The 2026 Summer Gear Guide

Our editors and gear experts tested hundreds of products to pick the best tents, sleeping bags, camping mattresses, coolers, and more.

The hill I will die on: Summer is the best season. Even if you’re no longer the lucky recipient of a three-month summer break, a carefree mindset permeates the hot, humid air, bringing a sense of freedom and possibility.

Our 2026 summer gear guides are ready to help you embrace your inner kid and spend the extra daylight hours exploring, whether you’re car camping at a local creek or tackling epic bike trails. From sleeping bags to tents, mountain bikes to coolers, and everything in between, our editors and expert testers have vetted every single thing you’ll need to get out there. And if you’re a hardcore thru-hiker, make sure to check out Backpacker’s Summer Gear Guides too.

–Kristen Geil, Gear & Affiliate Director

Car Camping

7 Roomy, Comfortable Camping Tents That Are Easy to Pitch and Built for Bad Weather

Camping

7 Roomy, Comfortable Camping Tents That Are Easy to Pitch and Built for Bad Weather

We Spent 100 Nights Testing 25 Camping Mattresses. Our Favorite Is Virtually Indestructible.

Camping

We Spent 100 Nights Testing 25 Camping Mattresses. Our Favorite Is Virtually Indestructible.

9 Sleeping Bags and Camping Quilts as Comfy as Your Duvet at Home

Camping

9 Sleeping Bags and Camping Quilts as Comfy as Your Duvet at Home

Sleeping Outside Is Already Nice. This Gear Makes It Even Better.

Camping

Sleeping Outside Is Already Nice. This Gear Makes It Even Better.

The New Era of Camp Kitchens Includes Chef-Approved Pizza Ovens and Smart Coolers

Camping

The New Era of Camp Kitchens Includes Chef-Approved Pizza Ovens and Smart Coolers

The Absolute Best Coolers to Buy Before Another Heat Wave Hits

Camping

The Absolute Best Coolers to Buy Before Another Heat Wave Hits

The Best Camping Chairs for People Who Take Sitting Seriously

Camping

The Best Camping Chairs for People Who Take Sitting Seriously

We Packed a Ludicrous Amount of Gear for a 24-Hour Camping Trip. Here's What Actually Worked.

Camping

We Packed a Ludicrous Amount of Gear for a 24-Hour Camping Trip. Here's What Actually Worked.

Cycling

These Mountain Bikes Under $2,000 Are Better Than You Think

Biking

These Mountain Bikes Under $2,000 Are Better Than You Think

Mike Kazimer, Dario DiGiulio, Stephane Pelletier

We Test Trail Bikes for a Living. Here's What We'd Actually Buy.

Biking

We Test Trail Bikes for a Living. Here's What We'd Actually Buy.

Mike Kazimer, Matt Beer, Dario DiGiulio

Our Favorite eMTB of 2026 Proves It’s Not All About Motor Power

Biking

Our Favorite eMTB of 2026 Proves It’s Not All About Motor Power

Mike Kazimer, Dario DiGiulio

The Best MTB Shorts of 2026, According to Riders Who Obsess over Fit and Pockets

Biking

The Best MTB Shorts of 2026, According to Riders Who Obsess over Fit and Pockets

Hip Pack or Full Pack? We Tested Every Style to Find the Best Mountain Bike Packs of 2026.

Biking

Hip Pack or Full Pack? We Tested Every Style to Find the Best Mountain Bike Packs of 2026.

Running and Fitness

The Best Trail Running Shoes Right Now Include an Agile Hoka, a Plush Nike ACG, and a Great-Fitting Altra

Running

The Best Trail Running Shoes Right Now Include an Agile Hoka, a Plush Nike ACG, and a Great-Fitting Altra

Cory Smith, Lisa Jhung

What Podiatrists Recommend in a Stability Running Shoe and the Best Available Today

Running

What Podiatrists Recommend in a Stability Running Shoe and the Best Available Today

Jonathan Beverly

Are Gravel Running Shoes a Gimmick or Can They Actually Enhance Your Training?

Running

Are Gravel Running Shoes a Gimmick or Can They Actually Enhance Your Training?

We Just Updated Our Epic Road Running Shoe Guide. Several of Our New Faves Cost Less than $150.

Running

We Just Updated Our Epic Road Running Shoe Guide. Several of Our New Faves Cost Less than $150.

Cory Smith, Lisa Jhung1

From $75 Values to $200 Splurges, These Are the Best Running Hydration Vests You Can Buy

Running

From $75 Values to $200 Splurges, These Are the Best Running Hydration Vests You Can Buy

We Tested Dozens of Marathon Running Shoes Over Two Years—These Are the 11 We Recommend

Running

We Tested Dozens of Marathon Running Shoes Over Two Years—These Are the 11 We Recommend

We Tested 90 Sports Bras. These 12 Won Top Marks in Comfort, Support, and Breathability.

Running

We Tested 90 Sports Bras. These 12 Won Top Marks in Comfort, Support, and Breathability.

We Tested 18 Running Shirts for Summer. Our Favorite Costs Less Than $60.

Apparel

We Tested 18 Running Shirts for Summer. Our Favorite Costs Less Than $60.

We Combined Runner Feedback With New Lab Tests to Reveal the Most Breathable Women's Running Shirts

Apparel

We Combined Runner Feedback With New Lab Tests to Reveal the Most Breathable Women's Running Shirts

We Tested 80 Women's Running Shorts from California to the Swiss Alps. These Are the Ones We Keep Wearing.

Apparel

We Tested 80 Women's Running Shorts from California to the Swiss Alps. These Are the Ones We Keep Wearing.

Our Testers Are Extremely Picky When It Comes to Running Shorts: These Are the Ones They Keep Wearing

Apparel

Our Testers Are Extremely Picky When It Comes to Running Shorts: These Are the Ones They Keep Wearing

Travel

We Tested 25+ Duffel Bags So You Don't Have To. These 9 Are Worth Buying.

Camping

We Tested 25+ Duffel Bags So You Don't Have To. These 9 Are Worth Buying.

8 Running Shoes That Don't Scream 'Runner' When You're Traveling

Running

8 Running Shoes That Don't Scream 'Runner' When You're Traveling

These 4 "Fancy Sweats" Are the Secret to Stress-Free Travel

Apparel

These 4 "Fancy Sweats" Are the Secret to Stress-Free Travel

The Piece of Luggage I'll Never Travel Without Again

Travel Advice

The Piece of Luggage I'll Never Travel Without Again

I’m a Professional Gear Tester. Here’s the Secret to Organizing Decades of Equipment In My 900-Square-Foot Home.

Gear

I’m a Professional Gear Tester. Here’s the Secret to Organizing Decades of Equipment In My 900-Square-Foot Home.

Summer Gear Care and Maintenance

The (Surprisingly Cheap) Guide to Making Your Hiking Boots Last Forever

Hiking

The (Surprisingly Cheap) Guide to Making Your Hiking Boots Last Forever

Amelia Arvesen2

Turns Out, You Can Actually Machine-Wash Your Tent. Here’s How to Do It Safely.

Camping

Turns Out, You Can Actually Machine-Wash Your Tent. Here’s How to Do It Safely.

You're Storing Your Sleeping Bag Wrong. Here's What to Do Instead.

Camping

You're Storing Your Sleeping Bag Wrong. Here's What to Do Instead.

Amelia Arvesen1

The Simple Reason Your Rain Jacket Is Leaking (and How to Fix It)

Apparel

The Simple Reason Your Rain Jacket Is Leaking (and How to Fix It)

Amelia Arvesen1

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