Hiking Gear

Thoughtful packing lists, detailed gear reviews, gift guides, and other helpful advice about hiking and backpacking gear.

Helpful Hiking Resources

Day Hiking Checklist

Ultralight Backpacking Gear List

How to Meal Plan for Backpacking

2023’s Best Gifts for Hikers

Complete Hiking & Backpacking Resources Guide

Five pairs of hiking underwear, men's and women's over a backdrop of a foggy forest

Best Hiking Underwear of 2023 [Men’s & Women’s Options]

Upon walking into an REI, it’s easy to get dazzled by all the big, shiny items on display, such as packs, trekking poles, and tents. But don’t overlook that humble but crucial piece of gear — your hiking underwear. Sure, your favorite cotton undies will do for a short jaunt or two. But for longer … Read more

59 Best Gifts for Hikers & Backpackers 2023 [Unique Ideas]

It isn’t easy to buy gifts for hikers and backpackers in 2023. I get it. We’re a gear-hungry bunch who spend far too much of our free time searching for products that’ll take our trail game to the next level. Buying something for an avid hiker that’s unique and worthwhile can get overwhelming because we … Read more
Camo Zpacks Duplex ultralight tent pitched in a high-alpine field in front of a mountain range

11 Best Ultralight Tents of 2023 [Backpacking & Thru-Hiking]

Gone are the days of toting bulky six-pound Eureka tents around the woods — backpacking shelters today save hikers every possible ounce. But with so many options on the market in 2023, it can be tough to decide on the best ultralight tent for your next backpacking or thru-hiking trip. Your tent is one of … Read more
Waterproof backpack with beads of precipitation on it, leaned against a rock with a Zpacks label

13 Best Waterproof Backpacks of 2023 [Keep Your Gear Dry]

Ever hiked in the rain, eager to change into the dry clothes inside your pack… only to find out they were soaking wet? I sure have, which is why I created this list of the 13 best waterproof backpacks of 2023. These weatherproof packs are a match for any humid or wet-weather adventure out there. … Read more
Three ultralight ditty bags on a wooden desk

7 Best Ditty Bags for Backpacking & Travel Gear in 2023

The last thing you need when taking a trip is to stress over completely preventable inconveniences. Careful packing and storage planning is a big part of that, so do yourself a favor and check out the best ditty bags to organize your travel and backpacking gear in 2023. What’s a ditty bag used for in … Read more
Black NEMO Helio XL foot pump camp shower with a camper van and solar panels in the background

11 Best Camp Showers to Stay Fresh & Clean in 2023

Sure, there’s a rugged charm to that all-natural, musky scent after a long day’s hike. More power to you if that’s your thing, but take it from a seasoned outdoorsman – you’ll have a much more comfortable time out in nature with one of the best camp showers of 2023. Life can get a little … Read more

16 Best Hiking Hats for Men, Women & Hikers of All Stripes

If you hit the trail without a proper hiking hat, what’s your plan? Will you trudge through the wilderness like a masochist as the sun beats down on your face without mercy? Are you going to squint, grimace, and shield your eyes from the harsh UV rays as you pray for the next stretch of … Read more
German Shepherd dog wearing a red hiking backpack with mountains in the background

8 Best Dog Backpacks of 2023 [Hiking Harnesses & Carriers]

“This dog needs to get a job,” I think as I look down at my lazy puppy curled up in a puddle of fur. She gets to go with me to all the places and do all the things. Yet, here she lays without a care in the world as I write this piece about the … Read more

9 Best 0-Degree Sleeping Bags 2023 [for Winter’s Cold Weather]

Going camping this winter? If so, seriously consider packing a sleeping bag rated down to 0° Fahrenheit. Why? Two good reasons: 1) Plummeting temperatures often catch people off guard, with 500 Americans dying every year of hypothermia; and 2) Many thousands more survive freezing temperatures but shiver miserably through the night! Here are our picks … Read more
Three sets of minimalist barefoot trail running sandals on pieces of wood

12 Best Minimalist Barefoot Sandals for Running in 2023

I’ve been searching for a more minimalist approach to footwear for years since I bought my first Vibram Five Finger style back in 2005. From my years of research, I’ve put together my list of the best minimalist barefoot running sandals for men and women in 2023. What are minimalist barefoot sandals? They’re typically lightweight, … Read more
Ensemble of 7.8-pound ultralight backpacking gear setup laid out across a wood floor

8.0 lb Ultralight Backpacking Gear List | 2023 Optimal Setup

I’ve spent years assembling my best ultralight backpacking gear setup for multi-day hikes into the wilderness, and I’d love to share my 2023 list with you. Because what you bring along backpacking will make or break your trip. I’ve learned this lesson the hard way. On an attempted trek of the Laugavegur Trail in Iceland … Read more
Three pairs of wool hiking socks propped of up logs with mountains in the distance

16 Best Hiking Socks of 2023 for All-Season Comfort

As a former REI employee with three-and-a-half years of experience in the footwear department, customers have approached me countless times to ask which hiking socks are best for their next adventure. I’m a gear nerd and know that small details make all the difference in creating the best experience outdoors. Various types of hiking require … Read more

11 Best Backpacking Tents of 2023 (For All Budgets)

Picking out one of 2023’s best backpacking tents for your gear list is no small task. Because, in the wild and unforgiving backcountry, your shelter is the only thing protecting you from the wind, rain, and critters that await outside. That’s why we’ve carefully chosen the eleven best backpacking tents on the market and given … Read more
Hiker wearing a green pullover fleece balaclava style hoodie

Patagonia R1 Review: Regulator Fleece Pullover Hoody

Price: $159 MSRP – Check Price on REI | Backcountry | Patagonia Connor’s Rating:  4.2 out of 5 stars Pros: Comfortable, versatile, easy to layer with Cons: Not very weather-resistant, not super packable Weight: 11 oz | 312 grams Women’s Model: R1 Pullover Lighter Option: Patagonia R1 Air Crew – 9.7 oz | 275 grams … Read more

Essential Backpacking Gear: 14 Items I Won’t Hike Without

If you’re on a quest for essential backpacking gear — the top-notch items that’ll enrich your life on the trail — you’ve come to the right place. Why? Because I’m a hopeless ultralight backpacking junkie, and I’m itching to nerd out over my 15 all-time favorite pieces of gear. Health, happiness, and comfort in the … Read more

Montbell Versalite Rain Jacket Review: THE Ultralight Solution?

Price: $199 MSRP – Check Price on Montbell Noel’s Rating:  4.7 out of 5 stars Pros: Lightweight, packable, full-featured, great fit, breathable Cons: Wets out after long rain exposure, pricey Weight: 6.4 oz | 182 grams Women’s Model: Versalite Jacket Lighter Option: Enlightened Equipment Visp – 4.9 oz | 140 grams Budget Alternative: Outdoor Research Helium … Read more
A man backpacking in Colorado with a bunch of budget gear

Budget Backpacking Gear: Cheap 10 lb Ultralight Kit [~$500]

Quality backpacking gear has a reputation for being pricey, but I’m here to show you that it’s entirely possible to put together an affordable ultralight setup on a $500 budget. That’s right; you can get your hands on a brand-new backpacking gear kit with a 10-pound base weight without having to max out your credit … Read more

Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka Review

Price: $439 MSRP – Check Price on Montbell Noel’s Rating:  4.6 of 5 stars Pros: Extremely warm and lightweight, very comfortable, full set of features Cons: Not very water-resistant, slightly delicate, expensive Weight: 8.4 oz Women’s Model: Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka Lighter Option: Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Jacket: 4.8 oz Budget Option: Superior Down Parka: $209 … Read more

What to Bring on a Hike: The Essential Gear [Full Checklist]

Okay, I’ll admit it: years ago, I would never have been qualified to tell you what to bring on a hike. I used to set off on trails completely unprepared for the twists and turns that lay ahead. I’ve left my rain jacket in my car, and hiked unsuspectingly into chilling alpine storms. Dehydration has … Read more
Woman standing in the forest with a smile wearing a red down jacket

Montbell Permafrost Light Down Parka: Women’s Jacket Review

Price: $279 MSRP – Check Price on Montbell Keri’s Rating:  4.8 of 5 stars Pros: Great weight to warmth ratio; practically waterproof; extremely comfortable Cons: No internal zippered pockets; a tad bulky for ultralight backpacking Weight: 13.8 oz Men’s Model: Permafrost Light Down Parka Lighter Option: Alpine Light Down Parka: 12 oz Budget Option: Highland Parka: $149 … Read more