Gear Guides & Reviews
In-Depth Outdoor Gear Reviews & Packing Lists for All Kinds of Adventures
Outdoor Gear Guides, Gear Reviews, and Packing Lists to Help You Choose the Right Gear for Any Trip
Below you’ll find our collection of outdoor gear guides, gear reviews, and packing lists designed to help you prepare for adventures of all kinds, from ultralight backpacking trips and long-distance hikes to weekend camping, day hikes, and general travel. We cover everything from sun hoodies and fleece mid-layers to backpacks, layering systems, and ultralight backpacking gear, with a focus on real-world performance and practical use.
Each guide is based on firsthand experience using this gear in the field and includes honest insights, comparisons, and packing considerations to help you choose gear that actually works for your style of travel. Whether you’re dialing in an ultralight setup, upgrading your hiking kit, or building a packing list for your next trip, these resources are built to help you gear up with confidence.
Packing Lists
Gear Reviews
What to Wear
Outdoor Gear Reviews
Explore in-depth outdoor gear reviews covering essential hiking and backpacking gear, from ultralight backpacking setups to sun hoodies, fleece mid-layers, and hiking sandals. Each review is based on real-world use and focuses on performance, durability, and how the gear actually holds up on the trail.
Packing Lists
Detailed packing lists for backpacking trips, hiking adventures, and destination-specific travel, from what to pack for backpacking the O Circuit in Patagonia to what to bring for a trip to Banff. These packing guides are designed to help you pack efficiently, avoid overpacking, and feel prepared for whatever your trip throws at you.
What to Wear for Hiking & Backpacking
Find practical, season-by-season guides on what to wear for hiking and backpacking in a wide range of conditions. From fall and winter hiking layers to complete backpacking clothing systems, these guides break down how to dress for comfort, safety, and changing weather on the trail.
Why Trust Our Gear Guides?
Hi, we’re Skye and Garrett—both longtime outdoor enthusiasts with years of experience playing outdoors and working in the outdoor industry, with thousands of miles spent testing gear in real-world conditions. Skye previously worked at Outdoor Research, where she had the opportunity to test and evaluate a wide range of outdoor apparel and equipment, while Garrett has spent years putting gear through its paces on backpacking trips, alpine climbs, trail runs, and remote canyon adventures. Together, we’ve built a deep understanding of how outdoor gear performs when it actually matters.
Our approach to gear reviews is rooted in hands-on testing, not hype. We’re unapologetically gear-obsessed hikers, backpackers, climbers, and trail runners, and every product we recommend has been extensively tested on trail, in the mountains, and across a wide range of environments. From dialing in ultralight backpacking setups, to evaluating durability, comfort, and versatility, our gear guides are designed to give you honest, experience-backed recommendations you can trust, so you can focus on the adventure, not the guesswork.
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Featured Gear Guide:
The Best Ultralight Backpacking Gear of 2026
Tested and trusted ultralight backpacking gear for everything from overnight trips to long distance thru-hikes. If you’re planning a backpacking trip in 2026 and want to keep your pack as light as possible without sacrificing comfort or function, this gear guide is for you.
Get ready to lower your base weight and hit the trail!
