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 the best 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 for 2024
Looking for a great camping packing list? We've got you covered. Our expert camping editors have compiled this...
Best Hiking Gear of 2024
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 for 2024
Looking for a quality backpacking gear packing list to help you prepare for an upcoming trip. Our backpacking expert...
10 Best Hiking Boots of 2024
After trekking thousands of miles in more than 145 pairs of men's hiking boots and women's hiking boots in the last...
Best Hiking Boots for Men of 2024
We have tested hiking boots for 12 years, with over 80 unique models bought and pitted head-to-head. This updated...
Best Hiking Boots for Women of 2024
We've bought and tested nearly 60 different pairs of women's hiking boots since 2014, with 22 of the best models...
10 Best Hiking Shoes of 2024
Are you searching for the best hiking shoes around? We've trail-tested over 330 of the best hiking shoes to get the...
10 Best Rain Jackets of 2024
Are you looking to stay dry? Over the last 14 years, we've put more than 205 of the best rain jackets through rigorous...
Best Rain Jackets for Women of 2024
Our experts have bought and tested 45 of the best women's rain jackets in the last 12 years, with 12 excellent options...
Best Down Jackets for Men of 2024
Searching for the best down and puffy jackets? Since 2010, we've tested more than 75 down coats to bring you these 16...
Best Down Jacket for Women of 2024
Searching for a down jacket to keep you warm through the winter months? Since 2012, we have tested more than 60...
10 Best Backpacks of 2024
Looking for the best backpack for travel, work, or play? Our gear experts have spent the last decade buying and...
Best Backpacking Tents of 2024
Looking for the best tent for your next backcountry adventure? Over the past 12 years, we've purchased over 100...
Best Camping Tents of 2024
Are you looking for the perfect camping tent? We've got you. Since 2012, our team has reviewed hundreds of tents...
10 Best Tents of 2024
Are you on the lookout for a great tent? There's nothing quite like falling asleep under the stars with a background...
Best Ultralight Tents of 2024
At GearLab, we've been testing and reviewing ultralight tents since 2012. Our expert ultralight fast-packers have...
Best Bivy Sack of 2024
We've tested over 20 of the best bivy sacks through the years and purchased 10 top models for our latest round of...
Best 4-Season Tents of 2024
Our outdoor experts have tested close to 50 of the best four-season tents over the last 13 years. This review features...
Best Rooftop Tents of 2024
We thoroughly researched over 50 models and purchased 13 of the best rooftop tents available today for our expert...
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...
Best Handheld GPS of 2024
For the past 8 years, we've tested 25 of the top handheld GPS units side-by-side. Our review directly compares 4 of...
Best GPS Watch of 2024
Our review authors and testers have spent the last decade testing over 50 of the best GPS watches, with the top 16 in...
Best Canopy Tents of 2024
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 of 2024
Since 2010, we've braved the elements to test over 290 products from Patagonia, including more than 130 Patagonia...
Best Coolers of 2024
We purchased 23 of the best coolers available today and took them to our lab for rigorous insulation testing. After...
Best Soft Coolers of 2024
We've vetted, purchased, and tested over 30 soft coolers since 2017. Our most recent test compares the best models...
Best Powered Cooler of 2024
When ice just isn't enough, a powered cooler is perfect. We researched 60+ top options available before purchasing the...
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...
Best Lanterns of 2024
Our experts have lit up the night for 10 years, testing over 50 of the best lanterns available. For this review, we...
Best Binoculars of 2024
Over the past decade, our optics experts have tested over 50 of the best binocular sets. Our current review assesses...
Best Backpacking Backpacks of 2024
Searching for the best backpacking backpack? After a decade of testing over 100 different models, our experts...
Best Backpacking Backpacks for Women of 2024
Our backcountry experts have been testing the best women's backpacking backpacks side by side since 2017. This review...
Best Ultralight Backpack of 2024
Ready to join the ultralight revolution? Over the past decade, our thru-hiking experts have tested more than 50 of the...
Best Sun Hats of 2024
After testing over 50 of the best sun hats over the last 9 years, we recently bought the 20 most promising for...
Best Umbrellas of 2024
In our search for the best umbrella, we purchased the top 12 products for side-by-side testing in the rain and wind...
Best Budget Backpacking Pack of 2024
Over the past 5 years, we've tested 15+ of the best budget backpacking packs to get you on the trail without breaking...
Best Daypacks of 2024
Our trailblazing professionals have purchased and tested over 60 of the best daypacks in the past decade, presenting...
Best Daypacks for Women of 2024
Want the best daypack to carry your hiking essentials? After researching 80+ options, our team of experts bought the...
Best Hydration Packs of 2024
From lightweight, minimalistic hydration packs to those with expandable storage, we've tested over 47 hydration packs...
Best Running Hydration Pack for Women of 2024
Searching for a women's hydration pack for running? You've come to the right place. We have exhaustively tested 13 of...
Best Running Hydration Pack of 2024
We've tested close to 40 unique running hydration packs in the past 8 years, with our top 12 in this review. We sought...
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 of 2024
Our testers are always on the hunt for the best sleeping bags for making outdoor overnights more comfortable, more...
Best Camping Sleeping Bags of 2024
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 of 2024
We've tested over 40 of the best laptop backpacks since 2011, and this article features side-by-side testing of 14 of...
Best Backpacking Sleeping Bag of 2024
Since 2011, we've purchased and rigorously tested nearly 100 of the best backpacking sleeping bags, with 16 top models...
Best Sleeping Bags for Women of 2024
Our backpacking experts have tested close to 50 of the best women's sleeping bags over the last 12 years. This review...
Best Sling Bags, Fanny Packs, and Crossbody Bags of 2024
If you're looking for a sling bag, fanny pack, or crossbody carrier to carry around town or for quick trail outings...
Best Ultralight Sleeping Bag of 2024
Over the last ten years, we have bought and tested over 45 ultralight sleeping bags. This review compares 17 of the...
Best Trekking Poles of 2024
Looking for the best trekking poles available today? We can help! Since 2012, we've tested nearly 70 unique pairs...
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 of 2024
Since 2010, our backpacking experts have tested close to 100 of the best backpacking sleeping pads. This update...
Best Sleeping Pad for Women of 2024
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...
Best Camping Mattress of 2024
Over the last 13 years, our experts have purchased and tested nearly 40 of the best camping mattresses. We bought 16...
Best Camping Cot of 2024
After researching more than 30 of the best camping cots on the market, we bought the 10 most promising models for...
Best Budget Hammock
We researched over 50 of the best hammocks and bought the top eight budget models for testing. Hours of lying around...
Best Camping Blankets of 2024
Our camping experts researched over 50 of the best camping blankets before purchasing 15 to snuggle into or set up a...
Best Camping Pillows of 2024
Over the last 8 years, our outdoors experts have purchased and tested heaps of unique camping pillows. The result is...
Best Backpacking Stoves of 2024
Over the last 12 years, we've tested 38 unique backpacking stoves in our quest to find the best, with the top 20 in...
Best Fire Pits of 2024
Ready to find the best fire pit for home or camping? We bought 13 top models and subjected them to months of testing...
Best Camping Stoves of 2024
Over the last 12 years, we have hand-picked, purchased, and rigorously tested over 40 unique camping stoves. For this...
Best Camping Cookware Sets of 2024
Our camping experts have evaluated more than 50 of the best camping cookware sets over the last ten years. For our...
Best Camping Coffee Maker of 2024
For nearly a decade, we've field-tested close to 30 different camping coffee makers. For this update, we purchased the...
Best Portable Grills of 2024
Over the past seven years, our experts have purchased more than 30 of the best portable grills to test side-by-side...
Best Camping Chairs of 2024
Sick of a numb bum and ready for comfort? We've bought and tested close to 40 unique camping chairs in the last 8...
Best Backpacking Chair of 2024
Are you on the hunt for the best backpacking chair? We've tested close to 40 different models over the past 10 years...
Best Camping Tables
For the last 8 years, our experts have put the best camping tables to the test. This review looks at 16 of the most...
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 of 2024
Are you on the hunt for the best sunglasses? Our top gear experts have spent years testing hundreds of the best...
Best Cheap Sunglasses of 2024
Looking for great shades that won't break the bank? We've tested 17 of the best cheap sunglasses around. We sifted...
Best Sport Sunglasses of 2024
Looking for a legit pair of sport sunglasses? We researched 100+ before we settled on the top 25 to put to the test...
Best Solar Panels for Camping of 2024
Our outdoor experts have been rigorously testing the best solar panels for camping since 2013. We purchased 13 of the...
Best Portable Solar Chargers of 2024
Our experts have been rigorously testing the best portable solar chargers and panels since 2013 and have personally...
10 Best Solar Chargers of 2024
Looking for the best solar charger for travel, remote work, or powering your backcountry adventures? Our gear experts...
Best Satellite Messengers of 2024
We roam the wilderness, testing the best satellite messengers and communicators for you. We have tested over 30...
Best Walkie Talkies
Testing, testing, do you copy? Our experts have spent years testing walkie talkies across mountains, lakes, cities...
Best Energy Bars of 2024
Want to know the best energy bars, energy chews, protein bars, and meal replacements available today? Our food junkies...
Best Duffel Bags of 2024
Gearing up for the next trip and need a duffel to get you there? Since 2010, our team of experts has bought, traveled...
Best Water Bottles of 2024
We bought and tested 15 of the best water bottles through side-by-side assessments to evaluate taste, insulation, and...
Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2024
Our filtration gurus have bought and tested 44 of the best backpacking water filters over the last 12 years. This...
Best Camping Shower of 2024
Outside doesn't have to mean dirty with a camping shower. We researched 60+ options before purchasing the 10 best to...
Best Pocket Knives of 2024
We bought 21 of the best pocket knives and had our experts test them by exploring backcountry terrain, camping...
Best Multi-Tools of 2024
Our team of veteran gearheads has tested more than 40 different multi-tools over their lives, and we recently bought...
Best Folding Saws
Seeking the best folding saw? Our team of experts examined over 40 options and then purchased the top 9 models for...
Best Axes of 2024
If you're hunting for a splitting axe or camping hatchet, we swung 12 of the best to help you find the perfect fit...
Best First Aid Kits of 2024
Looking for a new first aid kit for your home, car, or next backcountry adventure? We have been testing the best first...
Best Fishing Lines of 2024
We thoroughly researched the market, bought 7 of the best fishing lines available, and rigorously tested each one...
Best Fishing Net
Ready to land that trophy fish? After thoroughly researching the market, we bought 8 of the best fishing nets and...
Best Fishing Rod of 2024
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...
Best Fishing Reel of 2024
Our team of anglers did a deep dive into researching fishing reels before buying the best to test ourselves. This...