: 20–50L picks from a 290 g running vest to a load-hauling Osprey, matched to the 129 km inn-to-inn walk.
Read articleBest gear for the Enchantments Traverse 2026: tested packs, traction and layers for the 18-mile Washington route over 7,800-ft Aasgard, day or overnight.
Read articleThe best gear for Slovenia's 270-km Juliana Trail in 2026: pack picks, rain shells and footwear for a village-to-village alpine loop.
Read articleThe best gear for Bhutan's 316-km Snowman Trek in 2026: daypack picks, four-season sleep system and cold-weather layering tested for high passes.
Read articleThe best gear for Argentina's Vuelta al Huemul in 2026: storm-worthy packs, a harness and pulley for the Tyrolean crossings, warm layers.
Read articleThe best backpack for the Abel Tasman in 2026 is a 30-45 L pack; hut sleepers want 30-35 L, campers 40-45 L for the 60 km coastal walk.
Read articleThe best gear for the Jordan Trail in 2026: high-capacity packs for water, sun protection and desert-ready kit for the 675 km Umm Qais to Aqaba route.
Read articleThe best gear for Nepal's Three Passes Trek in 2026: a 50–60 L pack, -15 °C bag and microspikes for the Cho La glacier on the 166 km loop.
Read articleThe best gear for New Zealand's Great Walks in 2026: a 40-65 L pack, waterproof shell, 3-season sleeping bag and hut kit. Compare packs and essentials.
Read articleThe best backpack for Everest Base Camp is a 40-50 L daypack if a porter carries your duffel, or a 60-65 L pack if self-supported. Compare 2026 picks.
Read articleThe best backpack for the Camino Francés is a 30-40 L pack under 1.3 kg. Compare the top lightweight and ultralight picks for the 780 km walk in 2026.
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