The best backpacking gear list is not all-inclusive. While it may not cover everything you need on a backpacking trip, it includes 20 of the most important items on your packing list—at least in our ...

If you spend enough time backpacking, you may consider switching to an ultralight setup, as it opens the door to longer, faster adventures and allows you to travel more freely. A lightweight tent, pad ...

For plenty of outdoorsmen and women, ultralight backpacking conjures up a particularly kooky image. Sawed-off toothbrushes. Dingy plastic water bottles with water filters screwed on top. Backpacks — ...

Over the years, ultralight backpacking has garnered an unfortunate reputation: obsessive, elitist, unsafe, prohibitively expensive. While we could debate the first three (obsessive is the only one I’d ...

For backpackers, going ultralight is easier (and less expensive) than you might expect. We stepped back to give tips on reducing pack weight for weekend backpacking trips and thru-hikes alike. Every ...

Products like lightweight inflatable chairs can help to make your time at camp comfortable and fun. Will you be carrying all of your gear on your back while you hike to your designated backcountry ...

The Evolution of Expedition Gear In the world of outdoor exploration, the quest for ultra-lightweight expedition gear has reached new heights in 2026. As adventurers venture into the wild, whether for ...

Support our work! The Inertia may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn more about our gear review policy here. Camping is always worth it, but there’s something special ...

Shedding weight is less a packing problem and more a state of mind. Let WIRED show you how to keep warm and fed in the backcountry.