Reviews You Can Rely On

Hiking & Camping Reviews

From hiking boots to tents, our experts test the best from Osprey, Black Diamond, REI, Salomon, Big Agnes, Kelty, and more
Hiking & Camping Reviews
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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Best Pick Reviews in Hiking & Camping Reviews

best hiking gear

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...
10 top hiking boots

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...
10 top hiking shoes

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 top rain jackets

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...
10 top backpacks

10 Best Backpacks of 2024

Looking for the best backpack for travel, work, or play? Our gear experts have spent more than a decade buying and...
best camping tents

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 top 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 bivy sacks

Best Bivy Sack of 2024

Our testers used the bivy sacks in this review over all sorts of terrain - hanging off the sides of cliffs, basking in...
best four season tents

Best 4-Season Tents of 2024

If you like to get outside no matter what the weather forecast says, a 4-season tent is a good investment. We bought a...
best rooftop tents

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

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

Best Handheld GPS of 2024

We took 5 of the best handheld GPS units and navigated through whiteouts, desert washes, fog-covered forests, and high...
best gps sports watches

Best GPS Watches 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

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...
best coolers

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

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 coolers

Best Powered Coolers of 2024

For several months and hundreds of kilowatt-hours, we put the best powered coolers through the wringer to discover...
best lanterns

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

Best Binoculars of 2024

We test 16 top binoculars to help you find the best options for birding, backpacking, or general use. After...
best sun hats

Best Sun Hats of 2024

We bought and tested 20 of the best sunhats as we adventured in the sunny landscapes of our local beaches, trails, and...
best umbrellas

Best Umbrellas of 2024

We purchased 12 umbrellas for side-by-side testing in rainy places around the world. We used a wind tunnel-like test...
best daypacks

Best Daypacks of 2024

Our trailblazing professionals have purchased and tested over 70 of the best daypacks in the past decade, presenting...
best hydration packs

Best Hydration Packs of 2024

From lightweight, minimalistic hydration packs to those with expandable storage, we've tested over 47 hydration packs...
best laptop backpacks

Best Laptop Backpack of 2024

We bought 14 of today's most promising laptop backpacks and used them side-by-side while commuting to work and school...
best trekking poles

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

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 camping pads & mattresses

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 cots

Best Camping Cot of 2024

We bought the 10 most promising camping cots and took them to our favorite campsite for side-by-side testing. Night...
best budget hammocks

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

Best Camping Blankets of 2024

Our camping experts researched over 50 of the best camping blankets before purchasing 14 to snuggle into or set up a...
best camping pillows

Best Camping Pillows of 2024

We traveled the world testing camping pillows in tents, hammocks, RVs, and airplanes. We measured each against five...
best fire pits

Best Fire Pits of 2024

We bought and tested 13 outdoor fire pits, including both wood and propane options, and subjected them to months of...
best camping stoves

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 portable grills

Best Portable Grills of 2024

We bought 20 of the best portable grills and took them on the road to cook amazing meals at tailgate parties, backyard...
best camping chairs

Best Camping Chairs of 2024

Sick of a numb bum and ready for comfort? We bought 17 of the best camping chairs and spent months rigorously testing...
best camping tables

Best Camping Tables of 2024

We bought 16 of the most promising camping tables and took them on many road trips, where we set up camp in everything...
best sporks

Best Spork

After 10 years of analyzing the best sporks, we've bought and tested just about every design out there. This review...
10 top sunglasses

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 sports sunglasses

Best Sport Sunglasses of 2024

Looking for a legit pair of sport sunglasses? We researched 100+ before we settled on the top 24 to put to the test...
best walkie talkies

Best Walkie Talkies of 2024

Our experts bought 9 top walkie talkies and spent months using them across mountains, lakes, cities, deserts, and...
best duffel bags

Best Duffel Bags of 2024

Our travel experts have spent years hauling duffel bags across the globe for weeks and months at a time to find the...
best energy bars

Best Energy Bars of 2024

We bought 17 top energy bars and meal replacements and had our food experts conduct blind texture and taste tests with...
best water bottles

Best Water Bottles of 2024

We bought and tested 15 top water bottles through side-by-side assessments to evaluate taste, insulation, and closure...
best camping showers

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

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 axes

Best Axes of 2024

It's hard to know how well an axe will bite, split, and deliver force without swinging it, so we purchased 12 top...
best folding saws

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 multi-tool knives

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 first aid kits

Best First Aid Kits of 2024

Need a first aid kit for your home, car, or next outdoor adventure? First aid professionals, ski patrollers, and...
best fishing line

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 reels

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...
best fishing nets

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 rods

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 tent stakes

Best Tent Stakes of 2024

Searching for the best tent stakes available today? We researched over 25 various models before buying and...