Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more
Hiking seems easy enough. You just go outside and get to walking, right? Well, yes and no. Yes, hiking is simple in that the barrier to entry is actually pretty low. But if you want to make the best (and most) of it, you’re gonna want to invest in the right gear and apparel to make it more enjoyable, safer, easier on your body (or at least more ergonomic) and so forth.
That said, finding good gear worth your money is a lot less simple, as the market is absolutely flooded with options in all categories. But you don’t have to go the journey alone if you don’t want to. We’ve done a large amount of research and hands-on testing across all the important hiking gear categories — and we’ve picked out favorites in all of them. From hiking boots to cooling hats and everything in between, here you’ll find our top picks for all the hiking gear you could dream of.
As you’ll soon find out, these products were sourced from a wide variety of our other guides, and all of them have been thoroughly tested by our staff of writers and editors. And while the criteria for each vary depending on the particular gear category, you can feel safe in the knowledge that each product had its overall quality, performance, construction, materials, user-friendliness and more taken into account over the course of weeks or even months of rigorous testing. After all, we can hardly call this the best gear there is if we haven’t been hands-on with it.
To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.
The Best Hiking Footwear
Vasque
Arguably the most important part of any hiking kit, your footwear determines a lot about the types of hikes you can do. But regardless of whether you want a full-length boot for a huge thru-hike or something lower and more agile, the importance of their quality cannot be overstated. Luckily for you, we’ve got a quartet of best-overall options from four different categories (and you can always visit the full guides if you need more options).
Best Overall Hiking Boot: Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Gore-Tex
Our pick for the best overall hiking boots you can buy, these mid-height boots are also big-time best-sellers from the brand’s catalog. They’re breathable yet weatherproof, making them great for all conditions. They also offer plenty of support and cushioning, making them great for short and long jaunts alike. And our testers loved their versatility, singing their praises as true year-round boots.
Updated materials and construction make this popular boot better than ever
Cons
Can be a little stiff
Weight: 1 pound, 8 ounces
Waterproofing: VasqueDry
Materials: Recycled mesh, suede
A regularly updated design that’s topped the sales charts for roughly the last two decades, Vasque’s widely lauded Breeze boots have been updated for 2023 to include more sustainable materials (like VasqueDry, which offers waterproofing with 25 percent recycled materials). Our tester also loved the grippy Vibram outsoles, new breathable upper (which is also more sustainable at 70 percent recycled materials), their overall versatility and even the wear and tear they show (call it character-building).
Danner’s Trail 2650 hiking shoes are actually the brand’s lightest pair of hiking footwear to date — and that enough (when paired with the brand’s pedigree) is enough to get it some recognition. Of course, that’s hardly all these shoes have going for them. The leather and mesh upper is as breathable as it is durable. Its TPU shank and heel counter add a bit of stability (a much-needed inclusion for a low-top hiking shoe lacking ankle support). And they’re both comfortable and grippy — meaning you could wear them on challenging trails and/or just around town.
Hiking sandals are sometimes a tough sell — you either love them or you hate them. Yet even among those who love them, Chaco’s Z/2 Classic is still somewhat polarizing, thanks largely to the big toe loop. However, as serious hikers, our testers found that they loved this inclusion for the additional leverage it provides while out on the trails. The new rubber compound for the grippy outsole also shaved off about 20 percent of its weight, which makes them even easier to wear on longer, all-day hikes. If you’re the type to brave the wilds in sandals, these are the ones for you.
Although less dire than your footwear, your apparel should still be a consideration when you’re going out on a walkabout any time of year — and you should cater it to the weather, as such. Hot summer hikes are best accompanied by breathable shorts, t-shirts, and sunhats, whereas colder hikes might be better with base layers, light jackets, and even pants. Whatever you’re looking for, we’ve gone ahead and covered the gamut in the following section.
Best Overall Hiking Socks: Smartwool Classic Hike Extra Cushion Crew Socks
Why are socks first on our list here? Because they’re nearly as important as your boots (yes, really). And when it comes to hiking socks, Smartwool is probably the biggest name in the game. That’s because the brand knows what they’re doing and nobody else has the chops to overtake it. Take these plush hiking socks, for instance. They’re made from Merino wool, nylon and elastane, granting them support (and blister protection), durability and just a bit of stretch. They might be a touch too thick for the hottest summer hikes, but even then they’re better than most other options.
Since most folks only brave the trails when the sun is shining and the mercury is rising, shorts are probably most folks’ go-to bottoms for hiking. And these ones are the best you can buy, thanks largely to their recycled nylon material, which is both durable and comfortable for all-day wear. They also benefit from moisture-wicking tech (a summertime must-have), a stretchy waistband and they come in numerous colors (which is especially great if you want to pick up a few pairs).
Features: Drawcord for customizable fit, cargo-inspired pockets, abrasion-resistant fabric, carabiner-friendly front loops/D-ring
As one of the most popular fitness brands of all time, Lululemon knows a thing or two about producing hard-wearing athletic garments. These shorts are no exception. But they’re not just tough (thanks largely to their nylon construction) — they’re also soft to the touch, breathable, easy to move in and they looked great. Our tester did discover that the waistband is a bit snug, so that’s worth keeping in mind if you’re looking to smash that “buy” button.
Check out a random sample of the various best-of lists covering hiking pants and you’re probably going to see these ones on just about every list. Yes, they’re extremely affordable for the category, but that’s hardly the only thing that makes them stand out. They also offer resistance to wind, water and abrasion; offer a bit of stretch; they’re lightweight, quick-drying and breathable — the list just keeps going on and on. Plus, they come from one of the most reputable brands in hiking gear. Just remember: if the weather gets especially cold, you’re going to want to bundle up with some extra layers.
Best For: Hiking, traveling, running around town, even work in a pinch
Perhaps the one thing you need to know about these women’s hiking pants is that our tester loved them so much that they’d happily use them as their only hiking pants ad infinitum. If that sterling endorsement isn’t enough, maybe a quick look at its features will twist your arm. Our tester also praised them for feeling tailored yet durable, versatile enough that you can wear them from the trails to the dinner table and much more.
Materials: 4.4-oz 100% polyester (50% recycled) spun jersey with HeiQ Pure odor control
The real trick to a sun shirt is finding something with enough coverage to actually protect you from those dangerous UV rays while still feeling cool and breathable enough that you’re not sweating and overheating yourself to death. This offering from Patagonia covers both of those with aplomb. It’s also made from bluesign-certified recycled fabric and has anti-odor properties — both great things for people who love outdoor adventure. The colorways are limited but let’s be real: you’re not hiking for the fashion (or at least you shouldn’t be).
Like sun shirts, sun hats are also all about balance — In this case a balance between breathability and good coverage. And they just don’t get better than the Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat with its wide brim, ample neck coverage, mesh vents, size adjuster and so much more. It even has a sunglasses lock so you won’t lose your shades when out in the wilds. What’s even more helpful is that this hat has a water-repellent coating, which means it isn’t going to get soggy if your adventures take you near the oceans, rivers, lakes and streams.
This one’s a twofer, as base layers are typically best purchased as a set. Yes, you might not wear them together all the time but, especially in the winter months, you’re probably going to want to match the tops and bottoms together. These ones come from one of the most trusted brands in outdoor warmth, and they’re made with old reliable Merino wool and nylon for both warmth and durability. Plus, the tops and bottoms come in a number of handsome colors (along with all their other outstanding features).
No underarm vents mean things get steamy quick on warmer days
Weight: 9.6 ounces
Membrane/Laminate: Gore-Tex
Shell Material: nylon
If you’re brave enough to hit the trails when there are dark clouds looming above, you may want to at least bring a jacket along in case those clouds open up. And you’ll not find a better jacket for just such an occasion than this one. It’s extremely packable, durable, waterproof (obviously), plenty of onboard storage and it won’t suffocate you while you hike. Obviously, it’s a bit expensive, but you’re paying for quality you can rely upon for years.
Best Overall Down Jacket: Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Hoody
Why let a little chill in the air get you down and keep you off the trails? Well, you don’t have to worry about that if you have this, our pick for the best overall down jacket you can buy. Thanks to its materials and unique baffling, this jacket is surprisingly lightweight and offers a great range of motion while still being exceptionally warm. And in a category that is pretty frontloaded with excellent options (so long as you buy from trusted brands), the fact that this one stands out is a pretty big deal.
Typically, men’s and women’s bodies are shaped a bit differently and, therefore, have different requirements for apparel — hence this down jacket option for women. As far as materials and capabilities are concerned, however, this jacket has everything a person could want when the mercury drops severely. It’s soft, reliable, durable, surprisingly lightweight and (so long as you size up) is perfect for layering for those extra cold days on the trails.
Humans can potentially for months without food, but we can die without water in a matter of hours or even minutes if the conditions are right. As such, access to water is of incredible importance, especially when you’re out on the trails and potentially away from civilization. However, water can also be a drag to haul around. As such, we’ve picked out a few different methods for getting that all-important H2O when hiking.
Best Overall Hiking Water Bottle: Hydro Flask Trail Series Bottle
The easiest bet for most hikers is going to be a water bottle. However, they’re not all created equally. This one, for instance, was made specifically with hiking in mind — meaning it’s both incredibly durable and lightweight (lighter by about 30 percent than its siblings). It is thin, however, so it tends to show dents. But it can also be used to boil water in an emergency, and that earns it extra points. Hydro Flask is also perhaps the biggest, most trusted name in water bottles so that pedigree doesn’t hurt either.
Hydration packs are great alternatives to water bottles for a few reasons. For starters, they free up your hands while you hike. But they can also often carry more water than most reasonably-sized bottles and they usually offer a bit of extra storage space so you can pack them with other important gear (like a headlamp or first-aid kit). That’s the case with this Gregory pack, which topped our list of the best hydration packs you can buy. However, it may not be comfortable for female frames, which may be a big drawback for some.
You'll have to get pretty close to that water source
No way to cool off water or filter into bottle
Probably best used as an emergency backup, this tiny, pocketable straw can remove over 99.99 percent of all waterborne contaminants from any given water source, including both e. coli and salmonella. All you have to do is put one end in the water, put your mouth on the other, and add some suction to the mix. You will, unfortunately, have to get pretty close to that water source and you can’t really transfer the water into a bottle or cool it down. Still, it’s much better than dying of thirst.
For shorter hikes, you can probably get away with just using your pockets (or even your hands) for storage. But the minute you start getting into longer, multi-hour hikes, the more you’re going to need something in which to haul water, snacks, emergency supplies and the like. That’s where hiking packs come in handy. And yes, we have one pack already — but we’re considering that one hydration-focused, as that’s its primary purpose. In this section, you’ll find more traditional bags.
It is extremely difficult for brands to keep daypacks minimal enough to be reasonable to take on hikes while still loading them with features, but that’s exactly what Osprey has managed with the Talon 22. This recently redesigned bag comes with a breathable back panel, stretchy side pockets, attachment points, plenty of capacity and much more — all while coming in at just two pounds total. If you’re going to hike with a bag, make it this one.
Strap feels thin and weak compared to durable body fabric
Capacity: 1.0 liter
Pockets: 2
The Black Hole name comes with a lot of expectations attached, but Patagonia has delivered with this hip pack, topping our list of the best ones you can buy. In fact, it’s largely made with the same fabrics and offers the same durability, versatility and styling. If you’re going to be taking a relatively short hike but you still need some storage, this bag will do you far better than, say, your hands and pockets.
Typically, hiking is a daytime activity. But if you’re doing a thru-hike or you just let the time get away from you, you may find yourself out there after the sun has dipped below the horizon. If that’s a possibility, you’re going to want to be able to illuminate your path. Lucky for you, there’s a solution that’s as lightweight as it is convenient: headlamps.
Power Source: USB-Rechargeable 700 mAh Lithium Ion
Max Output: 325 lumens
Max Runtime: 40 hours
Weight: 1.75 ounces
In practice, this is hands-down the best all-around headlamp you can buy. It’s comfortable to wear, easy to use, offers plenty of brightness (don’t let the seemingly low lumens fool you: 325 is plenty) and is so lightweight that you might forget you’re wearing it at all. If you can look past the initial setup and the sometimes frustrating charging, this is such a great piece of gear to have whenever you go out on the trails, camping and even as an emergency lamp stashed in your go-bag.
Gear Patrol Staff
