Backpacking

The white cross with red surround has long been a sacred knife badge, indicating the timeless dependability of the Swiss Army knife. The latest multitool out there isn't a Swiss Army knife, but it wears an equally proud badge of origin and heritage.

When Durston launched the X-Dome 1+ freestanding tent, we knew it wasn't going to be the lightest in the series. And now it's not – the Dyneema-and-carbon X-Dome Pro 1+ debuts to claims of being "world's lightest freestanding double-wall tent."

When it comes to plier multitools, the Leatherman family has served as the de facto format for over 40 years. But it's not the only style of plier-equipped multitool out there, as Böker reminds with the more SAK-style Naturensöhne MK II NXT.

We're so used to seeing folding knives, we're never expecting an entirely different tool in a folding package. But the all-new Norse Foldable from Willumsen is just that, concealing a different style of fold-out blade inside its knife-like handle.

Zpacks presents its latest featherlight backpacking tent. Pitched with a single pole, the new Plex Solo Pro pulls out all the stops in delivering an ambitious blend of ultralight packability and camping convenience.

Just in time for the heart of summer, New Balance has released one of the most versatile shoes you'll ever see. The new Niobium Concept 1 bridges the huge gap between waterproof boot and cozy slipper ... with another stop along the way.

We're not sure Opinel's new Néo7 Alpine knife qualifies as a full "multitool," but it does carry a few functions. The ultralight pocket knife marries Opinel's timeless simplicity with new features that make it quicker and more useful.

Backpackers want to remove stiff boots the second the hike is over, but carrying extra shoes entails a lot of unwanted bulk & weight. Zpacks' Deluxe Camp Shoes are an intriguing solution, offering slipper-like comfort in a tiny, 2.5-oz package.

After a couple years of fast growth in the ultralight freestanding tent market, 2026 has been rather quiet. But a new player shatters the silence with an impressive solo freestander that drops in around 2 lb ... at half the price of some competitors.

After packaging full fire-starting capabilities neatly inside a 2-oz (57-g) capsule that doubled as a high-pitched whistle, Outdoor Element is now integrating that same spark-flicking capability into a more useful everyday tool: the common pen.

Finding modern backpacking stoves unfit for its hard-charging, bushwhacking hunts, Roughridge determined to make a tougher backcountry cook system. Its ultralight Highcountry stove is built to work when and where you need it, every time.

The average $2 Bic lighter is great for lighting up a cigarette but not as great for lighting campfires or grills. Minnesota startup Radlight has an intriguing alternative for such outdoorsy tasks ... and for fending off hypothermia when things go south.