Apparel Buyer’s Guides
Our apparel buyer’s guides shortcut readers directly to the most effective clothing for hiking, backpacking, adventure travel, and outdoor sports. From sun shirts and rain jackets to fleece and ultralight puffy jackets, we’ve got you covered with recommendations for the best lightweight backcountry apparel. This page shows only apparel guides. Jump up a level to view all buyer’s guides, or find hardgoods in our gear buyer’s guides.
Best Merino Wool Leggings For Base Layer 2023
Buyer's Guides, Apparel GuidesFind the statistically optimal merino wool leggings for your next trip. We cover fabric blends, temp ranges, base layering, pros and cons.
Best Lightweight Down Parka For Winter Backpacking 2023
Buyer's Guides, Apparel Guides, Winter GearEnjoy maximum warmth-to-weight ratio when you choose a lightweight down parka for backpacking in winter. These parkas are ultralight and packable!
Best Alpaca Hoodie For Hiking, Sun, Travel 2023
Buyer's Guides, Apparel GuidesEach alpaca hoodie in this guide is adventure-proven. We cover sun hoodies and fleece alternatives with pros, cons, fabric blends, and more.
Best Merino Wool Hoodie Base Layers For Hiking 2023
Clothing, Buyer's Guides, Apparel GuidesThis is a data-based guide to choosing a merino wool hoodie base layer for hiking. We cover sun hoodies, all-season, and cold weather.
Best Sun Shirt for Hiking 2023
Clothing, Buyer's Guides, Apparel GuidesThe best hiking shirts are all sun shirts! This guide reviews & recommends the best sun hoody, t-shirt, button up, and merino base layer.
Best Lightweight Fleece Jacket Hiking & Backpacking 2023
Jackets, Clothing, Buyer's Guides, Apparel GuidesThis guide will identify the best lightweight fleece jacket for you. The average fleece on this list is warm and weighs just 7 oz.
Best Rain Pants For Hiking 2023 Ultralight & Lightweight
Rainwear, Buyer's Guides, Apparel GuidesThe best rain pants for hiking are ultralight, waterproof, breathable, and hold up on the trail. Stay dry, save weight, and upgrade today!
Best Hiking Gloves 2023 | Liner, Sun, Rain, Cold, Snow
Clothing, Buyer's Guides, Apparel GuidesWe'll help you find the best hiking gloves for any condition or use-case: cold, sun, wind, rain, sleet, snow, we've got your hands covered.
Best Windbreaker Jacket 2023 | Lightweight & Ultralight
Jackets, Buyer's Guides, Apparel GuidesThis guide will help you find the best lightweight windbreaker jacket for your hiking, climbing, & running. All ultralight under 5 oz.
Windbreaker Pants – Best of 2023
Clothing, Pants, Buyer's Guides, Apparel GuidesThis guide will help you find the best windbreaker pants for hiking, backpacking, trail running, and travel. Comfy. Lightweight. Stretchy.
Best Hiking Shorts 2023 – Men’s & Women’s
Clothing, Apparel Guides, shortsThis buyer's guide to the best hiking shorts of 2023 prioritizes features, materials, performance, functionality, and trail comfort.
Best Hiking Shoes 2023 | Trail Runners
Footwear, Clothing, Buyer's Guides, Apparel GuidesLooking for the best hiking shoes ? Read our no BS, unbiased guide for the best hiking shoes & backpacking shoes for men and women. Your feet are arguably your most important asset on the trail. Blisters, Achilles tightness, and foot pain can all quickly derail a hiking or backpacking trip. So, finding the right hiking shoes is imperative. We can help!
Best Trail Running Shorts For Hiking 2023
Clothing, Buyer's Guides, Apparel GuidesThis guide to the best trail running shorts for hiking focuses on models with zippered hand pockets and stretchy, breathable fabric.
Best Lightweight Rain Jacket For Hiking & Backpacking 2023
Rainwear, Buyer's Guides, Apparel GuidesFind the best lightweight jacket & pants for your needs, your travel, and your budget. No BS! All these lightweight rain jackets have all earned their spot on this list by performing far better than the competition.
Best Down Pants For Ultralight Backpacking 2023
Buyer's Guides, Apparel Guides, Winter GearThe best down pants have a statistically superior warmth to weight ratio. Browse ultralight down pants and winter warmth all in this guide.
Best Lightweight Down Jacket for Backpacking 2023
Jackets, Buyer's Guides, Apparel GuidesThe very best ultralight and lightweight down jackets significantly outperform a standard issue puffy sweater, and upgrading will save weight in your pack and keep you warmer in the backcountry.
Best Down Booties For Backpacking 2023
Footwear, Recommended Gear, Buyer's Guides, Apparel Guides, Winter GearWhen temps drop to freezing put on a pair of lightweight down booties for backpacking. These models are ultralight, warm, and packable.
Best Ultralight Puffy Jacket 2023 Packable & Lightweight
Jackets, Clothing, Buyer's Guides, Apparel GuidesThis round-up of ultralight puffy jackets is the lightest on the internet, averaging just 10.2 oz per garment, and conservatively 30% less than competing buyer's guides. Perfect for hiking and backpacking.
Best Alpha Direct Hoodie 2023
Buyer's Guides, Apparel GuidesA Polartec Alpha Direct hoodie is the best way for ultralight backpackers to save weight on insulation without sacrificing warmth.
Lightweight Fleece Pants For Backpacking Ultralight 2023
Clothing, Pants, Buyer's Guides, Apparel GuidesThis buyer's guide to lightweight fleece pants for backpacking and hiking prioritizes high warmth-to-weight ratio and comfort at camp.
Best Hiking Pants 2023
Clothing, Pants, Buyer's Guides, Apparel GuidesThis buyer's guide to backpacking and hiking pants highlights models optimized for functionality, comfort, and protectiveness.
Best Men’s Hiking Pants 2021
Clothing, Pants, Buyer's Guides, Apparel GuidesFind the best backpacking hiking pants for your needs, your travel, and your budget. No BS! All these men's hiking pants have all earned their spot on this list by performing far better than the competition.
Best Women’s Hiking Pants 2021
Clothing, Pants, Buyer's Guides, Apparel GuidesFind the best backpacking hiking pants for your needs, your travel, and your budget. No BS! All these women's hiking pants have all earned their spot on this list by performing far better than the competition.
Apparel Buyer’s Guides Conclusion
The apparel in these buyer’s guides have performed marvelously for us, and we’re confident that it will for you too. We hope you have found what you’re looking for. But if not, drop us a line on social media to request a new gear buyer’s guide.