Posts in backpacking
Best Winter Traction Devices of 2024/25 (MICROspikes and Crampons)

Looking for a way to stay upright in icy conditions? Sure-footed traction in snow and ice allows you to carry your outdoor life into the shoulder seasons and beyond.

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Best (and Brightest) Headlamps of 2025

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 2025

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 Satellite Messengers and Personal Locator Beacons of 2025

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

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