Backcountry Hunting Gear

We put the best backcountry hunting gear to the test and publish real-world results.

Latest in Backcountry Hunting Gear

Ben Romans with an Elk
Gear

The Best Elk Hunting Boots of 2024

By Ben Romans

A hunter on skis reaches down for a bird that a dog is retrieving for him.
Hunting

These Renegade Hunters Are Skiing into the Backcountry with Their Bird Dogs

Photographs by Peter Wadsworth, Story by Ashley Thess

The Garmin inReach Messenger receives a message.
Gear

Garmin inReach Messenger Review: A Longer Battery Life for Backcountry Messaging

By Laura Lancaster

The Therm-a-Rest Xlite and Xlite NXT sit side by side.
Gear

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite: Same Comfort, More Quiet

By Laura Lancaster

Altras have a wider fit than Hokas.
Gear

Altra Lone Peak 6 Review: We Put the Best Hiking Shoe to the Test

By Laura Lancaster

turkey hunting gear
Gear

Turkey Hunting Gear Essentials

By Adam Moore

Testing the LifeStraw water filter
Gear

LifeStraw Review: We Put This Affordable Water Filter to the Test

By Laura Lancaster

Grizzly testing a bear can.
Gear

How Are Bear Cans Tested? They’re Mauled, Stomped, and Chewed by Hungry Grizzlies

By Laura Lancaster

A bear encounter in the woods won't be so scary when you have the best bear spray.
Gear

Best Bear Spray: Five Things to Consider

By Outdoor Life Commerce Team

A tent door is open exposing a beautiful snowy view.
Gear

How to Choose a Campsite

By Laura Lancaster

voormi hunting mexico
Gear

Voormi’s Technical Wool: Tested and Reviewed

By John B. Snow

The Best Alcohol Stoves
Gear

The Best Alcohol Stoves

By Laura Lancaster

Frank Shultz collects water from underneath a rock
Gear

Do You Really Need a Water Filter for Backpacking and Mountain Hunting?

By Tyler Freel, Laura Lancaster

Glassing a sheep basin
Hunting

A Backcountry Packing List for DIY Mountain Hunters

By Tyler Freel

Freel sheep hunting in Alaska
Gear

My 3 Favorite New Pieces of Mountain Hunting Gear

By Tyler Freel

Review: The Garmin Instinct Solar 2 Series Is a Rugged, Customizable Smartwatch with an “Unlimited” Battery Life
Gear

Review: The Garmin Instinct Solar 2 Series Is a Rugged, Customizable Smartwatch with an “Unlimited” Battery Life

By Natalie Krebs

Garmin inReach MINI and MINI 2
Gear

Review: The Garmin inReach MINI 2 Packs Upgraded Features into a Familiar, Handy Device

By Tyler Freel

A group of rescuers on a mountain standing over someone in a litter
Gear

Wilderness Medicine and First-Aid Courses Save Lives in the Backcountry

By Samantha Silverman

Make the Best Backcountry Coffee You’ve Ever Had
Gear

Make the Best Backcountry Coffee You’ve Ever Had

By Outdoor Life Online Editor

A woman in camouflage with an orange hat looking over a landscape
Gear

KUIU Women’s Super Down Ultra Hooded Jacket: Amazingly Light, Incredibly Warm

By Jackie Holbrook

A woman in camo and orange carrying a large camo backpack looking over a field
Gear

Mystery Ranch Women’s Metcalf Pack Review

By Jackie Holbrook

Spartan Ascent Tripod w Browning XBolt
Gear

Spartan Precision Ascent Tripod Review: A Versatile and Durable Tool for Mountain Hunters

By Tyler Freel

camping in wilderness under a sky full of stars
Gear

The Stone Glacier Skyscraper 2P Just Might Be the Best Backcountry Hunting Tent on the Market

By Alex Robinson

Even if you are hunting close to home, you need to keep three essential items in your pack.
Gear

3 Cheap Pieces of Gear You Need to Have in Your Backcountry Survival Pack

By Tyler Freel

A man on a four-wheeler equiped with brush bumpers.
Gear

How to Build an ATV Tough Enough for Alaska’s Backcountry

By Tyler Freel

A weatherby hunting rifle propped up against a tree.
Guns

How to Pick the Ultimate Backcountry Rifle and Cartridge That’s Right For You

By Tyler Freel

A large camo smart watch face on a wrist, in the sunshine.
Gear

First Look: Garmin Instinct Now Lasts Longer in the Backcountry, Thanks to Solar Charging

By Natalie Krebs

Critical survival gear all ready for action.
Gear

The Survival Gear You Want When Things Go Wrong in the Backcountry

By The Editors

La Sportiva Nepal Cube GTX
Gear

Six Top Boots for Hardcore Mountain Hunts

By Tyler Freel

11 Reasons You Need A Tarp In The Backcountry
Gear

11 Reasons You Need A Tarp In The Backcountry

By Aram von Benedikt

muzzleloader riflerifle detail
Gear

9 Essentials to Hunt Like a Mountain Man

By Aram von Benedikt

hunter with an alaskan moose
Hunting

How to Pack for an Alaskan DIY Float Hunt for Moose

By Aram von Benedikt

Hunting campsite and trophy moose antlers
Gear

7 Rules for Building the Best Backcountry Camp

By Aram von Benedikt

Hunter butchers elk Montana
Hunting

5 Rules for Packing Out Elk Meat

By Toby Walrath

platypus bladder
Gear

Why Water Bladders are Essential Backcountry Hunting Gear

By Tyler Freel

chia seeds
Gear

Why Chia Seeds Are a Magical Snack for Backcountry Hunters

By Tyler Freel

backcountry tent
Gear

Take a Dry Run to Pack and Prepare for Your Backcountry Hunt

By Tyler Freel

spike camp, spike spike camp, hunting, mountain hunting, sheep hunting, tyler freel, hunting spike camp
Gear

Spike Camp Squared: Sleep on the Mountain to Take More Game

By Tyler Freel

Mountain Hunting: Best Practices for Locating and Drinking Water in the Backcountry
Hunting

Mountain Hunting: Best Practices for Locating and Drinking Water in the Backcountry

By Tyler Freel

Hunting Gear: How to Buy a Backcountry Tripod
Gear

Hunting Gear: How to Buy a Backcountry Tripod

By Andrew McKean

Backcountry Gear: 10 Essential Items for Mountain Hunting in Alaska
Gear

Backcountry Gear: 10 Essential Items for Mountain Hunting in Alaska

By Tyler Freel

DIY Backcountry Hunt: How to Plan and Execute Your Public-Land Adventure
Hunting

DIY Backcountry Hunt: How to Plan and Execute Your Public-Land Adventure

By Aram von Benedikt

10 Essentials for a Backpack Hunt
Gear

10 Essentials for a Backpack Hunt

By Tyler Freel

7 Best Solar Panel Chargers Tested and Ranked
Gear

7 Best Solar Panel Chargers Tested and Ranked

By Brandon Butler

Mountain Goat Hunting Tips: Tactics and Gear
Gear

Mountain Goat Hunting Tips: Tactics and Gear

By Aron Snyder

Live Hunt: KUIU Gear Review
Gear

Live Hunt: KUIU Gear Review

By Aron Snyder

Pack List: Elk Hunting Essentials
Hunting

Pack List: Elk Hunting Essentials

By Outdoor Life Online Editor