Best of Backpacking Gear 2021

Gearing up for a long walk in the woods or an extended stay in the backcountry? Check out some of our favorite new packs, tents, sleeping bags, footwear, clothes, and other gear for getting out and staying out! Here are our top backpacking gear picks for Spring/Summer 2021:

Jetboil Stash

Fuel-efficient, fast-boiling Jetboil performance at half the weight and packed size of the award-winning Flash? Consider us psyched! And the Jetboil Stash is more than just a stove, it is an all-in-one backpackable cook system that…

Osprey Aether 65 & Ariel 65 Women’s

If there were any complaints about the Osprey Aether and Ariel, and there weren’t many, it was that they could have greater torso adjustability. Cue these new updates which maintain the heavy load hauling capability and…

Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL2 Solution Dye

Big Agnes has been an innovation leader in the tent category for a long time, but they are also proud to be at the forefront of reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing and improving sustainability. They…

Exped Outer Space III

The folks at Exped do not just design gear, they also get out and use it and do so regardless of the season or conditions. Their participation in varied adventures and year-round adventuring informs their product…

MSR WindBurner Group System

Not every backcountry excursion means going it alone and not every backpacking stove is equipped to tackle mealtime for more than one. The WindBurner Group System isn’t just capable of feeding the whole crew, it is…

Granite Gear Perimeter 50

We are always excited to see what Granite Gear has cooked up next and the Perimeter 50 certainly smells like another winner! The roughly 3000 cubic inch pack weighs right around 3 pounds but comfortably carries…

Lowa Innox Pro GTX Mid

The Innox Pro GTX Mid combines some of the rugged design features from Lowa’s celebrated line of hiking boots with the more streamlined performance of some their more aerobically-oriented offerings. The end result is a versatile,…

Oboz Sypes Low Leather Waterproof

There are a lot of leather outdoor-inspired casual shoes out there, but many of them stop short of actually delivering the on trail functionality suggested by their looks. That’s not the case with the Oboz Sypes.…

Outdoor Research Ferrosi Anorak

Sometimes at a single glance you just know you are going to have to add a piece of apparel to your closet and that seemed to be the consensus of all of our Gear Specialists upon…

Marmot Pisgah Fleece Jacket

Who doesn’t love zipping into a cozy fleece? Nobody we know! But while a fleece is often the go-to for warmth and comfort, staying dry usually requires an additional layer or an entirely different piece of…

Kelty Cosmic 40 Degree

“Price is no object” is a pretty uncommon phrase in backpacking circles and most of us are managing a budget of some sort as we make gear buying decisions. The Cosmic 40 is a great option…

Black Diamond Trail Cork

We’re still not sure how the Trail Cork poles are able to pack in so much performance at an entry-level price, but all that really matters is that they do. These sturdy 3-section aluminum poles have…

Big Agnes Sidewinder SL 20 Degree

If only we all slept soundly on our back, hands folded neatly in front of us, without moving a muscle until the sun rose and it was time to break camp. If only. Few of us…

GSI Outdoors Pinnacle Dualist HS Complete

The forward thinking folks at GSI Outdoors have always been ahead of the curve with their smart, nesting cookware sets, and the award-winning Pinnacle Dualist has been one of our favorites for many years. Now they…

Eagles Nest Outfitters Ember UnderQuilt

There is something truly liberating about climbing into your hammock at the end of a long day of backpacking, but if overnight temperatures dip you could be looking at a long, uncomfortable night unless you are…

Wolf and Grizzly Complete Grill (with Fire Set)

It isn’t always an option, but when it is, cooking over an open fire really feels like how camping out is supposed to feel. You know? The Complete Grill combines everything you need with a “rollable”…

Ultimate Direction Men’s Fastpack 30 & Women’s FastpackHER 30

Nailing down exactly what fastpacking “is” can be a little tricky, since it is almost as much a state of mind as a defined activity, but the premise is to cover sizeable distances at a faster…

Sierra Designs Night Cap 20 Degree

The Night Cap 20 takes the “zipperless” design that we love from Sierra Designs’ innovative Backcountry Beds and Nitro bags and makes it available at a price to suit cost-conscious backpackers. Zippers add weight and can…

Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme

We have been high on Sea to Summit’s Ether Light XT pads since they were introduced. Their Air Sprung Cells have a quilting effect that makes them more comfortable and stable than standard baffles and they…

Sea to Summit Cinder Cd1 Quilt

When the weather is warm and you want to travel as fast and light as possible, a quilt makes a great alternative to a sleeping bag, especially when it delivers performance like the Cinder Cd1 Quilt.…

Sea to Summit Cool Grip X-Mug

It’s pretty hard to get excited about a mug, isn’t it? Actually, we don’t think so, at least not when the mug weighs next to nothing, packs down incredibly small, and incorporates protection against hot or cold…

Salomon Wildcross

Are you a hiker or are you a runner? Or are you an outdoor enthusiast who isn’t properly classified as one over the other? The Wildcross doesn’t fit neatly in a single descriptive box and isn’t…

Salomon Men’s Quest 4 GTX

You don’t need to be fanatical about counting ounces to wish for lighter weight backpacking boots and the Quest 4 GTX weighs in well below traditional boots without compromising on support, durability, or weather protection. The…

Salomon Men’s Explore & Women’s Comet 2L Waterproof

We love jackets that deliver the performance necessary for outdoor pursuits while doing so with tuned-down aesthetics that easily cross over for everyday wear too. The two-layer Explore and Comet jackets do just that, providing reliable…

Salewa Dropline

There is more and more gear becoming available to tackle outings that blend running, hiking, and fastpacking into one versatile adventure and the Salewa Dropline shoe slots right into that same category. It is lightweight, well-cushioned,…

Platypus QuickDraw Microfilter System

For a number of years, there have been lightweight, compact filter-as-you-go options, but we are excited to see a new offering from a trusted name in filtration with a confidence-inspiring focus on long-lived performance. The Platypus…

Petzl Iko CORE 500

It’s ok if you do a double take upon your first look at the IKO Core 500. We did. Petzl has never been afraid to push the envelope and reimagine outdoor gear and that is exactly…

Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hybrid Gaiters

No one builds a better gaiter than Outdoor Research and the new Ferrosi Hybrid Gaiters put the brand’s beloved Ferrosi softshell fabric in play to deliver a close performance-oriented fit that is right up the alley…

Osprey Talon Pro 20 & Tempest Pro 18 Women’s

Talon and Tempest packs have been in the Osprey assortment for many years, but the addition of “pro” models means even lighter weight performance for hiking, climbing, cycling, or just about any aerobic outdoor pursuit. Nanofly…

NEMO Dragonfly Bikepack 1P

There has been a huge uptick the last few years in wheeled adventuring with mountain bikers, gravel riders, and road cyclists venturing out for days on end with everything needed for overnights in tow. While many…

NEMO Quasar 3D Insulated

The Quasar 3D is that rare inflatable sleeping pad that delivers 3-season warmth, is lightweight and packable enough for backpacking, and is also comfortable enough for using on camping trips when weight and space are not…

Mystery Ranch Gallagator

There it is, that unmistakably Mystery Ranch 3-zip access. That stand-out feature resides on many of the brand’s huge workhorse packs, but the smaller, sleeker Gallagator puts it to equally good use on day hikes or…

MSR Guardian Gravity Purifier

The seemingly bombproof, large-capacity MSR Guardian Purifier has long been looked at as the most rugged and reliable water purification option for tactical units, world travelers, extended backcountry expeditions, and long-term emergency preparedness. That same high-volume…