Buyer’s Guides
Our buyer’s guides shortcut readers directly to the best lightweight and ultralight hiking and backpacking gear within any particular category. We want you to make an informed purchase that saves money, reduces carried weight, and performs optimally in the backcountry. This page shows all of of our buyer’s guides. Dial in the assortment by jumping straight to apparel buyers guides or gear buyers guides.
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 Fastpacking Backpack For Multi-Day Trips 2023
Backpacks, Buyer's Guides, Gear GuidesOur recommended multi-day fastpacking backpacks are ultralight, low volume, and offers an extra secure torso fit to prevent gear from bouncing. This buyer's guide covers all of our top picks.
Best Backpacking Stove System 2023 Ultralight
Cooking & Stoves, Recommended Gear, Buyer's Guides, Gear GuidesThese are the best backpacking stove systems for ultralight style food prep. They are the lightest weight, smallest, and most fuel efficient.
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 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.
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 Backpacking Backpack 2023 | Ultralight
Backpacks, Buyer's Guides, Gear GuidesA backpack is the single most important piece of gear that any backpacker will own. As such, there is no reason to settle for a heavy, old-school pack. That’s why this buyer’s guide highlights the very best backpacking backpacks for hiking. Below you will find exceptional and light hiking backpacks for men and women, and for all types of backcountry adventures and budgets.
Best Ultralight Sleeping Bag For Backpacking 2023
Sleeping Bags & Quilts, Sleeping, Buyer's Guides, Gear GuidesFind the best ultralight sleeping bag for backpacking! We've compiled the lightest and warmest backpacking sleeping bags in existence.
Best Backpacking Quilt For Ultralight Camping 2023
Sleeping Bags & Quilts, Sleeping, Buyer's Guides, Gear GuidesThe best backpacking quilt for you is right here! We've compiled the warmest, most affordable, ultralight camping quilts of 2023.
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
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 Ultralight Daypack & Day Hiking Backpack 2023
Backpacks, Buyer's Guides, Gear GuidesThis guide will help you find the best ultralight daypack averaging less than 1 lb. Full size, fully-featured day hiking backpacks can be very lightweight.
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 Trekking Poles 2023 Hiking & Backpacking
Recommended Gear, Trekking Poles, Buyer's Guides, Gear GuidesGet the best trekking poles for hiking & backpacking. Our picks are backed by scientific analysis & extensive field experience all over the word!
Best Small 2 Person Tents for Backpacking or Camping
Tents, Tarps & Shelters, Buyer's Guides, Gear GuidesHere are the best inexpensive 2 Person Tents (some in the $100-$150 range) that are light enough for backpacking, while being comfortable enough for more luxurious car camping outings.
Best Sleeping Pad for Backpacking 2023 | Complete Guide
Sleeping Pads, Buyer's Guides, Gear GuidesIn this guide, we showcase the very best sleeping pads on the market, the ones we use the most. We back up these recommendations with a data-based analysis of weight, warmth, & cost as well as extensive field experience in a broad range of conditions. With better sleep comes more spring in your step, more alertness on the trail, and wider smiles all day long. Sweet dreams!
Best Lightweight Down Jacket & Pants 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 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 Lightweight Rain Jacket 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 Backpacking Tent 2023 | Lightweight & Ultralight
Tents, Tarps & Shelters, Buyer's Guides, Gear GuidesThere is an exceptional and LIGHT tent here for every type of backpacker. But you’ll need to choose carefully to get the perfect tent for you at the right price!
Best Satellite Communicator | ZOLEO vs inReach 2023
Emergency & SOS, Buyer's Guides, Gear GuidesBuy wisely and be safe! This post has the best Satellite Communicators that will get help when needed and reassure family and loved ones that you are OK when everything is hunky dory. And yes, there are HUGE differences between devices.
GAIA GPS the Best Hiking GPS and How to Use It
Navigation, Buyer's Guides, Gear Guides, Gear TechSmartphones like an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy outperform a conventional GPS in almost every way. This post has all the information you need to use your smartphone as the best backpacking GPS, including getting up to 7+ days of battery life without recharging. Best of all, you can do this for less than $20!
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.
Buyer’s Guides Conclusion
The gear 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 buyer’s guide.