Gear Guide

We tested the best sun hats hiking to find the best sun hats for hiking, backpacking, and other outdoor activities.

There is no one outdoorsy “look” that makes anyone a better outdoors person. All bodies, all intersections of people and experiences, deserve access to nature — and they deserve gear and outdoor clothing that will allow them to do so safely and comfortably.

Find the best running pants for every season and terrain. Tested for comfort, breathability, and performance to keep you moving on road and trail runs in all kinds of weather.

We review the best bobbers and strike indicators for nymphing—fishing under the water ‘s surface with nymph flies. We test for flotation, casting ergonomics, presentation, biodegradable materials, and ease-of-use for beginners

We tested the Salomon Techamphibian 5 water shoes and reviewed them based on comfort, fit, drainage ability, ventilation, grip, value, and other features.

The Nemo Tensor sleeping pads are some of the most comfortable, best warmth-to-weight ratio pads we’ve tested recently. Here’s our verdict on the pads, and a review of their similarities and differences.

We test 25 popular backpacking tents to find the solo, 2-person, and 3-person tents for all kinds of backpackers, hikers, and campers. We tested on 1000’s of miles of backpacking in climates from desert to temperate rain forest to find the best backpacking tents for most people.

We find the best backpacking stoves after testing 22 of the most popular backpacking stoves side-by-side for 3 years and over 1000s of miles.

We tested and compared 22 camping sleeping bags to find the best for car camping. Whether you're family camping, want a mummy bag, or a budget sleeping bag, we found warm, comfortable, versatile synthetic and down bags from Kelty, Nemo, Coleman, REI, Teton, and more.

A good pair of running sunglasses is comfortable, secure on your face, and UV-protective. They also mute glare and help you stay on your feet rather than tripping over obstacles.

We tested the best backpacking sleeping bags over thousands of miles on the trail, and chose the best bags based on comfort, warmth, packability, and weight.

Sleep better outdoors with top-rated pillows tailored for backpackers! Our testers found lightweight, compact, and durable options for every budget.

We tested the HOKA Mach 6 to see if its lighter build, energy return, and new upper live up to the hype for road runners chasing speed and comfort.

To find the best hiking sandals, we researched 43 shoes and field-tested seven models hiking, backpacking, climbing, and on the river from Wyoming's Wind River Range to the San Juan Mountains of Colorado and La Sal of Utah.

I've learned a lot in my research and experiences with plus size outdoor clothing, and it's important to spread that knowledge so that others don't have to struggle. All bodies deserve access to nature — and they deserve the gear and outdoor clothing that will get them there.

We tested 20+ small seat-mounted bags for road biking, and full-size saddlebags for bikepacking, mountain biking, and gravel riding to find the best bike bags for all kinds of riding.

We review top-rated bike bags to find the best mountain bike frame bag, best for gravel bikes and road bikes, and top tube bags for all kinds of bikes and riders.

We test and review the best big and tall outdoor apparel including men’s plus size hiking outdoor gear including hiking pants, jackets and base layers.

We tested a dozen packs over thousands of miles to find the best hydration vests for running. We looked at comfort, capacity, hydration system, and more.

We tested the most comfortable sleeping pads to find the best mattresses for camping. From the best self-inflating to the best for couples, see our top picks.

We review the best bike panniers for bike touring, commuting, bikepacking, and getting groceries. We consider capacity, waterproofness, secure mounting and access.

A dialed-in fitting system and excellent performance when both empty and full make the Salomon Adv Skin 12 our top choice for running hydration vests.

A softshell is perfect for when the wind is ripping or there’s enough of a chance of light rain or snow that you still want some protection from the elements.

We researched and tested backpacking cooking pots—ones with positive reviews in outdoor media as well as users. We found the best cook pots for backpacking including titanium, anodized aluminum, stainless steel, and cook sets. We considered cooking efficiency, heat distribution, and weight.

The best fly fishing combos — fly rod, fly line and reel — for beginner anglers, plus expert advice so you can gear up and get out on the water.

Sun protection is essential when spending time outdoors, so we trail-tested UPF clothing to bring you this review of the six best sun shirts for men and women.

A review of the Lowa Renegade Evo GTX—an update to the classic waterproof hiking boot with a durable Vibram outsole and eco-friendly materials

To find the best sleeping pads, we tested 20 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.

After 4 years of heavy use in diverse conditions, we think the Torrentshell rain jacket is the best combination of performance, durability, and value on the market.