In the outdoors, comfort always matters, but it becomes even more paramount when you鈥檙e out for days at a time, covering dozens of miles, without the option to change boots or sleeping bags if what you brought isn鈥檛 quite right. This spring聽we tested a slew of the latest women鈥檚聽backpacking gear鈥攕ome of it female specific, some of it unisex product that we just really loved鈥攆rom shirts and shorts to tents and sleeping pads. Here are the items that topped our list.
Black Diamond 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles ($180)
罢丑别蝉别听 have moisture-wicking cork grips that are shaped for smaller hands, solid and easy-to-use FlickLock Pro length adjusters, and interchangeable carbon tips.
Sierra Designs Synthesis Mummy 35 Sleeping Bag听($150)
is a slick option for those who sleep hot, with a loose-fitting hood, two-way zippers on both sides, and a slit in the footbox for freeing your piggies. The 20-denier outer fabric stands up to abrasion without weighing down your pack鈥攖he whole bag is 2.25 pounds.
Merrell MQM Ace Mid Boots听($160)
Tested in a freak snow squall, the waterproof-breathable membrane proved impenetrable. The four-millimeter lugs are at home on rocky, slushy trails, while sealed air pockets in the heel and an EVA midsole keep .
Patagonia Capilene Cool Trail Shirt听($39)
Not everything has to be complicated. is made from a polyester performance knit that feels soft like cotton but dries in minutes.
Eddie Bauer BC Sandstone Stretch Jacket听($299)
Say goodbye to stiff, crinkly shells. Made of stretch-knit polyester, is impervious to rain and snow聽but delivers the roomy fit and friendly feel of a soft shell.
Big Agnes Copper Spur 2 Platinum Tent听($600)
The 聽packs small, but with 40 inches of head height, two arcing doors, and generous vestibules, it feels huge. It鈥檚 also easy to pitch, thanks to the color-coded aluminum pole system.
Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Air Sleeping Pad听($180)
Plush yet feathery (15 ounces), consists of dozens of small interconnected air chambers instead of traditional horizontal baffles. It feels more supportive than a typical pad, and you won鈥檛 spend the night sliding into the side of your tent. Synthetic Thermolite insulation and a sheet of heat-reflective material keep you warm on chilly nights.
Deuter Trail Pro 34 SL Pack听($165)
has a flexible internal steel frame that keeps heavy loads compact and closer to the body鈥檚 center of gravity. For added comfort, open-cell foam on the back panel boosts airflow. Tall women may want to try the lower hipbelt of the men鈥檚 version.
Darn Tough Her Spur Light Cushion Boot Socks听($22)
The best socks are the ones you forget you鈥檙e wearing. Made from merino, with slight cushioning along the base of the foot, won鈥檛 slip, bunch, or cause blisters.
Helly Hansen Maridalen Shorts ($75)
These are . Flattering yet tough, the quick-drying, four-way-stretch Maridalen is made of 70-denier ripstop nylon and has six pockets, including a zippered one on the thigh.