Best of Backpacking Gear 2020

When you’re hitting the trail for a backpacking adventure, you want top notch technical gear that you can rely on for every step of your journey. From packs to tents, footwear and sleeping bags, we did the research for you. These are our top backpacking gear picks for Spring/Summer 2020:

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite

The NeoAir Xlite has become such a backcountry favorite, it’s almost hard to remember life before it! Those now iconic horizontal baffles provide a balanced, stable surface and the tiered internal structure and heat-reflective barrier provide excellent…

Osprey Archeon 45

Osprey has been leading the way on backpack design for a long time and they continue to take steps to lead the way on environmental issues too. Reflecting a commitment to upstream and downstream sustainability, the…

Altra Tushar Mid

We’ve been huge fans of Altra ever since they first introduced their signature foot-shaped running shoes and zero drop design (meaning that the stack height of the heel and forefoot are the same). Pretty much any day…

Oboz Arete Low B-DRY Waterproof

Based in Bozeman, Montana, the folks at Oboz are outdoor adventurers at heart and well aware of what you need from a shoe to confidently venture into the backcountry. The low-cut Arete Low B-DRY Waterproof is…

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Topo Luxe

The NeoAir Topo Luxe inflatable sleeping pad’s design foundation is the ultra-lightweight, award-winning NeoAir X-lite. It utilizes the same horizontal baffles, but it takes the design a step further by bumping up the number of baffles, increasing…

MSR Thru-Link Inline Microfilter

Hikers, backpackers, and travelers have long benefitted from the safe water treatment made available by the engineers at MSR. Their new Thru-Link Inline Water Filter is an ultra-lightweight solution that enables you to filter water as…

Kelty Coyote 65 & Coyote 60 Women’s

A true backpacking pioneer, Dick Kelty brought aluminum framed packs to prominence in the 1950s. While he never stopped innovating, he also never lost sight of the need to offer long-term durability at an affordable price…

Kelty Galactic 30 Degree

The Galactic 30 Degree delivers versatile performance at a budget-friendly price. Its rectangular cut and roomy dimensions avoid the restrictive feel of a mummy bag and it even opens up entirely for use as a blanket…

Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor 25-40

Accomplished adventurer Andrew Skurka and Sierra Designs have been collaborating on gear innovations for several years and their creations have focused on lightweight efficiency without skimping on performance to hit a specific weight break. The Flex…

Big Agnes Salt Creek SL 2

Whenever we’re getting out for a few days and sharing a tent with a partner or multiple partners, having two doors is high on our must-have list. The Salt Creek does one better than that, incorporating…

Big Agnes Torchlight UL 20 Degree

When temperatures really dip, a close-fitting mummy bag is the best bet for its thermal efficiency. Of course, there are other times when conditions aren’t so demanding that it’s nice to have some extra wiggle room.…

Deuter Aviant Voyager

One thing we’ve noticed about most travel backpacks is that they do a great job at the airport or between there and your destination, but they aren’t always well equipped for true backpacking demands. Or vice versa.…

Black Diamond Sprint 225 Headlamp

Delivering up to 225 Lumens of bright illumination, the rechargeable Sprint 225 is perfect for nighttime running. It’s compact and lightweight enough to also be a great back-up option for backpacking or hiking. A dimming function…

Eagles Nest Outfitters OneLink Shelter System

Tents are great and remain the go-to shelter for most backpackers and campers, but hammocks are well worth consideration. The OneLink Shelter System deserves a long look as it provides not just the classic ENO DoubleNest…

Garmont G-Trek High GTX

Garmont’s Anatomically Directed Design (ADD) has always impressed us and it’s a stand-out feature of the new G-Trek High GTX backpacking boot. This asymmetrical construction better mirrors the ergonomic shape of your foot than most traditional…

Gregory Paragon 58 & Maven 55 Women’s

It’s pretty amazing that the Paragon 58 and Maven 55 Women’s packs can be so chockfull of features and still weigh in at roughly 3.5 pounds. They offer voluminous, well-organized, and easily-accessed storage for multi-day backpacking…

Kelty Grand Mesa 4

Getting started backpacking can be intimidating but it doesn’t have to be. The Grand Mesa tent makes set up easy and intuitive, delivers reliable 3-season performance and durability, and is available at a price that lets you…

LOWA Toro EVO GTX Mid

Combining the traditional rugged load stability of a traditional hiking boot with the responsive nimbleness of more modern construction, the Lowa Toro EVO GTX Mid boot is an excellent balance of weight, durability, weather protection, and…

Marmot Phase 20 Degree

Marmot pulled out all the stops to equip the Phase 20 Degree sleeping bag for top-notch 3-season backpacking performance. The tapered mummy bag utilizes premium certified 850+ fill power goose down insulation treated with water-repellency to…

Marmot Tungsten UL 3P

The best-selling Tungsten tents from Marmot offer reliable durability, two doors, and two vestibules for 3-season camping and backpacking. The UL versions of these tents carry the same promise but shave off extra weight to add…

Mystery Ranch Scree 32

It’s hard to NOT love a pack that can be pulled off the shelf and used for just about any activity you engage in and the Scree 32 is just such a pack. It’s small and nimble…

NEMO Riff 15 Degree

Do you crawl into your sleeping bag at night, settle onto your back, and then comfortably stay in that position until morning? Neither do we. The Riff 15 Degree has a unique “Spoon Shape” design that lets you…

NEMO Flyer Sleeping Pad

Some of our Gear Specialists swear by inflatable air pads and their lightweight, compressible design while others much prefer the cushioning of open-cell foam self-inflating pads. The NEMO Flyer meets both parties in the middle with…

NEMO Firefly 2P

NEMO has been cranking out high-performance backpacking tent designs over the last several seasons and their latest unveiling, the Firefly 2P is an effective balance of weight and livability. The tapered dimensions provide streamlined space for up…

Sierra Designs Meteor Lite 2

A modern redux of a Sierra Designs classic, the Meteor Lite 2 utilizes intelligent pole architecture, lightweight materials, and high-tenacity fabrics to deliver packable and livable performance. The tent has an excellent space-to-weight ratio and offers both…