Best for Backpacking: Evidence-based Gear Reviews

Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie Review: UPF 15 Sun Protection at 5.29 Ounces

The Echo Hoodie weighs 5.29 oz and is rated UPF 15 to 20. It's one of the most breathable sun hoodies reviewers have tested, and it lets through about three times the UV of a UPF 50 shirt.

Brooke Wilder 9 min read

Backpacks

Osprey Aether 65 Review: 4.9 lb of Load Hauler, and Who Should Skip It

The Aether 65 weighs 4.919 lb by Osprey's figure and is rated to 60 lb. The math on what that costs you at 30 lb is the whole review.

Brooke Wilder 9 min read

Backpacks

Osprey Rook 65 Review: The Budget Pack That Does Most of an Atmos

The Rook 65 is a 3.7 lb budget pack with a mesh back panel and a rain cover in the box. Buy it for 30-40 lb trips; skip it for heavier loads.

Brooke Wilder 8 min read

Backpacks

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Backpacks

Osprey Aether 65 Review: 4.9 lb of Load Hauler, and Who Should Skip It

The Aether 65 weighs 4.919 lb by Osprey's figure and is rated to 60 lb. The math on what that costs you at 30 lb is the whole review.

Brooke Wilder 9 min read

On You

View all On You gear

Sun Hoodies

Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie Review: UPF 15 Sun Protection at 5.29 Ounces

The Echo Hoodie weighs 5.29 oz and is rated UPF 15 to 20. It's one of the most breathable sun hoodies reviewers have tested, and it lets through about three times the UV of a UPF 50 shirt.

Brooke Wilder 9 min read

Shelter & Sleep

View all Shelter & Sleep

Sleeping Pads

Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft Review: The Most Comfortable Pad I've Read About, at a Price in Ounces

The NeoLoft is the most comfortable backpacking pad in the reviews I read, at about 25 oz. Buy it if you sleep on your side; skip it if you count grams or camp on snow.

Brooke Wilder 9 min read

Stories worth packing

Worth a closer look

Editorial gear notes drawn from manufacturer specs, lab tests, and the long-form reviews we trust most.

Sun Hoodies

Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie Review: UPF 15 Sun Protection at 5.29 Ounces

The Echo Hoodie weighs 5.29 oz and is rated UPF 15 to 20. It's one of the most breathable sun hoodies reviewers have tested, and it lets through about three times the UV of a UPF 50 shirt.

Brooke Wilder 9 min read

Backpacks

Osprey Aether 65 Review: 4.9 lb of Load Hauler, and Who Should Skip It

The Aether 65 weighs 4.919 lb by Osprey's figure and is rated to 60 lb. The math on what that costs you at 30 lb is the whole review.

Brooke Wilder 9 min read

Backpacks

Osprey Rook 65 Review: The Budget Pack That Does Most of an Atmos

The Rook 65 is a 3.7 lb budget pack with a mesh back panel and a rain cover in the box. Buy it for 30-40 lb trips; skip it for heavier loads.

Brooke Wilder 8 min read

Sleeping Pads

Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft Review: The Most Comfortable Pad I've Read About, at a Price in Ounces

The NeoLoft is the most comfortable backpacking pad in the reviews I read, at about 25 oz. Buy it if you sleep on your side; skip it if you count grams or camp on snow.

Brooke Wilder 9 min read

ultralight-tents

Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Review: 26 Ounces, 26 Square Feet, One Catch

The Lunar Solo is 26 oz for 26.25 sq ft, and the scales agree with the maker. Buy it for solo trips in dry country; condensation and the pitch are the catch.

Brooke Wilder 9 min read

Backpacking Stoves

Best Lightweight Backpacking Stoves for 2026

Five lightweight backpacking stoves across canister, integrated, and windproof designs, ranked by weight, boil time, wind behavior, and fuel efficiency with a pick for each trip type.

Brooke Wilder 10 min read

Sun Hoodies

Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie Review: UPF 15 Sun Protection at 5.29 Ounces

The Echo Hoodie weighs 5.29 oz and is rated UPF 15 to 20. It's one of the most breathable sun hoodies reviewers have tested, and it lets through about three times the UV of a UPF 50 shirt.

Brooke Wilder 9 min read

Backpacks

Osprey Aether 65 Review: 4.9 lb of Load Hauler, and Who Should Skip It

The Aether 65 weighs 4.919 lb by Osprey's figure and is rated to 60 lb. The math on what that costs you at 30 lb is the whole review.

Brooke Wilder 9 min read

Backpacks

Osprey Rook 65 Review: The Budget Pack That Does Most of an Atmos

The Rook 65 is a 3.7 lb budget pack with a mesh back panel and a rain cover in the box. Buy it for 30-40 lb trips; skip it for heavier loads.

Brooke Wilder 8 min read

Sleeping Pads

Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft Review: The Most Comfortable Pad I've Read About, at a Price in Ounces

The NeoLoft is the most comfortable backpacking pad in the reviews I read, at about 25 oz. Buy it if you sleep on your side; skip it if you count grams or camp on snow.

Brooke Wilder 9 min read

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Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie Review: UPF 15 Sun Protection at 5.29 Ounces

Osprey Aether 65 Review: 4.9 lb of Load Hauler, and Who Should Skip It

Osprey Rook 65 Review: The Budget Pack That Does Most of an Atmos

Backpacks

Osprey Aether 65 Review: 4.9 lb of Load Hauler, and Who Should Skip It

Osprey Rook 65 Review: The Budget Pack That Does Most of an Atmos

Osprey Exos 58 Review: The 2 lb 13 oz Pack That Carries 35 lb

Osprey Atmos AG 65 vs Atmos AG LT 65 vs Gregory Paragon 60 vs Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60: Best Multi-Day Backpack, Compared

Gregory Paragon 60 vs Osprey Atmos AG LT 65 vs Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60: Pick by Pack Style

On You

Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX vs Merrell Moab 3 WP: Which Hiking Boot Should You Buy?

Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX vs Altra Lone Peak 8: Waterproof Boot or Zero-Drop Trail Runner

Altra Lone Peak 8 Review

Best Backpacking Sun Hoodies 2026

Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie Review: UPF 15 Sun Protection at 5.29 Ounces

Shelter & Sleep

Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 vs NEMO Dragonfly OSMO vs Tiger Wall UL2 vs Hornet OSMO 1P: The Best Ultralight Backpacking Tents of 2026

Lunar Solo vs Lunar Duo Outfitter vs Lanshan 1 vs Lanshan 2: Best Trekking Pole Tents You Can Buy in 2026

NEMO Dragonfly OSMO Bikepack 2P Review

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT vs NEMO Tensor All-Season

Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft Review: The Most Comfortable Pad I've Read About, at a Price in Ounces

Worth a closer look

Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie Review: UPF 15 Sun Protection at 5.29 Ounces

Osprey Aether 65 Review: 4.9 lb of Load Hauler, and Who Should Skip It

Osprey Rook 65 Review: The Budget Pack That Does Most of an Atmos

Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft Review: The Most Comfortable Pad I've Read About, at a Price in Ounces

Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo Review: 26 Ounces, 26 Square Feet, One Catch

Best Lightweight Backpacking Stoves for 2026

Read more

Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie Review: UPF 15 Sun Protection at 5.29 Ounces

Osprey Aether 65 Review: 4.9 lb of Load Hauler, and Who Should Skip It

Osprey Rook 65 Review: The Budget Pack That Does Most of an Atmos

Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft Review: The Most Comfortable Pad I've Read About, at a Price in Ounces

Get one honest gear take every Friday.