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View of lake through vestibule of MSR Hubba Hubba HD 2 backpacking tent
01
The Best Backpacking Tents
Climber leaning out of crack in Patagonia Durable Down Hoody Jacket
02
Don't Baby This Down
Sitting on boulder in Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody
03
The Peak Bagger Hiking Kit
Editors picks banner with Big Agnes Copper Spur backpacking tent
04
The Gear We Love
Racer running through crowd
05
The Long-Distance Grind
Thule Motion 3 roof box mounted on Jeep Grand Cherokee L
06
The Best Roof Cargo Boxes
Running up slab in The North Face Offtrail Ultra trail running shoe
07
Part Trail Runner, Part Mountain Goat
Close-up of synthetic jacket material
08
Microplastics, Macro Problem
Camper lying on Exped Megamat Duo sleeping mattress
09
The Best Camping Mattresses
Wearing Osprey Exos backpack in rocky mountain landscape
10
The Backpack Tax
Water beaded on Montbell Versalite rain jacket
11
Ultralight Rain Jackets: A Deep Dive
The Best Hiking Boots
12
The Best Hiking Boots
Putting rainfly on REI Co-op Trailmade 2 backpacking tent
13
REI Co-op Tents: A Complete Guide
Lacing up Norda 001A trail running shoes
14
The Best Trail Running Shoes
Contents inside main compartment of Osprey Exos 58 backpacking backpack
15
The Best Backpacking Backpacks
Hyperlite Unbound 2P backpacking tent guyout point on wall
16
Backpacking Tent Fabrics: A Deep Dive
Keeping out the rain in the Black Diamond Fineline Stretch rain jacket
17
The Best Rain Jackets
Wildflowers and the Mystery Ranch Radix 57 Backpack
18
Sustainability Coverage For Every Product
Black Diamond Trail Vista 20 hiking daypack fully packed
19
The Best Hiking Daypacks
Two backpackers looking at map in forest
20
How Do I Know What Land is Public?
Exped Lightning 50 backpacking pack roll-top closure detail
21
Backpacking Pack Materials: A Deep Dive
Garmin Forerunner 570 running watch
22
The Best Running Watches
Standing next to Hyperlite Mountain Gear Headwall 55 ski backpack
23
We've Got a Kit for That
Hiking in evening light in the Arc'teryx Gamma SL hiking pants
24
The Best Hiking Pants

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REI Co-op Westward 6 Tent Review
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Nemo Aurora Highrise 6 Tent Review
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Education

Ultralight Rain Jackets: A Deep Dive

Backpackers, thru-hikers, and mountain runners all want to thread the needle and find the right ultralight rain jacket for their respective missions. You can get all the way down to the 4- to 5-ounce range for the most minimalist and streamlined of shells, but there are important considerations, including breathability, weather protection, durability, features, cost, and more.
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Packaged Weight vs. Trail Weight in Backpacking Tents

When you’re shopping for a new backpacking tent, you’ll almost always see two weights listed: packaged weight and trail weight. At first glance, the distinction seems straightforward—one number is heavier, one is lighter. But as with most gear specs, there’s more nuance than you might expect.
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Do Durable Products = Sustainable Products?

It seems simple enough: build better gear, make it last longer, and eliminate the need to buy more. But what really makes a product durable? And how well can you actually predict a product’s lifespan?
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