By Michael Lanza
The Maze District of Canyonlands National Park. The Wonderland Trail. The Teton Crest Trail. Yosemite. The Grand Canyon. Glacier National Park. The Ruby Crest Trail. The Pasayten Wilderness. Yellowstone. The Wind River Range. The North Cascades. Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains. The High Uintas Wilderness. The Tour du Mont Blanc. These are just some of the numerous places where I’ve tested the backpacking gear you see reviewed at The Big Outside. I treat gear roughly in places that are hard on outdoor gear and apparel so that I can give you brutally honest and thorough, field-tested opinions that help you make the best gear choices for your adventures.
And that’s exactly how I came up with these picks for today’s best backpacking gear.
Nearly three decades of testing outdoor gear and apparel—including formerly as the lead gear reviewer and Northwest Editor of Backpacker magazine for 10 years and even longer running this blog—have refined my ability to identify gear that’s truly outstanding, at the cutting edge technologically, and a good value.
In this freshly updated article, I share my top picks for a basic backpacking gear kit, from several of the best packs, tents, boots, and sleeping bags, including suggestions for backpackers on a budget—because everyone has different needs and preferences—to a favorite rain shell, the best trekking poles, down jackets, and air mattresses, the camp kitchen, and water treatment.
Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here for my e-guides to classic backpacking trips. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip.
Nearly every piece of gear on this list links to my complete review of it, where you can get more details and find links to online retailers for purchasing it. Purchasing through those affiliate links supports my work on The Big Outside, at no cost to you—in fact, you’ll usually find the best prices at those links.
Please share your questions or thoughts on my gear picks in the comments section at the bottom of this story; I try to respond to all comments. And please forward this story to other backpackers you think might find it useful.
Want to read about the many places I’ve backpacked while testing gear? See my All Trips List or use the search box (above right), and check out my e-guides to America’s best backpacking trips, including the Teton Crest Trail and The Best First Backpacking Trip in Yosemite.
Table of Contents
Click on the name of any product below to read its complete review, or click on a “Buy it” link to purchase it.
Backpacks
Best Overall: Osprey Atmos AG 65 (buy it now) and Aura AG 65 (buy it now), both $270, 4 lbs. 11 oz.
Best Weight-to-Performance Ratio: Granite Gear Blaze 60, $270, 3 lbs. 4 oz. Buy it now.
Best Durability, Waterproof, Super Comfort: Arc’teryx Bora AR 50, $499, 4 lbs. 13 oz. Buy it now.
Best For Heavy Loads: Mystery Ranch Sphinx 60, $269, 4 lbs. 14 oz. Buy it now.
Best Budget Pack: Gregory Stout 60L, $190, 3 lbs. 8 oz. (buy it now) and Amber 55L, $190, 3 lbs. 9 oz. (buy it now).
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Best Ultralight Pack
Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Windrider
$355, 1 lb. 15 oz.
Many ultralight packs lack the support for carrying more than 20 to 30 pounds comfortably. HMG’s 3400 Windrider handles up to 35 pounds or more, has the capacity for a week between resupplies, and weighs much less than some best-selling competitors. Its tough Dyneema Composite Fabrics is fully waterproof and built to survive the apocalypse. The fixed suspension comes in four sizes and the simple harness system works. Its minimalist design, durability, capacity, comfort, and low weight will appeal to many backpackers who prefer hiking over simply hauling. Read my full review.
Buy the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Windrider now at backcountry.com or hyperlitemountaingear.com.
Tents
Best Overall: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2, $450, 2 lbs. 11 oz. Buy it now.
Best 2-Person Ultralight: Slingfin 2Lite Trek, $329, 2 lbs. 6 oz. Buy it now.
Sturdiest 2-Person Ultralight: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2, $735, 1 lb. 2 oz. Buy it now.
Best Solo Ultralight: Gossamer Gear The One, $300, 1 lb. 6 oz. Buy it now.
Best Budget Tent: Kelty Grand Mesa 2, $130, 4 lbs. 1 oz. Buy it now.
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Great Space and Value
MSR Zoic 2
$350, 4 lbs. 6 oz.
Sure, weight is important when evaluating a tent. But space—and especially the space-to-weight ratio—merits equal consideration, particularly for taller people.
MSR’s Zoic 2 takes a more comfortable approach to backpacking. It pitches intuitively in minutes, has superior ventilation and good stability, weather performance, and durability—but most of all, has excellent livability. Its 33 square feet of interior space and width for two 25-inch-wide air mattresses beat what you’ll find in many backpacking tents. All that and it’s still only a few ounces over two pounds per person and an excellent value.
Read my full review of the MSR Zoic 2.
Buy the MSR Zoic 2 now.
Get the right gear for your trips. See my picks for “The 10 Best Backpacking Packs”
and “The 9 (Very) Best Backpacking Tents.”
Shoes and Boots
Best Backpacking Boots: Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX, $269, 2 lbs. 7 oz. Buy them now.
Best Lightweight Shoes: Danner Trail 2650, $150, 1 lb. 7.5 oz. Buy them now.
Most Breathable and Sticky: La Sportiva TX3, $135, 1 lb. 9 oz. Buy them now.
Best Trail Running/Ultralight Hiking Shoes: Hoka One One Speedgoat 4, $145, 1 lb. 4 oz. Buy them now.
Killer Value: Oboz Bridger Mid Waterproof, $180, 2 lbs. 6 oz., buy them now, and Bridger Low Waterproof, $145, 2 lbs. 3 oz. Buy them now.
Buy smart with my pro tips on buying a backpack, backpacking tent, hiking shoes or boots, and a sleeping bag.
Cushiest Lightweight Boots
Hoka One One TenNine Hike Gore-Tex
$250, 2 lbs. 2 oz.
Lacing up these lightweight boots for the first time felt a little like suiting up for a moon walk—if moon boots feel exceptionally cushy, light, supportive, and surprisingly stable, given their oversized platform. Most distinctively, the TenNine Hike sports a conspicuously broad, compression-molded, EVA foam midsole platform projecting farther outward behind and to each side of the heel than has yet been used in any hiking footwear —even more so than Hoka’s signature oversized, foam midsole found in other models—creating a more efficient heel-to-toe transition. After wearing them carrying 25 to 35 pounds on a four-day, 45-mile backpacking trip in Yosemite, I’ll definitely hike many more miles in them.
Read my full review of the Hoka One One TenNine Hike Gore-Tex.
Buy the Hoka One One TenNine Hike Gore-Tex men’s or women’s boots now.
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Sleeping Bags
Best Down Bag: Feathered Friends Hummingbird and Egret UL, $439-$559, 1 lb. 5 oz.-1 lb. 9 oz. Buy a Hummingbird UL 30 or 20 now or an Egret UL 30 or 20 now.
Roomiest Mummy: Nemo Riff 30 of Riff 15, $370-$420, 1 lb. 12 oz.-2 lbs. 9 oz. Buy it now.
Most Comfortable: Sierra Designs Cloud 800, $300, 1 lb. 7 oz. Buy it now.
Best Ultralight: Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 32 or Hyperion 20, $350-$440, 15 oz.-1 lb. 6 oz. Buy it now.
Best Ultralight Quilt: Sierra Designs Nitro Quilt, $250, 1 lb. 5 oz. Buy it now.
Best Budget Sleeping Bag: Kelty Cosmic 20, $150-$190, 2 lbs. 7 oz. Buy it now.
Click on the name of any product below to read its complete review, or click on a “Buy it” link to purchase it.
Good Value Bag
Sierra Designs Nitro 800 20-Degree
$320, 1 lb. 15 oz.
When shopping for sleeping bags, it’s helpful to compare certain key specs: temperature rating, type and amount of insulation (or fill), total weight, and, of course, the price. Using those metrics, the Sierra Designs Nitro 20-Degree looks really good, with water-resistant, 800-fill-power DriDown feathers, enough warmth for sub-freezing temps, a cut that delivers more generous space than many bags—all at a weight south of two pounds. The Nitro series includes several men’s and women’s models at competitive prices. Read my full review.
Buy a Sierra Designs Nitro 800 20-Degree bag now.
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Best Rain Jacket
Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell Jacket
$249, 14 oz.
Wear enough waterproof-breathable shells in the backcountry and you understand what really separates the excellent from the mediocre: It’s the second half of that hyphenated adjective—the “breathable” part. Whether hiking steep hills in steady rain or backcountry skiing in heavily falling, wet snow, the Microgravity AscentShell Jacket kept me dry going both uphill and downhill, thanks to the solid waterproofing and exceptional breathability of OR’s proprietary, three-layer, waterproof-breathable AscentShell fabric.
Supple and packable, with a comfortable fit that allows very good mobility, it has the features an all-season shell should have: a fully adjustable, helmet-compatible hood; four roomy, zippered pockets; weatherproofing features like hook-and-loop cuffs and waterproof zippers; and solid durability—all at a good price. Caveats: It’s heavier than some backcountry shells and it lacks pit zips, but many users won’t miss them, given the Microgravity’s breathability.
Read my complete review of the Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell Jacket and see my review of “The 5 Best Rain Jackets for Hiking and Backpacking.”
Buy a men’s or women’s Outdoor Research Microgravity Ascentshell Jacket now.
Best Budget Rain Jacket: Black Diamond Treeline Rain Shell,$130, 10 oz. Buy it now.
Down Jackets
Best Down Jacket: Mammut Meron IN Hooded Down Jacket, $449, 14 oz. Buy it now.
Best Synthetic Jacket: Outdoor Research Helium Insulated Hoodie, $199, 11 oz. Buy it now.
Best Ultralight Down Jacket: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Down Hoody, $325, 8.8 oz. Buy it now.
Best Ultralight Synthetic Jacket: Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody, $299, 9 oz. Buy it now.
Versatile Down Jacket: Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket, $280, 15 oz. Buy it now.
Warmest Down Jacket: Black Diamond Vision Down Parka, $450, 1 lb. 4.5 oz. Buy it now .
Which puffy should you buy? See my “Review: The 10 Best Down Jackets” and
“How You Can Tell How Warm a Down Jacket Is.”
Trekking Poles
Best Overall: Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ, $190, 12.7 oz. Buy it now.
Best Ultralight: Gossamer Gear LT5, $195, 10 oz. Buy it now.
Most Versatile: MSR Dynalock Ascent, $160, 1 lb. 1 oz. Buy it now.
Air Mattresses
Best All-Around Air Mat: Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated and XT Extreme, $180-$200, 1 lb. 1 oz.-1 lb. 9 oz. Buy it now.
Best Ultralight: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Uberlite, $200, 9 oz. Buy it now.
Best Value and Comfort: Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra, $100, 1 lb. 6 oz. Buy it now.
Best Inflatable Pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow Ultra Light, $43, 2.5 oz. Buy it now.
What do you really need for backpacking? See my “Essentials-Only Backpacking Gear Checklist.”
Camp Kitchen
Best Ultralight Pot: MSR Big Titan Kettle, $100, 6 oz. Buy it now.
Best Cook Set: Sea to Summit X-Set 31, $110, 1 lb. 6 oz. Buy it now.
Best Solo Stove: Jetboil MiniMo, $150, 1 lb. 1 oz. Buy it now.
Best Family/Group Stove: MSR Windburner Group Stove System, $200, 1 lb. 4 oz. Buy it now.
Best Bear Canister: Bear Vault BV500, $80, 2 lbs. 8 oz. Buy it now.
Best Ultralight Stove
MSR PocketRocket 2
$45, 3 oz. (4 oz. with plastic case, included)
Backcountry stoves come in a variety of designs these days. But in many respects, the simplest design remains the most versatile and reliable, and the PocketRocket 2 continues to embody everything a backpacking stove should be. It fires up easily every time, boils water fast, has good flame control for wilderness gourmands, weighs next to nothing, and costs less than many of its best competitors.
Whereas some types of stoves have limitations on what you can cook with them, you can use the PocketRocket 2 for cooking almost anything, almost anywhere, for any size party (or more than one stove for a large group). That may explain why it’s so popular.
Read my full review. The new PocketRocket Deluxe ($70) adds a piezo push-button igniter, but as with that feature on other stoves, its performance can be erratic.
Buy the MSR PocketRocket 2 now.
I can help you plan the best backpacking, hiking, or family adventure of your life. Find out more here.
Water Treatment
Best Pump Filter: MSR Hyperflow, $120, 9 oz. Buy it now.
Best Gravity Filter: Katadyn BeFree Gravity 10L Filter, $110, 10 oz. Buy it now.
Best Filter Bottle: Lifestraw Go, $45, 8 oz. Buy it now.
Best Ultralight Personal Filter: Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System 0.6L, 1L, or 3L bottle, $40-$55, 2.5-3.5 oz. Buy it now.
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Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned backpacker, you’ll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip,” “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking,” and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you don’t have a subscription, you can download the e-guide versions of “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip,” the lightweight and ultralight backpacking guide, and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.”
