gear

We tested rigid, collapsible, insulated, and purifier bottles to find leak-free hydration for the trail, with picks for every pack and water source.

We tested straws, squeeze filters, pumps, gravity bags and purifiers to find the best backpacking water filter for fast refills, camp and travel.

We tested daypacks for commutes, classrooms and carry-on flights. Here are the ones that hold up, fit a laptop properly and stay comfortable loaded.

We tested backpacking tents and picked the ones worth carrying: a light two-person for most trips, a budget two-door, and a solo shelter for tall hikers.

Packed weight, floor space, doors and weather protection: how the best backpacking tents compare, and which one suits the trip you’re planning.

We tested canister, integrated, and wood-burning backpacking stoves to find the lightest, steadiest picks for fast boils and real cooking on the trail.

The best backpacking tarps for hammock camping and fast, light shelters, from a 14-ounce solo panel to a 12-foot tarp with doors for shoulder-season trips.

We tested nuts, bars, jerky, tuna and fruit for real packability — what earns space in a food bag, what melts, and what is dead weight.

We tested backpacking quilts from 1.1-pound summer blankets to 850-fill three-season down, and picked the ones worth carrying for the warmth.

We tested folding saws for backpacking and camp wood, weighing packability, cut speed, lock security, and value to find the best picks for every trip.