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Whether you're hiking, backpacking, skiiing, or more, our thoughtfully curated outdoor gear content has you covered. Check out our gear guides to see our top picks in each category, dive deeper with a review, or head to our educational articles to learn more.

Nemo Dagger backpacking tent pitched in the badlands at night
Browse Backpacking Gear By Category
Two tents pitched on hillside overlooking fjord

Gear Guide

Best Backpacking Tents of 2025
Sitting inside Nemo Mayfly Osmo 2P backpacking tent

Review

Nemo Mayfly Osmo 2 Tent Review
Unzipping door of REI Co-op Trail Hut 2 backpacking tent in forest

Review

REI Co-op Trail Hut 2 Tent Review
Camp in comfort. Learn all you need to know about backpacking tents, check out our in-depth tent reviews, and browse our top picks.
Woman wearing Arc'teryx Beta SL Rain Jacket

education

The Shift from 2.5- to 3-Layer Rain Jackets

We’ve tracked the waterproof jacket market closely over the last decade and noticed an interesting change in the past few years: Big players like Arc’teryx and Patagonia have discontinued all of their 2.5-layer rain shells, replacing them exclusively with 3-layer jackets. When major brands all move in the same direction, our interest is piqued. What’s going on with this shift from 2.5- to 3-layer rain jackets?

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Lying on sleeping pad wearing the Outdoor Reseach Echo Hoody base layer

the great base layer debate

Merino Wool vs. Synthetic


Merino and synthetics—typically polyester—are the main players in base layer materials. Both have key strengths and weaknesses and excel for distinct use cases, which is good news for those trying to decide what type of base layer will best suit their needs.

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Better Trail's top picks

Hiking Gear Guides

Dangling feet from mountain boulder wearing hiking boots
Hiking through sandy canyon with Osprey Tempest Velocity 30 hiking daypack
Hiking in snowy mountain landscape carrying backpack
Wearing rain jacket in rain shower
Walking down rocky trail in Lofoten in Saucony Peregrine hiking shoes mobile
Four women hiking up glacier with trekking poles
Woman smiling wearing Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody down jacket
Sitting on rock wearing Merrell Moab Speed 2 hiking shoe
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top-ranked hiking shoe

Merrell Moab Speed 2

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Rear view of packed Osprey Exos 58 backpacking backpack
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ultralight curious?

Osprey Exos 58

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Better Trail Favorites

Down Jacket Reviews

Wearing the Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody down jacket during foggy sunset
Hands in pockets of REI Co-op 650 Down Jacket
hood up and fully zipped up Patagonia Down Sweater Down Jacket
Standing on the summit of Mt. Baker wearing the women's Outdoor Research Helium Down Jacket
Smiling in the Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Hoody
Carrying wood in Mountain Hardwear StretchDown Hoody down jacket
hood up, zipped up, and hands in pocket featuring the Stio Pinion Hooded Down Jacket
cooking dinner in Rab Mythic G Down Jacket
Person with hands in pockets of Arc'teryx Thorium down jacket

get your Questions answered

Learn More About Outdoor Gear

Lying on sleeping pad wearing the Outdoor Reseach Echo Hoody base layer
Peeking out from hood of Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass sleeping bag
Nordic skiing in the Methow at sunset wearing a synthetic insulated jacket mobile
Camper cooking on the Coleman Cascade 3-in-1 camping stove
Four ladies lounging in the mountains wearing down and synthetic insulated jackets mobile
Two skiers riding a chairlift with Oakley ski goggles
Close up of Trew Gear Chariot Primo Bib showcasing Why Our Testers Love Ski Bibs
Layering Ski Jacket over bib and base layer for skiing
Showa Temres 282 blue gloves on snowy rocky summit mobile
Skiing in corn snow in Black Diamond Recon Stretch shell jacket
Hanging out in alpine in down and synthetic jackets

The age-old insulation debate

Down vs. Synthetic

Down is super warm and cozy, but synthetic fill fares better in wet weather. And there's much more to consider, including weight and packability, durability, breathability, and price. So, what's the best type of insulated jacket for your needs?

Read the Breakdown
Lying on sleeping pad wearing the Outdoor Reseach Echo Hoody base layer

stay warm on chilly nights

Knowledge is (Fill) Power


Shopping for a backpacking sleeping bag can be an overwhelming onslaught of numbers, from fill weights and fill powers to overall weights and temperature ratings. Having a working knowledge of how to interpret a bag’s two main traits—warmth and weight—is essential to choosing the right model for you. Here’s a handy explainer of what all those numbers cited by sleeping bag manufacturers actually mean.

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powder to the people

Ski Gear Guides

Two skiers sharing energy bar on chairlift wearing Smith Squad Mag goggles and Sweet Protection Switcher ski helmet mobile
Getting blasted by snow in Patagonia Storm Shift Ski Jacket mobile
Skiing on steep terrain in Smith Level Ski Helmet
Skiing groomer near chairlift wearing Flylow Lucy ski jacket
Two skiers fist bumping at top of ski run mobile
Two skiers skiing corn at the resort wearing ski mittens mobile
Man packing up truck wearing Icebreaker 200 ZoneKnit Merino LS Crewe Thermal Top Base Layer
Woman smiling wearing Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody down jacket

low price, high value

Outdoor Gear on a Budget

Smiling and sitting in REI Co-op Magma 30 sleeping bag
Carrying skis wearing Flylow Patrol ski jacket (mobile)
close up skiing in Helly Hansen Legendary Ski Pants