Best Hiking Gear Reviews:
Save Time
And Get To The Good Stuff Fast

Trail food reviews and book reviews,
too!

by Diane Spicer

Meet Hiking For Her's Diane

The best hiking gear reviews answer three pivotal questions:

*Does the product work for your specific hiking needs?

*Is it fairly priced?

*Will it last more than one season?

Get to the good stuff fast!

Each link takes you to a category of hiking, backpacking and camping gear I've reviewed.

• You'll find out exactly how this item will (or won't) fit into your outdoor plans.
  

Keep in mind that I'm not trying to please anyone or market anything to you.

I'm just being honest.

Fifty years of trail time will do that a woman (seriously, 5 - 0).

Best hiking gear
reliable reviews

Let's start off with trail food - because food is gear, too, when you stop and think about your optimal trail performance.

Plus, hikers are always hungry ;)

What to eat on a hike

Hiking Food Review: Alpenfuel Subscription Box

Hiking Food Review: Nutberg Drinkable Meals

Hiking Food Review: Valley Food Storage

Hiking Food Review: Trailfoody Subscription Service

Hiking Food Review: Mountain House Freeze Dried Meals

Hiking Food Review: Paleo Meals To Go

Hiking Food Review: Gluten Free Options

Hiking Food Review: Patagonia Provisions

Hiking Food Review: RunGum Energy Gum

Hiking Food Review: Best Trail Snacks

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What to wear on a hike

Gear Reviews: REI Women's Sahara Hiking Pants

Gear Reviews: Title Nine Big B Collection Hiking Outfit

Gear Reviews: Title Nine Tank + Shorts

Gear Reviews: Skirt Sports Tough Chick Top

Gear Reviews: Skirt Sports Trailwear

Gear Reviews: GOREWEAR Thermo Shirt And Shakedry Insulated Jacket

Gear Reviews: GOREWEAR Pants

Gear Reviews: GORE Shakedry Non Insulated Jacket

Gear Reviews: prAna Pillar 7/8 Leggings

Gear Reviews: My Trail Co Down Vest

Gear Reviews: Possumdown Hiking Gloves

Gear Reviews: Athletic Clothing For Women

Gear Reviews: Hiking Pants

Gear Reviews: My Trail Co Lightweight Water Repellent Pants

Gear Reviews: Jelt Belt

Gear Reviews: Hiking Jackets

Gear Reviews: Neck Wear

Gear Reviews: Urban Canairie Hiking Hat

Gear Reviews: REI Talusphere Womens Rain Pants

Gear Reviews: Minus 33 Merino Wool Base Layers

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Best hiking gear

Gear Reviews: Montem 3K Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles

Gear Reviews: Ultralight 35L My Trail Co Daypack

Gear Reviews: Day Packs

Gear Reviews: Waistpack

Gear Reviews: Women's Ultimate Direction Hydration Pack

Gear Reviews: Hiking Pedometers

Gear Reviews: Waterproof Solar Rechargeable iPhone Case

Gear Reviews: JOTO Universal Phone Case

Gear Reviews: York Nordic Poles

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Best camping & backpacking gear

Gear Reviews: Hilleberg Allak 2 Tent

Gear Reviews: MSR Hubba Hubba Tent

Gear Reviews: Leatherman Multitool

Gear Reviews: Pike Trail Pocket Blanket

Gear Reviews: Rechargeable Camping Lantern

Gear Reviews: Headlamps

Gear Reviews: Powercap Hands Free Illumination

Gear Reviews: Gobi Gear Segmented Stuff Sacks

Gear Reviews: Pack Organizer

Gear Reviews: Bug Nets

Gear Reviews: Hydro Flask Cooler Cup

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Great trail footwear choices

Gear Reviews: Root Republic Socks

Gear Reviews: KEEN Targhee EXP MID WP

Gear Reviews: KEEN Terradora Leather WP Mid

Gear Reviews: KEEN Boots

Gear Reviews: Salomon Boots

Gear Reviews: Trail Shoes

Gear Reviews: Injinji Toesocks

Gear Reviews: Thorlo Hiking Socks

Gear Reviews: SmartWool Hiking Socks

Gear Reviews: Armaskin Liner Socks

Gear Reviews: Baffin Winter Boots

Gear Reviews: Women's MSR Revo Ascent Snowshoes

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Backpacking sleep systems

Gear Reviews: Sleeping Bags

Gear Reviews: Inflatable Backpacking Pillow

Gear Reviews: Sleeping Bag Liner

Gear Reviews: Ultralight Synthetic Down Backpacking Quilt

Gear Reviews: Self-inflating Air Mattress

Gear Reviews: Thermarest Relief Bed

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Hydration strategies for hikers

Gear Reviews: Lifestraw Personal Water Filter

Gear Reviews: Lifestraw Go Water Bottle Filtration System

Gear Reviews: Hydro Flask 16 Oz Wide Mouth Insulated Bottle

Gear Reviews: Hydro Flask 16 Oz Standard Mouth Metal Bottle

Gear Reviews: Hydro Flask Limited Edition 32 Oz Wide Mouth

Gear Reviews: Platypus Soft Collapsible Water Bottle

Gear Reviews: Klean Kanteen 20 Oz Metal Water Bottle

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Stuff to enhance your enjoyment
of the trail & campsite

Gear Reviews: TinkleBelle Female Stand To Pee Accessory

Gear Reviews: Hydro Flask For Wine Lovers

Gear Reviews: Hydro Flask Cooler Cup

Gear Reviews: Hydro Flask Food Totes

Gear Reviews: Sun Bum Sunscreen Lip Balm

Gear Reviews: Colorado Aromatics Foot Butter

Gear Reviews: Colorado Aromatics Joint Jam

Gear Reviews: The Nomadik Subscription Box

Gear Reviews: The Nomadik Part 2

Gear Reviews: WURU Wool Blister Prevention

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Hiking photography equipment

Gear Reviews: Streamaroo Smartphone Tripod Review

Gear Reviews: Streamaroo Camera Hat Mount

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Hiking book reviews

Book Reviews: When Grandma Gatewood Took A Hike

Book Reviews: Thousand Miler

Book Reviews: Explore Europe On Foot

Book Reviews: Hiking Washington's Fire Lookouts

Book Reviews: Birds of the West: An Artist's Guide

Book Reviews: Alpine Lakes Wilderness Guide

Book Reviews: History of Hiking

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Do you have products
you'd like me to review?

Gear reviews are so much fun to do, and I promise to give a fair, unbiased assessment of trail performance for your product.

• Contact me to get the ball rolling.

Beware of overwhelm
in hiking gear reviews!

These detailed hiking reviews might cause you to feel overwhelmed when attempting to size up a new piece of outdoor gear or clothing.

• Bricks and mortar stores have so many distractions - look at all the pretty colors of bandannas! the tempting displays of tiny little carabiners! the endless boots...
  
• On line shopping for hiking gear is even worse - not only too much information, but no way to handle the gear or ask questions before investing your money.

That's why letting an experienced hiker review the gear for you BEFORE you lay out cash is a smart move.

And choosing experienced hikers (old trail dogs like me) is a smart move. Especially because every gear review features only the stuff that works, and is never paid for (i.e. bought) by the brand.

Speaking of 
hard earned cash...

I'm sure it's on your mind when you read gear reviews. You want your money (along with your legs, but that's a different story) to go as far as possible, right?

I've certainly spent lots of my cash over the years to purchase gear and then put it to the test:

• day hikes,
  
• backpacking trips,
  
• helihiking trips,
  
• boat supported hiking,
  
• river rafting/hiking trips,
  
• car camping.
  

After all of that outdoor time, I think it's fair to say that I know how to size up a piece of hiking gear.

And it's my pleasure to share my findings with you, dear hiker.

Steer clear of hype

Hiking gear reviews for women hikers should be written by those who use the products, not those who design or market them.

At least that's my opinion!

So be leery when you're reading hiking gear reviews and lots of glowing descriptive language is thrown around:

• "best"
  
• "improved"
  
• "tough"
  
• "durable",
  
• "award winning"
  
• "brilliant"
  
• "dependable"
  
• "amazing"
  
• "perfect"
  
• "ultimate"  

Note that Hiking For Her reviews only award accolades when they are well deserved, because I want you to have the very best outdoor gear and clothing available - not what's being pushed this season.

Qualified to write
hiking gear reviews?

I got started with hiking when I was just a wee young lassie: read my story here.

• I've watched trends come and go,
  
• witnessed the evolution of hunting gear and camping equipment into lightweight and ultralight gear,
  
• rejoiced as women's hiking gear has gotten more tailored and serious,
  
• noted significant design improvements...
• as well as marketing hype that makes steam come out of my ears (see list of adjectives above if you missed them).

Also, the advent of fleece. Still brings tears to my eyes!

I love to eat, and am not shy about the fact that I relish second breakfast and frequent snacking on a hike.

Bonus round:

I'm a scientist by training and temperament, so when I get a new piece of gear (boots, poles, tent, jacket, what have you) I put it through its paces in a scientific manner, using those questions I noted above as a foundation for my judgement of gear worthiness.

On top of that analytic streak, I'm hard on my gear.

I know how to take good care of it, but I push it hard, too.

So I give each piece of gear a rigorous test before I make up my mind about its worthiness (or not) in my gear locker.

• Here's the approach I use when sizing up gear reviews written by someone I don't know or hike with.

Let's stay in touch

Let's stay in touch about the merits and drawbacks of what you're considering for your trail time.

Drop me a line using this CONTACT link.

To see what's new and inspirational in the hiking community, drop by the Hiking For Her Facebook page or Pinterest page.

Talk to you soon!

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