you don’t need much to start day hiking. Sturdy footwear and a backpack will get you started, along with the ten essentials.

For most day hikers, a frameless pack is a fine choice. Because it uses less material than an internal frame pack, it is ...

We tested the packs’ water reservoirs by leaving them in a freezer overnight and taking them on a day of hiking with up to 20 pounds of gear. Is it comfortable? The best packs have hip belts ...