At a Glance Choosing the right winter hiking footwear is the difference between a crisp, refreshing morning on the trail...

The best sleeping bag is the one that matches your trip style (backpacking vs car camping), your realistic low temps…

The best headlamp isn’t the one with the biggest lumen number — it’s the one with a useful beam pattern…

If you’re shopping for a Columbia waterproof jacket, the “right one” depends less on the logo and more on construction details: seam taping…

The right camera backpack is the one that stays comfortable when it’s fully loaded — meaning the hip belt actually takes weight off your shoulders…

If you want a backpack that stays dry in real weather, focus less on the word “waterproof” and more on construction: welded or taped seams plus a…

If you want faster, less fatiguing hiking on maintained trails (day hikes through light overnights), lightweight hiking boots can be the sweet spot…

The best merino hiking socks are the ones that stay put, don’t bunch, and don’t blow out at the heel — which usually means a merino blend with nylon and…

“Waterproof hiking pants” are usually lightweight rain shell pants you pull on over your regular hiking pants (or tights) when the sky opens up.

At a Glance Choosing the right footwear is the difference between a memorable summit and a painful limp back to...