Buying guides
How to choose outdoor gear, in plain language. Each guide answers its question first and links to the products it talks about.
How to choose, by category
- How to choose a day backpackWhat to look at when you buy a day backpack: volume, fit, back ventilation, hip belt, hydration, pockets and weight.
- How to choose a down jacketWhat to look at when you buy a down jacket: fill power, fill weight, down or synthetic, baffles, shell fabric, hood, weight and care.
- How to choose a hardshell jacketWhat to look at when you buy a hardshell jacket: water column, breathability, 2, 2.5 or 3 layers, hood, fit, weight and care.
- How to choose a mountaineering backpackWhat to look at when you buy a mountaineering backpack: volume, ice axe and crampon attachment, ski and rope carry, helmet, harness-friendly belt, snow-shedding design and weight.
- How to choose a sleeping bagWhat to look at when you buy a sleeping bag: the comfort, limit and extreme temperatures, down or synthetic, fill power, shape, length and weight.
- How to choose a sleeping padWhat to look at when you buy a sleeping pad: R-value, air, self-inflating or foam, thickness, length, weight and pack size.
- How to choose a softshell jacketWhat to look at when you buy a softshell jacket: what it is, how it differs from a hardshell, fabric, fit, hood, weather resistance and weight.
- How to choose a tentWhat to look at when you buy a tent: capacity, weight, season rating, shape, single or double wall, water column, poles and vestibule.
- How to choose a trekking backpackWhat to look at when you buy a trekking backpack: volume, torso length and fit, hip belt, frame, ventilation, access and weight.