stg-sectionhikercom-buttons.kinsta.cloud Backpacking Gear Reviews and FAQs

The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT is an improved version of the NeoAir XLite inflatable sleeping pad which is now thicker, quieter, and warmer than ever. The NeoAir was the first really viable inflatable lightweight sleeping pad to hit the market some 10 years ago but fell behind competitors like NEMO and Sea-to-Summit which eventually developed thicker and more comfortable lightweight …

The REI Trail 25 is a multi-purpose panel-loading backpack good for day hiking, urban use, and travel. While it’s easy to discount it as a hiking pack, it’s surprisingly functional for just that purpose with lots of strategically located pockets, trekking pole holders, and a slim torso-hugging profile that makes it easy to carry when it’s loaded up. Add in …

It can be difficult to anchor a tent to a wooden camping platform if it has to be staked out to set up. You usually need to prepare for this in advance by bringing extra cordage to rig up long guylines or platform hooks that you can drop between the platform boards to create an anchor point. I recently found …

The Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Ultralight Backpack (updated in 2024) is a multi-day internal frame backpack that’s optimized for ultralight backpacking and thru-hiking. Now in its fifth generation, it’s a great backpack for people who want to transition from carrying a much heavier back to a lighter-weight one, without having to replace all of their existing backpacking gear with smaller …