Posts tagged thru-hiking
Best Hiking and Backpacking Watches of 2024/25

We put in 125 hours of research and 500 days of trail testing to review the best GPS and ABC watches for hiking, backpacking, and multisport outdoor activities.

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Best Lightweight Hiking Boots of 2024/25

We review the best men’s and women’s lightweight hiking boots for day hikes and lightweight backpacking, including the top waterproof and Gore-Tex models.

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Best Base Layers of 2024/25

We tested two dozen lightweight, midweight, and heavyweight men’s and women’s base layer tops over four years. We put these base layers to work, and came out with the best base layers for warmth, durability, comfort, and ability to wick away sweat and odor over time.

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Best (and Brightest) Headlamps of 2024/25

We spent 200+ nights testing the best headlamps for brightness, battery life, comfort, and ease of use for backpacking, hiking, running, climbing, and camping.

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Best Synthetic Insulated Jackets of 2024/25

We review 20 of the most popular synthetic insulated jackets and tested the top models for months in conditions as diverse as mountains in Arizona to snow storms near Bend, Oregon to walking a toddler in Portland. We considered models by Patagonia, Arc’teryx, L.L.Bean, Mountain Hardwear, Rab, Outdoor Research, The North Face, and Montbell.

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Best Down Jackets of 2024

We review 44 down jackets to find the 7 best puffy jackets for most outdoor activities: hiking, camping, backpacking to around town—ultralight to extreme cold

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Best Women's Trail Running Shoes of 2024

We ran 2,000 miles in 24 of the most popular trail running shoes to find the best trail running shoes for hiking and backpacking, road-to-trail running, narrow feet, wide feet, beginner trail runners, and distance running.

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Best Satellite Messengers and Personal Locator Beacons of 2024/25

Stay safe, stay connected, and stay found in the backcountry with a satellite messenger or personal locator beacon.

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Best Lightweight Backpacking & Thru Hiking Backpacks of 2024

We researched, tested, and used our own experience to find the best lightweight backpacks for backpacking. We researched 20 packs to find the best overall for most people, best Dyneema (DCF), high volume, heavy loads, budget, frameless ultralight packs for multi-day trips in the backcountry.

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Best Electrolyte Powder of 2024

We tested electrolyte powders, tablets, capsules, and drops in hot and harsh conditions hiking, running and biking to bring you this list of the best electrolyte supplements on the market.

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Best Shorts for Thru Hiking 2024

We interviewed PCT hikers to consider dozens of shorts models. Then we tested them over 1000s of miles of thru-hiking to find the best pair of shorts for thru-hikers of all sizes and shapes.

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Best Sleeping Pads for Backpacking of 2024

To find the best sleeping pads, we researched dozens of professional reviews and hundreds of customer reviews. Then we tested 15 pads over 1000s of miles of backpacking, bikepacking, and bicycle touring. See our top picks for best overall, 4-season, budget, foam, side-sleeper, and hybrid.

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Best Hiking Socks of 2024

The best wool and synthetic hiking and backpacking socks — hiking socks to prevent blisters, the best socks for hiking in hot weather, compression, and more.

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Appalachian Trail Gear List & Strategy 2024

Updated for 2024, our gear list and strategy for the Appalachian Trail prepares you for a thru-hike or long distance section of the AT. As weather and ecosystems change, so should your gear. Here’s what we’ve learned from 5 thru-hikes and 11,000 AT miles of trial-and-error.

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Best Sports Detergent of 2024

We review sports detergents to find the best laundry detergent for workout clothes. Gym clothes require a tough sports wash that can address tough stains and odors. We tested the best-selling sports laundry detergent, the best everyday laundry detergent, and the best laundry boosters to meet your needs and budgets.

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