Author: elementmedialtd

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A rain jacket is the item you resent carrying right up until the moment it saves your day. The best one for you balances how waterproof it is against how breathable and packable it is — because a jacket that keeps rain out but traps sweat can leave you just as wet from the inside. Here are four picks and the specs that actually tell you how a shell will perform.

Our top hiking rain jacket picks for 2026

How to choose a hiking rain jacket

Waterproof rating and taped seams

Waterproofness is measured in millimetres of a hydrostatic head test — roughly 10,000mm and up handles serious hiking rain, while 20,000mm shrugs off prolonged downpours. Just as important: fully taped seams. An untaped seam leaks no matter how good the fabric, so check the label says “fully taped” rather than “critically taped.”

Breathability and pit zips

Breathability (often shown as a g/m²/24h figure or an RET rating) tells you how well sweat vapour escapes. No membrane vents as fast as you sweat on a steep climb, so pit zips — underarm vents you can open on the move — are the most effective way to dump heat without taking the jacket off.

Weight and packability

The best jacket is the one you carry. Ultralight shells around 200–300g pack tiny and are easy to justify bringing “just in case,” while burlier jackets add durability and warmth for winter and mountain use. Match the weight to how rough your trips really are.

Fit for layering

Your shell needs room for a fleece or light down layer underneath without pinching. Check the hood adjusts around a hat and turns with your head, and that the cuffs and hem seal well — small details that decide whether rain runs off you or down your sleeve.

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A hot meal and a morning coffee do more for trail morale than almost anything else you carry. The right stove depends on how you travel: ounce-counting backpackers, weekend campers and car-camping families all want different things. Here are four picks across those styles, plus what actually matters when you choose — and one safety rule that is non-negotiable.

Our top camping and backpacking stove picks for 2026

How to choose a camping stove

Match the stove to your trip

Backpacking alone or with a partner? A canister stove or integrated system is light and simple. Cooking real meals for a family at a campsite? A two-burner stove earns its bulk. Be honest about whether you boil water or actually cook — it changes the whole decision.

Fuel type

Canister (isobutane) stoves are the easiest: no priming, instant simmer control, minimal fuss. Their weakness is cold weather, where pressure drops — integrated systems and canisters with a regulator handle the chill better. Liquid-fuel stoves excel in deep cold and at altitude but need priming and maintenance.

Boil time, wind and simmer control

Fast boil times sell stoves, but wind resistance and simmer control matter more day to day. A stove that boils in three minutes on a calm bench can take twice as long in a breeze — a windscreen or an integrated pot makes a real difference. If you want to cook rather than just boil, check that the valve simmers low without flaming out.

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Trekking poles do quiet, unglamorous work: they take load off your knees on descents, add two points of balance on scree and river crossings, and set a rhythm that saves energy over long days. Studies put the reduction in knee force on descents at up to a quarter. Here are four picks across the spectrum, plus how to pick the right shaft, lock and grip for you.

Our top trekking pole picks for 2026

How to choose trekking poles

Aluminium vs carbon

Aluminium is heavier but tough — it bends rather than snaps under sudden load, so it is the safer bet for rough, rocky terrain and for beginners. Carbon is lighter and absorbs vibration better, ideal once you know how to place your poles and want to shave grams.

Lever locks vs twist locks

External lever (flick) locks are quick to adjust with gloves and easy to check at a glance — the modern standard. Twist locks are lighter and cleaner but can slip if worn or under-tightened. For most people, lever locks win on reliability.

Grip material

Cork breathes and moulds to your hand over time; foam is light, soft and warm; rubber insulates in cold but can chafe in heat. Whatever the material, choose poles with grip that extends a little down the shaft so you can choke down on steep traverses without re-adjusting length.

Foldable vs telescoping

Telescoping poles adjust across a wide length range and tend to be sturdier — best for varied terrain. Z-fold poles pack down shorter for stowing on a pack or in luggage, which suits travel and fastpacking. Set length so your elbow sits at 90 degrees on flat ground.

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Your backpack is the one piece of gear that touches every mile of a trip. Get the fit and capacity right and you barely notice it; get it wrong and it turns a great trail into a long day of sore shoulders. This guide breaks the field into four honest picks — from a wallet-friendly starter to a true ultralight hauler — so you can match a pack to your body, your trip length, and your budget.

Our top backpacking pack picks for 2026

How to choose a backpacking pack

Capacity: match litres to trip length

As a rough rule: 40–50L covers overnights and lightweight weekends, 50–65L handles 3–5 night trips or bulkier winter kit, and anything above 65L is expedition territory. Bigger is not better — extra empty volume just invites extra weight.

Fit is everything

A pack’s comfort comes from torso length, not height. Measure from the bony bump at the base of your neck (C7 vertebra) to the point on your lower back level with the top of your hip bones, and match that to the pack’s size range. The hip belt should carry roughly 80% of the load — your shoulders just stabilise.

Suspension and weight

Framed packs transfer weight to your hips and suit heavier loads; frameless ultralight packs are lighter but need a low, well-packed load to feel good. Don’t chase the lightest pack until your sleeping bag, shelter and pad are already light.

Features worth having

Adjustable back length, a supportive hip belt with pockets, external stretch pockets for a wet fly or water, and hip-belt or shoulder-strap access for snacks and a phone. Ignore gimmicks that just add grams.

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The right sleeping bag makes the difference between a great night and a cold one. For spring-through-autumn camping, a 3-season bag rated around 20F/-6C is the sweet spot. Here are our picks for 2026.

1. Kelty Cosmic 20 — Best value down bag

Genuine down warmth at a synthetic-like price. Warm, reasonably light and the go-to recommendation for hikers on a budget.

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2. REI Co-op Trailbreak 20 — Best all-round

Comfortable, durable and affordable synthetic insulation that shrugs off damp conditions. A dependable first bag.

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3. Marmot Trestles Elite Eco 20 — Best synthetic

Warm, water-resistant synthetic fill with a roomy cut. Great for wetter climates where down is a risk.

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4. NEMO Disco 15 — Best for side sleepers

A spoon-shaped design gives extra room at the knees and elbows, plus vents for temperature control. Ideal if you toss and turn.

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5. Sea to Summit Spark — Best ultralight

Premium high-fill down in an astonishingly light, packable bag. The choice when weight is everything.

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More field-tested gear in Top Picks · beginner know-how in Camping Tips · plan a trip with our Trail Guides.

Peak Outdoor Guide is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

A headlamp keeps your hands free for cooking, pitching camp and night hiking. These are our top picks for brightness, battery and value in 2026.

1. Black Diamond Spot 400 — Best all-round

400 lumens, waterproof, with a useful dimming and red-light mode. Reliable and reasonably priced — a great default.

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2. Petzl Actik Core — Best rechargeable

Ships with a rechargeable core but also runs on AAAs, so you are never stranded. Bright, comfortable and trail-proven.

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3. BioLite HeadLamp 425 — Best comfort

A slim front panel that sits flush against your forehead — barely noticeable to wear, with a solid rechargeable battery.

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4. Nitecore NU25 — Best ultralight

Featherweight and USB-rechargeable, a favourite of thru-hikers who count every gram. Surprisingly bright for the size.

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5. Black Diamond Storm 500 — Best for bad weather

Rugged and highly waterproof with strong output, built for storms and demanding conditions.

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More field-tested gear in Top Picks · beginner know-how in Camping Tips · plan a trip with our Trail Guides.

Peak Outdoor Guide is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Clean water is non-negotiable on the trail. A good filter is light, fast and simple. Here are the water filters we trust for hiking and backpacking in 2026.

1. Sawyer Squeeze — Best overall

Tiny, light and effectively lifetime-rated for hundreds of thousands of litres. Screws onto most bottles or a squeeze pouch — the default choice for most hikers.

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2. Katadyn BeFree — Best for fast flow

A collapsible flask with a wonderfully fast flow rate and easy field cleaning. Perfect for quick sips on the move.

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3. Platypus QuickDraw — Best for versatility

Fast flow, easy backflushing and compatible with standard bottles. A strong all-rounder and simple to maintain.

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4. LifeStraw Peak Series — Best budget

Affordable, durable and versatile — drink direct, use inline, or as a squeeze filter. Great value for occasional hikers.

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5. MSR Guardian — Best for expeditions

A rugged pump purifier that removes viruses as well as bacteria and protozoa. Overkill for weekend trips, ideal for international or high-risk sources.

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More field-tested gear in Top Picks · beginner know-how in Camping Tips · plan a trip with our Trail Guides.