Backpacking Gear

There are tons of options when it comes to selecting gear for backpacking. Our favorites have proven to be lightweight and durable to sustain multiple treks in the backcountry. From sleeping bags to cook stoves to lightweight tents, find all our detailed backpacking gear guides here.

Kristen Bor standing on a cliff on the ocean wearing hiking clothes and a backpack

Best Sun Protection Shirts for Women in 2025 (Reviewed)

Woman hiking in front of the ocean in Maui wearing hiking shorts, REI Sahara Shade long sleeve shirt for sun protection, a hat, and a hiking daypack

2025 REI Anniversary Sale: 35 Amazing Outdoor Gear Deals

Women hiking on snowy trail in the forest to Wapta Falls in Yoho National Park

2024 REI Winter Sale: These are the 15 Best Deals!

A woman stands on a summit looking over a blue lake and lots of alpine trees. She's wearing red Oboz hiking boots

My Favorite Oboz Hiking Boots – Reviewed

Collage of gifts with text "Gifts for Hikers and backpackers - 25 Lightweight gifts for hitting the trail"

20 Ultralight Gifts for Hikers and Backpackers

Kristen Bor wearing a red Arc'teryx Beta SL Rain Jacket with the hood on during a rainy hike

Arc’teryx Beta SL Rain Jacket Review: Is it worth the price?

Kristen Bor holding Kula Cloth pee rag featuring a bear next to a lake with a cosmic mountain scene

Kula Cloth Review: Why I Love this Reusable Pee Rag

Woman sitting on the ground in front of a backpacking tent cooking on a backpacking stove

My 3-Day Backpacking Checklist (with PDF)

Setting up the Zpaks Triplex tent

Zpacks Duplex Ultralight Tent Review

Protecting your skin from the sun is especially important if you spend lots of time outdoors. Learn all about sun protection for hiking.

Essential Sun Protection Tips For Hikers

Kristen Bor cleaning hiking boots over kitchen sink with Nikwax footwear cleaning gel

How To Clean Your Hiking Boots: Step-by-Step Instructions

Kristen Bor lying on her stomach looking at the camera in a tent inside her sleeping bag

6 Best Women’s Sleeping Bags for Backpacking in 2024

Close up of a woman's head inside of the hood of the REI Magma sleeping bag

REI Magma 15-Degree Unisex Sleeping Bag Review

Bearfoot Theory founder Kristen Bor on a desert hike in red canyon utah

32 Essential Desert Hiking and Backpacking Tips

BFT Founder Kristen wearing a pink Patagonia Nano Puff Hoodie in Maui at Haleakala National Park

Women’s Patagonia Nano Puff Insulated Hoodie Review

Here are the best synthetic down jackets for women in 2021 including lightweight, packable, vegan-friendly down alternatives for cold temps.

Best Women’s Synthetic Down Jackets in 2024

A woman backpacks through Sequoia National Park wearing a red backpacking pack

How to Pack a Backpacking Pack for a Multi-Day Hiking Trip

Get recommendations for the best backpacking tents and learn what key features to consider when choosing a new lightweight tent for the backcountry.

7 Best Backpacking Tents in 2024

Bearfoot Theory founder Kristen Bor holding a red therm-a-rest prolite plus sleeping pad and putting it into her backpacking tent

10 Best Sleeping Pads for Backpacking in 2024

Headlamps sitting on a wood stump

Best Headlamps for Hiking & Camping in 2024

Here are the best trekking poles of 2021 including women's hiking poles, and ultralight, collapsible options for all budgets.

7 Best Trekking Poles for Hiking & Backpacking in 2024

Here are the best women’s hiking underwear that don't chafe and that efficiently wick moisture when you’re active outdoors.

Best Hiking Underwear for Women that Stay Put & Wick Sweat

Two women backpacking in Sequoia National Park

12 Best Women’s Hiking Hats of 2024

Ultralight Zpacks Triplex backpacking tent set up with a backpacking pack and boots in front

Best Ultralight Backpacking Gear

Two women exploring red rock cave with three sky holes in Utah

What to Wear Hiking in the Desert

Woman smiling for photo in front of a lake in New Hampshire in the fall

Best Women’s Lightweight Rain Jackets for Hiking in 2024

Get our in-depth review of the Oboz Sawtooth X hiking shoes with details on comfort, traction, waterproofing, fit, durability, and more.

Oboz Sawtooth X Hiking Boot Review

View inside of camping tent set up on the beach

Best Double Sleeping Bags & Quilts For Camping & Backpacking

Learn how to put together a hiking first aid kit to keep you and your friends safe out on the trail with this DIY first aid kit checklist.

How to Build a Hiking First Aid Kit: A Complete Checklist

Should your hiking boots be waterproof? Learn the difference between waterproof vs non-waterproof hiking boots and which ones you need.

Do You Need Waterproof or Non-Waterproof Hiking Boots?

Get the scoop on the best backpacking backpacks for women that are comfortable and lightweight and learn how to choose the best pack for you.

9 Best Backpacking Backpacks for Women in 2024

Male backpacker sitting on ground with gravity fed water filter hung from tree behind him

Best Backpacking Water Filters and Purifiers of 2024

Hiker standing at lookout on hike during fall foliage season in New England

What to Wear Hiking in Fall

The Oboz Sypes hiking boot is a lightweight, versatile, and comfortable trail shoe with ankle support and supportive, eco-friendly insoles.

Oboz Sypes Hiking Boot Review: Supportive & Comfortable with Eco-Friendly Materials

Complete John Muir Trail Gear List for 2024

Complete John Muir Trail Gear List for 2024

Woman with backpacking pack on at the base of Havasu Falls

Complete Havasu Falls Packing List (2024)

Kristen sitting on ground next to backpacking stove and bear canister on backpacking trip

The Best Lightweight Bear Canisters for Backpacking

Want to hike the W Trek in Torres Del Paine? My W Trek packing list will have you prepared for hiking & camping on this bucket-list trail in Patagonia.

W Trek Packing List for Hiking in Patagonia

Kristen Bor with a backpacking pack in looking out over Baron Lakes in Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains

Ultralight Backpacking Tips: 11 Practical Ways to Shave Weight