Hiking & Camping Reviews
From hiking boots to tents, our experts test the best from Osprey, Black Diamond, REI, Salomon, Big Agnes, Kelty, and more
Not only does a closed-cell foam pad create a pop-free barrier between inflatables and the ground, but it also adds a significant insulation layer between your body and warmth-sucking granite.
Credit: Brian Martin
Whether you love hiking, backpacking, or camping, our team of backcountry experts has been testing products side-by-side for over 12 years. Our process: we purchase the top 10-20 products in each category (like backpacking tents and top sleeping pads) and then we send our expert testing team into the field. After months of using products in a wide range of conditions, we rate and score how each product performed and make recommendations based on key performance metrics. Whether you need a backpack, a sleeping bag, or a just curious about the best camping tents, or the top coolers, let us help you find the perfect product for you.
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The Ultimate Camping Gear Checklist
Looking for a great camping packing list? We've got you covered. Our expert camping editors have compiled this...
Best Hiking Gear
After years of playing in the outdoors and getting our hands on a wide variety of gear, we have had the chance to...
The Ultimate Backpacking Checklist
Looking for a quality backpacking gear packing list to help you prepare for an upcoming trip. Our backpacking expert...
10 Best Hiking Boots
After trekking thousands of miles in more than 145 pairs of men's hiking boots and hiking boots for women in the last...
The Best Hiking Boots for Men
We have tested hiking boots for 12 years, with over 80 unique models bought and pitted head-to-head. This updated...
The Best Hiking Boots for Women
We've bought and tested nearly 60 different pairs of women's hiking boots since 2014, with 22 top models available...
10 Best Hiking Shoes
Hiking is a great way to get outside and enjoy nature, and unlike some outdoor pursuits, it doesn't require a ton of...
10 Best Rain Jackets
Are you looking to stay dry? Over the last 14 years, we've put more than 205 of the best rain jackets through rigorous...
The Best Rain Jackets for Women
Our experts have bought and tested 45 of the best women's rain jackets in the last 12 years, with 12 excellent options...
The Best Down Jackets for Men
We've been putting down and puffy jackets to the test for over a decade to find the best and warmest options. We've...
The Best Down Jacket for Women
Searching for a down jacket to keep you toasty through the cold months? Since 2012, we have tested more than 60...
10 Best Backpacks
Most of us use a backpack of some sort on a regular basis. Between carrying books to school, our laptops to work, gym...
The Best Backpacking Tents
Whether you're a seasoned backpacker or just diving into the activity for the first time, our expert camping and...
The Best Camping Tents
Are you looking for the perfect camping tent? We've got you. Since 2012, our team has reviewed hundreds of tents...
The Best Ultralight Tents
At GearLab, we've been testing and reviewing ultralight tents since 2012. Our expert ultralight fast-packers have...
The Best Bivy Sack
Our testers used the bivy sacks in this review over all sorts of terrain - hanging off the sides of cliffs, basking in...
The Best 4-Season Tents
If you like to get outside no matter what the weather forecast says, a 4-season tent is a good investment. We bought a...
The Best Rooftop Tents
We thoroughly researched over 50 models and purchased 13 of the best rooftop tents available today for our expert...
The Best Hammocks for 2024
Searching for the best hammock for camping or backpacking? We've tested more than 60 models over the past decade, and...
The Best Handheld GPS
We took 5 of the best handheld GPS units and navigated through whiteouts, desert washes, fog-covered forests, and high...
The Best GPS Watches
Our review authors and testers have spent the last decade testing over 50 of the best GPS watches, with the top 16 in...
The Best Canopy Tents
Our shade-loving experts poured over hundreds of the best canopy tents available before choosing 13 for side-by-side...
10 Best Patagonia Jackets, Pants, & Gear
Since 2010, we've braved the elements to test over 290 products from Patagonia, including more than 130 Patagonia...
The Best Coolers
We purchased 23 of the best coolers available today and took them to our lab for rigorous insulation testing. After...
The Best Soft Coolers
We've vetted, purchased, and tested over 30 soft coolers since 2017. Our most recent test compares the best models...
The Best Electric Coolers
For several months and hundreds of kilowatt-hours, we put the best electric powered coolers through the wringer to...
The Hunt for the Best Headlamps
We've extensively tested 63 of the best headlamps over the past 6 years. For our current iteration, we bought, tested...
The Best Lanterns
Our experts have lit up the night for 10 years, testing over 50 of the best lanterns available. For this review, we...
The Best Binoculars
We test 16 top binoculars to help you find the best options for birding, backpacking, or general use. After...
Best Backpacking Backpacks
We've tested over 100 backpacking packs spanning over more than a decade now, so we feel confident saying we know what...
Best Backpacking Backpacks for Women
Our backcountry experts have been testing the best women's backpacking backpacks side by side since 2017. This review...
The Best Ultralight Backpack
Ready to join the ultralight revolution? Over the past decade, our thru-hiking experts have tested more than 50 of the...
The Best Sun Hats
The right sun hat can make your time outside more comfortable and protect your skin. Over the last 14 years, we have...
The Best Umbrellas
We purchased 12 umbrellas for side-by-side testing in rainy places around the world. We used a wind tunnel-like test...
Best Budget Backpacking Pack
To get you on the trail without breaking the bank, we put 9 budget backpacking packs to the test in head-to-head...
The Best Hiking Daypacks
Our trailblazing professionals have purchased and tested over 70 of the best daypacks in the past decade, presenting...
The Best Hiking Daypacks for Women
Want the best daypack to carry your hiking essentials? After researching 80+ options, our team of experts bought the...
The Best Hydration Packs
From lightweight, minimalistic hydration packs to those with expandable storage, we've tested over 47 hydration packs...
Best Running Hydration Vest for Women
Searching for a women's hydration vest for running? You've come to the right place. We have exhaustively tested 14 of...
Best Running Hydration Vest for Men
We've tested close to 40 unique running hydration packs in the past 8 years, with our top 15 in this review. We sought...
10 Best Hydration Vests for Running
Looking for the perfect hydration vest for your runs? We've bought and tested over 70 top-rated running vests over the...
The Best Hydration Bladder
Our outdoor experts have tested 21 of the best hydration bladders over the last 8 years. This updated review features...
10 Best Sleeping Bags
A great sleeping bag can make your overnights in the outdoors more comfortable, more fun, and hopefully more...
Best Camping Sleeping Bags
Over the last 11 years, we've purchased dozens of the best camping sleeping bags, with 13 top models in this review...
Best Laptop Backpack
We bought 14 of today's most promising laptop backpacks and used them side-by-side while commuting to work and school...
Best Backpacking Sleeping Bag
Since 2011, we've purchased and rigorously tested nearly 100 of the best backpacking sleeping bags, with 16 top models...
The Best Sleeping Bags for Women
Our backpacking experts have tested close to 50 of the best women's sleeping bags over the last 12 years. This review...
The Best Sling Bags
For over two months, we bought 17 top sling bags and incorporated them into every part of our lives. We considered...
The Best Ultralight Sleeping Bag
Over the last ten years, we have bought and tested over 45 ultralight sleeping bags. This review compares 17 of the...
The Best Trekking Poles
Looking for the best trekking poles available today? We can help! Since 2012, we've tested nearly 70 unique pairs...
The Best Winter Sleeping Bags
Our experts have tested 27 of the best winter sleeping bags side-by-side over the past 8 years. Purchasing 13 of the...
Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads
Being comfortable outdoors requires the right supplies, and lightweight is better when it comes to backpacking gear...
The Best Sleeping Pad for Women
Looking to get the best sleep while you're out on the trail? For over a decade, we've slept on dozens of the best...
The Best Camping Mattress
Over the last 13 years, our experts have purchased and tested nearly 40 of the best camping mattresses. We bought 16...
The Best Camping Cot
We bought the 10 most promising camping cots and took them to our favorite campsite for side-by-side testing. Night...
The Best Budget Hammock
We researched over 50 of the best hammocks and bought the top eight budget models for testing. Hours of lying around...
The Best Camping Blankets
Our camping experts researched over 50 of the best camping blankets before purchasing 14 to snuggle into or set up a...
The Best Camping Pillows
We traveled the world testing camping pillows in tents, hammocks, RVs, and airplanes. We measured each against five...
The Best Backpacking Stoves
Over the last 12 years, we've tested 38 unique backpacking stoves in our quest to find the best, with the top 20 in...
The Best Fire Pits
The right fire pit will bring you together with friends and family without leaving you coughing and smelling like a...
Best Camping Cookware Sets
We put the top camping cookware sets to the test, taking them on expeditions, backpacking trips, and casual...
The Best Camping Stoves
Over the last 12 years, we have hand-picked, purchased, and rigorously tested over 40 unique camping stoves. For this...
Best Camping Coffee Maker
We purchased the 15 top camping coffee makers and tested them head-to-head all over the backcountry and over numerous...
The Best Portable Grills
We bought 20 of the best portable grills and took them on the road to cook amazing meals at tailgate parties, backyard...
The Best Backpacking Chairs
Are you on the hunt for the best backpacking chair? We've tested more than 40 different models over the past 10 years...
The Best Camping Chairs
Sick of a numb bum and ready for comfort? We bought 17 of the best camping chairs and spent months rigorously testing...
The Best Camping Tables
We bought 16 of the most promising camping tables and took them on many road trips, where we set up camp in everything...
The Best Spork
After 10 years of analyzing the best sporks, we've bought and tested just about every design out there. This review...
10 Best Sunglasses
Are you looking to avoid UV rays, reduce glare, or just need a stylish accessory? Whether you're searching for a pair...
The Best Cheap Sunglasses
You want sunglasses that look great and perform well. But can you achieve this without coughing up an arm and a leg...
The Best Sport Sunglasses
Looking for a legit pair of sport sunglasses? We researched 100+ before we settled on the top 24 to put to the test...
10 Best Solar Chargers
A good solar charger lets you power your essential communication and outdoor electronics, no matter how far off the...
Best Portable Solar Chargers
Our experts have been rigorously testing the best portable solar chargers and panels since 2013 and have personally...
Best Solar Panels for Camping
The right camping solar panel keeps your phones and key electronics charged without relying on noisy generators. This...
Best Satellite Communicators
We took 13 satellite communicators into the backcountry and assessed their emergency and non-emergency functions...
The Best Walkie Talkies
Our experts bought 9 top walkie talkies and spent months using them across mountains, lakes, cities, deserts, and...
The Best Duffel Bags
Our travel experts have spent years hauling duffel bags across the globe for weeks and months at a time to find the...
The Best Energy Bars
We bought 17 top energy bars and meal replacements and had our food experts conduct blind texture and taste tests with...
The Best Water Bottles
Water is essential to good health. Experts recommend drinking at least 8 glasses a day to stay properly hydrated. A...
Best Backpacking Water Filters
Our filtration gurus have bought and tested 23 of the best water filters and treatment systems designed for...
The Best Camping Shower
Outside doesn't have to mean dirty with a camping shower. We researched 60+ options before purchasing the 10 best to...
The Best Pocket Knives
We bought 21 of the best pocket knives and had our experts test them by exploring backcountry terrain, camping...
The Best Axes
It's hard to know how well an axe will bite, split, and deliver force without swinging it, so we purchased 12 top...
The Best Folding Saws
Seeking the best folding saw? Our team of experts examined over 40 options and then purchased the top 9 models for...
The Best Multi-Tools
Our team of veteran gearheads has tested more than 40 different multi-tools over their lives, and we recently bought...
The Best First Aid Kits
Need a first aid kit for your home, car, or next outdoor adventure? First aid professionals, ski patrollers, and...
The Best Fishing Lines
We bought 7 of the best fishing lines on the market and rigorously tested each one side-by-side to give you the...
The Best Fishing Net
Ready to land that trophy fish? After thoroughly researching the market, we bought 8 of the best fishing nets and...
The Best Fishing Rod
Ready to haul in the catch of the day? We took an in-depth look at today's market, bought 9 of the best spinning rods...