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Editors picks banner with Big Agnes Copper Spur backpacking tent
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The Gear We Love
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your backcountry home
The Best Backpacking Tents
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Hot Off the Trail
New Trail Footwear for 2026
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fibers on the loose
Microplastics, Macro Problem
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summit fever?
The Peak Bagger Hiking Kit
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don't skimp on comfort
The Best Camping Mattresses
Wearing Osprey Exos backpack in rocky mountain landscape
curious about public lands funding?
The Backpack Tax
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Stay Light, Stay Dry
Ultralight Rain Jackets: A Deep Dive
The Best Hiking Boots
all-conditions footwear
The Best Hiking Boots
Putting rainfly on REI Co-op Trailmade 2 backpacking tent
price meets performance
REI Co-op Tents: A Complete Guide
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get a move on
The Best Trail Running Shoes
Contents inside main compartment of Osprey Exos 58 backpacking backpack
for the long haul
The Best Backpacking Backpacks
Hyperlite Unbound 2P backpacking tent guyout point on wall
material matters
Backpacking Tent Fabrics: A Deep Dive
Keeping out the rain in the Black Diamond Fineline Stretch rain jacket
when the skies unleash
The Best Rain Jackets
Wildflowers and the Mystery Ranch Radix 57 Backpack
reduce your impact
Sustainability Coverage For Every Product
Black Diamond Trail Vista 20 hiking daypack fully packed
carry the essentials
The Best Hiking Daypacks
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mapping 101
How Do I Know What Land is Public?
Exped Lightning 50 backpacking pack roll-top closure detail
Gear 101
Backpacking Pack Materials: A Deep Dive
Standing next to Hyperlite Mountain Gear Headwall 55 ski backpack
adventure on tap?
We've Got a Kit for That
Hiking in evening light in the Arc'teryx Gamma SL hiking pants
you gotta have 'em
The Best Hiking Pants
Editors picks banner with Big Agnes Copper Spur backpacking tent
01
The Gear We Love
View of lake through vestibule of MSR Hubba Hubba HD 2 backpacking tent
02
The Best Backpacking Tents
Hiker scrambling down boulder in trail running shoes
03
New Trail Footwear for 2026
Close-up of synthetic jacket material
04
Microplastics, Macro Problem
Sitting on boulder in Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody
05
The Peak Bagger Hiking Kit
Camper lying on Exped Megamat Duo sleeping mattress
06
The Best Camping Mattresses
Wearing Osprey Exos backpack in rocky mountain landscape
07
The Backpack Tax
Water beaded on Montbell Versalite rain jacket
08
Ultralight Rain Jackets: A Deep Dive
The Best Hiking Boots
09
The Best Hiking Boots
Putting rainfly on REI Co-op Trailmade 2 backpacking tent
10
REI Co-op Tents: A Complete Guide
Lacing up Norda 001A trail running shoes
11
The Best Trail Running Shoes
Contents inside main compartment of Osprey Exos 58 backpacking backpack
12
The Best Backpacking Backpacks
Hyperlite Unbound 2P backpacking tent guyout point on wall
13
Backpacking Tent Fabrics: A Deep Dive
Keeping out the rain in the Black Diamond Fineline Stretch rain jacket
14
The Best Rain Jackets
Wildflowers and the Mystery Ranch Radix 57 Backpack
15
Sustainability Coverage For Every Product
Black Diamond Trail Vista 20 hiking daypack fully packed
16
The Best Hiking Daypacks
Two backpackers looking at map in forest
17
How Do I Know What Land is Public?
Exped Lightning 50 backpacking pack roll-top closure detail
18
Backpacking Pack Materials: A Deep Dive
Standing next to Hyperlite Mountain Gear Headwall 55 ski backpack
19
We've Got a Kit for That
Hiking in evening light in the Arc'teryx Gamma SL hiking pants
20
The Best Hiking Pants
Friends peeking out from tent door of REI Co-op Wonderland 6 camping tent
BROWSE CAMPING GEAR BY CATEGORY
Water beaded on ultralight rain jacket

Education

Ultralight Rain Jackets: A Deep Dive

Backpackers, thru-hikers, and mountain runners all want to thread the needle and find the right ultralight rain jacket for their respective missions. You can get all the way down to the 4- to 5-ounce range for the most minimalist and streamlined of shells, but there are important considerations, including breathability, weather protection, durability, features, cost, and more.
Big Agnes Copper Spur backpacking tent components

weigh your options

Packaged Weight vs. Trail Weight in Backpacking Tents

When you’re shopping for a new backpacking tent, you’ll almost always see two weights listed: packaged weight and trail weight. At first glance, the distinction seems straightforward—one number is heavier, one is lighter. But as with most gear specs, there’s more nuance than you might expect.
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The Best Hiking Shoes

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The Best Hiking Boots

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Sustainability

Do Durable Products = Sustainable Products?

It seems simple enough: build better gear, make it last longer, and eliminate the need to buy more. But what really makes a product durable? And how well can you actually predict a product’s lifespan?
Osprey Aura - Atmos LT 50 Backpack back view
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