Search Categories

What Are The Best Outdoor Hiking Gear in 2025

"Essential Outdoor Hiking Gear: Your Comprehensive Guide to Choosing the Best Equipment for Every Trail" When it comes to outdoor hiking gear, having the right equipment can make all the difference in your adventure. From sturdy hiking boots to weather-resistant backpacks, each piece of gear plays a crucial role in ensuring comfort and safety on the trails. As a knowledgeable consumer advocate, I recommend focusing on key features like durability, weight, and moisture-wicking materials when selecting your gear. It's also wise to consider your specific hiking needs—whether you're a casual day hiker or planning an extended backcountry trek. Don't overlook the importance of fit; gear that feels good will enhance your experience and performance. Additionally, check for customer reviews and expert ratings to find products that stand the test of time. Finally, look for seasonal sales or bundled deals to get the best value for your investment. With the right outdoor hiking gear, you'll be prepared to tackle any trail that beckons you!

1

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

Buy Now $17.00

Why We Love It

Users love the peace of mind this filter brings on hiking trips. Its light weight and compact size make it extremely portable. The filter's long lifespan and effectiveness in removing bacteria and parasites are highly praised by reviewers.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Effective filtration
  • Long-lasting

Cons

  • Can be hard to suck water through
  • No integrated storage

Portable water filter eliminating waterborne bacteria and parasites

The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is an essential tool for any hiker. It removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria and 99.9% of parasites, ensuring you can drink safely from any freshwater source. Weighing just 2oz and lasting for 1,000 gallons of filtration, it's an incredibly practical and reliable choice.

2

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

Buy Now $17.00

Why We Love It

Review sites and users have praised the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter for its effectiveness and portability. Users love that it provides clean, safe drinking water without needing any chemicals. Its lightweight and compact design are also highly appreciated for making it easy to carry during hiking adventures. The high filtration capacity is also a major highlight for many users.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Highly effective filtration
  • No need for chemicals

Cons

  • Cannot filter chemicals or viruses
  • No storage capacity

Lightweight and compact personal water filter for outdoor adventures.

The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is an essential hiking gear that ensures safe drinking water regardless of your location. It is capable of filtering up to 1000 liters of contaminated water without iodine, chlorine, or other chemicals. The filter removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria and 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites. The LifeStraw is ultralight, weighing only 2 oz, making it perfect for hiking.

3

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
Buy Now $17.49

Why We Love It

Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts praise the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter for its effectiveness in providing safe drinking water. The fact that it doesn't require chemicals or batteries is seen as a major advantage. Users also appreciate its compact size, making it easy to carry on hikes.

Pros

  • Effective filtration
  • No chemicals used
  • Long lifespan

Cons

  • Drinking through it can be hard work
  • No way to store filtered water

Portable water filter that removes bacteria and parasites.

The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is a must-have for outdoor adventures. It removes 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria and 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites, without chemicals, iodine or batteries. The filter can purify up to 4,000 liters of contaminated water to safe drinking standards.

4

Garmin InReach Explorer+ Handheld Satellite Communicator

Buy Now $720.00

Why We Love It

The Garmin InReach Explorer+ is well-loved for its reliable global coverage and communication capabilities. Reviewers often mention the peace of mind they get from knowing they can reach out for help from anywhere in the world. The built-in GPS is highly appreciated for planning routes and navigating unfamiliar terrain. Users also commend the device's durability and water-resistance, often noting that it has held up well in various outdoor conditions. The long battery life is another frequently praised feature.

Pros

  • Global Satellite Coverage
  • Built-in GPS
  • Durable and Water-Resistant

Cons

  • Satellite subscription required
  • Expensive

Garmin handheld satellite device with GPS and SOS capabilities.

The Garmin InReach Explorer+ is a handheld satellite communicator that offers global Iridium satellite coverage. It has built-in GPS, providing navigation with waypoints and routes. It also includes an interactive SOS, allowing you to send and receive text messages, emails, and distress signals from anywhere in the world. The device is impact-resistant and water-rated to IPX7, ensuring durability and reliability in harsh conditions. It features a rechargeable lithium battery with up to 100 hours of life in tracking mode.

5

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

Buy Now $17.00

Why We Love It

The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is highly praised by users and experts for its compact size and powerful filtration ability. Users appreciate its convenience for hiking and camping, as well as its potential for emergency situations. Although some users find it a little hard to suck water through, they still highly recommend it for its ability to provide safe drinking water from almost any source.

Pros

  • Compact and lightweight
  • High filtration capacity
  • Doesn't require batteries

Cons

  • Can be hard to suck water through
  • No storage for filtered water

LifeStraw personal water filter with 1,000 liters filtration capacity.

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is an essential tool for hikers, campers, and emergency preparedness. It can filter up to 1,000 liters of contaminated water without iodine, chlorine, or other chemicals. It removes minimum 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria, and 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites. The filter does not require batteries, has no moving parts and uses no chemicals.

6

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

Buy Now $17.00

Why We Love It

Users and review sites laud the LifeStraw for its impressive filtration capabilities, noting that it offers a reliable solution for accessing clean water in the wilderness. Its lightness and portability are often mentioned as key advantages for hikers and campers. Many also appreciate the simplicity of use and the absence of batteries or additional parts, which makes it even more user-friendly and practical. Despite its small size, its ability to filter up to 1,000 gallons of water is frequently highlighted as a significant benefit.

Pros

  • Effective Water Filtration
  • Lightweight and Portable
  • No Batteries Required

Cons

  • Does not filter viruses
  • Cannot store filtered water

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter for hiking, camping and emergency preparedness.

The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is a must-have for outdoor enthusiasts and emergency preparedness. It filters up to 1,000 gallons of contaminated water, removing 99.9999% of waterborne bacteria and 99.9% of waterborne protozoan parasites. It can filter to 0.2 microns, surpassing EPA standards for water filters. The LifeStraw doesn't require batteries or additional parts, making it a simple and reliable option for clean and safe drinking water. It's lightweight and comes in a sealed bag, perfect for storing in a backpack for easy access.

7

Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Ultralight Foam Backpacking Mattress

Buy Now $6.00

Why We Love It

Outdoor enthusiasts and review sites love the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol for its combination of comfort, warmth, and portability. The thermal reflective coating is a favorite feature, with many users noting it significantly increases warmth. The lightweight and compact design are frequently mentioned as key advantages for backpackers and hikers. Users also appreciate the mattress' durability, and many have noted it's virtually indestructible even with heavy use. The fact that it doesn't require inflation is considered a great convenience by many users.

Pros

  • Lightweight and Compact
  • Thermal Reflective Coating
  • Durable

Cons

  • Not as comfortable as inflatable mattresses
  • May be bulky for some backpacks

Therm-a-Rest foam backpacking mattress offering warmth and comfort in the wilderness.

The Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol Ultralight Foam Backpacking Mattress is designed for comfort and warmth during your outdoor adventures. It features a compact accordion-style design and is ultra-lightweight, making it easy to pack and carry. The mattress has a thermal reflective coating that traps radiant heat, increasing overall warmth by 20%. The foam is softer on top for comfort and denser on the bottom for extra insulation and durability. This closed-cell foam mattress is also virtually indestructible and doesn't require inflation.

Product Comparison

Compare features across all products in this category

6 Features 5 Products Updated Oct 04, 2025
Product Waterproof Lumens/Output Capacity (liters) Weight (g) Durability Adjustability
1 Black Diamond Spot Headlamp
Yes 300 lumens N/A 75 g IPX8 rating Adjustable brightness
2 Osprey Atmos AG 65 Men's Backpack
No N/A 65 liters 2,200 g High-denier nylon Fit-on-the-Fly hipbelt
3 LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
No N/A N/A 60 g Lasts up to 4,000 liters N/A
4 Columbia Men's Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof Hiking Boot
Yes N/A N/A 400 g Full-grain leather upper Lace-up closure
5 Black Diamond Trekking Poles
No N/A N/A 600 g (pair) Carbide tips Adjustable up to 140 cm
1

Black Diamond Spot Headlamp

Waterproof
Yes
Lumens/Output
300 lumens
Capacity (liters)
N/A
Weight (g)
75 g
Durability
IPX8 rating
Adjustability
Adjustable brightness
2

Osprey Atmos AG 65 Men's Backpack

Waterproof
No
Lumens/Output
N/A
Capacity (liters)
65 liters
Weight (g)
2,200 g
Durability
High-denier nylon
Adjustability
Fit-on-the-Fly hipbelt
3

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter

Waterproof
No
Lumens/Output
N/A
Capacity (liters)
N/A
Weight (g)
60 g
Durability
Lasts up to 4,000 liters
Adjustability
N/A
4

Columbia Men's Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof Hiking Boot

Waterproof
Yes
Lumens/Output
N/A
Capacity (liters)
N/A
Weight (g)
400 g
Durability
Full-grain leather upper
Adjustability
Lace-up closure
5

Black Diamond Trekking Poles

Waterproof
No
Lumens/Output
N/A
Capacity (liters)
N/A
Weight (g)
600 g (pair)
Durability
Carbide tips
Adjustability
Adjustable up to 140 cm

Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Hiking Gear

What makes a outdoor hiking gear the "best"?

We evaluate products based on quality, performance, value for money, user reviews, durability, and ease of use. Our rankings are updated regularly to reflect the latest market offerings and user feedback.

How often do you update your outdoor hiking gear recommendations?

Our team continuously monitors the market for new products and updates our recommendations quarterly. We also adjust rankings based on user feedback and new testing results.

Do you test all the products you recommend?

Yes, whenever possible, we physically test products in our labs. For products we can't test directly, we rely on verified user reviews, expert opinions, and detailed specifications to make informed recommendations.

What if I'm looking for a specific type of outdoor hiking gear?

Our top 10 list covers the most popular and highly-rated options. If you have specific requirements, check our detailed product descriptions and pros/cons to find the best match for your needs.