Buying Guides
The best gear in every category, compared and ranked after real-world testing.
10 buying guides
Buying Guides
EDCBuying Guide
The Best EDC Pocket Knife for Every Pocket and Budget
Charles Moodispaw ·
ApparelBuying Guide
Best Work Pants: Durable Picks for the Jobsite and Beyond
Sam Moscinski ·
Outdoor LivingBuying Guide
The Best Stainless Steel Fire Pits for a Cleaner, Longer-Lasting Backyard Burn
Philip Hill ·
HikingBuying Guide
The Best Backpacking Tents of 2026
Outpost Editors ·
After a full season and 22 tents tested, these are the ultralight and all-around backpacking shelters that earned a spot in our packs.
HikingBuying Guide
The Best Daypacks of 2026, Tested on the Trail
Outpost Editors ·
We tested 15 daypacks across seasons and body types. These are the most comfortable, best-organized packs for day hikes.
Outdoor LivingBuying Guide
Avalanche Safety Gear: What You Actually Need to Get in the Backcountry
Outpost Editors ·
The essential avalanche safety kit explained: transceivers, probes, shovels, airbags, and why gear is worthless without training.
CampingBuying Guide
The Best Camping Stoves of 2026
Outpost Editors ·
From two-burner basecamp stoves to ultralight canister burners, these are the best camping stoves we tested this year.
CampingBuying Guide
The Best Sleeping Bags of 2026
Outpost Editors ·
We tested 14 sleeping bags across three seasons. These are the warmest, lightest, and best-value bags for backpacking.
EDCBuying Guide
The Best Headlamps of 2026
Outpost Editors ·
From featherweight running lamps to high-output all-rounders, these are the best headlamps we tested this year.
HikingBuying Guide
The Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2026
Outpost Editors ·
Squeeze, gravity, pump, or purifier: nine backcountry water filters tested through 400 liters of the worst water we could find.