Under the stars, miles from civilization, everything you need to survive tucked into the pack on your back. You venture into the wild for internal peace, a slowing down, and the ability to make endless fart jokes.
You know who you are. Let’s not pretend. The trail does strange things to the mind, and the freedom to commune with nature as nature intended (peeing under a glowing vault) is akin to freedom. There is nothing like the crunch of boots, the sweat on your back, the weight of survival, and the depth of conversation reached when its you, your friends, and the wild.
Our Recommended Gear and Outdoor Guides for the Wilderness Backpacker will cater to the whole lot of you: the overnighters who pray for Saturday, haul sirloins up the hill, and enjoy the bite of whisky round the campfire; the two-to-three day trekkers loaded up with 50 pounds, have a peak in mind, and like to get dirty; the families who teach survival and resilience by throwing their kids into the real thing; the thru-hikers who have decided that the wild is a necessary place to probe, to gain insight, and to make forever trail friends. We write for all of you, and everyone in between.
Explore Recommended Gear and Outdoor Guides for Wilderness Backpacker below!
Wilderness Backpacker Gear Reviews
Gear Test: MSR Access 3 Tent
We’re out there in the field with the MSR Access 3 Tent, putting this 4-season tent to the test.
Gear Test: Biolite Dash 450 Headlamp
Testing the Biolite Dash 450 Headlamp where it matters most—out in the wild, where reliability is everything and performance can’t be compromised.
Gear Test: Shimoda Designs Action X50 V2
We’re testing the Shimoda Designs Action X50 V2, a rugged adventure camera backpack built for the wild outdoors.
Gear Test: Black Diamond Deploy Down Hoody
We took the Black Diamond Deploy Down Hoody straight into the wild to see how it stands up to the elements.
Gear Test: The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Down Jacket
We’re out there in the backcountry with The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Down Jacket, putting this down jacket to the test.
Gear Test: Norrøna Trollveggen Superlight Down850 Jacket
We’ve taken the Norrøna Trollveggen Superlight Down850 Jacket on a mountain adventure, putting this down jacket to the test.
Gear Test: REI Co-op Trailmade Trekking Poles
We’re out on the trail with the REI Co-op Trailmade Trekking Poles, putting these walking poles to the test.
Gear Test: Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow
We’ve taken the Sea to Summit Aeros Premium Pillow out into the wild to see how this inflatable pillow really holds up.
Gear Test: Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Air Sleeping Mat
We’ve taken the Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Air Sleeping Mat on a range of adventures to test its comfort and durability.
Gear Test: Sea to Summit Spark Down Sleeping Bag
Out in the field, we’ve been testing the Sea to Summit Spark Down Sleeping Bag to see if this down sleeping bag can deliver when it counts.