Must-pack picks for day hikes, expedition treks, and everything in between.
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BeFree AC 1.0 L Water Filter B
Best Insect Repellent for Gear
THE SECOND BEST hiking season is here (the first is fall, and we’ll die on that hill). So, it’s high time to dust off your go-to trail gear. Check your backpack for rips, reseal your tent seams, and make sure there’s enough tread on your favorite hiking boots (or shoes).
If anything needs replacing or upgrading, we’ve put together a guide to the best hiking gear according to continual testing by our team of outdoor editors and experts. From UPF clothing and waterproof shoes to camp stoves and portable power packs, here’s everything we always pack when hitting the trail.
Best Hiking Backpack
Osprey Kestrel 45
Credit: Retailer
Osprey’s Kestrel 45 is the perfect “all things for all hikers” pack, especially for those looking to buy just one bag. The 45-liter capacity is well-sized for dayhikes and overnighters. It features a classic rucksack silhouette but with all the best features of a modern pack, including comfortable straps and a hip belt, plus a well-ventilated back panel. Storage (pockets, loops, and lash points) is well-thought-out, and it’s hydration reservoir compatible to boot.
Read More: Best Hiking Backpacks
Best Hiking Boot
Oboz Katabatic RT Mid GTX Waterproof
$240AmazonAlso Consider
$220Backcountry$220obozfootwear.com
It’s not quite a hiking boot, a hiking shoe, or a trail runner—it’s somehow neither and all three in one. The lightweight construction and stiff upper support fast-moving day hikes over challenging terrain. A rock-solid blend of technical materials—namely Gore-Tex Invisible Fit, Vibram Megagrip, and ballistic mesh—makes for our favorite hiking footwear of the year. It’s durable, comfortable, sticks to anything, and is completely waterproof too.
Read More: Best Hiking Boots
Best Hiking Pants
Mammut Runbold IV Pant
Mammut’s deceptively simple Runbold IV hiking pants are among the best we’ve ever worn. The lightweight, four-way stretch fabric and adjustable waistband are crazy comfortable and allow you to move freely on the trail. Four zippered pockets offer just enough storage for your essentials, and all keep everything close to the body thanks to a more streamlined, athletic fit than most.
Best Hiking Shoe
Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 3
The latest version of Adidas’ Terrex Free Hiker blends understated street-friendly style with serious trail-ready chops. The low-key aesthetic (especially in core black) plays well with just about any casual outfit, making it a great travel-friendly shoe when you want to pack just one. But, with a Continental rubber outsole and liberal use of Gore-Tex, it’s ready for whatever off-pavement adventures you’re cooking up.
Read More: Best Hiking Shoes
Best Hiking T-Shirt
Smartwool Active Mesh T-Shirt
Hardcore hikers could argue the virtues of Merino versus synthetic until the sun goes supernova. For us, a blended construction of both is best. Smartwool’s new Active Mesh Short Sleeve T takes a mostly Merino wool design and adds just the right amount of Lyocell and polyester. The result is a near-perfect hiking shirt that’s lightweight, breathable, quick-wicking, and odor-resistant.
Best Hiking Rain Jacket
Marmot PreCip Evo Pro Jacket
Now 25% Off
$175 $131AmazonAlso Consider
The new PreCip Evo Pro is something of a unicorn in waterproof shells. It’s lightweight, packable, and 100% seam-taped for maximum waterproofing—heavier-duty than most featherweight “just in case” rain jackets, but lighter than the sort of hardcore shell you’d pack for a week in the PNW backcountry. Translation: It’s the perfect level of protection against rain for most hikers. Plus, it’s reasonably priced to boot.
Best Water Filter Bottle
BeFree AC 1.0 L Water Filter Bottle
We’ll take a collapsible water bottle over a traditional Nalgene any day of the week. This 1-liter model is lightweight, inexpensive, and collapses down very small when empty. Plus, the capacity and built-in filter make this a no-brainer for using as your main water bottle or as a backup. With even a remotely drinkable water source along your route, you’re guaranteed clean, potable hydration almost indefinitely.
Best Trekking Poles
Helinox Ridgeline LB135
Now 30% Off
Credit: Retailer
Trekking poles are a godsend over difficult terrain. For those times when you need to prioritize durability and heavy-duty usability over featherweight construction, Helinox’s new Ridgeline LB135 are superb. They collapse to a pack-friendly 61 centimeters when not in use, but adjust to accommodate a wide variety of hikers once unfurled. With EVA foam grips and a reasonably lightweight design (roughly one pound for the pair), these are the perfect balance for most hikers’ needs.
Read More: Do I Need to Use Trekking Poles?
Best Insect Repellent for Gear
Sawyer Products Premium Permethrin Clothing Insect Repellent
$14AmazonAlso Consider
The right insect repellent is key for spraying on both yourself and your gear. For the latter, we treat all of our outerwear (plus boots and socks) with this purpose-built solution from Sawyer. The permethrin-based product is safe for most fabrics and creates a durable, effective layer of skin-safe protection that fends off mosquitoes and other bitey bugs while lasting over a month, even when machine-washed.
Best Budget Headlamp
Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp
Even for hikers not regularly trekking out after dark, packing a headlamp just in case is wise. This basic model from Black Diamond is simple, easy-to-use, and budget-friendly. The compact, low-profile design practically disappears in any backpack, and it can run off of two different types of battery (either standard AAA’s or BD’s own rechargeable 1500 lithium-ion cell).
Best Portable Cook System
Jetboil TrailCook 1.2L Precision Cooking System
Jetboil’s Trailcook 1.2L is another homerun in the brand’s fantastic line-up of portable backcountry cook systems. The all-in-one setup includes everything you need for morning coffees, campfire dinners for two, and everything in-between. It’s the perfect balance of weight and capacity for day hikes, overnights, and (with enough fuel) even longer treks.
Best Two-Way Radio
Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio Long Range Walkie Talkie
You can’t rely on your smartphone in the backcountry. For couples or groups hiking together, dedicated off-grid-ready communication is essential. Rocky Talkie’s Mountain Radio is ridiculously small and clips to a backpack so it stays out of the way until you need it. It’s great for regular check-ins or keeping in contact if you’re ever separated from the group, especially in cell service dead zones. Plus, the four-day battery life is ideal for longer treks.
Best Backup Battery
Nestout 10000mAh Power Bank
At a minimum, a smartphone and satellite messenger are required packing for most hikers these days, so it’s always good to carry backup power for both. Nestout’s 10000mAh Power Bank is compact, relatively lightweight, and waterproof, making this middle-of-the-pack model the perfect solution for most hikers. Every model in the line-up provides USB-C and/or USB-A ports for keeping your most essential gadgets humming in the backcountry.
Best Portable Hiking Chair
Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 Original Chair
Packing a camp chair for a day hike or even longer backcountry excursions might seem an unnecessary luxury. But don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. Crazy Creek’s ultra-portable Hex 2.0 folds and rolls for easy transport, but sets up in seconds at camp or vistas to provide the perfect place to pseudo-lounge after a long day on the trail.
Best Hiking Hat
Outdoor Research Insect Shield Bucket Hat
A wide-brimmed hat is game-changing when you’re hiking in sun, rain, and just about every other weather condition. This dead-simple bucket hat from Outdoor Research features a versatile, all-purpose design that stands on its own. But, the addition of UPF 50+ sun-protection fabric and a built-in insect repellent treatment is the icing on the cake, ensuring this’ll be your new go-to hiking headwear this summer.
Best Sun Hoodie
Path Projects Wadi LS Hooded Tee 2.0
UPF hoodies suffer from a sea of sameness. That’s why the Path Projects Wadi 2.0 stands out: It feels and performs different. The difference being the Toray Fieldsensor Byokan fabric that Path Projects uses. It’s a lightweight material that’s just as durable, while also wicking moisture incredibly well. A snap on the hood provides even better neck coverage (and keeps the hood on when moving quick), and welded sleeve cuffs helps your sleeves go over your hands or pushed up (if you get too warm).
Read More: Best UPF Clothing
Best Hybrid Hiking Backpack
Peak Design Outdoor Backpack 18L
Peak Design’s entire line of cleverly designed backpacks is endlessly versatile. The entry-level 18L version of the brand’s fan-favorite Outdoor Backpack is perfectly suited for fast-moving, light-packing summit assaults and quick dayhikes. The design transitions seamlessly from the office (or airport or train station) to the trail with a rugged-enough construction and streamlined aesthetic that provides everything you need and nothing you don’t in a hybrid daypack.
Best Phone Case for Hiking
OtterBox Sole Series Pack
Your smartphone might be the most expensive piece of gear in your hiking loadout, so why not protect it on the trail? OtterBox’s Sole Series Pack provides rugged protection via a rubberized shell and raised edges to shield your screen—all with a dash of modern style. A clever elastic rope on the back offers extra storage space for small essentials like lip balm or your driver’s license.
