Trail Gear Picks

Author

Alex Hart

Hi, I'm Alex Hart. I started Trail Gear Picks, and I write all of it. I hike mostly day trails in Pisgah, spend a few nights in a tent up toward Shining Rock, and head for the mountains, sometimes abroad, when I can. Each guide tells you which one I'd buy.

Guides by Alex Hart

The Best Survival Knives for CampingFive fixed-blade knives for camping, bushcraft and the survival kit, from about $20 to $120. What each one weighs, what it's good at around camp, and what owners say goes wrong.The Best Base LayersSix base layers and long underwear sets for hiking in the cold, merino wool and synthetic, from about $10 to $150. Tops and bottoms, women's cuts, and the weight to buy for your weather.The Best Camping GiftsEight camping gifts and gadgets for campers, hikers and backpackers, from about $26 to about $330, and what to know about each one before you wrap it.The Best Trail Runners for HikingSix trail running shoes for day hikes and backpacking, from about $60 to $180, with the size to order, the widths and what owners complain about.The Best Roof Top TentsSix roof top tents, hard shell and soft, from about $1,300 to $4,000, with the weight of each, because your roof limit decides first.The Best Waterproof BackpacksSix packs that keep your phone and your dry layer dry when the storm hits, from a $19 roll-top to a bag you can drop in the river.The Best Lightweight Camping ChairsSeven light chairs with a backrest or a solid base, from a $38 budget seat to an 18-ounce chair for the backpack.The Best Camping CotsWhich cot to buy for car camping or a base camp, from about $55 to $400.The Best HeadlampsSix headlamps from about $25 to $90 for hiking, camping and backpacking, rechargeable or on AAA batteries, and how long each one lasts on a charge or a set of batteries.The Best Water Bottles for HikingWhich bottle to carry on the trail, whether you want it light, cold all day, or able to clean the water you scoop from a creek.The Best Baby Carrier Hiking BackpacksSix framed carriers for babies who can sit up on their own, with picks for heavy toddlers, smaller parents, travel and a tight budget.The Best Hiking DaypacksFive daypacks from 20 to 28 liters, about $90 to $180, for a full day on the trail, with a pick for hot days, for fast hikers and for a tight budget.How to Pack a BackpackWhere everything goes in a hiking pack, why it matters on the trail, and how to set the straps once it's loaded.Osprey Daypacks: Which One to BuySix Osprey daypacks, about $70 to $200, from the little Daylite to the Stratos, and what owners say about each one.The Camping ChecklistEverything for a weekend at a campground, from the tent stakes to the can opener, with the things you can't forget marked.The Best Coolers for CampingSix coolers for car camping, from a $75 rolling Coleman to a bear-resistant Yeti, with how long each one keeps food cold and what bugs owners.The Best Folding Camping TablesSix folding tables for the campsite, from a $40 stove stand to a picnic table with seats for four, and what goes wrong with each.The Best Camping StovesSix camp stoves for car camping, from a $30 single burner to a two-burner with a cast-iron grill, and the downside of each.The Best 6-Person TentsSix family tents for car camping, from about $130 to $585, including two that pitch in a minute, and how many people a 6-person tent really sleeps.The Best 2-Person Camping CotsFive cots that sleep two adults, one bed or two side by side, from about $130 to $370.The Best Backpacking Sleeping BagsFive three-season bags from about $65 to $470, down and synthetic, what the number on the label really means, and how warm each one sleeps.The Best Lightweight Hiking ShoesFive low hiking shoes that weigh 11 to 12 ounces each, from about $70 to $190, with the size to order and the widths each one comes in.The Best Camping ChairsCar camping chairs worth the trunk space, from a $40 seat with a cooler in the armrest to a $135 recliner. Five picks, and the catch with each.The Best Rocking Camping ChairsSix folding rockers for the campfire, from about $70 to about $130. Most rock on springs, so they work on grass, and each one comes with the part that wears out first.The Best Sleeping Pads for CampingWhich pad to buy for the car, the trail or a sore hip, from about $50 to $260, and what owners say about leaks and noise.The Best 1-Person Backpacking TentsSix solo tents from about $100 to $500, the best one for most backpackers, cheaper picks with or without trekking poles, and what owners say about condensation and setup.The Best Hiking BootsHow to get the size and the width right on the first order, across six waterproof mid boots from about $110 to $280.The Best Lightweight Hiking BootsMid boots that keep your feet dry without dragging on the last miles, from about $110 to $240.The Best Trekking PolesThe pair to get if you only buy one, and six others from about $30 to $230.Merrell Moab 3 ReviewEvery version of the Moab 3, low and mid, from about $110 to $185, and what owners say about each one.Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX Review (Low & Mid)The low and mid X Ultra 5 GTX, about $150 to $165 on Amazon, how each one fits, and what owners say after the first miles.Hoka Kaha 3 GTX ReviewThe Kaha 3 GTX, mid and low, men's and women's, about $220 to $240, and what owners say about the fit.The Best Hiking Shoes for WomenSix hiking shoes from about $90 to $180, and which size to order in each one.