20 innovative items that changed backpacking, selected by Outside magazine

Better backpacking gear allows you to go farther, faster, and remain comfortable even in challenging conditions, sometimes transforming outdoor activities or, in some cases, even saving lives. The reason for obsessing over the best gear in outdoor activities lies in its ability to completely change the outdoor experience.

Introduced on December 2, 2022, by the U.S. outdoor magazine Outside, here are 20 innovative items that have revolutionized backpacking over the past half-century. Let's explore some of the groundbreaking items that have brought the most influential technological innovations to backpacking! Notable mentions include Camelbak, which revolutionized hands-free hydration solutions, Smartwool, known for introducing the first outdoor Merino wool socks with exceptional softness, absorbency, insulation, and odor resistance, and Altra's trail running shoe 'Lone Peak,' designed for hikers and runners with wide feet, offering a broad toe box, excellent breathability, and a comfortable midsole. Lone Peak, in particular, was consecutively selected as the most worn shoe on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) for five years according to an annual gear survey by Halfway Anywhere blogger.

To discover more about the selected items and their interesting stories, you can visit the official website of Outside magazine.