Pack Reviews
Best Hiking Packs &am>The gear you hope you never need — but absolutely need to have. We’ve tested GPS devices, headlamps, and emergency gear so you don’t have to guess.
Best Hiking Navigation & Safety Gear 2026
From GPS units to emergency beacons — everything you need to stay found and stay safe.
Black Diamond Spot 400
Best headlamp for hiking. 400 lumens, IPX8 waterproof, red night-vision mode, and 200-hour battery life on low. The benchmark everyone copies.
Garmin GPSMAP 67
The most capable handheld GPS for hikers. Multi-band GNSS, 16-day battery, preloaded TopoActive maps, and MIL-STD-810 ruggedness.
Garmin inReach Mini 2
Two-way satellite messaging and SOS from anywhere on Earth. At 3.5 oz it’s the smallest full-featured satellite communicator available. Non-negotiable for solo hikers.
Suunto A-10 Field Compass
Best starter compass for fikers. Accurate, durable, readable, and $25. Every hiker should carry a compass as GPS backup — this is the one to get.
Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight .7
Best trail first aid kit. 0.7 lb, organized for fast access, and covers the actual emergencies that happen on trail. Every pack should have one.
Petzl Tikkina 300
The best headlamp under $25. 300 lumens, simple 3-mode operation, and Petzl’s reliability at a price that makes sense as a backup light.