Expert gear tips and ultralight setups for hikers and backpackers. Weight-tested reviews of tents, sleeping bags, packs and essential trail equipment.
A complete ultralight backpacking kit under 2 kg is achievable in 2026. Here's the exact gear, weights, and four-system strategy that gets you there.
Read articleBest hiking gaiters 2026: full waterproof, mid-height GORE-TEX and ultralight debris models compared. Find the right pair for your terrain and boot type.
Read articleWhat a base layer, mid layer and shell each do, how to choose them and when to add one: a complete hiking layering system in 750–900 g of clothing.
Read articleThe best camp shoes for backpacking weigh 160–280 g per pair and double as water-crossing footwear. Top picks for 2026 compared by weight, sole and cost.
Read articleThe best hiking mid-layer jackets of 2026 weigh 200–350 g and pack to fist-size. Arc'teryx, Fjällräven and Norrøna tested and compared.
Read articleMerino wool wins on multi-day odour control; synthetics dry faster and cost less. Here's how to choose the right hiking base layer for 2026.
Read articleThe Coros Apex 2 Pro matches the Garmin Fenix 8's trail navigation for $550 less. Four hiking watches compared on GPS battery, topo maps and weight.
Read articleGarmin inReach Mini 3 Plus leads for 2026. Two-way messaging, SOS, battery life and subscription costs compared — and which device fits your hiking.
Read articleFive sun hoodies for hiking compared on UPF rating, fabric and fit: Ketl Mtn NoFry, Cotopaxi Sombra, REI Flash Shade, Icebreaker and Mountain Hardwear.
Read articleThe MSR PocketRocket 2 is the best backpacking stove for 2026. Compare canister, alcohol and integrated stoves on weight, boil time and price.
Read articleDarn Tough's Hiker Micro Crew tops our 2026 hiking sock test: 65 g merino, lifetime guarantee. Five pairs under $27 compared on blisters and weight.
Read articleThe best ultralight sleeping bags of 2026 weigh 340–510 g with genuine 15–20°F ratings. Sea to Summit Spark leads; Zpacks Classic is the lightest.
Read articleThe Zpacks Vertice is the lightest rain jacket for hiking at 113 g; the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L wins on value. 6 shells weighed, priced and compared.
Read articleThe best backpacking water filter of 2026 is the Sawyer Squeeze at 85 g, rated for 100,000 gallons. HydraPak UltraFlask leads for on-the-go drinking.
Read articleBest hiking headlamps of 2026: Black Diamond Spot 400-R leads at 86 g with IP67 waterproofing. The Nitecore NU25 UL is the lightest at just 28 g.
Read articleThe best lightweight backpacking tents of 2026 weigh 650g–1.1 kg. The Durston X-Dome 1 and NEMO Dragonfly lead for weather protection and livability per gram.
Read articleThe Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT at 340 g and R-value 4.5 leads our 2026 sleeping pad rankings. Full comparison across weight, warmth, and value.
Read articleThe lightest backpacking tent of 2026 is the Big Agnes Fly Creek HV2 Carbon at 530 g. Compare the top 6 ultralight shelters tested this season.
Read article