Best Overall		Bluetti PV120	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Powerful with easy setup and takedown
Best for Small Spaces		Lion 50W Foldable Solar Panel	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Most powerful panel for its size and weight that I’ve tested
Best Built-In Battery		BioLite Solar Panel 5+	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary An impressive solar charger that can keep your phone juiced in a blackout

Experienced campers know that you can get off the grid without having to ditch your electronics if you bring along a great solar panel that’s built for camping and outdoor environments. Modern panels have come a long way since the low amperage models of even a few years ago and with the right setup, you can power anything from a laptop to an electric cooler, with nothing more than a clear view of the sky on a sunny day (sometimes you don’t even need that). To find the best solar panels for camping, I put high-performing models from the top brands to the test: 

• Best Overall: Bluetti PV120 Solar Panel
• Honorable Mention: Anker 625 Solar Panel
• Best for Tight Spaces: Lion 50W Foldable
• Best Built-In Battery: BioLite SolarPanel 5+
• Most Stable: Jackery SolarSaga 60
• Best for Chaining: Goal Zero Nomad 50

How I Tested the Best Solar Panels for Camping

My initial test of solar panels for camping on a classic Pacific Northwest “Juneary” day. It should have been summer already, but it just wasn’t and wouldn’t be for a while. Solar panels were then evaluated on a number of criteria, including: 

• Power Output: I tested each panel to see how long it took to charge my phone 5 percent. The larger panels were also tested on how long it took to charge a 32,000 mAh battery pack 5 percent, and whether the panel could charge both my phone and the battery pack at the same time. The battery pack used during this portion of the test was not the same brand as any of the products tested. 
• Size: The size of the products I tested ranged from small panels that could crossover to backpacking all the way out to foldable four-panels arrays that can be chained together. 
• Features: I considered the features of each solar panel in my test and the potential they had to improve the overall experience of the unit. 
• Ease of Use: I considered how easy it was to set up and position each solar panel and how easy it was to break them down again for storage. 

I’ve been continuing to test solar panels, large and small, since then, including in our roundup of the best solar generators and the best solar chargers.

The Best Solar Panels for Camping: Reviews and Recommendations

Best Overall: Bluetti PV120 Solar Panel

SEE IT

Key Features

• Max output: 120 watts
• Weight: 12.6 pounds
• Ports: MC4 connector (with DC adaptor)
• Dimensions: 65 inches x 21 inches x 1.8 inches (unfolded); 18.5 inches x 21 inches x 3.4 inches (folded)
• Warranty: 12 months

Pros

• Compact package
• Generates over 100 watts of power under clear skies
• Snap features make setup and takedown a breeze

Cons

• No sun dial feature
• Cannot plug directly into a smartphone

The Bluetti PV120 Solar Panel is one of the best solar panels I’ve tested, and just barely squeaked out the Anker 625 for the top slot. These two panels, similarly sized and priced (with the Bluetti typically running a bit less expensive), were tested side by side under sunny skies. The Bluetti produced 16 more watts during testing, an over 15 percent difference in performance. I also appreciated that its kickstands had snap buttons at the adjustment points, making it simpler to find the correct angle then on solar panels that lacked that feature.

Even storage was simpler, thanks to snaps that wrap around the accordian sides to hold the package together when folded up, eliminating the need for an extra carrying case. This has become my new go-to panel when I head out camping due to its space savings and power generation potential. Even better, since its DC-compatible cable pairs with the Goal Zero Yeti and Jackery power stations, I’m able to use it with my favorite power station for camping.

Honorable Mention: Anker 625 Solar Panel

Anker

SEE IT

Key Features

• USB max output: 15W (5V)
• XT-60 port: 100W (26.5V)
• Weight: 11 pounds
• Ports: USB-A, USB-C, and XT-60 (includes both XT-60 to XT-60 cord and XT-60 to DC7909 connector) 
• Dimensions: 56.9 inches x 20.7 inches x 1.8 inches (unfolded); 20.7 inches x 18.5 inches x 3.4 inches (folded)
• Warranty: 18 months

Pros

• Strongest panel in my test, charged two devices simultaneously under very overcast skies
• Overpower protection 
• Integrated sundial

Cons

• Expensive
• Less stable when set up than other panels in my test

Despite being dethroned from the top slot, the Anker 625 is still one of the best solar panels out there, and an excellent addition to any camping setup. During the cloudiest part of my initial testing day, when dark gray clouds obscured the sun and the other solar panels packed it in, the Anker 625 was still able to charge my phone 5 percent in only five minutes. Then it powered up a 32,000 mAh battery pack 5 percent in a half hour under similar conditions. When I plugged both the battery pack and the phone in at the same time, it kept charging. If there is any chance of less-than-ideal weather on your camping trip, then this is the solar panel solution you’ve been looking for. 

The Anker 625 was also only one of two solar panels in my test to incorporate an integrated sundial, which allowed me to optimize the positioning of the panel. This is helpful when it’s tough to distinguish the angle of the sun. Less helpful were the kickstands. Despite the nearly five-foot width of the four panels, there were only two kickstands provided, one on each end. This meant that the unit had a tendency to sag in the middle, and it moved more in the light breeze that blew during testing than other setups with a higher kickstand to panel ratio. 

Best for Tight Spaces: Lion 50W Foldable

Laura Lancaster

SEE IT

Key Features

• USB max output: 27W (12V)
• DC port: 48W (18V)
• Weight: 3 pounds
• Ports: USB-A, USB-C, and DC
• Dimensions: 46 inches x 11.3 inches x 0.8 inch (unfolded); 11.3 inches x 11.3 inches x 1.6 inches (folded)
• Warranty: 1 year

Pros

• Compact
• More powerful than it looks
• Lightweight

Cons

• Less powerful than larger 100W models

I’ll admit I had low expectations for the Lion 50W Foldable when I first took it out of the box. It’s noticeably smaller than other 50W panels I’ve tested—would it really be able to match its power specs? The setup is also pretty flimsy, with only two small kickstands stitched onto the back panel fabric.

But then I set up the panel, on a cloudy and windy March day, and was more than impressed. In medium light (where the sun isn’t exactly visible, but there is plenty of active light coming through the clouds), the panel kicked out enough juice from the USB-C port to charge my laptop. Not bad for three pounds.

While this is just too large and too heavy to consider for a backpacking trip, its combination of small size and power make it practically a necessity for a pack rafting or canoe trip. (Just make sure you pair it with one of the best dry bags.)

Best Built-In Battery: BioLite SolarPanel 5+

BioLite

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Key Features

• Max power output: 5W
• Weight: 13.8 ounces
• Ports: USB-A
• Dimensions: 10.1 inches x 8.2 inches x 1 inch
• Also available in SolarPanel 10+
• Warranty: 1 year

Pros

• 3200mAh internal battery
• Affordable
• Small and lightweight
• Integrated sundial and adjustable kickstand

Cons

• Slowest charging time of the solar panels I tested
• Performs poorly in even slightly cloudy weather

Not everyone is looking to charge an electric cooler or laptop while camping. Sometimes, you just want to juice up your phone a bit, so that you don’t have to monitor how much battery is left over the course of your trip. 

The BioLite Solar Panel 5+ is essentially a low-cost alternative to a smaller battery pack. Its max output is only 5 watts, which, while too low to charge a larger battery pack, is ideal for charging a smartphone. I also liked that it featured an adjustable kickstand (the only one of the solar panels I tested) and an integrated sundial, which I used to optimize the positioning of the panel during testing. However, it still took the BioLite Solar 5+ 22 minutes to charge my phone 5 percent, even though it was sunnier (although still quite cloudy) than during other parts of my test. Unlike the other other panels, which could be used to spot charge a device on the go, the best and highest use of the BioLite is to charge the onboard 3,200 mAh battery (which can also be charged before leaving home via a micro USB port), speeding up your smartphone recharge so that you can get going again. 

Most Stable: Jackery SolarSaga 60

Jackery

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Key Features

• USB max output: 12W (5V)
• DC port: 68W (19V)
• Weight: 6.6 pounds
• Ports: USB-A, USB-C, and 8mm DC
• Dimensions: 33.7 inches x 21.1 inches x 0.2 inches (unfolded); 16.7 inches x 21.1 inches x 1.38 inches (folded)
• Warranty: 2 years

Pros

• Two panel array was both stable and easy to set up
• Great value
• Overpower protection 

Cons

• Unable to power two devices in cloudy conditions

Solar panels for camping have to hew a fine line between being compact enough to store on the go, but stable enough to withstand the elements. What impressed me most about the Jackery SolarSaga 60 during testing was how easy it was to set up, and once I had it set up, it just stayed put, unruffled by wind or me knocking into it as I fiddled with the other units. (Like the other solar panels in this test, it does need to be protected from rain.)

Once set up, the SolarSaga 60 did an excellent job powering my devices—even when the weather was cloudy, it charged my smartphone to 5 percent in five minutes. Unlike the more expensive Anker 625, however, it struggled to power two devices when plugged in during cloudy conditions. 

Because the SolarSaga 60 consists of two panels with two kickstands, it was the easiest large panel in my test to put away, simply folding up like a book with a magnet securing the edges together at the handle. If you need a high-power device that is simple to use, this one is hard to go wrong with. 

Best for Chaining: Goal Zero Nomad 50

Goal Zero

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Key Features

• USB max output: 12W (5V) 
• DC port output: 50W, chainable up to 150W (14-21.5V)
• Weight: 6.9 pounds
• Ports: USB-A and male 8mm
• Dimensions: 17 inches x 53 inches x 1.5 inches (unfolded); 17 inches x 11.25 inches x 2.5 inches (folded) 
• Warranty: 2 years

Pros

• Easy to chain
• Compact size for a four-panel array

Cons

• Struggled to charge my phone during cloudy weather

I’ll admit that once I started charging my smartphone and power banks for camping, it was easy to start getting carried away. What couldn’t I charge with just the power of the sun? But to really capture all that energy (especially if, like me, you live in an overcast part of the country) you’ll need more than the typical 50 or 60 watts of most panels. To facilitate (enable?) you to supercharge your solar powering capabilities, the Goal Zero Nomad 50 was designed to make it easy to chain multiple panels together with dedicated cords next to the port for this purpose. 

On its own, a single Nomad 50 charged my phone 5 percent in just over five minutes but only once the weather started to clear out into a more manageable PNW monocloud. Under darker clouds it struggled to provide any power at all. 

I liked how, despite it being a four-panel array, the Nomad 50 folded down relatively easily to about the size of a briefcase for travel and had a handy magnet to snap the packet together. With this one, it’s easy to start dreaming about adding on a few more panels to create a truly powerful array. 

Things to Consider Before Buying a Solar Panel for Camping

How Solar Panels Work

At its most basic, solar panels are made up of solar cells that convert sunlight into electricity. Each cell has two conductive layers, in between which are two different types of silicone—one with extra electrons, and one with space for electrons. When sunlight hits a solar panel, it sends a photon slamming into a solar cell, which in turns knocks one of the extra electrons loose. When that electron makes its way over to one of the silicone layers with space for electrons it creates a positive charge on one side and a negative charge on another. The solar cell channels the movement of the electrons, so that it can capture the energy it produces as it moves. While the amount of energy captured by each solar cell is negligible, when strung together in a solar panel, it can be quite impressive, with some of the solar panels in my test able to produce as many as 100W. 

Some solar panels are better at regulating this output of energy than others, which matters when you are trying to capture this energy on the other side, whether in a power bank or directly into a device like some of the best solar generators. For instance, if you try to charge your smartphone on a port that can output 20V of power, then there is a good chance that you’ll damage the battery of your phone, even if in the moment it appears that your phone is simply charging extremely quickly. The solar panels in my test limited the voltage output from the USB ports (5V or less), while the DC ports, which are intended to pair with one of the best power banks for camping, provided a higher voltage output (between 14.5V and 26.5V). While this provides some protection against accidentally overcharging your devices, it’s still worth knowing how the max voltage output of each solar panel port compares to what your device’s or power bank’s battery can handle.

Power Output

While there are differences in the power ratings between solar panels, generally speaking, the larger a solar panel is, the more power it will generate. This is why solar panels for camping are typically folded twice or more—to maximize the amount of surface area they can cover when in use, while also minimizing the amount of space they occupy during transit. 

Packed Size

While most people have plenty of room to spread out a solar panel unit at camp, the same can not always be said of the vehicle you use to get to get there. If your space is limited, the weather is predictable, and your power needs are low, consider a smaller solar panel. 

External Battery

Many of the best solar panels for camping are designed to pair with a power bank for camping. This is because most solar panels do not have a way to store the electricity they generate when the sun is shining for those times when it’s overcast or slightly cloudy. Further, since the USB ports on most solar panels for camping limit the voltage output—to prevent inadvertent damage to the battery of smaller electronics, it’s important to ensure that your solar panel has a port that matches the high voltage output port of your power bank. 

Chaining Solar Panels

To maximize the power captured in a battery pack during the sunniest portion of the day, some campers may opt to link, or chain together, multiple solar panels into a single array. 

FAQs

Why Trust Outdoor Life?

Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. We have more than a century-long history of evaluating products, and we’re now bringing that expertise to online reviews. Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, we’re trained journalists. We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works—or doesn’t.

Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products—because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear—we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.

Final Thoughts

After testing the best solar panels for camping from Jackery, Anker, Goal Zero, BioLite, and GoSun, the Anker 625 claims the top spot. If you’re only looking to power a smartphone, either the Anker 515 or the BioLite 5+ will provide sufficient juice at a lower cost (and a slower speed). 

• Best Overall: Bluetti PV120 Solar Panel
• Honorable Mention: Anker 625 Solar Panel
• Best for Small Spaces: Lion 50W Foldable
• Best Built-In Battery: BioLite SolarPanel 5+
• Most Stable: Jackery SolarSaga 60
• Best for Chaining: Goal Zero Nomad 50

The post The Best Solar Panels for Camping in 2023, Tested and Reviewed appeared first on Outdoor Life.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best Overall		Royal Robbins Alpine Mountain Pro Pants	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Durable, water repellent, and highly functional.
Best Budget		REI Co-op Savanna Trails Pants	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary A lightweight, comfortable pant at a low price.
Most Comfortable		prAna Halle Pant II	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary A loose, comfortable fit that’s great for hot weather.

Anyone who has been caught in a rainstorm, had their inseam rip as they sat on a rock during a break, or been swarmed by mosquitoes when the wind died down can appreciate the importance of performance hiking pants. But choosing from so many different models, for everything from casual day hikes to climbing, can be confusing. We’ve picked the best hiking pants out of what’s available today to help narrow the field: 

• Best Overall: Royal Robbins Alpine Mountain Pro Pants
• Best for Hot Weather: Free Fly Breeze Pants
• Best Budget: REI Co-op Savanna Trails Pants
• Most Comfortable: prAna Halle Pant II
• Best for Bushwhacking: Kuiu Attack Pants
• Best Lightweight: Mountain Hardwear Trail Sender Pant
• Best Cargo Pants: Outdoor Research Men’s Ferrosi Cargo Pants
• Best Convertible: KÜHL Renegade Cargo Convertible 
• Best for Trail to Town: Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants

How I Tested the Best Hiking Pants

The best hiking pants evaluated in this roundup—seven different pairs from five different brands—were worn on spring day hikes around the Pacific Northwest with at least 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Two testers, Adam Tycaster and Dave Vanderzee, were used for the men’s pants, both with years of experience hiking and backpacking on trips ranging from a single-day hike of the 17-mile Enchantments trail in Washington State to the Pacific Crest Trail. 

Conditions during testing varied from frosty mornings to unexpected showers to early summertime temperatures. Pants were evaluated on comfort, ease of movement, weight, fit, and skin feel. I also separately tested the pants for water absorption (to see how they would perform in heavy rain conditions) and ability to go from trail to post-trail beers. Another consideration was cross-over appeal—whether the pants in the test could be used for multiple activities or whether they would be appropriate for casual wear. Finally, I considered the functionality of each pants’ features (pockets, drawstrings, roll-up buttons).

The Best Hiking Pants: Reviews and Recommendations

Best Overall: Royal Robbins Alpine Mountain Pro Pants 

Royal Robbins

SEE IT

Key Features

• Available in men’s and women’s styles
• Sizing: up to 34.5-inch waist (W); 42-inch waist (M)
• Weight: 11 ounces (W); 13.3 ounces (M)
• Fabric: 88 percent polyester, 12 percent elastane
• Closure: Snap-lock button, women’s version has an adjustable drawcord

Pros

• Comfortable fit in a great cut that is a touch thicker than average
• Durable 
• Great pocket coverage
• Made of recycled (88 percent polyester) plastic bottles

Cons

• Lack of inseam sizing makes it hard to find the right length
• No cuff adjustment

The Alpine Mountain Pros do it all. They are rugged enough to tackle brambly trails with just the right amount of flexibility for some scrambling, and after a hard day on the trail they still look good enough to head out for a post-hike beer. The tight knit of the fabric was surprisingly durable given the materials used. But they also feel soft against my skin. I liked that these were a bit thicker on average than the other pants in this review, making them more versatile for shoulder season adventures.

The pockets on the women’s version of these pants were the best of any we tried: the front-hand pockets are deep enough to fit a smartphone, one of the back pockets has a zipper for added security, and there were two deep, thigh pockets that were virtually unnoticeable when empty. 

Best for Hot Weather: Free Fly Breeze Pant

SEE IT

Key Features

• Available in men’s and women’s styles
• Sizing: up to 37-inch waist (W); 47-inch waist (M)
• Fabric: 86 percent polyester, 14 percent spandex
• Closure: Pull on with elastic waistband (men’s version has a zipper)

Pros

• Comfortable
• Lightweight
• Cooling
• UPF 50

Cons

• Limited protection from the elements in the event the weather turns

Hot weather can make a mess of even the most breathable material; it’s why you see so many hikers wearing shorts in the desert sections of long trails. But exposing your legs to the sun for hours at a time in intense heat of summer isn’t an option (or even desirable) for all people: fortunately, there is the Breeze series from Free Fly. On overnighters and casual day hikes in bright sunlight, these pants are comfortable in everything from early morning to midday heat.

In fact, they often feel cooler than shorts (especially if the wind isn’t delivering as much as you’d like it to) and are very quick drying. They’re rated to UPF 50, which is great for anyone with a sun sensitivity. I’ve also appreciated that they look great. I’m not tempted to switch out of them before heading for post-hike, and have even been known to keep them on throughout the rest of the day into the evening hours. If you’ve been looking for a full-coverage hiking pants option, then this is a great pick that will keep you cool and protected.

Best Budget: REI Co-op Savanna Trails Pants

REI Co-op

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Key Features

• Available in women’s styles only
• Sizing: Up to 42.5-inch waist
• Weight: 8 ounces
• Fabric: 94 percent nylon, 6 percent spandex
• Closure: Button closure 

Pros

• Lightweight, comfortable fit
• Excellent at repelling water
• Low price
• Comes in plus sizes

Cons

• Unflattering cut
• Wrinkles easily

I’ve worn the REI Savanna Trails everywhere from southwestern canyons to shoulder-season slogs in the Cascade Range and these pants function as well, if not better, than other, more expensive picks. The high nylon content means they are quite durable—after several seasons of use, mine are none the worse for wear—while the stretchy fit of the spandex makes it easy to layer underneath when the weather turns chilly. These pants also repelled water better than much of the competition, making them a top pick for sunrise hikes with brushy sections. 

Unlike the other picks for best hiking pants we’ve tested, the Savannas come in both petite sizes and plus sizes, making it more likely that you’ll find something that works for you. The biggest ding is that the cut is quite baggy, and these pants run large compared to other picks on this list (size down if you’re between sizes). They are also more apt to hold onto wrinkles, which might be an annoyance if you are traveling off-grid for an extended period of time. 

Most Comfortable: prAna Halle Pant II

prAna

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Key Features

• Available in women’s styles only
• Sizing: Up to 44-inch waist
• Weight: 12.3 ounces
• Fabric: 95 percent recycled nylon; 5 percent elastane
• Closure: Double buttons with drawcord
• The men’s Stretch Zion Pant II is the equivalent to the Halle collection

Pros

• Loose, comfortable fit 
• Rollup buttons helped create extra airflow on hot days
• Uses recycled nylon
• Comes in plus sizes

Cons

• Right side-seam zip pocket was difficult to use and may be too small for some smartphones
• Repels water less effectively than other pants in this test

I wore the prAna Halle Pant II on multiple hikes this spring and found them to be the most comfortable in our best hiking pants lineup. This was thanks to a soft knit and a loose cut that was also flattering. These pants also incorporated a roll-up cuff—which I prefer to the men’s style of convertible pants—which worked great when I had worked up a sweat and needed a bit more airflow.

In the water repellency test, these pants absorbed water more readily than the others we tested. These are not the pants we’d pick for a hike through morning dew–soaked brush. That said, their airy fit means that they are unlikely to hold sweat on hot days. 

The size and shape of the Halle Pant II’s right side-seam pocket perfectly fit my 5.7 inch x 2.7 inch smartphone—although it may be too small or a tight fit for larger models. The side zip entry helped keep the phone from jostling around while I hiked, but I had to stop to access the phone to prevent it from accidentally falling on the ground. 

Like the Savannas, these also come in plus sizes. The equivalent men’s pant is the Stretch Zion Pant II.

Best for Bushwhacking: Kuiu Attack Pants

Kuiu

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Key Features

• Constructed with high stretch polyester fabric
• Wicks and evaporates perspiration
• Four, large, zippered pockets
• Articulated knees and gusseted crotch
• 18.5 ounces
• 28- to 42-inch waist with inseam choices of regular, short, tall

Pros

• Six pockets
• Zippered hip vents
• Thick durable material
• Various colors, including camouflage
• DWR treatment

Cons

• Not meant for warmer temps
• No expandable zippered cuff
• Men’s only

Our tester, an Alaskan bush guide, wore the Kuiu Attack pants over 300 miles through gnarly terrain of thick alders, willows, wet boggy tundra, heavy snow, driving rain, and scree slopes. They went through the wash more than 20 times, and after all the abuse and miles of trailless terrain, these pants still look like the first day he received them. He praised the feel and comfort and that fact that they moved with him with the ideal amount of stretch, especially around the knees and crotch. The six pockets were more than enough to carry keys, a phone, and a wallet with the two back and two thigh pockets still zipping closed. All the zippers have long pulls, allowing you to easily open and close with gloves. When the weather turned to rain and snow, the pants had a long-lasting DWR coating that really pushed the moisture away and dried very quickly. When temps got a bit warmer, our tester loved the 10-inch hip side vent lined with mesh underneath, which was a perfect defense against swarming monster mosquitoes.  Both oversized front pockets (not zippered) were also vented for optional air flow.  If you are looking for a pant that is best for rough and tough terrain, these were made for those conditions. —Justin La Vigne

Best Lightweight: Mountain Hardwear Trail Sender Pant

Mountain Hardwear

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Key Features

• Extremely lightweight (6.3 ounces) and breathable
• Very soft material (100 percent polyester)
• UPF 50 fabric for UV rays
• Tapered fit
• Has a style that works on and off trail

Pros

• Material moves with you
• Deep front pockets
• Zippered rear pocket, which fits phone
• No belt loops to interfere with pack waist straps

Cons

• Sizing is bit tight
• No belt loops
• Single snap at waist is small and challenging to snap the pants up
• Only one rear pocket

Our Montana-based tester said the Trail Sender Pants are the lightest at 6.3 ounces and the most breathable model he has ever hiked in. The material has the feel of a high-thread count linen even though it is 100 percent polyester. The tapered cut through the thigh to calf was form-fitting, but not restrictive. The style was fitting for post-hike outings in civilization. Although without a zippered cuff, you cannot take these pants off without first removing your boots. The waist band has a drawstring for ultimate comfort and adjustment on the go, so there wasn’t really a need for an added belt. There are four pockets: two deep open ones on the front hips, one thigh, and a zippered one on the backside that fits a phone. These pants proved to be very stain resistant as our tester coated them in DEET multiple times, but they didn’t stain or wear down at all. Being so ultralight and breathable with UPF protection, they worked well for warmer weather, but also could be paired with a thermal bottom for cooler days. With a $79 regular price tag, these are a great option. And when they go on sale at $39, you definitely can’t go wrong! —Justin La Vigne

Best Cargo Pants: Outdoor Research Men’s Ferrosi Cargo Pants

Outdoor Research

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Key Features 

• Available in men’s sizes only
• Sizing: Up to 42-inch waist
• Weight: 11.25 ounces 
• Fabric: 86 percent nylon, 14 percent spandex
• Closure: Button closure with drawcord

Pros

• Comfortable fit that is true to size
• Protected against the cold on windy days
• Rugged enough to withstand the trail

Cons

• Front-facing cargo pockets sometimes got in the way of hiking
• Button snaps were difficult to use on the go

I sent the Ferrosi hiking pants out with a tester on a six-mile out-and-back with 2,400 feet of elevation gain in eastern Washington State. They reported back that, like the other Ferrosi pants, the fabric of these pants felt light, but durable and true to size. Not only did these pants breathe well enough to prevent overheating on the hike up, but the tester reported that “the situation at the top of Umtanum Ridge was quite windy and these pants blocked the wind as effectively as a pair of rain pants.”

Rather than a belt, the Ferrosi has a drawstring at the waist to help users dial in that perfect fit. The one drawback to these pants is that the pockets are more forward-facing than usual, which got in the way on long uphill climbs. Those side pockets also incorporated snap buttons (rather than the zipper found at the back pocket), which felt less secure.

Best Convertible Pants: KÜHL Renegade Cargo Convertible 

KHUL

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Key Features

• Available in men’s styles only
• Sizing: Up to 42-inch waist
• Weight: 17 ounces
• Fabric: 95 percent nylon; 5 percent spandex
• Closure: Snap button closure

Pros

• High placement of the convertible zippers meant they were never in the way while hiking
• Zips at the cuff allow you to take off the lower legs without taking off your shoes
• Durable, water-resistant fabric

Cons

• No drawcords or attached belt at the waist

The tester for the Renegades was a convertible pants skeptic, at least until he took these out for a few spring day hikes. He reported back that during a hike up Tiger Mountain in Washington State’s Issaquah Alps they were easier to use than expected, mimicking the feel of non-convertible hiking pants when the lower section was attached and zipping off easily when he was ready to convert them. Whereas other convertible pants have a fit that is a hair too relaxed, the Renegades “felt surprisingly lightweight,” and were form-fitting without ever riding up on steep climbs. 

While the pocket placement on these has a traditional cargo style, they were slanted more toward the back of the leg, which kept them out of the way. One thing to note about these pants is that they don’t come with a built-in belt or a drawstring cord—something to keep in mind if you plan to size up to accommodate a base layer. The tester also noted that these ran small, so if you are in-between sizes or looking for a more relaxed fit, consider sizing up. 

Best for Trail to Town: Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants

Eddie Bauer

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Key Features

• DWR treatment
• 94 percent nylon, 6 percent spandex
• Stylish for on and off the trail

Pros

• Durable with two-way stretch
• Both men’s and women’s sizes
• Wide array of sizes
• Six pockets
• UPF 50+ sun protection

Cons

• No venting abilities
• Velcroed back pockets
• Stitching around front pockets coming undone

These pants can be found on sale for cheaper than the MSRP, making them very affordable. However, the Guide Pro pants don’t act or perform like the inexpensive price. Our tester wore these equally on trail and around town. The comfort, stretch, and feel kept him moving while logging over 200 miles through various terrain. There are six pockets: two open front pockets, two zippered thigh pockets, and two Velcro back pockets. He did note the Velcro back pockets are not practical, as they would open at times with a pack on and sometimes not line up when shut. And it seems after several months of use, the stitching around the pockets is coming undone. The SPF 50+ technology along with the DWR coat added a bonus level of protection. With that being said, he noticed they wetted out quicker than some of the other reviewed pants. The lined waistband does not only add comfort, but has odor controlling properties. Because these pants are made of a lightweight nylon/spandex blend, they can be worn on warmer days, although they do lack venting abilities. —Justin La Vigne

Read Next: The Best Hiking Underwear for Women of 2023

Things to Consider Before Buying Hiking Pants

Materials

Most hiking pants are made from nylon and/or polyester, with spandex or elastane for stretch. Some also incorporate specialty fibers like hemp or Tencel, a type of rayon made from wood fibers. One material that is virtually never seen in the best hiking pants is cotton, due to its tendency to retain moisture. 

Bug Protection

In general, pants made from nylon—especially ripstop nylon—will do a better job at keeping bugs (including mosquitoes) away from your skin than polyester. But, if you live in a place where the mosquito is recognized as the official state bird, then you should treat your hiking clothes with permethrin for an additional defense. Some clothing manufacturers now sell hiking pants with permethrin pre-applied which has the added bonus of lasting for additional washings over self application. 

Pockets

There can be huge variation between the pockets on men’s and women’s pants, with the men’s pants having adequate to (sometimes) excessive pocket coverage, while some of the women’s pants aren’t cut out to carry much more than some chapstick. In this review, if I’ve commented on pocket coverage, I’ll clarify which version of the pants were tested (the women’s picks in this roundup all have adequate to great pocket coverage), but it’s worth double-checking the manufacturer website to ensure the style you are purchasing has the coverage you need.

FAQs

Why Trust Outdoor Life?

Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. We have more than a century-long history of evaluating products, and we’re now bringing that expertise to online reviews. Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, we’re trained journalists. We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works—or doesn’t.

Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products—because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear—we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.

Final Thoughts

Companies like Outdoor Research, Patagonia, prAna, Columbia, KÜHL, Arc’teryx, Mountain Hardwear, and Fjallraven have spent years perfecting the best hiking pants, and the efforts show. Most hiking pants available for purchase today will function in a wide range of environments, and protect you from sun, bugs, rain, and wind. Hone in on the details that matter most to you (durability? pockets? comfort?) before making a final selection. 

Read Next: Best Hiking Backpacks

The post The Best Hiking Pants of 2023 appeared first on Outdoor Life.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best Overall		Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro	SEE IT
Best Value		EcoFlow Delta 2 Max + 220W Solar Panel	SEE IT
Best for Camping		Goal Zero Yeti 1500X + Boulder 200 Briefcase Solar Generator	SEE IT

Whether you are outfitting your home in case of an extended power outage or looking for a steady supply of off-grid power for your overlanding setup, it’s never been a better time to purchase a solar generator. But sifting through all the available options on the market—power stations that are lunchbox-sized to luggage-sized, solar panels that can pack in a backpack to multiple eight-foot long panels you chain together—can take a lot of time and effort. To help you choose the best solar generator for your purpose, we tested some of the most innovative models from Jackery, EcoFlow, Goal Zero, Bluetti, Anker, Zendure, and BioLite side by side to see how they stacked up.

• Best Overall: Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro
• Best Value: EcoFlow Delta 2 Max + 220W Solar Panel
• Best for Camping: Goal Zero Yeti 1500X + Boulder 200 Briefcase Solar Generator
• Best for RVs: Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
• Most Maneuverable: Anker SOLIX F2000 Solar Generator 767
• Most Portable: BioLite BaseCharge 1500 + Solar Panel 100
• Best Weather Resistance: Bluetti AC60 + Bluetti PV120 Solar Panel
• Best Budget: Anker 555 Solar Generator

How I Tested the Best Solar Generators

There are two components to a solar generator—a solar panel and a power station. To understand the performance of the overall package, I looked at each component and then also assessed how they worked in tandem. 

• Solar Panels were initially tested in early fall, when the angle of the sun is less ideal than it would be at the peak of summer, affecting the potential of each panel to reach its claimed maximum output. Additional solar panel testing was conducted in the spring and summer months; however, a control panel (the Anker 625) was used to ensure similar testing conditions. In all rounds of testing, there were clear skies, though haziness, time of day, and season can affect power output. In those instances where the Anker 625 showed a greater or lower solar input than from the initial test, the other panels were weighted appropriately. I tested solar panels using power stations of the same brand, but where possible, I also used different panels with different power stations to see if that affected the results. 
• Power Stations were evaluated on a number of criteria. After fully charging all the power stations, I left them in a climate-controlled room for three days and then outside for twenty-four hours in near-freezing temperatures—none of the power stations registered any loss of power during this test. Next, I plugged various appliances into all of the power stations to see how they handled the volume: a dehumidifier, a sunlamp, two laptops, one of the best power banks for camping, a pair of headphones, another power station, etc. Using these setups, I ran each power station down to half its estimated output. Finally, I considered how compatible each power station was with other solar panels, as well as additional features, such as Bluetooth-compatible apps, display panels, wireless charging, USB-C input ports, and more. 

Solar Panels Tested

In my initial test, I looked at six solar panels rated for both 100W and 200W capacity from Goal Zero, Anker, Jackery, and BioLite. I checked that all the solar panels were pointed in the same direction and at the same angle when testing their measured output against their claimed output. 

Additional follow-up tests were conducted to compare the power output of 100W, 200W, and 400W panels, from Zendure, Bluetti, and EcoFlow, with this initial set. I also conducted a retest of the BioLite panel, which was the lowest performing panel in the original group. In each instance, I set up a panel from my initial testing group to ensure similar testing conditions.

Two solar panels have been tested twice as a part of this test: the BioLite Solar Panel 100 and the Jackery SolarSaga 200W. The BioLite panel was retested at the manufacturer’s request; they had initially sent a reviewer sample and felt that the performance of the actual panel would show improvement. The second panel was 17 watts more powerful than the initial panel, and the numbers in the above table reflect that change.

Jackery sent two new SolarSaga 200Ws along with their new 2000 Plus power station. During testing, these two panels were not as powerful as the initial SolarSaga 200W I had tested in tandem with the 1000 Pro. These two panels were about 10 watts and 20 watts less powerful than the original panel. There is no visible difference in these newer panels compared to the original. As I have not had the chance to retest any other panels from the initial test, I have left the original, higher value as the official number.

Power Stations Tested

The power stations I tested ranged in size from 403 watt-hours to 6,438 watt-hours, and were capable of either 110 volts or 120 volts (the latter is what you’ll need to run most major appliances).

While my initial testing field was reasonably comparable in terms of weight and overall size, further testing has included power stations that were as heavy as I am as well as units that were on the line between power station and one of the best power banks.

All of the power stations were capable of holding a charge for extended periods of time, losing no power in either the three-day indoors test or the 24-hour outdoors test in subfreezing and near freezing temperatures. However, where the power stations in the initial test have begun to show a drop in power retention over time; I have noted as such.

Best Solar Generators: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall: Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro (Explorer 1000 Pro + Solar Saga 200W)

Jackery

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Key Features

• Power Station Capacity: 1002 watt-hours
• Solar Panels: Four 200-watt solar panels
• 184 watts generated by one panel in direct sunlight
• Max AC Output: 120 volts and 1000 watts
• Also available with a 2000Wh power station 
• Also available with two 80-watt panels

Pros

• Powerful solar panel
• Easy to use

Cons

• Smaller power station than other models I tested

The Power Station

Along with the BioLite BaseCharge 1500 and Anker 555, the Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro had one of the more streamlined user interfaces of anything I’ve tested. There are separate buttons to activate the USB outlets, AC outlets, and DC outlet, along with a button to turn on the power station’s light (in case you want to light up your camp or home) and one to turn on the display. The display here gives you the bare minimum of information—watts in, watts out, percent of the battery remaining, and the time to charge or deplete the battery based on the current conditions. 

The Explorer 1000 Pro has an output of 1000 watts (2000 watt peak), which is enough juice to power many modern refrigerators. But given that its battery life is only 1002 watt-hours, it can only supply that power for about a day (assuming it’s not charging anything else) unless it’s also being supplied with fresh juice from a solar panel setup at the same time. For some, this won’t be an issue, as they’ll simply be using the battery to channel power to their other devices during the day while it’s charging, and then using the battery at night to power more low-key items like the best camping fans or maybe one high-energy device like a portable fridge. 

At over 25 pounds, the Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro, is one of the more transportable units I looked at, but it’s still not something that you’d want to lug more than a hundred feet or so at a time. It’s proven to be very capable at holding a charge long-term, even after months of sitting in an unheated garage.

The Solar Panel 

I originally tested the SolarSaga 200W solar panel as a full setup, with four panels plugged into a single power station. This test showed the full power of the array, which registered 650 watts of power generation on a sunny (albeit hazy) day. I retested a single panel in tandem with the rest of the units in this review more recently, and under completely clear skies, the panel was even more impressive: It registered 184 watts of energy coming from a single panel. If you don’t have much time to recharge your power station from the sun, then the full setup with all four panels is a no-brainer. (More recent testing of newer panels showed a slight drop in power; however, it is unclear if this is because of natural variation or drop in the product’s efficiency. Either way, this is still a best-in-class panel.)

It is, though, a little complicated. Each panel comes with a carrying case and a cable that connects back to the two DC ports on the Explorer 1000 Pro. If you see a math problem here, that’s correct: You’ll also need two of the Jackery Solar Panel Connectors, which, strangely, are not included in the purchase price. Two of these can be used to double the number of panels you can connect to the Explorer 1000 Pro. 

Setting up and taking down this many panels takes some time, but I was impressed by how easy and intuitive it was. That’s because Jackery streamlined the number of ports on each unit, making it that much clearer what cable connects to what unit in what port. 

While at first glance there might appear to be a disconnect between the charging time capabilities of this setup and its battery life, it’s worth keeping in mind that conditions are not always optimal. One of the things that impressed me most about these units is the panel’s ability to generate electricity in lowlight conditions. Even in complete shade—dusk fast approaching—a single SolarSaga 200W was generating a 6 watt input. 

Best Value: EcoFlow Delta 2 Max + 220W Solar Panel

EcoFlow

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Key Features

• Power Station Capacity: 2048 watt-hours
• Solar Panels: Two 220-watt solar panels
• 197 watts generated by one panel in direct sunlight
• Max AC output: 120 volts and 2400 watts
• Also available with one 220-watt solar panel or one 400-watt solar panel

Pros

• Comparatively low price for the potential power generation
• Power station is small in size for its power capacity

Cons

• Solar panel is comparatively difficult to set up
• Power station is 50.7 pounds, making it somewhat difficult to move

The Power Station

The EcoFlow Delta 2 Max stood out from the competition for two reasons: it’s comparative low weight and it’s comparative low price. Of the 2,000 watt-hour power stations I’ve tested, this is the least expensive as a standalone unit, making it an excellent option for anyone looking for a serious power station on a budget.

I was also impressed by its low weight—the Delta 2 Max is 10 pounds lighter than similarly powerful units—and its low volume. If you have limited space and higher power needs, this is an excellent choice.

In addition to having buttons to turn on the USB, AC, and car ports, there is also a main power switch. I’ll be testing over the next several months to see if this helps to prevent power loss for individuals storing their power stations over the long term for issues like power outages.

Something different about the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max compared to other power stations I’ve looked at is that the six AC outlets (as well as the car outlet) are on the back side of the power station, with the solar and AC input ports. If you plan to mainly use the USB-C and USB-A ports, this is unlikely to cause an issue but if there are AC plugs you need to access to, you’ll to consider how you orient your power station in your home or van to ensure easy access.

While it’s worth downloading the associated app to access control features that are not available on the actual device, like auto timeouts and discharge level controls, I wouldn’t recommend relying on it over the controls on the device itself due to the amount of energy it consumes.

The Solar Panel

It’s hard to find a better value than the EcoFlow 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel. It produces more power for its cost and weight than anything else I’ve tested. And it’s XT-60 connector cable means it’s compatible out of the box with other power stations, including the Anker 767.

The downside to this solar panel is that it is surprisingly difficult to set up, and more fiddly to adjust, than anything else I’ve tested. While the other solar panels in this test rely on adjustable kickstand legs to optimize the angle of the panel toward the sun, the EcoFlow 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel takes a different approach: It uses the carrying case to support the panel.

First, four clips attach to the four corners of the carrying case. You then clip into the panel itself, angling the carrying case at a wedge to create structure to the panel. The angle of the panel can be adjusted by zipping the carrying case up or down.

As you can see, this more or less works. I was able to set up the panel to face the sun at an optimal angle, but I found that zippering up the carrying case to adjust the angle of the panel once it was already in position was fairly difficult. If you’re used to adjusting your solar panels throughout the day to optimize the position of the sun, this could be an issue.

Best for Camping: Goal Zero Yeti 1500X + Boulder 200 Briefcase Solar Generator

Goal Zero

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Key Features

• Power Station Capacity: 1516 watt-hours
• Solar Panels: One 100-watt solar panel 
• 73 watts generated by one panel in direct sunlight
• Max AC output: 120 volts and 2000 watts
• Solar panels also available at 200-watt and 300-watt capacity
• Power stations available in sizes ranging from 187 watt-hours to 6071 watt-hours

Pros

• More durable exterior is a better fit for rough and tumble conditions
• Yeti power station pairs with a number of other (and better) solar panels than the Boulder

Cons

• Solar panel is fairly bulky for its power generation
• Less intuitive than other power stations I looked at
• Difficult to recharge through an AC outlet if you lose the original cables

The Power Station

The Goal Zero Yeti 1500X was one of the most complicated user interfaces to navigate, and included several details that I have mixed feelings about. The most glaring one is that when the unit is plugged into a power source, a light blinks blue continuously until it is charged, when it switches to solid blue—if you are in the same space as this unit when it is charging, this is very distracting.

Next is the three buttons above the display—which read “unit,” “light,” and “info.” Unit is fairly straightforward—it toggles the input and output measurements between volts, amperes, watts, etc. This is pretty handy if you’re curious about how much power a given device is chewing through. Next is light—on other power stations, this button turns on an actual light, which is useful if you’re trying to see what you’re doing in the evening hours. The Goal Zero, however, does not have a built-in light. This button turns on and off the display screen showing the power supply. The info button only seemed to turn on the display (not off)—it was unclear what other use this was meant to have.

Interestingly, despite having one of the most powerful AC ports in my test, there was only space for two plug-ins. Most of the time, I suspect this will be plenty for people (and it does help to cut down on the unnecessary juice being lost out of these ports), but others might find themselves digging out a powerstrip to make up for the lack of ports. 

One of the more unusual features of the Yeti 1500X is a top lid, which has storage for charging cables, or anything else you want to throw in there. This proved to be surprisingly useful while camping, when stray cables can go missing with surprising regularity.

Underneath, it also has detailed descriptions of all of the power limitations of the various ports, plus evergreen reminders about not letting your power station get wet—all in semi-legible font. Surprisingly that can’t be said for any of the power stations in my test (including the Anker 767, which despite having the largest surface area strangely didn’t include this information at all). There is also a second 8mm port under the lid as well as a 12 volt HPP output port. 

A testament to Yeti’s claim of 1,500 watts of power was my ability to actually charge the Anker 767 using the Yeti generator. It supplied 1,385 watts through a single AC port, which was higher than anything else I tested, due to this being the only combination where that was available. The maximum input capability of the Yeti 1500X is 150V from AC power, and no unit is capable of that many volts. The icon showing how much power was remaining did stay consistent. 

Like the Anker 767, the Yeti 1500X has an app that you can use to monitor the battery’s power usage. This app was not as intuitive to use as the Anker 767’s, requiring several more steps to get to the point where I could monitor the battery usage (it also asked me to upgrade its firmware seemingly every other time I opened it). However, once you have the whole thing set up, it provides just as much information and control as the Anker 767 app. 

The Solar Panel

I tested both the Boulder 100W and the Boulder 200W from Goal Zero. These are basically the same panels (although with different ports (HPP versus DC), affecting what other power stations you might be able to pair them with), just at a different size, so whether you choose one over the other will depend on your energy needs, and your personal strength.

These panels are significantly bulkier and more cumbersome than anything else I tested. The likes of Jackery’s SolarSaga series and the Anker solar panels are a bit like someone took a backpacking solar panel and just blew it up to 20x the size. The Boulder series from Goal Zero looks like a solar panel off your house that’s shrunken down to something you could throw into the back of your car. 

Both the 100W and the 200W solar panels come with carrying cases, which due to the placement of the zippers are kind of a nuisance to use. But use them you should because the way these panels fold up leaves the solar cells on the outside of the package, rather than on the inside (like the rest of the solar panels in my test). While the 100W panel was heavy, but otherwise easy enough to move thanks to the inclusion of a comfortable handle on the long side of the folded-up panels, the 200W had a tendency to drag across the ground (at least this was my experience, as a 5-foot, 5-inch individual), forcing me to lean to one side as I walked. Did I mention that these panels were heavy? At 42 pounds, the Boulder 200W is extremely heavy. 

While the Boulder solar panels were reasonably easy to set up, the way the legs are designed gives you fewer options for maximizing the angle of the sun in the winter months, when it’s lower to the horizon. This showed during testing, when the panels only pulled in 73 watts for the 100W panel, and 143 watts for the 200W panel. 

Best for RVs: Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

Jackery

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Key Features

• Power Station Capacity: 2043 watt-hours
• Solar Panels: Two 200-watt solar panels 
• 184 watts generated by one panel in direct sunlight
• Max AC Output: 120 volts and 3000 watts
• Also available with one 200-watt solar panel
• Also available with a 2,000Wh expansion battery

Pros

• Easy, intuitive power station interface
• Comes with best-in-class solar panels

Cons

• Heavy
• Expensive

The Power Station

If you’re already a fan of Jackery’s simple and intuitive power stations (we are), then upgrading to a model that pairs with your adventure rig is a no brainer. This, along with the Anker 767, is one of two power stations I’ve looked at that features a plug for an RV and stores enough energy to power the average setup for a day. If you’ve been looking to upgrade to a quieter generator for camping, then this is an easy choice.

During testing, the sheer size and weight of the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus was a bit of an issue. If you have back problems and don’t need this kind of power, I suggest looking elsewhere. While there is a handy telescoping handle that allows you to pull it over flat distances fairly easily, you’ll likely still need to pick it up periodically to get it into your car. The telescoping handle was also so short that I had to lean over when pulling it along.

While the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus comes with an app, I was unable to get it working during testing after multiple attempts.

The Solar Panel

See the Best Overall Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro writeup for my take on the best-in-class Jackery SolarSaga 200W panels.

Most Maneuverable: Anker Solar Generator 767

Laura Lancaster

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Key Features

• Power Station Capacity: 2048 watt-hours
• Solar Panels: Two 200-watt solar panels 
• 158 watts generated by one panel in direct sunlight
• Max AC Output: 120 volts and 2400 watts

Pros

• Heavy-duty wheels excel on tough terrain
• RV plug
• Fully featured app

Cons

• Heavy
• Power station tends to leach power over time

The Power Station 

While several power stations that I looked at incorporated handles for ease of transport, the Anker 767’s were by far the most useful. While the Jackery’s telescoping handle never extended far enough to allow me to stand upright, it was comfortable to pull the Anker 767 by its handle for short distances. This included over very muddy ground during my initial test. If you regularly move your power stations more than 50 feet a time, then the ease and comfort with which you can maneuver the Anker 767 makes it a smart choice.

During testing, this unit was more than capable of taking on every device I could throw at it without blinking. If you’re looking for a unit to power your phone during a power outage, this is definitely overkill. The AC outlets alone are capable of managing 2400 watts—your average fridge is only using 250 watts or so at a time, so this is really more than enough for most purposes.

In fact, it has so much power that I didn’t come anywhere near maxing it out during testing. (Strangely, this unit only has three AC outlets compared to the six on the Anker 555 unit, which has half the watt-hour capacity.) Along with the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus, this was one of two power stations that came with an RV plug, fitting, since the total capacity of the Anker 767 is about equal to a day’s worth of power usage by an RV. 

My favorite detail about this power station was the app. While testing the best solar generators, I went outside pretty often to check if everything was working properly. That gets pretty annoying after a while. But with the Anker 767, I could just open the app up and check to see how much power was being generated (or not). In addition to showing me the current power capacity of the unit, it also gives you the ability to turn off and on the AC, USB, and DC ports, as well as turn on the light on the side. It also shows you the internal temperature of the unit.

During ongoing testing of this unit, I observed that it is not as effective at retaining a charge long-term as other power stations in this test. I found that it lost a percentage or two of power every couple days even when not in use.

The Solar Panel

The Anker 531 Solar Panel was the simplest to use of the larger solar panels I looked at. I liked that it didn’t have a separate carrying case to mess with, and a simple carabiner and mesh bag combo did the trick to stash the relevant cable and ensure it didn’t become separated from the larger unit. Like all of these kickstand solar panel setups, it was a little cumbersome to use, but extra reinforcement on the three kickstand legs were useful to an extent when adjusting the panel to a lower angle.

While this solar panel isn’t quite as powerful as the Jackery SolarSaga 200W, it easily produced over 75 percent of its 200-watt capability—and the Anker 767 can support up to five of these chained together. Strangely, this panel did not have the same sundial component that the 100W Anker 625 did. However, after I set up the Anker 625 panel, I adjusted the Anker 531 panel to match its angle and immediately saw a 23-watt difference in the power input. Hopefully, Anker will simply add this accessory onto the 531 model in the future, but in the meantime, you can purchase a clip-on sundial separately. 

Read our full review of the Anker Solar Generator 767 for more information.

Most Portable: BioLite BaseCharge 1500 + Solar Panel 100

Biolite

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Key Features

• Power Station Capacity: 1521 watt-hours
• Solar Panels: One 100-watt solar panel
• 70 watts generated by one panel in direct sunlight
• Max AC Output: 110 volts and 1200 watts
• Also available with a 622Wh power station 

Pros

• Lightest unit I tested
• Power station is easy to use
• Power station is compatible with the Goal Zero Boulder 200 (up to two)

Cons

• No bundle option available
• Solar panel was the weakest in my test

The Power Station

Like the Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro and the Anker 555 PowerHouse, the BioLite BaseCharge 1500 has a sleek and streamlined user interface that is easy to read and understand. The display panel shows the percentage of your battery left, the estimated number of hours it will take to either run through or finish charging the battery, the watts coming into your unit, and the watts going out. It also shows you the number of watt-hours the unit has used in total—watching that number was a bit like watching the odometer tick up on your car. Not super useful daily, but a nice thing to know in the aggregate.

There are separate buttons to turn on the ports for USB, DC, and AC power, as well as a button to turn on the display. (A second button allows you to reset the display of how many watts you’ve used, useful if you are interested in getting an accurate read on your total power needs). 

There were three details that made the BioLite BaseCharge 1500 stand out next to the competition:

1. A wireless charging option on top of the unit.
2. The choice to put the input port on the front of the unit, as opposed to the back. During testing, I found that the front configuration was easier when plugging in solar panels.
3. This power station is surprisingly lightweight, especially compared to the Yeti 1500X, which has a comparable watt-hour capacity. If you plan to move your power station from room to room, this is a no-brainer. 

During testing, the BioLite BaseCharge 1500 was one of the few power stations where the “hours to empty” estimate kept jumping around. It probably accurately reflected the change in power needs of the bigger devices, but was confusing to look at and made the time estimates less useful than they would have otherwise been. (The percentage estimate of the amount of battery life remaining, however, stayed fairly consistent.) 

The Solar Panel 

While the BaseCharge 1500 ended up being one of my favorite power stations, the BioLite Solar Panel 100 was one of the least powerful solar panels in my test. However, it did incorporate a sundial, which helped me to situate the panel at the right angle to maximize the energy output. 

If you choose to go with a BaseCharge 1500, it’s worth considering pairing it with a Goal Zero Boulder 200W, a pairing that proved successful during testing.

Best Weather Resistance: Bluetti AC60 + Bluetti PV120 Solar Panel

Bluetti

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Key Features

• Power Station Capacity: 403 watt-hours
• Solar Panels: One 120-watt solar panel
• 110 watts generated by one panel in direct sunlight
• Max AC Output: 120 volts and 600 watts
• Also available with a 800Wh expansion pack 

Pros

• Dust and water resistant (power station rated to IP65)
• Compact and powerful solar panel
• Wireless charging potential
• Longest warranty of everything I looked at

Cons

• Power station had functionality issues when it ran down to zero percent charge

The Power Station

Something you see over and over when you’re looking at the fine print on power stations are reminders to protect them from the elements. Rain, dirt, dust: all these can wreck havoc on the ports and inner workings of these devices. For those of us that love the outdoors and that plan to use these devices camping or overlanding, this is a bit of a conundrum.

The Bluetti AC60 is the only power station I’ve tested that is rated to IP65. That means, when the ports are covered, it’s completely protected from dust getting inside. Just as important, it’s also able to withstand water coming at it from any direction—useful when an unexpected rainstorm hits. (Note that it’s not water resistant to the point that you can drop it in a lake.)

During testing I found that when this power station ran out of juice I was not able to recharge it using a wall outlet, only the solar panel. The second time the power station ran out of juice I was not able to recharge it at all. Bluetti says this is an issue only with their preproduction models; further, their six-year warranty would suggest it should last for many many cycles before running down entirely. However, I would not recommend purchasing this power station if you plan to keep it in storage for long periods of time without checking to see if it is still holding a charge.

The Solar Panel

The Bluetti PV120 Solar Panel is one of the best solar panels I’ve tested. Despite being a similar size and price compared to the Anker 625 (a 100-watt solar panel), it produced 16 more watts during testing. Its kickstands had snap buttons at the adjustment points, making it simpler to find the correct angle than on solar panels that liked that feature. It also has snaps that hold the package together when folded up, eliminating the need for an extra carrying case. This has become my new go-to panel when I head out camping due to its space savings and power generation potential. Even better, since its DC-compatible cable pairs with the Goal Zero Yeti series, I’m able to use it with my favorite power station for camping.

Best Budget: Anker 555 Solar Generator

Anker

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Key Features

• Power Station Capacity: 1024 watt-hours
• Solar Panels: two 100-watt solar panels
• Energy Created By One Panel In Direct Sunlight: 94 watts
• Max AC output: 110 volts and 1000 watts
• Also available with a 1229Wh power station and three 100W solar panels

Pros

• Solar panel has an incorporated sundial
• Plenty of AC outlets for the whole family

Cons

• Max power station output is 110V
• XT60 port on the solar panel needs an adapter to be compatible with the power station
• Power station will lose its charge if left in storage long term 

The Power Station

If your family has a bevy of devices that seemingly all need to be plugged in simultaneously, you are in luck with the Anker 555 PowerHouse. It was the only unit in my test that boasted six AC outlets, as well as three USB-C outlets and two USB-A outlets. There were so many outlets that it was actually hard to find enough things to plug into it in my home—I ended up with an air purifier, sun lamp, two fans, a laptop, and a battery pack plugged in. The 555 PowerHouse had no problem with this—it barely used a third of its total output power. If your family has a bunch of devices that simply must be charged at all times, then this is a great option. 

Note that this would not be the best choice for someone looking for backup power for their refrigerator, as its 1,024 watt hour capacity was on the smaller side in my test and only has up to 110-volt output. Over time, it’s also become apparent that this powerstation loses stored power more quickly than similar units. Plan to check at least once a month to confirm that it still has sufficient juice for your family’s needs.

Something else I liked about this unit was the utility—and comparative simplicity—of its charging abilities. It has one DC input port in the back and a USB-C 100W port that plays double duty with input and output. As someone who struggles to keep track of the sheer number and variety of cords that are always floating around, I appreciated the ability to recharge this unit without tracking down the original cord.

The Solar Panel

The Anker 625 was easily the best of the 100W panels I tested. It was one of the best solar panels for camping I tested back in the spring, and it’s still one of my favorite pieces of gear. It even beat out the 200W Jackery SolarSaga if you consider that this panel generated 94 percent of its claimed output, while the Jackery only managed 92 percent. Part of this is the inclusion of a sundial in the top center of the panel, which helped me align the panel correctly during setup. This sundial is such a useful feature, that after I had correctly aligned the Anker 625, I went back and adjusted all the other panels to match it—an instant uptick in power was measured. Two of these panels is a great choice for recharging a power station the size of the 555 PowerHouse. 

I’ve been testing this panel for a while—unlike some of the others in this test—and in that time I’ve noticed that it’s picked up a bit of scuffing along the edges of the fabric backing. While not ideal, this has not impacted the functionality of the unit in the slightest.

The Rest of the Field

I tested the Zendure SuperBase V6400 paired with their 400W Solar Panel as part of my spring testing. This unit is massive: It comes saran-wrapped up on a pallet. While it does have wheels and a handle, that does not make it portable. It took a merciful delivery driver and myself an hour to get it up three floors to my home. This is not a realistic choice for overlanders or campers. Unless your rig has a ramp and a ton of excess of space I wouldn’t even consider it. Picture a 45 liter Yeti Tundra cooler that weighs 130 pounds.

There were also problems with the Zendure SuperBase V6400 itself. The unit I had did not have functioning USB-C ports. I also noted that simply leaving the AC ports on overnight resulted in a 10 percent drop in the unit’s overall battery; surprising, given how many watt-hours it holds. Zendure confirmed that this is expected functioning of the unit. One aesthetic note is that the latches for some of the port covers did not close correctly. The Zendure 400W Solar Panel was another story: It was surprisingly lightweight and easy to use given how much juice it generated. I only wish I could have paired it with a different power station.

I strongly recommend heavily researching this unit before making a purchase, as you may be stuck with it. It requires original shipping materials (which I no longer had) and a pallet to move it. Local shipping companies were unable to supply one (at one point, Zendure suggested I purchase a pallet). I was unable to return this unit and it ultimately found its way to an acquaintance who works in IT. They’ve rigged it up to be the sole source of power for their bedroom, including servers and computers. They’re considering trying to use it as a source of power for their Tesla. If that sounds like what you’re hoping to do with your solar generator, then by all means give the Zendure package a look. But if you’re more interested in outdoor life (we are), then give it a pass.

How to Choose the Best Solar Generator for You

Your Budget

Solar generators can be a pricey investment. Before you start looking at the various power stations and solar panels and package deals available, it’s important to know how much you are willing to spend. Underspending on a power station can result in inadequate power needs in the case of a power outage or while adventuring off grid. 

Your Power Needs

This is the big one. For the power station, there are two main numbers you’ll want to focus on: voltage and watt-hours. First figure out what the most power-hungry appliance you’ll be powering is (likely a refrigerator) and check its voltage requirements. Then look for power stations that can meet those voltage requirements (typically out of the AC outlets). Next consider how many watt-hours of power you’ll want.

Estimating this is as much art as science, given that the power needs of larger appliances vary considerably—during testing I saw the AC output regularly jump between 250 watts to over 1,000 watts. It’s also tough to know exactly how much you’ll be using each appliance in a power outage event—will you need to power a space heater during winter, or an air conditioner in the summer months?

A good rule of thumb is that if you are only looking for a solar generator to keep your laptops and phones charged, a 1,000-watt-hour solar generator will give you more than enough juice. If you’re looking to power a full-size refrigerator, then you should buy the largest unit you can comfortably afford. If you are looking to power your entire home via a solar generator, then it’s worth spending the time to calculate your full array of power needs to figure out what you’ll need to make that happen. 

Solar panels are a bit simpler. The first step is to figure out how many hours a day you want to spend charging your power station. If you’re overlanding in the desert, you might be willing to spend all day with your power station plugged into its corresponding solar panel; as such, you can get by with lower wattage output. On the other hand, if you expect to be recharging your power station for brief periods of time, perhaps during a wintertime power outage, you’ll want the highest output panel you can get, or even an array of panels, so that you can recharge your power station as fast as possible. Keep in mind that a solar panel’s output will be affected by both the season and the weather, so plan accordingly. 

Portability

Power stations are often heavy, and solar panels can be unwieldy. Purchasing a larger unit than is necessary for your needs can reduce the utility of your overall setup—after all, if you hesitate to pull out your solar generator because of what a pain it is to set up, then it’s not doing you much good after all. 

FAQs

Why Trust Outdoor Life?

Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. We have more than a century-long history of evaluating products, and we’re now bringing that expertise to online reviews. Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, we’re trained journalists. We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works—or doesn’t.

Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products—because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear—we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.

Final Thoughts on the Best Solar Generators

After testing the best solar generators for over a year—both individually and in tandem—it’s clear that the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro (or 2000 Pro, depending on your power station needs) is one of the best setups available. While the Jackery combo can often be had on sale, if you’re looking to spend less money overall, the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max is a great option if you’re comfortable with a slightly more complicated setup. If you have a strong idea of exactly what your energy needs are, check out the sheer number of options offered by Goal Zero—panels that vary from 100W to 300W and power stations that go up to 6,000 watt-hours. Individuals and families on the go will appreciate the portability of the BioLite duo, while overlanders will benefit from the juice and portability of the Anker 767 power station and 531 Solar Panel.

• Best Overall: Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro
• Best Value: EcoFlow Delta 2 Max + 220W Solar Panel
• Best for Camping: Goal Zero Yeti 1500X + Boulder 200 Briefcase Solar Generator
• Best for RVs: Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
• Most Maneuverable: Anker SOLIX F2000 Solar Generator 767
• Most Portable: BioLite BaseCharge 1500 + Solar Panel 100
• Best Weather Resistance: Bluetti AC60 + Bluetti PV120 Solar Panel
• Best Budget: Anker 555 Solar Generator

The post The Best Solar Generators of 2023, Tested and Reviewed appeared first on Outdoor Life.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best for Cars		Luno Car Camping Fan	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Low profile fan that works great in your car and on the road.
Best for Tents		Coleman CPX 6 Lighted Tent Fan	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Ceiling fan for inside your tent
Most Versatile		FRIZCOL Portable Stroller Fan	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Easily sets up wherever you need to cool off.

It’s time to add a new piece of gear to your arsenal of tools for beating the heat of August: the camping fan. But with so many options, from little handheld minis to dedicated tent ceiling fans, which one is right for your needs? To help you choose, I looked at some of the top models available and narrowed it down to five of the best camping fans available today: 

• Best Overall: Ryobi One+ 18V Hybrid Portable Fan
• Best Value: Toyizo Rechargable Camping Fan
• Best for Cars: Luno Car Camping Fan 
• Best for Tents: Coleman CPX 6 Lighted Tent Fan with Stand
• Most Versatile: FRIZCOL Portable Stroller Fan

How I Chose the Best Camping Fans

To find the best camping fans available today, I looked at a number of important factors, including: 

• Performance: I evaluated this based on whether there were different settings to control the speed, as well as reported experiences with how much breeze the fan produced.
• Versatility: I considered in what scenarios the camping fan could be realistically used, including in the tent, in the car, around the picnic table, while hiking, and more. I also looked at how difficult it would be to recharge away from the electrical grid. 
• Durability: The durability of a product depends on its materials, although the existence of a warranty (and a customer service phone number) can provide reassurance that the product is well made. 
• Price: Finally, I considered if the price for the product appropriately matched what the user could expect from it.

Best Camping Fans: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall: RYOBI ONE+ 18V Hybrid Portable Fan with 2.0 Ah Battery and Charger

RYOBI

SEE IT

Key Features

• Size: 11.5 x 11 inches
• Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Power Source: External battery
• Fan Speeds: Two
• Warranty: Three years

Pros

• Powerful air flow
• Durable construction
• Dual settings work well for tent and outdoor use

Cons

• Expensive compared to other picks on this list
• Cannot be hooked up to a standard camping power bank

If you’re looking for relief from the heavy, humid air of a broiling summer day, this is the fan for you. Its lower setting works well to create a gentle breeze. There is only minimal white noise in the tent during the night. Its higher setting can cool off a group (and shoo away any pesky skeeters) during the daytime. The Ryobi not only rotates a full 90 degrees, but it also includes a hook on the underside, so that you can secure it overhead (given its weight, I don’t recommend doing this directly over where you plan to sleep). 

The biggest drawback to the RYOBI ONE+ is that it can be difficult to recharge the fan outdoors if your camping power bank doesn’t have a standard electrical outlet. For that reason, I recommend purchasing additional compatible batteries to ensure that you can stay cool for the duration of your trip.  

Best Value: Toyizo Rechargable Camping Fan

Toyizo

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Key Features

• Size: 10 x 8.26 x 4.5 inches
• Weight: 1 pound, 2 ounces
• Power Source: Rechargeable
• Fan Speed: Adjustable with knob

Pros

• Also a lantern
• Shows how much battery is left
• Can be hung up by a hook or stood on its own

Cons

• Only lasts a night or two on one charge
• A little bulky

This rechargeable fan rotates 270 degrees and can be hung up or stood on its own for optimal wind direction. It also doubles as a lantern with three brightness settings. It’s a little bit big for a small tent, but for a large tent or relaxing outside, it’s great. The light isn’t extremely bright but it’s enough to maneuver in an enclosed space like around the picnic table.

It lasts 7 hours on the highest fan setting and 22 hours on the lowest. So it will really only last a night or two depending on how you’re using the light and fan functions. I also had to tape the knob that turns the fan on because it would rotate and turn on when it bumped against something in my camping bin. But overall it’s a decent personal sized fan. The rechargeable aspect is the best part so you can keep it running without bringing batteries with one of the best power banks for camping.

Best for Cars: Luno Car Camping Fan

Luno

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Key Features

• Size: 4 inches x 2.25 inches x 5 inches
• Weight: 10 ounces
• Power Source: Plug-in requires USB-A port
• Fan Speeds: Three
• Warranty: One year

Pros

• Suction cup back attaches to windows
• Swivels in all directions

Cons

• Lack of a clip or other mounting options limits usability

The Luno Car Camping fan is designed to use in your vehicle, but it has more functionality than meets the eye. It attaches to surfaces using suction (this one doesn’t have a clip for the inside of your tent. Its best use is for car campers sleeping inside of their vehicles, but it does attach to a variety of other surfaces. I had success with plastic storage bins and the outside of my car. The small size of the Luna makes this a great choice for a single person.

Another nice detail of this car camping fan is that the on/off switch is not connected to the fan casing itself, but farther down on the power cord. That makes it easy to turn it up or down in the middle of the night without having to get up from your sleeping pad. 

Best for Tents: Coleman CPX 6 Lighted Tent Fan with Stand

Coleman

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Key Features

• Size: 10 inches x 5.5 inches
• Weight: 3 pounds, 4 ounces
• Power Source: Four D batteries
• Fan Speeds: Two
• Warranty: One year

Pros

• Two-setting light provides plenty of light
• Soft blade material to prevent injury

Cons

• Batteries not included
• Lack of a guard cover means that hair could be caught inside the fan

The most common reason to purchase a camping fan is to keep cool at night when you’re trying to sleep. To accomplish this, the Coleman CPX 6 camping fan attaches to the ceiling of your tent. This way it can blow down air on everyone inside. It also includes a light with two settings, one to provide enough light for reading and family activities. And another to serve as a night light for those traveling with small children. Another reason this is one of the best camping fans is that it also has a fold-out stand, so you can set it up on the floor of your tent or near your camping chairs outside. 

This fan doesn’t have plastic bars to keep out fingers because the soft foam blades won’t cause injury on their own. This means that individuals with long hair should take heed. Otherwise their strands could become entangled when they stand up in the middle of the night. 

Most Versatile: FRIZCOL Portable Stroller Fan

FRIZCOL

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Key Features

• Size: 8 inches x 6.9 inches x 3.4 inches
• Weight: 1 pound
• Power Source: 12000mAh rechargeable battery
• Fan Speeds: Three
• Warranty: 700 days

Pros

• Quiet
• Set it up as a stationary fan, attach it to a table, or hang it from your tent’s ceiling
• Can be used to charge other devices

Cons

• Less durable than other picks on this list

If you aren’t sure how or where you’ll want to use your camping fan, then this portable option from FRIZCOL offers plenty of options. Rather than having a solid base to stand on or a hook to hang with, it has three legs that fully bend. These allow you to wrap them around the leg of a canopy tent, attach to the side of a picnic table, perch on top of a rock, or even, thanks to its low weight, hook it to the tent’s ceiling. 

This fan is noted for being on the quiet side, so it may not be the best choice for someone looking for white noise while they fall asleep. For that, I recommend the best overall and best for tents picks. 

Things to Consider Before Buying a Camping Fan

Purpose

One of the most important considerations when choosing a camping fan is where you intend to set it up. For some people, daytime use, when temperatures soar, is the most important factor. Others intend to turn theirs on primarily at dusk, when the mosquitoes come out to play. A camping fan can add a little more coverage in conjunction with the best mosquito repellents. Others still plan to use their camping fan only at night, to keep temperatures down while they try to sleep. Consider the ways you intend to use your camping fan before making a purchase.

Size

Some of the camping fans on this list can provide enough cool air for groups of people, while others are only meant for individuals. Choose a camping fan with enough oomph to keep you cool in the conditions you expect to face.

Versatility

While most camping fans only have one intended purpose (or are only really able to function well for one intended purpose), others allow the users to set up their fan in a number of different configurations, including hanging it from the tent ceiling, setting it at the opposite side of a picnic table, sticking it to the window of a car, or even wrapping it around the pole of a camping canopy. Consider the different setups you are likely to opt for when choosing the camping fan that is right for you.

Power Source

One of the biggest differences between a camping fan and the box fan you already have at home is its power source. Rather than a typical plug that fits into a household electrical outlet, camping fans rely on one of two power sources: batteries or a camping power bank. While some camping fans use double A batteries, it is more common for camping fans to use D cell batteries, and some even come with their rechargeable batteries that can’t be swapped out.

Fresh batteries can be hard to procure while camping, and fan power usage can vary considerably. It is recommended that you bring three or four sets of spare batteries with you. Otherwise your camping fan might not have enough juice to last your entire trip. If you plan to use a power bank for your camping fan, consider sizing up to a larger camping power bank or bringing along a solar panel. You may have to recharge the bank on trips where you will be out for multiple days.

Safety

There are a number of ways that camping fans can inadvertently cause injury. Consider potential pain points in advance to help prevent any negative outcomes. If you are camping somewhere with variable weather, for instance, consider whether your camping fan will need to be covered at nighttime or when not in use. For anyone that is planning to hook up their camping fan overhead, look to see how secure the connection point is (those velcro tabs may not cut it). Check ahead of time if they will need to be reinforced with something sturdier. Finally, if you are camping with small children (and their small fingers), ensure that fans are out of reach and have safety mechanisms to prevent injury.

Warranty

Compared to more established categories like the best family tents or the best sleeping bags, camping fans are a relative newcomer to the market. As such, there is a wide range of quality and durability currently on the market. I recommend choosing a camping fan from a reputable company with a good customer service department and, most importantly, a warranty.

FAQs

Why Trust Outdoor Life?

Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. We have more than a century-long history of evaluating products, and we’re now bringing that expertise to online reviews. Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, we’re trained journalists. We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works—or doesn’t.

Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products—because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear—we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.

Final Thoughts

Camping fans might seem like a luxury for people living in more temperate parts of the country, but anyone living in the South or other hot, humid climes knows that they can be a necessity. A portable fan might be the reason it’s possible to go camping in the first place. If you’re looking to expand your region’s camping season, or convince a first-time camper to give sleeping in the outdoors a try, a camping fan is a no-brainer. Fortunately, there are a number of brands on the market today. In addition to the best camping fans on this list, there are units available from o2cool, Odoland, Geek Aire, opolar, and more. 

• Best Overall: RYOBI ONE+ 18V Hybrid Portable Fan with 2.0 Ah Battery and Charger
• Best for Cars: Luno Car Camping Fan 
• Best for Tents: Coleman CPX 6 Lighted Tent Fan with Stand
• Most Versatile: FRIZCOL Portable Stroller Fan

The post The Best Camping Fans of 2023 appeared first on Outdoor Life.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best Overall		Montbell Super Merino Wool Lightweight	SEE IT
Best for Hiking		Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino	SEE IT
Best Budget		Uniqlo Heattech Ultra Warm	SEE IT

A quality pair of thermal underwear is one of the best investments you can make. These performance layers maximize warmth, wick away sweat, and disappear under everything from puffer jackets to cashmere sweaters. We tested the best thermal underwear for women from top brands like Ibex, Smartwool, Patagonia, Outdoor Research, Black Diamond, Montbell, Decathlon, Uniqlo, and Kari Traa to see which were best performers for warmth and comfort in a variety of conditions. 

• Best Overall: Montbell Super Merino Wool Lightweight 
• Best for Hiking: Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino 
• Best Ventilation: Smartwool Intraknit 
• Best Outer Layer: Patagonia Capilene Midweight 
• Best for Cold and Wet: Ibex Woolies 2
• Best Budget: Uniqlo Heattech Ultra Warm 
• Heated Thermal Underwear: Fieldsheer Merino Heated Baselayer

How We Tested the Best Thermal Underwear for Women

Five Outdoor Life editors and contributors tested thermal underwear for women over five days while backpacking a section of the Oregon Coast Trail in late April. We were carrying loads between 20 and 30 pounds in the best ultralight backpacks while covering upwards of 15 miles a day. Temperatures ranged from early morning chill in the mid-forties to 80 degrees, giving us insight into how these different thermal underwear layers change as both our body temperatures and the ambient temperature increases.

At the end of the trip, each tester took several layers back home to continue testing in both frontcountry and backcountry settings. After months of testing, we evaluated the best performance thermal underwear for a variety of applications.

Best Thermal Underwear for Women: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall: Montbell Super Merino Wool Lightweight Shirt

Montbell

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Key Features

• Fabric Content: 85 percent merino wool, 15 percent polyester
• Weight: 4 ounces
• Available Sizes: S through L
• Pair with Super Merino Wool Lightweight Tights

Pros

• Soft and comfortable
• Lightweight and thin material will layer under almost anything
• Affordably priced

Cons

• Fabric is thin to the point of being sheer

The Montbell Super Merino Wool Lightweight Shirt and Tights had everything we wanted: a soft, comfortable skin feel, great thermoregulation, good fit, and affordable price. Testers noted that it was surprisingly soft given the high percentage of merino wool and that it hugged their body more than other layers we tried. That’s helpful for both quickly wicking sweat away from your skin and reducing bulk when you layer other clothing on top of it. 

The high merino wool content meant we could go longer between washes with this layer than with the synthetic thermal underwear we tested; but even so, we ended up washing our favorite top frequently over the spring and summer. We’re happy to report that it still looks the same as when we first received it in the mail: no pilling, no stray strings, no holes. This is doubly impressive given that this layer is so thin it’s practically sheer. 

Best for Hiking: Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino Half Zip Hoody

Black Diamond

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Key Features

• Fabric Content: 78 percent merino, 22 percent polyester 
• Weight: 6.6 ounces
• Available Sizes: XS through XL
• Pair with Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino Full-Length Bottom

Pros

• Kept us comfortable at a wide range of temperatures
• Thumbholes and hood helped it double as a sun shirt

Cons

• Expensive

Testers were impressed at how well this layer performed across the full spectrum of summer conditions, from alpine snow to humid and hot. “I never overheated or got clammy, even on uphill,” said one tester, who noted that the half zip made it easy to ventilate. The thumbholes and hood also gave our testers excellent coverage, helping to protect their arms and head from sun exposure. Even after multiple days of use (our record was five days between washes), it still felt soft against the skin and was noted to be comparatively more form-fitting than similar layers like the Ibex Woolies Tech or the Outdoor Research Alpine Onset Merino. 

Our Alaska-based tester also noted the knit of this material is just tight enough to keep mosquitoes at bay, something she appreciated when she had twenty on her at a time while hiking in the Denali area in the early summer. 

Best Ventilation: Smartwool Intraknit Thermal Merino Crew

Smartwool

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Key Features

• Fabric Content: 53 percent merino wool, 45 percent polyester, 2 percent elastane
• Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Available Sizes: XS through XL
• Pair with Smartwool Intraknit Thermal Merino Bottom

Pros

• Enough ventilation for our sweatiest testers
• Great fit across a wide range of body types 

Cons

• Can become cold when not moving
• Not as soft as our best overall or best hiking pick
• Mesh prone to snagging and pilling

If you need the extra warmth of thermal underwear for women but are concerned that it’ll lead to excessive sweating, then the Smartwool Intraknit top and leggings are the items for you. Our sweatiest tester stayed dry all day while hiking with a full pack along the Oregon Coast Trail in temperatures in excess of seventy degrees. That’s thanks to the body-mapped ventilation zones, where the knit is noticeably porous, allowing the heat and moisture to escape where it accumulates while still keeping the rest of your body warm. Like the Montbell Super Merino Wool and Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino, these layers were form-fitting, with our largest tester noting that both the top and the bottom fit exceptionally well compared to other models we looked at. They noted that the high-waisted bottoms and longer top meant that there were no gaps in the coverage, something they particularly appreciated. 

There were a couple of downsides to the Smartwool Intraknit. The first is that our testers found that the ventilation zones were too often a two-way street: If they weren’t generating enough body heat, cold air started to creep back in. The lower-volume ventilation areas were also prone to catching and snagging, meaning that the layer will likely wear out faster than other picks on this list. 

Best Outer Layer: Patagonia Capilene Midweight Zip Neck

Patagonia

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Key Features

• Fabric Content: 100 percent polyester
• Weight: 4.3 ounces
• Available Sizes: XS through XXL
• Pair with Patagonia Capilene Midweight Bottoms

Pros

• Comfortable 
• Reasonably affordable
• Easy to throw on over existing clothing

Cons

• Doesn’t layer as well as other thermal underwear options we tested
• No merino wool content

Most of the time, we’re looking for thermal underwear that we can layer under our existing clothes. Whether it’s a wicking shirt going under our puffer jacket or a thin extra layer disappearing under our front country clothes, it’s unlikely that anyone is going to see it. But sometimes all you want is a lightweight thermal layer that can actually perform in cold temperatures to throw on top of the best hiking shirt. 

This is what the Patagonia Capilene Midweight is. It looks great while layering over anything. This midweight keeps me warm and wicks sweat. It still looks good after dozens of washes (just a little pilling) and, for a fully synthetic layer, does not particularly hold onto excess smell. Even better: It’s an affordable option for people looking to add a do-it-all layer to their wardrobe.

Best for Cold and Wet: Ibex Woolies 2 Crew

Ibex

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Key Features

• Fabric Content: 100 percent merino wool
• Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Available Sizes: XS through XL
• Pair with Ibex Woolies 2 Bottom

Pros

• Very warm
• Great wicking and temperature regulation

Cons

• Expensive
• Don’t layer as well underneath frontcountry clothing

Before I started using the Ibex Woolies 2, it wasn’t uncommon to see me starting a winter trail run in a puffer jacket. Even if it meant that I had to carry it around my waist for four and a half miles, I felt that being warm for the first half mile (at least on my upper body) more than made up for it. 

The Ibex Woolies 2 has been a game changer for me. This thick all-merino layer not only keeps me warm at the start of runs in temperatures down to freezing with nothing more than a sports bra and a pair of shorts, they are also great at temperature regulation and moisture management: by the time I’ve warmed up enough take to take off this layer I can trust that it’s because my body is sufficiently warmed up (and dry) to handle the chill of the outside air. The puffer jacket hasn’t made an appearance since I started using these. Even better is that after a full season of regular use they essentially look new with no pilling and no holes: I expect them to last for many, many years of use. 

Best Budget: Uniqlo Heattech Ultra Warm Crew Neck Long Sleeve

Uniqlo

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Key Features

• Fabric Content: 41 percent acrylic, 37 percent polyester, 18 percent rayon, 4 percent spandex
• Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Available Sizes: XXS through XXL
• Pair with Uniqlo Heattech Ultra Warm Leggings

Pros

• Great skin feel
• Very affordable
• Plenty warm for chilly spring mornings

Cons

• Thicker material than other thermal underwear layers we looked at 

Our testers, many of whom identify as running cold, were obsessed with the Uniqlo Heattech Ultra Warm series. While several of us were familiar with Uniqlo’s standard Heattech line (which has been a mainstay of budget thru-hiking for a decade), the Ultra Warm series were some of the most comfortable, and warmest, thermal underwear any of us had ever tried. Our Alaska tester says she plans to “live in these all winter around my cabin” while another hopes that Uniqlo will simply come out with a blanket in this material. The one downside to these layers is that they are fairly thick—plan to layer them under looser clothing for when the temperatures drop down into the thirties and below. 

Heated Thermal Underwear: Fieldsheer Merino Heated Baselayer

Fieldsheer

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Key Features

• Fabric Content: 50 percent merino wool, 40 percent lyocell, 10 percent nylon (shell) 100 percent polyester (lining)
• Weight: 18 ounces (top), 14 ounces (bottoms)
• Available Sizes: XS-2XL
• Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
• Pair with Fieldsheer Merino Heated Baselayer Pant

Pros

• Extra warm
• Hood and thumbholes on sleeves

Cons

• Expensive
• Bottoms are ill fitting

In extreme cold, heated base layers are a dream. The wool provides excellent insulation while small batteries heat up two wired panels on each layer. Simply charge the 4 ounce batteries and slip one into each pocket. On the hooded shirt, the zippered pocket is sewn-in and on the pants a slip pocket on the leg holds the battery and a fold of fabric covers the top. I tested these while night skiing in single digit temperatures. The heat was particularly welcome while seated on a cold, dark ski lift with no protection from the wind.

You can control the heat levels from an app on your phone so you don’t have to dig under a ton of layers to adjust the temperature. The hooded top with thumb holes is comfortable and the heating panels keep my back warm. I wouldn’t wear this layer without the battery or on long hikes though because it’s heavy and you can feel the wires. But the breathable polyester lining is soft while the hollow merino fibers trap the heat.

The pants definitely have room for improvement. They are ill fitting with a low, wide waist and not enough room in the seat. They also fit my 5-foot, 7-inch frame like capris which is okay in ski boots, but if you’re hunting, walking the dog, or otherwise outdoors, wear tall, thick socks to make up for this significant gap in coverage.

Read Next: The Best Heated Vests of 2023

The Rest of the Field

While both the Ibex Woolies Tech and the Outdoor Research Alpine Onset Merino 150 were solid options that performed well in the field, our testers felt their higher price point and looser cut made them less functional as thermal underwear for women. We were particularly surprised with the roominess of the Outdoor Research Alpine Onset Merino 150 (size down on this once if you are in between sizes). That being said, both are great layers that will keep you warm in a variety of conditions if you happen to find them on sale. 

We were excited to try women’s brand Kari Traa, but were ultimately disappointed by their performance. They were surprisingly scratchy, to the point that several testers took them off and risked being cold rather than continue to wear them. We were also disappointed at the amount of packaging that their layers came in, easily the most excessive (and difficult to get into) of anything we looked at. 

Decathlon makes a wide array of lower price gear aimed at the entry-level market, so we were curious to see how their merino base layers would stack up. Unfortunately, our testers found them noticeably less comfortable than others we tested. Given how close the price point is to our best overall pick, we think most people will be happier spending slightly more on the quality of the Montbells, while anyone after a true budget pick will be better served by the extremely low cost of the synthetic Uniqlo Heattech Ultra Warm series. 

Things to Consider Before Buying Thermal Underwear for Women

Material

The best material for thermal underwear is merino wool, as wool is known for its thermal regulation, retaining heat significantly better than synthetic fibers. That’s because merino wool is naturally semi-hollow, which allows it to trap heat without adding weight. Another benefit to wool in thermal underwear is that the naturally occurring lanolin repels odor. Merino does not pick up smells over time (the way synthetics so often do), and our testers found that that they can be worn multiple days in a row without stinking. While modern wool treatments make it more comfortable than the scratchy wool sweaters of yore (merino itself also has naturally smoother fibers) it is still not as comfortable as other fibers. To add comfort (and durability), merino is frequently paired with synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester, as well as elastane or spandex to give it a bit of stretch. 

Read Next: The Best Wool Socks

Features

Our testers looked at layers with a range of features, including quarter zips, thumbholes at the sleeves, and hoods. If you are planning to wear your thermal underwear under an existing layer, it’s best to avoid additional features such as these as they will add unnecessary bulk (and potentially cost). However, if you plan to use your thermal underwear as an active base layer for hiking, then these features can add extra warmth and protection.

Thickness

Layering thick material underneath your existing clothing can be uncomfortable. Look for a thin material with good skin feel when making your selection. 

Price

The best thermal underwear is typically made from fine-grade merino wool, which can make it fairly expensive. Synthetic thermal underwear will typically cost less but can pick up and retain odors over time. 

FAQs

Why Trust Outdoor Life

Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. We have more than a century-long history of evaluating products, and we’re now bringing that expertise to online reviews. Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, we’re trained journalists. We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works—or doesn’t.

Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products—because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear—we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.

Final Thoughts

If you consistently find yourself cold when you’re outside in the fall and winter months, then it may be time to consider picking up a couple of pairs of thermal underwear. Our group of five women testers took these out backpacking for several days over the spring with temperatures plunging into the forties and consistently high humidity. We’ve rounded up our favorite picks from that trip (many of which we continue to wear in our frontcountry and backcountry life) to help keep you warm in the chilly months to come: 

• Best Overall: Montbell Super Merino Wool Lightweight 
• Best for Hiking: Black Diamond Solution 150 Merino 
• Best Ventilation: Smartwool Intraknit 
• Best Outer Layer: Patagonia Capilene Midweight 
• Best for Cold and Wet: Ibex Woolies 2
• Best Budget: Uniqlo Heattech Ultra Warm 
• Heated Thermal Underwear: Fieldsheer Merino Heated Baselayer

The post The Best Thermal Underwear for Women of 2023 appeared first on Outdoor Life.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best for Beginners		Merrell Moab 3	SEE IT
Best Zero Drop		Altra Lone Peak 7	SEE IT
Best Waterproof		Vasque Breeze	SEE IT

Realistically, hiking shoes are whatever footwear you’re wearing while hiking. Many people take to the trails in whatever sneakers or hand-me-down boots are around the house. While this can take plenty of beginners pretty far (depending on the terrain) there’s no replacement for a good pair of women’s hiking shoes. 

A shoe made for the kind of hiking you plan to do that fits your feet will help you fully enjoy your time outside. Hiking shoes are also sometimes a category all their own. They are lighter than hiking boots and don’t feature an ankle collar. They’re also heavier and more durable than trail runners or minimalist hiking shoes. However, we’ve compiled a list of a variety of hiking footwear that is best for women. This way you can find the best women’s hiking shoes that fit your foot, typical terrain, and hiking style.

• Best for Beginners: Merrell Moab 3
• Best Zero Drop: Altra Lone Peak 7
• Best Transition: Topo Ultraventure 2
• Best Hybrid: Danner Trail 2650 Campo GTX
• Best Minimalist Shoe: Vivobarefoot Primus Trail II FG
• Most Comfortable: Hoka Speedgoat 5
• Best Waterproof: Vasque Breeze
• Best Winter Hiking Boot: Danner Arctic 600

How We Tested the Best Women’s Hiking Shoes

OL staff writer, Laura Lancaster, and I have worn all of the shoes on this list on day hikes, multi-day backpacking trips, and thru-hiking. From minimalist shoes like the Vivobarefoot Primus Trail II FG to the best winter hiking boots like the Danner Arctic 600, we tested a variety of women’s hiking shoes to give you options tailored to your hiking style.

Best Women’s Hiking Shoes: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall: Merrell Moab 3

Merrell

SEE IT

Key Features

• Weight: 1 pound 10 ounces
• Drop: 11.5mm
• Lug: 5mm
• Merrell Air Cushion heel
• Vibram TC5+ outsole
• 100 percent recycled laces and webbing
• Available in a waterproof version

Pros

• Comfortable
• Durable
• Good for wider feet

Cons

• Heavy

The Moab 3 provides excellent shock absorption and traction while keeping out debris. The Vibram outsole is stable but flexible enough for technical maneuvers. Deep lugs keep traction on anything from slick rock to sand, though fine sediment tends to cling on to the shoe. Though, the thick walls, high backs, and bellowed tongue keep the inside of the shoe free from pesky rocks, dirt, and brush. The upper mesh and laces also keep out unwanted debris even in deep sand.

Last year, I put the Moab 3s through three days of intense durability testing in their namesake location. Dreams of peeling outsoles, ripped mesh, and tearing seams danced in my head as I crawled through tight rocks, stemmed across keeper holes, and stomped through muck, but alas, I failed to destroy this budget beast of a shoe. Instead, I found myself grateful for the intense grip, protective toe, and stellar shock absorption. If the Moab’s held up in Moab, you can count on these in almost any terrain. 

Read my full Merrel Moab 3 review to learn more. 

Best Zero Drop: Altra Lone Peak 7

Altra

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Key Features

• Neutral support
• Less cushioned
• Heel Drop: 0mm
• Stack Height: 25mm at the heel

Pros

• Comparatively low stack height can help prevent ankle rolls
• Zero drop can help to strengthen feet (over time) and reduce knee issues
• Wide toe box and roomy sizing can help prevent blisters

Cons

• Can lead to injury if your feet, ankles, and calves are not sufficiently trained up
• Popularity on trail can give the impression that this is a good shoe for everyone
• Shorter life span than other picks on this list

Thru-hikers have been singing the praises of Altra Lone Peaks for years, and for good reasons. The Lone Peak is one of the most comfortable trail runners out there. Its wide base (especially the toe box) allows for foot growth and minimizes blisters. It also supports a midfoot or forefoot strike, with all the accompanying ergonomic benefits.  

But the Altra Lone Peak is not the shoe for everyone. Its growing dominance on trail is leading to problems. Morgan Brosnihan, a doctor of physical therapy who primarily treats thru-hikers says, in large part due to its popularity, she sees people having more trouble with this shoe than any other. If you are a natural heel striker with limited ankle and toe flexibility, you should avoid this shoe. Start your hike with another trail runner on this list. Even if you do have the strike pattern and foot flexibility to take on this shoe, be sure to exercise your foot and lower legs in it heavily (with a loaded pack) before starting out on trail. Calf strength is essential to avoiding injuries with a shoe like the Altra Lone Peak. 

Brosnihan also noted that the Altra Lone Peaks have a shorter life span than other trail runners out there. While several options on this list can make it out to 500 miles, this shoe is really only good for up to 300. The Altra Lone Peak Hiker features an ankle collar and won the most comfortable award in The Best Hiking Boots for Women. —Laura Lancaster

Read the Outdoor Life gear team’s review of the Altra Lone Peak 6 to learn more

Best Transition: Topo Ultraventure 2

Topo

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Key Features

• Weight: Men’s: 20.8 ounces, Women’s: 16.6 ounces
• Stack height: 25mm
• Heel-to-toe drop: 5mm 
• Lug height: 6mm
• Vibram XS Trek EVO rubber outsole
• Available in regular only

Pros

• Wide toebox
• Moderate cushion
• Great heel lock

Cons

• Durability in harsh terrain
• No wide option

This trail runner is the perfect bridge from a hiking boot to a lightweight hiking shoe. The wide toebox allows for excellent toe splay favoring stability and balance on rocky terrain. It breathes easy and the thick lugs and cushioning outsoles make for a an extremely comfortable trail runner out of the box. If you’re interested in a minimalist shoe, but concerned about making the jump, this shoe can also be a transition between a hybrid show like the Danner and a zero drop shoe like the Altra or Vivobarefoot. Its lower stack height and heel drop is just minimalist enough to ease your feet and gait into new footwear while the heel lock keeps you feeling secure. There is no wide option, but the toebox has a good amount of room.

If you’re frequenting talus fields or scree-filled slopes, you might run into durability issues. I did 100 miles above alpine in these shoes and came home to rip one on a dirt trail day hike. While I certainly put this shoe through the wringer, it was only 5 months old and in the vicinity of 200 miles. It shouldn’t have damage to the extent noticeable in the photo. However, the Topo team did replace my pair after the rip and the replacement is still my go-to shoe.

Best Hybrid: Danner Trail 2650 Campo GTX

Danner

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Key Features

• Weight: Men’s: 24 ounces, Women’s: 19 ounces
• Stack height: 32mm
• Heel-to-toe drop: 8mm 
• Lug height: 4mm
• Vibram 460 outsole
• Gore-Tex option
• Available in regular and wide

Pros

• Great fit
• Protects the foot like a traditional hiking shoe
• Fast break-in period

Cons

• Heavier than a typical trail runner
• Substantial heel-to-drop promotes heel striking

It can be tough to transition from the durability and secure fit of a heavier hiking boot or hiking shoe to lightweight trail runners, which aren’t always built for the heavy loads some backpackers carry. In preparation for an upcoming thru-hike, one tester took the Danner Trail Campo 2650 GTX on a series of day hikes that totaled fifty miles around Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky. She found that the integrated tongue of the shoe improved the overall fit, locking her heel into place and giving her the stability she was accustomed to from hiking shoes. Strategically placed leather panels on the upper also helped protect her toes and Achilles area, while the ventilation in the Gore-Tex kept her feet from overheating. 

But they were more akin to trail runners when it came to comfort, “I did not have to break them in at all—they felt great on the first hike,” she reported. —Laura Lancaster

Best Minimalist: Vivobarefoot Primus Trail FG

Vivobarefoot

SEE IT

Key Features

• Weight: Men’s: 18.4 ounces, Women’s: 15.7 ounces
• Stack height: 6.5mm
• Heel-to-toe drop: none 
• Lug Height: 4mm
• Firm ground outsole
• Available in regular only (although they run wide) 

Pros

• Short stack height and zero heel drop make this a true barefoot shoe
• Durable lugs and reinforced upper

Cons

• The upper requires some break-in
• Does not provide as much ground feedback as others

Most minimalist trail runners are breezy, barely-there affairs, with only the thinnest membrane between your feet and the ground. And while that works well for low-key trail runs, the Vivobarefoot Primus FG can tackle more challenging backcountry conditions like slickrock, volcanic pumice, or the scorching desert floor at midday.

I wore these on a thru-hike of the Colorado Trail and was impressed by their durability. At the end of the trip, there were no holes in the upper and the seam at the feather edge was intact. While the lugs were worn to a nub at the forefoot, there were no significant signs of wear on the outsole itself. Despite being on the heavy side (although still substantially lighter than a standard trail runner), the Primus FG still performed like a minimalist shoe and promoted a mid-foot to forefoot strike that kept my foot low enough to the ground to negate any concerns of ankle roll. They also dried fast after stream crossings.

One word of caution is that this shoe should only be worn on the trail by people already accustomed to minimalist footwear, as an undeveloped arch is at risk of developing plantar fasciitis without the support of a standard trail runner or hiking shoe. —Laura Lancaster

Read Next: The Best Thru-Hiking Shoes of 2023

Most Comfortable: HOKA Speedgoat 5

Hoka

SEE IT

Key Features

• Weight: Men’s: 20.6 ounces, Women’s: 17 ounces
• Stack height: 32mm
• Heel-to-toe drop: 4mm 
• Lug height: 5mm
• Vibram Megagrip outsole
• Gore-Tex option
• Available in regular and wide

Pros

• Comfortable 
• Improved stability from previous models
• Excellent traction in wet, slippery conditions

Cons

• Can feel heavy
• Narrow toe box doesn’t allow the foot to splay naturally

The substantial cushion on the Hoka Speedgoat 5 will catch your eye immediately. This feature makes this shoe the go-to for a wide range of people, from day hikers to trail runners to thru-hikers. But the stack height belies the mild heel-to-drop on this shoe, which promotes a mid-foot strike (as opposed to a heel strike), which lessens the impact on the rest of your body—especially if you’re carrying a heavy load down a steep trail. 

Compared to previous versions of the Speedgoat, the 5s have slightly less cushion but are substantially more stable. An OL staff member noted that, in combination with the Vibram outsole and 5mm lugs, these shoes were excellent on their state’s varying terrain. Whether backpacking or or trail running, “from solid trail to steep skree fields…my foot felt secure and supported,” they said. —Laura Lancaster

Best Waterproof: Vasque Breeze

Vasque

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Key Features

• Weight: 1 pound 5 ounces
• Drop: 6mm
• Nature-Tex 50 percent post-consumer recycled waterproof membranes
• Anatomical high-rebound footbed
• Vibram Ground Control LiteBase with Megagrip Compound outsole
• Mesh upper is made of suede and 70 percent post-consumer recycled materials

Pros

• Stable
• Grippy
• Waterproof

Cons

• Narrow
• Stiff

With a narrow, snug fit, this low-drop shoe is great for hikers unwilling to sacrifice stability for less weight. The stiff style and uncompromising sole give the hiker control and confidence while still offering a light and breathable feel thanks to the mesh and thin suede upper. The waterproof technology is called Nature-Tex, utilizing 50 percent recycled materials. It is one of the most waterproof shoes I’ve ever worn with no leakage, even around the laces while submerged. I stood in a creek as deep as I could go without allowing water to flow over the ankle for a few minutes and my feet stayed completely dry.

While hiking I felt protected and secure in the Breeze LT NTX. The shoes only weigh 1 pound and 5 ounces, but they are designed to be durable and withstand the elements. These will certainly last a long time with proper care. If you prefer a hiking shoe that hugs every part of your foot, the Breeze is just right. While the Breeze is slender throughout, the tight space for your heel to fit caused a real problem by stiffly and aggressively rubbing the back of my foot

Read my full review of the Vasque Breeze LT NTX here

Best Winter Hiking Boot: Danner Arctic 600

Danner

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Key Features

• Sizes: Men’s 7-14 (wide available); women’s 5-11
• Outsole: Vibram Nisqually Arctic Grip
• Insulation: 200g Primaloft Gold
• Danner Dry liner

Pros

• Best traction on ice in my test
• Very warm
• Side zip allows for easy on and off

Cons

• Side zip represents a point of failure

The Danner Arctic 600 performed exceptionally well on every test I threw at it. The Vibram Arctic Grip outsole (in combination with this shoe’s lug design) was extremely impressive. The stickiness of the traction meant I could barely tell I was walking on ice—it was almost impossible to slip with these shoes. Similarly this shoe stayed warmer than every other boot in my test while standing in the early spring runoff of the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River, and no moisture made its way into the boot. I did note, however, that this boot was the coldest at the side zipper. 

The Danner Arctic 600’s side zipper was an unusual feature among the boots that I tried. While putting on and taking off boots seemingly every fifteen minutes, I appreciated that I could put on and remove these shoes without having to untie and retie the laces.

But as everyone who spends time outdoors knows, zippers represent a significant failure point on just about any piece of gear—and that goes double for waterproof zippers like those on the Arctic 600. If you are concerned about the long-term durability of the zipper (and I would be), consider not using this feature on a day-to-day basis.

Read Next: Best Hiking Shoes for Men

How to Choose the Best Women’s Hiking Shoes

Ankle Support

It turns out that the upper of a hiking boot does not help prevent ankle rolling—it’s actually the firmness of the base that does this. If you’re thinking about switching to a hiking shoe from a hiking boot, you can test this by trying to twist the base of the shoe. If it moves, it won’t provide as much ankle support. 

Arch Support

On long hikes or backpacking trips, it’s common for the arch of the foot to become fatigued, which can lead to plantar fasciitis. A common cause of this, especially among day hikers and backpackers, is overpronation, where the foot leans or collapses inward. Anyone experiencing this, or suffering from pain while they walk might benefit from an insole like Superfeet (individuals with exceptionally strong arches may prefer a Currex insole). 

Shoe Size

With hiking shoes, it’s important that there’s some space between your toes and the end of the shoe—aim for about a finger’s width of space between the end of your toes and the tip of the shoe. For most people, that will work to about a half size larger than they typically wear. However, Kelley cautions that many people, especially women, rely on shoe sizings that they received when they were younger, and don’t take into account the natural growth of the foot over time. Getting your foot sized by a professional—something you can do through REI’s Virtual Outfitting without visiting a store—is an important part of choosing a hiking shoe. 

Traction

Traditionally, one of the most important differences between trail runners and hiking shoes was the size of the lugs. But today, there are a number of trail runners on the market with substantial lugs that mirror the functionality of traditional hiking shoes or boots. 

Durability

One important difference between hiking shoes and trail runners is durability. Hiking shoes typically last for 500 to 700 miles, while trail runners only last 300 to 500 miles. Factors that can affect this include the durability of the rubber, the sole, the midsole, and the uppers (leather vs. mesh), as well as the weight of the person wearing the shoes and the conditions they frequent. —Laura Lancaster

FAQs

Why Trust Outdoor Life?

Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. We have more than a century-long history of evaluating products, and we’re now bringing that expertise to online reviews. Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, we’re trained journalists. We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works—or doesn’t.

Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products—because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear—we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.

Final Thoughts

The best women’s hiking shoes can help you hike farther, more comfortably. From winter boots to minimalist shoes, there’s a variety of quality hiking shoes to choose from. You should always try on shoes if possible before committing to wearing them on a long hike. Some of the women’s hiking shoes on this list are comfortable out of the box like the Merrel Moab 3 and others will need to be broken in like the Vasque Breeze. But there’s a hiking shoe for you on this list:

• Best for Beginners: Merrell Moab 3
• Best Zero Drop: Altra Lone Peak 7
• Best Transition: Topo Ultraventure 2
• Best Hybrid: Danner Trail 2650 Campo GTX
• Best Minimalist Shoe: Vivobarefoot Primus Trail II FG
• Most Comfortable: Hoka Speedgoat 5
• Best Waterproof: Vasque Breeze
• Best Winter Hiking Boot: Danner Arctic 600

The post The Best Women’s Hiking Shoes of 2023 appeared first on Outdoor Life.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Even experienced campers have trouble remembering all the odds and ends that you need to set up your home away from home in the great outdoors. There are so many easy-to-forget items, like a pillow, matches, permits, that it makes sense to consult a camping checklist before heading out. We’ve put together a quick reference guide for campers and their families to consult before going off grid. 

If you’re looking to plug some gaps in your setup, we’ve also rounded up our top picks based on dozens of in-depth tests of tents, sleeping bags, camping stoves, cookware, ultralight chairs, and more. 

The Camping Checklists

The Master Camping Checklist

You’ve been camping for years, but you always seem to forget something. Review this list before you pull out of the driveway. 

Camping Checklists for Kids, Dogs, and Reluctant Campers

Whether you’re bringing your kids, your dog, or your significant other for the first time, here are the camping checklists you need to make it a success.

Get the Camping Gear

When you’re ready to round out your camping gear checklist with some best-in-class options, we’ve done the testing to get you started.

Tent 

• Our Top Pick: MSR Habiscape
• Beginner Tent: Coleman Skydome Camping Tent
• Family Tent: Eureka Copper Canyon LX8
• Overlander’s Tent: iKamper Skycamp 2.0

See the in-depth reviews: Two-person tents, 8-person tents, budget backpacking tents, rooftop tents, camping tents

Sleeping Bags

• Our Top Pick: NEMO Forte
• For Beginners: Klymit Wild Aspen
• For Kids: Morrison Outdoors Big Mo

See the in-depth reviews: Sleeping bags, sleeping bags for camping, backpacking quilts

Sleeping Pads

• Our Top Pick: Exped MegaMat
• For Beginners: REI Trailmade
• For Kids: Therm-a-Rest Ridgerest
• For Couples: Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe

See the in-depth reviews: Camping cots, camping mattresses for couples, backpacking sleeping pads

See also: What is R Value? Its Why Your Sleeping Bag Doesn’t Keep You Warm 

The Kitchen 

Stove

• Our Pick: Coleman Eventemp 3 Burner Propane Stove

See the story: Camping Stoves

Cookware

• Our Pick: Stanley Adventure Even-Heat Camp Pro Cookset

See the story: camping cookware

Cooler

• Our Pick: Rovr Rollr
• Best Value: RTIC Hard Cooler

Read the full reviews to see which products are best for your camping checklist: camping coolers, small coolers

Water Container

• Our Pick: Dometic GO Hydration Water Jug
• Budget Pick: Igloo 6-Gallon Camping Water Container

See the story: water containers

Camping Dishes

• Our Pick: Sea to Summit X-Plate
• Best for Families: Snow Peak Tableware Set

See the story: camping dishes

Camping Utensils

• Our Pick: Ust Klipp Utensil Set

See the story: camping utensils 

Camping Accessories

Lantern

• Our Pick: Black Diamond Apollo
• Also great: BioLite AlpenGlow 500

See the story: camping lanterns

Flashlight or Headlamp

• Our Pick: Decathlon Forclaz HL 500
• Also Great: Gear Light S1000 LED

See the stories: headlamps, flashlights

Hammock

• Our Pick: ENO Doublenest

See the story: camping hammocks

Blanket

• Our Pick: Kammok Mountain Blanket
• Best wool: Ibex Wool Blanket
• Best Picnic: YETI Lowlands Blanket

See the story: camping blankets, wool blankets for camping 

Games

• Our Pick: Deck of cards
• Best Late Night: One Night Ultimate Wearwolf

Read the full review for more options to add to your camping checklist: camping games

Camping Table

• Our Pick: Dometic GO Compact Camp Table
• Also Great: Nemo Moonlander Dual-Height Table

See the story: camping tables 

Shower

• Best Overall: Decathlon Quechua Solar Pressure Shower 500
• Also Great: Coleman OneSource Rechargeable Built-In Pump Camp Shower Sprayer

See the story: camping showers 

Power Bank

• Our Pick: BioLite Charge 40 PD
• AC Outlet: Anker 511 Portable Power Station

See the story: power banks for camping

Solar panel

• Our Pick: Anker 625 Solar Panel
• Also Great: Lion 50W Foldable

See the story: solar panels for camping

FAQs

Why Trust Outdoor Life?

Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. We have more than a century-long history of evaluating products, and we’re now bringing that expertise to online reviews. Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, we’re trained journalists. We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works—or doesn’t.

Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products—because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear—we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.

Final Thoughts on Camping Checklists

I always consult a camping checklist before heading out on an adventure. It’s saved me from getting all manner of things—toothbrush, first-aid kit, even my tent—and provides peace of mind before getting off grid. Keep this link bookmarked for easy future reference before your next off-grid adventure. 

The post Camping Checklist: Don’t Forget These Must-Have Items appeared first on Outdoor Life.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best Overall		Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe Self-Inflating Sleeping Mat	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary So comfortable you’ll forget it’s a camping mattress.
Best for Cold Nights		EXPED DeepSleep Mat Duo 7.5 LW+	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Warm enough for chilly camp nights.
Best Closed-Cell Foam		HEST Dually Long	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Exceptional comfort and durability.

At a certain point, every outdoorsy couple looks at their matching twin sleeping pads and wonders why their tenting setup resembles a 1950s sitcom bedroom: time to upgrade to a couples camping mattress. But getting your first double-wide sleeping pad is typically a significant investment—and one that can mean the difference between a cozy, restful night of sleep and dark looks on the car ride home. To help you make the right choice for you and your significant other, we checked out some of the most popular models to find the best camping mattresses for couples available today: 

• Best Overall: Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe Self-Inflating Sleeping Mat
• Best for Cold Nights: Exped DeepSleep Mat Duo 7.5 LW+
• Most Comfortable: Exped MegaMat Duo 10 LW+
• Best Closed-Cell Foam: Hest Dually Long
• Best Height: Coleman SupportRest Plus PillowStop Double High Airbed
• Best Multipurpose: Klymit Klymaloft Sleeping Pad Double 
• Best Air Mattress: ALPS Mountaineering Vertex Air Bed 

Methodology 

I tested camping mattresses for couples over a series of weekend trips and evaluated them on a range of criteria: 

• Ease of use: Initial set-up time in my test ranged from multiple hours to no time at all, using either an included air pump or blowing it up the old-fashioned way. I have noted where compatible air pumps are available for an extra charge for those camping mattresses that did not include them in the initial purchase. 
• Comfort: While sleeping on the camping mattresses for couples with another person, I considered how the cushion level of each pad compared to the mattress I typically use at home. I also paid attention to motion transference, as a major issue for many couples is that the feeling of one person turning over or getting up to use the restroom in the middle of the night can cause the other person to wake up as well. 
• Packed size: For most car campers, space is at a premium. In addition to noting the packed size in the key features section, which will help you to determine whether you can even fit the camping mattress in your trunk, I also noted how much space you can expect long-storage to take up. 
• Warmth: In addition to the noted R rating, I used these camping mattresses in shoulder season temperatures to get a sense of whether they provided sufficient warmth for a range of outdoor environments.  
• Durability: All camping mattresses for couples were in use for at least 48 hours, to see how much, if at all, they deflated during that time. One self-inflating camping mattress, the Stoic Double Cloud Camp Bed, deflated on the second day of use after developing a hole. At that point, it was removed from consideration in my test. 

Best Camping Mattresses for Couples: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall: Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe Self-Inflating Sleeping Mat

Sea to Summit

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Key Features 

• R rating: 6.5
• Height: 4 inches
• Weight: 9 pounds, 13 ounces
• Size: 51 x 79 inches
• Shell Fabric: 30D polyester upper, 75D polyester base
• Packed Size: 27 x 9 inches
• Warranty: Lifetime

Pros

• Extremely comfortable 
• Warm
• Durable

Cons

• Expensive
• Bulky
• Confusing valve design

Of everything, the Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe came closest to the feel of my mattress at home—easily the most comfortable double camp bed in my test. Its four inches of foam not only made this pad super cushy but also provided substantial warmth. The 6.5 R rating here was more than enough to protect me from the cold of the ground while sleeping outside in temps that fell to the 40s. I also appreciated that I was able to inflate this camping mattress to my preferred level of firmness after the self-inflation period was complete. 

Like all self-inflating mattresses, it’s best to keep your expectations low the first time you try to inflate. During testing, the Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe did not inflate at all when left open for an hour—typical for self-inflating mattresses during the first use and after lengthy storage periods. (Subsequent attempts to allow the air mattress to self-inflate went much better, but still expect to do some significant top-off).

The valve for the Comfort Deluxe is also somewhat confusing if you are used to the valves seen on their air sleeping pads: the valve that I thought I was supposed to use to dump out all the air from the mattress was in fact the valve to self inflate. To deflate the mattress, I had to open the self-inflate valve, flip the toggle around (not twist, which is what the arrow on the toggle initially seems to imply) to the side that said “deflate,” and then reattach it to the valve. But once you get the hang of the setup, this one comes together surprisingly fast for a self-inflating sleeping pad. 

The dimensions of the Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe when rolled up are significant—this pad was as big as the 8-person tents that I tested on the same trip. It is also recommended that you store this pad inflated at home to maximize its lifespan, which can be difficult for anyone with limited storage space. 

Best for Cold Nights: EXPED DeepSleep Mat Duo 7.5 LW+

EXPED

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Key Features 

• R rating: 9.0 
• Height: 3 inches
• Weight: 9 pounds, 13 ounces
• Size: 52 x 77.6 inches
• Shell Fabric: 75D polyester 
• Packed Size: 27.6 x 11.8 inches
• Warranty: Five years

Pros

• Extremely warm
• Comfortable
• Durable
• Multiple size options available

Cons

• Expensive
• Bulky

The EXPED Deep Sleep was a close second to the Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe during testing, just losing out on sheer comfort. But if I was headed out on a car camping trip during the shoulder season months, there is no question that this is the camping mattress I would bring along. The 9.0 R rating on this pad was very noticeable, even when temps dropped into the forties on my testing trip. In fact, I got so warm while sleeping on this pad that I had to kick off part of the sleeping quilt I was using. My husband ended up switching to a lightweight camping blanket. 

The so-called self-inflatable aspect of the Exped Deep Sleep behaves similarly to the Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe. Expect to top off both using either a pump (not provided) or use your breath—the valves were much more straight-forward. With the Exped, there is also the option to purchase a widget that, in addition to serving as an air pump for your camping mattress, can also be used as a light and a battery pack for your phone.  

If you’re looking for the extreme warmth of the Exped Deep Sleep coupled with the comfort of the Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe, the popular Exped MegaMat may be exactly what you are looking for. 

Most Comfortable: EXPED MegaMat

Exped

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Key Features

• R rating: 8.1
• Height: 4 inches
• Weight: 10 pounds, 3 ounces
• Size: 52 x 77.6 inches
• Shell Fabric: 75D polyester 
• Packed Size: 27.6 x 11.8 inches
• Warranty: Five years

Pros

• Warm
• Comfortable
• Durable
• Multiple sizes available

Cons

• Expensive
• Bulky

The MegaMat Duo 10 is the goldilocks camping mattress for couples. It marries the comfort of the Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe with the warmth of the Exped Deep Sleep. The plush foam coupled with the ability to inflate it to your preference results in an 8.1 R value pad that feels more comfortable than an air mattress. I let this pad self-inflate for a while and it did get substantially full. With this mattress, Exped includes the mini-pump widget so I topped it off with more air.

The 75D bottom felt durable enough for me to drag out into the grass to relax on during the day. I had ample room to stretch. And when it got sprinkled on before I could put it back in the tent, it dried quickly. Rolling up the mat is easy, but it still feels bulky. The roll-top bag allows you to tighten it though to keep it as small as possible. It is too large to fit in the back of my Subaru Crosstrek, but in a pinch I think I could make it work. If you do want a car pad, opt for the MegaMat Duo M size instead.

Best Closed-Cell Foam: HEST Dually Long

HEST

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Key Features 

• R rating: Pending
• Height: 3.9 inches
• Weight: 27 pounds
• Size: 50 x 78 inches
• Shell Fabric: Nylon twill
• Packed Size: 72 x 30 inches
• Warranty: One year 

Pros

• Comfortable
• Easy to use
• Great for light sleepers
• Wide size also available

Cons

• Very expensive
• Very bulky

Self-inflating camping mattresses for couples do an exceptional job of balancing car space with personal comfort. But if storage space is not an issue in your camping setup, then the pure simplicity of a closed-cell foam mattress may be an even better choice. The HEST is one of the best camping mattresses for couples, with two layers of memory foam that provide ample support and protection from any bumps on the ground without the need for additional air. Since the memory foam is divided in the middle (so that the camping mattress can be folded up for travel) it also means there will be no movement transference between two people while sleeping on the HEST Dually Long. 

This camping mattress doesn’t really pack down at all, only folding in the center with a handle. It is also awkward to move and surprisingly heavy. If you plan to leave your camping mattress out for significant periods of time (such as in a truck bed), this could be a good choice, but if you are traveling in anything smaller than a Chevy Suburban you may find that the HEST Dually Long takes up more space than you like. 

Best Height: Coleman SupportRest Plus PillowStop Double High Airbed

Coleman

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Key Features 

• R rating: Not available
• Weight: 20 pounds, 8 ounces
• Height: 18 inches
• Size: 78 x 60 inches
• Packed Size: 17 x 7 inches
• Warranty: One year

Pros

• Great height
• Compact storage size
• Durable enough to use in a tent

Cons

• Provided air pump requires an AC outlet to operate
• Not suitable for shoulder season use
• Most motion transference in my test

The first thing that you notice about this camping mattress is just how tall it is. I’ve had regular Queen-size mattresses that aren’t this tall. If bending over to lie on a low air mattress has you reconsidering camping, then this might be the solution for you.

I was impressed by the durability of the SupportRest Plus. After several days, it was still almost fully inflated—more than comfortable enough to sleep on. Unfortunately, the included air pump for this air mattress (a requirement to inflate something of this size) requires an AC outlet, so check to see whether your camping battery pack has one before committing. 

Because the interior of this camping mattress is nothing but air, it’s easy for the cold of the ground to seep in. Consider choosing a pick with a higher R rating if you plan to camp during the shoulder seasons or at higher elevations. I also noticed that the motion transference on the Coleman SupportRest Plus is pretty significant. Light sleepers may not only find it too distracting to share with another person but even to sleep solo. 

Best Multipurpose: Klymit Klymaloft Sleeping Pad Double 

Klymit

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Key Features 

• R rating: 2.1
• Weight: 6 pounds 
• Height: 5 inches
• Size: 78 x 53 inches
• Shell Fabric: 75D polyester
• Packed Size: 26.75 x 9 inches
• Warranty: Lifetime

Pros

• Low packed size
• Comfortable

Cons

• Not self-inflating 

If you want one pad for car camping and low-key backpacking trips, look no further. At six pounds, the Klymaloft more than justifies its weight for low-key backpacking trips or base camps. And its foam topper above the inflatable air chambers resulted in a level of comfort during testing that was only a notch below the self-inflating pads and closed-cell foam pads. 

Unlike the other camping mattresses for couples in this test that used both air and foam—the Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe and EXPED Deep Sleep—this sleeping pad is not self-inflating. Plan to spend a little extra time inflating this one on backpacking trips, and consider purchasing the Klymit air pump for car camping trips. 

One thing I noticed during testing was that the construction of the valve looks as if it needs a pump to inflate. But it works the same as an air valve on the best backpacking sleeping pads once you get the hang of it. Two tie-down straps make this one more of a chore to pack down than other backpacking pads but still significantly easier than a typical self-inflating pad. Once I had the Klymit Klymaloft cinched in, its packed volume was smaller than everything but the ALPS Mountaineering Vertex Air Bed. 

Best Air Mattress: ALPS Mountaineering Vertex Air Bed 

ALPS Mountaineering

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Key Features 

• R Rating: None
• Weight: 4.75 pounds
• Height: 6 inches
• Size: 56 x 80 inches
• Shell Fabric: 150D polyester oxford
• Packed Size: 18.5 x 8.5 inches
• Warranty: Lifetime

Pros

• Small packed size
• Durable
• Easy to set up
• Provided air pump can be charged prior to camping

Cons

• Not as warm or comfortable as mattresses that used foam

For a 6-inch-high air mattress, the ALPS Mountaineering Vertex delivers a surprising amount of durability and comfort. I was able to charge the provided air pump at home before heading out for a long weekend of camping, which made blowing up the mattress a cinch. The air pump was so useful that I ended up using it to inflate the EXPED Deep Sleep and Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe as well.

While there is some motion transference when two people are using this air mattress, it was less than other air mattresses I’ve used in the past, including those in my test. If you are an exceptionally light sleeper, it might be better to opt for the HEST Dually Long, but for most people this shouldn’t be an issue. 

The 150D fabric of the ALPS Mountaineering Vertex was the thickest of any in my test, and the durability showed. After three days of testing, the air mattress was still fully inflated. The thickness of the fabric also didn’t compromise the small packed size of this mattress, which, at about the size of a basketball, was the smallest in my test.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Couples Camping Mattress

Shell Material

The exterior of inflatable camping mattresses for couples are typically constructed from either polyester or nylon at varying thicknesses, which is measured in denier (D). Most camping mattresses for couples are around 75D in thickness, with a thicker shell providing additional durability. Nylon is generally a stronger material than polyester, but laminates (which can make a pad more airtight) apply better to polyester than to nylon.

Foam

Some camping mattresses for couples use all foam, some use all air, and some use a combination of both. There are advantages and disadvantages to these different makeups. Camping mattresses that include foam tend to be bulkier, while all-air mattresses tend to suffer more long-term durability issues. Air mattress also have more motion transference that can be a problem for light sleepers. Mattresses that use both foam and air typically feel more like the mattress you use at home. They also are typically middle of the road for durability and packed size. And these pads are almost always the most difficult to set up and pack away. 

Stored Size

There are two stored sizes to keep an eye on when choosing a camping mattress for couples. Look at the stored size in your car, and the stored size in your home. While air mattresses and closed-cell foam mattresses will be the same size in both situations (small and huge, respectively), self-inflating mattresses, which should be left inflated when stored in your home, can be rolled up to a manageable size in transit. 

R Rating

As anyone who has been camping during a shoulder season knows, the cold from the ground will suck out your body heat faster than cold air. Sometimes leaving you shivering underneath even the best sleeping bags and best camping blankets. The R value measures how well the pad insulates (or “resists,” hence the R) the cold. One is the lowest rating (suitable for lowland camping at the height of summer). And it goes all the way up to 10 (typically only needed in extreme conditions). Where sleeping pad manufacturers once conducted their own testing (or in some cases simply guessed) as of 2020, R ratings are standardized by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Camping mattresses that only use air provide essentially no insulation from the cold of the ground, and typically do not have R ratings. 

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Final Thoughts

The three self-inflating mattresses in my test—the Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe, Exped Deep Sleep, and Exped MegaMat Duo 10—while expensive and comparatively difficult to use, delivered such exceptional comfort and warmth that they earned the top spots in this review. If you have plenty of extra space in your outdoor rig (or plan to keep one of the best camping mattresses for couples in the same spot all season), the HEST Dually Long is an exceptionally comfortable closed-cell-foam mattress. If space is at a premium, either the easy-to-use ALPS Mountaineering Vertex or foam-and-air Klymit Klymaloft provide plenty of comfort. 

• Best Overall: Sea to Summit Comfort Deluxe Self-Inflating Sleeping Mat
• Best for Cold Nights: Exped DeepSleep Mat Duo 7.5 LW+
• Most Comfortable: Exped MegaMat Duo 10 LW+
• Best Closed-Cell Foam: Hest Dually Long
• Best Height: Coleman SupportRest Plus PillowStop Double High Airbed
• Best Multipurpose: Klymit Klymaloft Sleeping Pad Double 
• Best Air Mattress: ALPS Mountaineering Vertex Air Bed 

The post The Best Camping Mattresses for Couples of 2023 appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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Honorable Mention		Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Mat	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Easy to inflate, warm enough for alpine adventures, and comfortable enough for a full night’s sleep.
Best Overall		Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary The warmest pad for its weight on the market
Best Budget		Big Agnes Insulated AirCore Ultra	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary An affordable option that can keep you warm during shoulder-season adventures.

It only takes one fitful night of sleep after a long day of hiking—hips bruised, lower back throbbing, cricked neck—to realize the importance of a great backpacking sleeping pad. But adding a quality pad also adds significant weight and cost to your kit, so it’s essential to get the right pad the first time. After testing 17 different backpacking sleeping pads from seven different manufacturers, these are our top picks for the best backpacking sleeping pads for every adventure. 

Inflatable Backpacking Sleeping Pads

• Best Overall: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT
• Honorable Mention: Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated
• Best for Summer: Nemo Tensor  Ultralight
• Best for Winter: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm
• Best Ultralight: Therm-a-Rest Uberlite
• Most Comfortable: Klymit Klymaloft
• Best for Couples: Exped Ultra 3R Duo
• Best Budget: Big Agnes Insulated AirCore Ultra
• Best for Inflatable Skeptics: UST Freestyle Lightweight

Closed-Cell Foam Sleeping Pads

• Best Overall: NEMO Switchback
• Best Lightweight: Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL
• Best for Side Sleepers: Exped FlexMat Plus
• Best Budget: Exped FlexMat

How I Tested the Best Sleeping Pads

I’ve trekked for thousands of miles (sleeping hundreds of nights in the backcountry) and used that experience to evaluate these sleeping pads on the factors that are the most important to backpackers: comfort, ease of inflation/deflation, packed size, and an important vector I’m going to call stay-on-ness—i.e., how easy was it to wiggle off the side when I tossed and turned in a standard sleeping bag. Weight and stack height were checked against manufacturer specifications, and the stack height and weight figures published in this review were taken from our own measurements. Stack height measurements were taken in the middle of the pad, and based on the maximum inflation I was able to achieve using the accompanying pump sack (or blowing into the pad itself if one wasn’t provided). As such, some measurements may vary from the manufacturer websites.

Durability was evaluated based on the fabric type used, but we’ll be sending the top pads out into the field with backpackers this summer to better evaluate how various fail points (seams, valves) hold up to the rigors of the trail. We’ll continue to update our review as the season progresses. 

Best Inflatable Backpacking Sleeping Pads: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT

Therm-a-Rest

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Key Features

• Size Range: S (20 inches x 47 inches) to RW (25 inches x 77 inches)
• Weight: 12.5 ounces for a regular (8.3 ounces for a small)
• Height: 2.5 inches
• R Rating: 4.5
• Fabric: 30D ripstop HT nylon

Pros

• Comfortable enough to cushion hips on even rocky terrain 
• Very lightweight compared to other pads with a similar R value
• Surprisingly durable for its fabric thickness

Cons

• Confusing valve, no included pump sack

The latest iteration of the NeoAir Xlite—the NXT—finally fixes the longstanding noise issue that had kept this backpacking sleeping pad from being our best overall pick in the past. In my review of this best-in-class sleeping pad, I found that while it wasn’t perfectly silent, its crinkle level has been reduced to the point that all but the very lightest sleepers are unlikely to be disturbed.

I’ve successfully used the NeoAir Xlite NXT for hundreds of miles on multiple thru-hikes. It’s the perfect combination of lightweight and comfort, with an R rating that will see you through alpine adventures and shoulder-season excursions alike. 

Despite the relatively thin material, the only mishap I’ve experienced with the NeoAir XLite was when I inadvertently slept on top of an especially pointy rock (the 2.5-inch stack height ensured I didn’t even notice it was there), which resulted in a deflated mattress by morning. Fortunately, I was able to patch the pad with the repair kit the next day. 

The only downside to the NeoAir Xlite NXT is the less-than-intuitive valve and a pump sack that takes about three times as long to use as other models out there. But these are small considerations next to the pros of this pad: It will keep you warm and comfortable on the chilliest nights and add a negligible amount of weight to your pack. —Laura Lancaster

Honorable Mention: Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated

Sea to Summit

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Key Features

• Size Range: S (21.5 inches x 66 inches) to L (25 inches x 79 inches)
• Weight: 19.2 ounces for a regular mummy (includes air bag stuff sack)
• Height: 4 inches 
• R rating: 3.2
• Fabric: 30D/40D nylon

Pros

• Comfortable in a wide range of sleeping positions
• Easy to inflate and deflate
• Good balance of durability with weight and R value

Cons

• Slightly heavier than other pads in our test
• Lower R rating than our best overall pick

This was the easiest pad to inflate of all I tested. It uses a pump sack that’s integrated into the stuff sack for the sleeping pad, a thoughtful touch that worked exceptionally well. After connecting the nozzle to the inflate plug, you hold the bag about a foot from your face and blow air at it to inflate the bag, then you squeeze the air from the bag into the pad. It only took six rounds with the pump sack to inflate the Ether Light XT on my first try—less than a minute. I also like that the inflate plug and the deflate plug use the same opening, as this reduces the number of fail points for the pad. 

The dimpled structure of the baffling on the Ether Light XT made it easier to find a comfortable position than pads that had vertical, horizontal, or honeycomb baffling, and the 4-inch height meant my hips were well protected from the ground when sleeping on my side. 

While not quite as warm or quite as light as our best overall pick, the 3.2 R rating of the Ether Light XT will work well for backpackers looking to start their trips in late spring and make their last trip of the year before the leaves fall. 30D and 40D nylon strands are woven together to make this pad more robust than our lightweight picks, although backpackers should still be sure to protect it from the ground with a lightweight tarp if they aren’t using a tent.—Laura Lancaster 

Best for Summer: Nemo Tensor Ultralight

Nemo Equipment

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Key Features

• Size Range: R (20 inches x 72 inches) to LW (25 inches x 76 inches)
• Weight: 14 ounces for a regular uninsulated mummy bag with velcro strap, 15.6 ounces for insulated
• Height: 2.5 inches
• R Rating: 2.5 (non insulated), 4.2 (insulated)
• Fabric: 20D polyester

Pros

• Lightweight
• Comfortable baffling
• Option to use velcro strap (.2 ounce) or stuff sack (.6 ounce)
• Optional pump sack (1.9 ounces)

Cons

• Less durable than other pads

Backpackers who like the baffling of the Sea to Summit Ether Light but are tempted by the low weight of the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT will find some middle ground with the Tensor Ultralight series. I like that the Tensor comes with an optional lightweight pump sack, so that backpackers can choose, trip to trip, between a couple of ounces of weight savings and the convenience of rapid inflation when they reach camp. 

For another couple of extra ounces, there is also the option to increase the R value of the non-insulated pad (appropriate for lower elevation summer treks only) to an R value that will get you out to the shoulder seasons and up to alpine terrain. This amount of customization makes the Tensor stand out from the other best backpacking sleeping pads, and it’s something that backpackers who oscillate between casual weekend trips and big-mile days and week-long treks will appreciate.

The thinness of the fabric means that you’ll need to take special care to ensure the Tensor doesn’t develop a leak. New backpackers should go with the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite NXT or Big Agnes Insulated AirCore Ultra for better durability.—Laura Lancaster

Best for Winter: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm

Therm-a-Rest

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Key Features

• Size Range: R (20 inches x 72 inches) to L (25 inches x 77 inches)
• Weight: 17 ounces
• Height: 2.5 inches 
• R Rating: 7.3
• Fabric: 30D ripstop nylon

Pros

• High R rating is appropriate for all-season use
• Lightweight for its performance

Cons

• Expensive
• No double-wide option available

If you’re headed into the snow, then a 2.5-R rating isn’t going to cut it. But most heavy-duty sleeping pads are well over two pounds, adding both bulk and weight to your (probably already heavy) winter backpacking kit. The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xtherm takes the lightweight insulation of the NeoAir Xlite and ratchets it up a notch. Rather than using three layers of the metallic insulation, the Xtherm boasts six, which brings it up to an R rating of 7.3 while still clocking in at only 17 ounces. 

While the valve and pump bag on the Xtherm have the same issues as the Xlite, the R value and weight of this pad make it a must-have for anyone looking to cut weight on their winter camping kit.—Laura Lancaster

Best Ultralight: Therm-a-Rest Uberlite

Therm-a-Rest

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Key Features

• Size Range: S (20 inches x 47 inches) to L (25 inches x 77 inches)
• Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Height: 2.5 inches 
• R Rating: 2.3
• Fabric: 15D nylon

Pros

• Extremely lightweight
• Comfortable

Cons

• Expensive
• Lower R rating is not suitable for shoulder season or alpine adventures
• More fragile than heavier sleeping pads

This backpacking sleeping pad is so light and so tiny, you’ll barely notice it’s in your pack during the day. But at night, it’s just as comfortable as the standard Xlite. There are two catches here—the first is that this has about half the R rating of the Xlite, similar to top-performing closed-cell foam pads. It’s suitable for summer camping (and early fall if you run hot), but you’ll be compromising the performance of the rest of your sleep system if you take it into colder conditions than that. 

The second is that this sleeping pad is fundamentally more fragile than the Xlite. Instead of a 30D ripstop nylon, it only uses 15D nylon for the shell. If you’re used to getting away with only a cursory kick of the largest rocks before throwing your sleeping pad on the ground, you’re going to need to take more care with this pad(some kind of groundsheet beneath it is a must).—Laura Lancaster 

Most Comfortable: Klymit Klymaloft

Klymit

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Key Features

• Size Range: R (72 inches x 23 inches) to XL (78 inches x 29 inches) and a double (78 inches x 53 inches)
• Weight: 2 pounds, 4.5 ounces
• Height: 2.5 inches (the XL and the double are 5 inches)
• R Rating: 2.1
• Fabric: 75D polyester

Pros

• Extremely comfortable
• Surprisingly small packed size for a pad with a foam topper

Cons

• Heavy
• No pump sack

If you want one pad for car camping and low-key backpacking trips, look no further. The Klymaloft has a foam topper above the inflatable air chambers, which makes it feel closer to an actual mattress than anything we tried—including traditional car camping pads. You could almost forget you weren’t at home in your own bed.

One thing I noticed during testing was that the construction of the valve is different from standard backpacking sleeping pads—some of our testers thought at first that it needed a pump to inflate—but it works the same as a regular air valve once you get the hang of it. Two tie-down straps make this one more of a chore to pack down than other backpacking pads, but once I had it cinched in, its packed volume was surprisingly close to other pads in the test. 

While the Klymaloft is unacceptably heavy by lightweight backpacking standards, the extra weight is worth the good night’s sleep, at least on low-mileage trips.—Laura Lancaster 

Best Double Sleeping Pad: Exped Ultra 3R Duo

Exped

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Key Features

• Size Range: M (72 inches x 41.3 inches) to LW (77.6 inches x 51.2 inches)
• Weight: 29.3 ounces 
• Height: 3 inches
• R Rating: 2.9
• Fabric: 20D ripstop polyester

Pros

• Great pump sack
• Lightweight for its size

Cons

• Lower R rating than other double-wide pads available

Whether you are looking to share a pad with a significant other, or just want the extra space for your own comfort, the Ultra 3R Duo is a great choice. Its simple vertical baffles were comfortable to lie on in multiple positions—back, side, stomach—and the tapered foot design mirrors the shape of a number of backpacking tents on the market.

Couples will like that the baffles for each side of the mat are inflated separately, which reduces the likelihood that your partner will wake you up in the middle of the night, while individuals using the Ultra 3R Duo will appreciate that they roll through seamlessly, avoiding an uncomfortable spot in the middle of the mat. 

During testing, I found that the large pump sack captured a surprising amount of air (I was able to inflate the entire air mattress in four rounds), but I had to watch the neck of the pump sack to make sure it didn’t get twisted. While not as intuitive to use as the Sea to Summit pump sack, the roll-top design made this one more efficient with practice.—Laura Lancaster 

Best Budget: Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra

Big Agnes

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Key Features

• Size Range: S (20 inches x 48 inches) to XL (25 inches x 78 inches) and a double-wide (50 inches x 78 inches)
• Weight: 22 ounces 
• Height: 3.25 inches
• R Rating: 4.5
• Fabric: 40D ripstop nylon

Pros

• Comparatively low price
• Thick enough for side sleepers to sleep comfortably
• High R value for the price point

Cons

• Wide baffles make for a bumpier sleeping surface
• Difficult to put back into its small stuff sack
• Heaviest pump sack I tested was also the hardest to use (but still better than blowing into the valve myself)

After you’ve shelled out major dollars for a backpack, a tent, and a sleeping bag, there isn’t always a lot leftover for a sleeping pad. But the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Ultra is an affordable option that is warm enough to take you up into the alpine and into the shoulder seasons while staying comfortable enough to ensure you’re actually glad to be out there. 

The Air Core Ultra uses vertical baffles that are substantially wider than others on the market. For the 20 inches x 72 inches size, the Big Agnes had six baffles, while the Exped Ultra 3R had eight. This meant that when I was resting on my back, I could feel the individual baffles underneath me. It’s not uncomfortable, per say, but it is distracting. That said, side sleepers will find the thickness of this mattress quite cushy. 

At 3.9 ounces, the pump sack for the Air Core Ultra was easily the heaviest we weighed (although props to Big Agnes for making it out of upcycled pad material) and took noticeably longer to use than the versions from Exped, Sea to Summit, Nemo, or UST.—Laura Lancaster 

Best for Inflatable Skeptics: UST Freestyle Lightweight Backpacking Sleeping Mat

UST

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Key Features

• Size Range: M (72 inches x 41.3 inches) to LW (77.6 inches x 51.2 inches)
• Weight: 21 ounces
• Height: 2.7 inches
• R Rating: 1.7
• Fabric: 20D nylon (bottom) and 30D polyester (top)

Pros

• Roll-top closure for easy pack up
• Fun design
• Integrated pump sack 
• Low price

Cons

• Low R value is only appropriate for summer trips (but equivalent to closed cell-foam)
• Strange baffling design can be difficult to get comfortable on for back sleepers

If you or someone you know thinks that inflatable air pads just aren’t worth the hassle—too hard to inflate or deflate, not worth the price, no need for that much comfort in the backcountry anyhow—this is the best backpacking sleeping pad to convert them. While the bold color choices here are what grabbed our attention at first, it was the unique integrated stuff sack and pump sack that made the UST Freestyle stand out. With this sleeping pad, you put the deflated, rolled-up sleeping pad directly into the stuff sack and then use the roll top to cinch down to a smaller size—no need to roll and then reroll your pad to get every square inch of air back out. Genius. 

While the baffling design of the Freestyle made it one of the least comfortable pads in our test, it’s still miles better than closed-cell foam pads or—and we know you wouldn’t do this—sleeping directly on the ground. Its stacked height is more than enough to protect your hips from hard rock surfaces, and the 1.7 R rating provides respectable insulation from the cold ground in the summer months.

One note on the weight: This pad came in at 9 ounces heavier on my scale than it states on the website.—Laura Lancaster 

Best Closed-Cell Foam Backpacking Sleeping Pads: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall: NEMO Switchback

NEMO

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Key Features

• Size Range: S (20 x 51 inches) and R (20 x 72 inches)
• Weight: 14.5 ounces for a regular
• R Rating: 2
• Insulation: Low-emissivity film

Pros

• Comfortable
• Lightweight
• Insulated coating
• Packs down to 5 inches

Cons

• Not very durable

I have used the short version of this pad for eight months now, so I was excited to see how it measured up to its competitors. The hexagonal node pattern is part of what makes this pad the most comfortable in all sleeping positions. Instead of a traditional egg carton pattern, the nodes are more spread out, taking away the pokey feeling other pads have. This unique design is also what makes the Switchback pack down compactly and stay so warm. I recently slept like a baby in the low 40s using this pad alone. I supplement it with a backpacking pillow and add an inflatable pad for winter excursions.

However, if you’re guilty of thrashing your gear (like I am), then this pad could be quick to show signs of wear. While the dual-density foam offers a cushy top layer and supportive bottom layer for improved comfort, that supple top layer can be easily shredded by branches and rocks. Unlike the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite, however, the insulated coating is protected by the accordion fold. This pad is meant to be slept on silver side down, because the orange foam layer acts as a heat trap, catching the warmth of your body that’s being reflected back to you via the low-emissivity film.—Ashley Thess

Best Lightweight Closed-Cell Foam: Therm-a-Rest Z Lite SOL

Therm-a-rest

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Key Features

• Size Range: S (20 inches x 47 inches) and R (20 inches x 72 inches)
• Weight: 14 ounces for a regular
• R Rating: 2
• Insulation: Reflective ThermaCapture coating

Pros

• Lightweight
• Insulated coating

Cons

• Packs down to 6 inches thick
• Doesn’t include a box for storage

Therm-a-Rest advises Z Lite sleepers to keep the shiny silver side of the mat up to reflect body heat. However, this means that the insulation is exposed when the pad is folded. Any closed-cell foam sleeping pad is at risk of being thrashed a bit while bushwhacking or dropping your pack because they are strapped to the outside of your backpack. I would rather the insulation fold inward so that it isn’t being compromised by abrasive sticks and rocks.

The reflective coating still gives the SOL an edge on the FlexMats. What makes this pad great is the weight and R value, but the inefficient accordion fold makes this pad pack down rather large for its .75 inch thickness. While not as comfortable as the FlexMat Plus or the Switchback, it is more comfortable than the FlexMat. This middle-of-the-road pad is best for layering but can effectively be used on its own.—Ashley Thess

Best for Side Sleepers: Exped FlexMat Plus

ExPed

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Key Features

• Size Range: S (20.5 inches x 47.2 inches) to LW (25.6 inches x 77.6 inches)
• Weight: 16.9 ounces for a medium
• R Rating: 2.2
• Thickness: 1.5 inches

Pros

• Thick
• Warm
• Comfortable

Cons

• Packs down to 7 inches thick
• Not good for stomach sleepers

If you’re a slide sleeper that wants to give closed-cell foam sleeping pads a chance, this is the best backpacking sleeping pad for you. The FlexMat Plus is comfortable on its own for summer trips and adds a significant 2.2 bump in R value to an inflatable pad for colder temperatures. This allows you to spend less on an inflatable pad, because you won’t need to shell out for a higher R value. This system also allows you to skip the extra ounces of an additional pad when the weather is warm while staying comfortable. However, if you’re a stomach sleeper, this might not be the pad for you. I found the extreme egg carton pattern to be uncomfortable when turned onto my stomach. However, when lying on my back or side, this pad was plush.—Ashley Thess

Best Budget: Exped FlexMat

ExPed

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Key Features

• Size Range: S (20.5 inches x 47.2 inches) to LW (25.6 inches x 77.6 inches)
• Weight: 11.5 ounces for a medium
• R Rating: 1.5
• Thickness: .75 inches

Pros

• Lightweight
• Packs down to just 4.5 inches thick
• Resilient

Cons

• Low R value, even for closed-cell foam pads

The FlexMat is the thinnest foam pad I tested. While not the most comfortable on its own, it is low-profile and lightweight for ultralighters or as the base for an inflatable pad. Ideal for layering, this slim piece of foam could be the difference between a punctured inflatable pad and just 11.5 extra ounces. It is most certainly more comfortable than sleeping on the ground and it is relatively durable when branches and rocks inevitably scratch it. The nodes on this pad are also the most resilient of all the closed-cell foam pads in this test. They don’t show any obvious signs of flattening out and they quickly recover after being squashed by sleeping or sitting. It’s a versatile and worthy addition to your pack for an all-in-one butt pad, hot pad, sled, insulator, and sleeping pad at a low price point and minimal additional weight.—Ashley Thess

How To Choose a Backpacking Sleeping Pad

Your Sleep System

Your backpacking sleeping pad is the foundation of your sleep system, so it’s important to consider how it integrates with either the best sleeping bag or the best backpacking quilt. Keep in mind that the temperature ratings of sleeping bags assume you are using a sleeping pad with a minimum R rating of 4.8.

Noise

While most inflatable backpacking sleeping pads aren’t exactly silent, they are quiet enough. The exception used to be the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir series. The reason for this is not, as you might at first think, the material on the outside of the sleeping pad: It’s what’s inside. The metalized film in the insulation—the secret sauce of its best in class weight to R rating ratio—is what’s making that loud crinkly sound. However, those that decided the noise was a deal-breaker, despite the premium weight to R value ratio, can rejoice at Therm-a-Rest’s newest update to the NeoAir: the Xlite NXT, our best overall pick.

Thickness

Too-thin backpacking sleeping pads can become uncomfortable over the course of the night, especially for individuals who are sensitive to feeling the hardness of the ground against their backs or hips. In my experience, thickness is more important than the inclusion of foam in an inflatable sleeping pad (a major reason why I don’t recommend so-called self inflating mattresses for backpacking). 

Comfort

This is a subjective measurement, more so as there isn’t any backpacking sleeping pad which is truly comfortable—don’t expect to be as comfortable as you are at home. Far and away the most important factor impacting your comfort is if it’s thick enough to protect you from the hardness of the ground. Next up is the inclusion of foam (although this typically comes with a major weight penalty). Finally, there is the baffle design. In my personal experience, the waffle design of backpacking sleeping pads like the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Mat are the most comfortable, but others prefer the horizontal baffle style of the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir or the the more unusual design of the Klymit Static V2. The only way to determine what your preference is is to try a few different types out camping. 

Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pad

Inflatable vs. Closed-Cell Foam

The choice between an inflatable sleeping pad versus closed-cell foam is one of performance versus reliability. Inflatable pads are warmer, lighter, fit easily into your pack, and are almost always more comfortable. However, closed-cell foam pads never unexpectedly deflate overnight, don’t take up room inside your pack, and double as a butt pad for breaks. (Learn more from our guide to inflatable vs. cell-foam sleeping pads.)

Material

The exterior of inflatable backpacking sleeping pads is usually constructed from either polyester or nylon at varying thicknesses, which is measured in denier (D). Most backpacking sleeping pads are between 20D, the thinnest material, typically used for ultralight pads, to 75D in thickness, which approaches the thickness typically seen on car camping pads. Nylon is generally a stronger material than polyester, but laminates (which can make a pad more airtight) apply better to polyester than to nylon. 

Closed-cell foam pads are obviously made of closed-cell foam which is an insulating and water resistant material that can keep hikers happy on warm nights and supplement an inflatable pad in the cold. The best backpacking sleeping pads made of closed-cell foam sometimes include a metallic lining for an increased R rating.

Weight

Most of the best backpacking sleeping pads weigh between 1 and 2 pounds, with the heavier end of the spectrum providing greater comfort and the lighter end of the spectrum typically running quite narrow. It’s hard to put a value on a great night of sleep when you’re facing ten plus miles of hiking in the morning, so we recommend erring on the side of caution. One way to save weight, for some backpackers, is to choose a short sleeping pad, and then tuck your backpack under your feet at night. This way, your hips and shoulders get the benefit for a fraction of the ounces. 

Size

There are two sizes that you should be concerned with—the size of the pad packed into your backpack or strapped to the outside, and the size of the pad when it’s inflated. Most pads today come in sizes ranging from short to tall, regular to wide; however, in our experience even the “wide” size—typically 25 inches—is not all that wide. Two exceptions to this are the Klymit, which has a wide size of 29 inches, and the Big Agnes Q Core Deluxe, which goes out to 30 inches. Couples looking to share a pad can look for a double-wide pad or one of the best camping mattresses for couples.

Shape

Most sleeping pads are one of two shapes: rectangular or mummy. The idea behind the mummy-shaped pads is simple—your body isn’t rectangular, so why should your pad be? This design also shaves off a few ounces. But plenty of backpackers, especially side sleepers, find that the mummy-shaped pads are easier to roll off of, and prefer a rectangular pad for that reason. 

R Rating

As anyone who has been backpacking during a shoulder season knows, the cold from the ground will suck out your body heat faster than cold air, leaving you shivering inside of your 20-degree bag. The R value measures how well the pad insulates (or “resists,” hence the R) the cold, with 1 being the lowest rating (suitable for lowland backpacking at the height of summer) all the way up to 10 (typically only needed in extreme conditions). Sleeping pad manufacturers once conducted their own testing (or in some cases simply guessed), but as of 2020 R ratings are standardized by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

FAQs

Why Trust Outdoor Life?

Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. We have more than a century-long history of evaluating products, and we’re now bringing that expertise to online reviews. Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, we’re trained journalists. We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works—or doesn’t.

Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products—because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear—we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.

Final Thoughts on the Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads

Though not considered one of the “Big 3,” choosing the best backpacking sleeping pad for your sleep style and the temperatures you plan to trek out into is essential for avoiding the dreaded Type III fun. I sometimes skimped on pads when I was younger. But with more experience, I learned that a good sleeping pad makes it a lot easier to get a good night’s sleep, and that in turn makes the next day’s adventure all the more fun. I recommend thinking about your sleeping pad, sleeping bag or quilt, and, ideally, a pillow, as a complete system and budget your funds and ounces accordingly. 

The post The Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads of 2023, Tested and Reviewed appeared first on Outdoor Life.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best Overall		Sea to Summit X-Plate	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Durable, well insulated, and packs down to an impressive half inch.
Best Budget		Coleman Enamelware Dinner Plate	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Solid functionality and a classic design at a solid price.
Best Set		Snow Peak Tableware Set	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary An elegant, versatile design that’s lightweight and packable.

Camping dishes, you ask? You mean those plastic-coated paper things you grab at the store while picking up a couple of bags of ice for the weekend? Yeah, those. There are a couple of reasons your paper plates need to go. First, they’re not great for the natural world you’re trying to enjoy. Also—given how many of those you’ve had to buy over the years—they really do end up costing more than the real deal. Finally, they just don’t work. They’re too flimsy to hold anything more substantial than potato chips. You pasta sauce spills over the sides. And that steak you just grilled over the campfire deserves a better presentation. To help you upgrade, I tested nine of the best camping dishes available and from that group selected the top six performers.

• Best Overall: Sea to Summit X-Plate
• Best Stainless Steel: GSI Glacier Stainless Deep Plate
• Best Plastic: Sea to Summit Delta Plate
• Best Budget: Coleman Enamelware Dinner Plate
• Best Set: Snow Peak Tableware Set
• Best Insulation: Hydro Flask Plate

How I Tested the Best Camping Dishes

To test the best camping dishes, I first compared the manufacturer weight and size specifications against my own measurements. I also measured the depth of each dish to better understand how it would work for saucy meals like pasta, or even soup.

Next I poured boiling water onto each camping dish, waited a few seconds, and then tried to pick it up. Some of the plates were comfortable to hold for long periods of time, while others were so scalding I had to set them back down. Next I tried to scratch each camping dish with a standard stainless steel fork, and then a butter knife.

Finally, I tested each option for durability. I took the camping dishes outside and threw them into the air, letting them fall on the pavement of the street (the “throw test”). Next I held a two-and-a-half-pound weight at shoulder height and dropped it on each camping dish (the “drop test”), aiming to hit both the center and the side, to mimic what would happen if something heavy was dropped onto a dish. I additionally took several of the camping dishes on a field test to ensure there weren’t additional factors that might impact performance on a camping or overlanding trip. 

In the below table you’ll see a breakdown of how each camping dish performed in the testing categories. The MSR Alpine Plate, UCO 4-Piece Mess Kit, and Odoland Stainless Tableware Kit did not make the cut for my final best camping dishes list because they were not overly impressive in any category.

Best Camping Dishes: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall: Sea to Summit X-Plate

Sea to Summit

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Key Features

• Manufacturer Size: 8 inches; measured size: 8.5 inches 
• Manufacturer Weight: 5 ounces; measured weight: 6.2 ounces 
• Materials: Silicone; nylon base
• Depth: 1.4 inches
• Dishwasher safe

Pros

• Deep enough to hold saucy foods or even soup
• Surprisingly durable
• Insulates well
• Packs down small

Cons

• Nylon base is not scratch resistant
• Pricey 

The Sea to Summit X-Plate scored high in both durability and insulation, and it collapses down to an impressive half inch when it’s time to pack up, which made it the best overall. Whether it’s backpacking or camping, the last thing I want to worry about at the end of a long day outdoors is a plate. So the durability of the Sea to Summit X-Plate in both the throw test and the drop test excelled—if I squint, I can see a tiny scuff on its edge, but that’s it. I was also impressed at how well the X-Plate insulated my hand from heat during the boiling water test, which came in second overall. 

But what makes the X-Plate unique is its collapsible sides. When they were up, the plate was almost one and a half inches deep, the highest of any we tested, but less than half an inch tall with the sides dropped down, which would be my preference for anything that needs a knife and fork. The collapsible sides also make it easier to pack into a camping box at the end of the day. 

Best Stainless Steel: GSI Glacier Stainless Deep Plate

GSI

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Key Features

• Size: 8.5 inches
• Weight: 5.3 ounces
• Materials: stainless steel
• Depth: 1.4 inches
• Dishwasher safe

Pros

• Versatile enough for both soup and a knife and fork
• Can nest multiple plates together
• Withstood most scratching effectively

Cons

• Showed some denting after the drop test

Stainless steel camping dishes are popular for good reason. They look great, and if you treat them well, they’ll last for years. The GSI Glacier passed the throw test with flying colors without any damage and suffered only minor denting from the drop test (which gave it a bit of a cool, rugged look). It showed no scratches when I used a fork on it and only a light scratch from a butter knife. Given that it’s just a thin sheet of stainless steel, I was surprised that it provided any insulation during the boiling water test. I wouldn’t hold it from the bottom with hot soup, but a glancing touch won’t singe your hand.

The depth of this plate makes it functional for a wide variety of backcountry meals, from soup to salads to steaks. And its curved design also means that it stacks well if you’re purchasing one for each member of the family. 

Best Plastic: Sea to Summit Delta Plate

Sea to Summit

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Key Features

• Manufacturer Size: 9 inches; measured size: 8.75 inches 
• Manufacturer Weight: 4.6 ounces; measured weight: 4.3 ounces 
• Materials: Polypropylene
• Depth: 1.1 inches
• Dishwasher safe

Pros

• Extremely durable
• Enough insulation from hot foods
• Lightweight enough for backpacking

Cons

• Doesn’t nest as well as others in the test
• Scratches easily

Great durability combined with solid insulation and BPA-free materials made the Sea to Summit Delta my favorite plastic camping dish. As someone who grew up eating off of scuffed-up, scratched plastic plates while car camping, I found that the Sea to Summit Delta really appealed to my nostalgia. Fortunately, it was much more durable than the plates of my youth and survived both the throw test and the drop test with only minor scuffs. The honeycomb pattern on the bottom gave it functional heat resistance—I wouldn’t want to hold this plate for a long time with hot soup in it but getting it from the camp kitchen to the table wouldn’t hurt.

I also liked its depth, which works well for salads and pastas, but it can also handle food that requires a knife and fork. This one did show scuffs from both a knife and fork, similar to other plastic plates. My only real complaint with the Delta is that it takes up more space in my camping box than others in this test. 

Best Budget: Coleman Enamelware Dinner Plate

Coleman

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Key Features

• Size: 10 inches
• Weight: 11.5 ounces
• Materials: Alloy steel
• Depth: 0.4 inches
• Dishwasher safe

Pros

• Classic look elevates any camping meal
• One of the least expensive plates tested
• Scratch resistant

Cons

• Suffered significant scuffing and chipping during the throw and drop tests
• Lacks insulation from food heat

The Coleman enamel plates have solid functionality and a classic design at a great price. It’s hard to beat the classic speckled appearance of an enamel plate. Unlike the plastic and stainless steel plates I tested, the Coleman enamel plate did not have any scratches after I used both a fork and knife on it. While this camping dish did not bend or break during the throw and drop tests, significant chunks of the enamel came off. It could still be used for meals, but the appeal of its appearance disappeared. That said, the price and stackability of this camping plate make purchasing additional ones a reasonable option.

Best Set: Snow Peak Tableware Set

Snow Peak

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Key Features

• Size: 8.5 inches (for the plate) 
• Weight: 4.7 ounces (for the plate); 15.5 ounces (for the set)
• Materials: Stainless steel
• Depth: 0.75 inches
• Dishwasher safe

Pros

• Space efficient design
• Versatile dish sizes and shapes
• Plate is lightweight enough for backpacking

Cons

• Less durable than other stainless steel plates I tested
• Poor insulation from food heat

An elegant, versatile design made the four pieces of this packable lightweight set a go-to in my camping box. If you enjoy creating elaborate, photo-worthy backcountry meals, a single plate or a single bowl can make this challenging. That’s why I love this Snow Peak tableware set—the four pieces range in size and shape from dinner plate to soup bowl and provide plenty of variety for anything you have in mind. 

This set lacks durability. The plate bent on the throw test and had severe indents after the drop test. It also did a poor job of insulating my hand from boiling water (although this is less of an issue when you can stack a plate underneath a soup bowl). But these stacked well inside of the camping box, especially when there was more than one set stacked together, minimizing my concerns about long-term damage.

Best Insulation: Hydro Flask Plate

Hydro Flask

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Key Features

• Size: 10 inches
• Manufacturer Weight: 1 pound, 9 ounces; measured weight: 1 pound, 8 ounces  
• Materials: Stainless steel
• Depth: 0.75 inches
• Dishwasher safe

Pros

• Excellent insulation
• Rugged

Cons

• Not a space efficient choice
• Pricey

This plate had the best insulation I tested and a pleasing heft to it that handled the drop test better than most. Not only is the Hydro Flask Plate larger than any other camping dish I tested, at 0.86 inches high, it’s also larger than the ceramic plates I use at home. But if space isn’t an issue in your camping rig, there’s a lot to like here. First, it’s pretty dang durable. Only one small dent appeared at the side from the throw test (likely the weight of the plate itself was a factor here), and it came out of the tougher drop test almost completely unscathed. It also resisted scratching quite well. Only a single faint line showed after I used a knife on it.

The double-walled insulation (think of your camping mug) attributed to the heft of this plate, which provided excellent insulation. I could barely feel the heat from the boiling water on the sides of the plate and only a slightly unpleasant heat at the center. If you’re tired of treating burns after you singe your fingers whenever you pick up a thin stainless steel or titanium plate, this camping dish can help keep your fingers burn-free.

FAQs

Things to Consider Before Buying Camping Dishes

Material

Camping dishes are made out of a number of different materials including stainless steel, plastic (such as melamine), enamel, silicone, and titanium. Different materials have different advantages and disadvantages—including price, durability, functionality, and aesthetic. For instance, stainless steel and titanium camping dishes are generally more durable than enamel or plastic, while enamel dishes show fewer scratches from a knife and fork than other materials. 

Size

Overlanders, car campers, and RV campers may prefer larger camping dishes—something that can fit a steak and a couple of sides—while backpackers or backcountry hunters may want something lighter and more compact to go along with their backpacking food. 

Shape

Unlike modern dinnerware sets, camping dishes come in a variety of heights, from nearly pancake flat to a borderline bowl. Several camping dishes that I looked at for this roundup straddled the distance between plate and bowl and worked equally well as either. The thickness of a plate also impacts how well it’s able to insulate your hand from the heat of your food. 

Nesting

While it’s possible that you are looking to purchase a single camping dish, it’s more likely that you are looking to purchase dishes for multiple people. Nesting dishes are designed to fit neatly together, making them easier to stack and pack away in your camping box, especially if you have to pack other things like a camping stove or kettle. 

Why Trust Outdoor Life?

Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. We have more than a century-long history of evaluating products, and we’re now bringing that expertise to online reviews. Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, we’re trained journalists. We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works—or doesn’t.

Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products—because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear—we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.

Final Thoughts on the Best Camping Dishes

Choosing the best camping dishes for your cooking box is a small decision that can have a big affect on your quality of life. A number of options are available from manufacturers like Sea to Summit, MSR, Hydro Flask, Odoland, GSI, Coleman, Snow Peak, Wealers, and UCO. Pick the best one for your own camping style and space requirements, so you can focus on spending more time outdoors. 

• Best Overall: Sea to Summit X-Plate
• Best Stainless Steel: GSI Glacier Stainless Deep Plate
• Best Plastic: Sea to Summit Delta Plate
• Best Budget: Coleman Enamelware Dinner Plate
• Best Set: Snow Peak Tableware Set
• Best Insulation: Hydro Flask Plate

The post The Best Camping Dishes of 2023 appeared first on Outdoor Life.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.