This inflatable sleeping pad is a top pick for outdoorsperson Linda Åkeson McGurk, an expert on friluftsliv, the Nordic tradition of “open-air life.” 

“I get cold easily, so when I decided to start camping in colder weather a couple of years ago, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to stay warm at night,” she said in her recommendations for best spring camping gear. “I ended up buying the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT MAX Sleeping Pad because of its high insulating value and advantageous weight-to-warmth ratio, and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s one of the more expensive pieces of camping equipment I’ve bought, but if you sleep out a lot in cold weather, the comfort is definitely worth the steep price tag.”

“When selecting a sleeping pad for cold-weather camping, comfort isn't the only thing you have to take into account,” Pacific Northwest-based outdoor recreation travel content creator and blogger Gwyneth Manser said. “Did you know sleeping pads have different insulation values? Known as 'R-value,' higher R-value pads go a long way in making sure you don't lose your heat to the cold ground.” 

If you like cold-weather camping, this is the sleeping pad for you. “I've used the REI Co-op Helix Insulated Air Sleeping Pad on several snowy backpacking trips — it's kept me comfortable and warm,” said Manser.  “It also comes with a pump sack, which makes it easy to inflate.”

A classic for a reason, now under $10. Manser’s even found a bonus use for it on the trail: “A popular backpacking hack (which also works great for camping!) is to fill the small 16-ounce Nalgene with hot water you boil on a camp stove or above a fire. Bring it to bed with you and it acts like a mini hot water bottle, helping to warm you up,” Manser said.

“Good sleep is essential when you’re camping, especially if you want to feel strong and energized the next day,” Marusya Shiklina, outdoor adventurer and influencer told us. Her pick is this sleeping bag, thanks to its warmth and lightweight construction.  

Plus, “it packs down small, doesn’t add unnecessary weight, and helps create a truly comfortable sleep setup outdoors,” she added.

“Venustas’ heated socks turned out to be a surprisingly useful piece of modern camping gear for me,” Shiklina told us. “They’re especially helpful during long hours at camp when you’re not moving much and want to stay comfortable without wearing heavy, bulky footwear.” 

“While they do need to be charged, the battery easily lasts most of the day on low or medium settings,” Shiklina says. “They add a level of comfort that really helps you conserve energy and enjoy the experience more.”

As owner and manager of—and occasional trail guide at—Grand Junction Adventures in Colorado, Elizabeth Fortushniak has used Osprey’s Talon backpack to take hikers on four- to eight-mile excursions to see the rugged Rattlesnake Arches, though she’s occasionally made longer trips with the backpack too. 

For her, there’s a lot to love about it, from the different compartments that remain durable after a ton of use to the ability to fit a two- to three-liter water bladder for desert hikes. Two “easily accessible” side pockets hold snacks, a mesh pocket holds additional gear or water, and a small zipper pocket on the hip belt holds car keys.  

Fortushniak likes this back so much, in fact, that it’s what her tour company Grand Junction Adventures uses for their excursions. “It fits well on all body types, so we communally use these backpacks with our guides,” she says. 

If you prefer a version specifically fit for a female body, check out the Talon’s sister, the Tempest 22L.

“For heavier loads and maximum comfort, I recommend Osprey’s Exos (men's) or Ejas (women's) backpacks,” Heather Anderson, a National Geographic Adventurer, said, naming it as her top pick for women’s hiking backpacks. She’s covered more than 50,000 miles of hiking, so you know she knows a good backpack. 

Three reasons to buy the Osprey Eja 58? “They have comfy hipbelts, adjustable torso lengths and a mesh back panel for increased airflow,” Anderson says.

“This backpack is very light and comfortable,” says Mitch Stevens, owner of outdoor tour company Southwest Discoveries in Tucson, Arizona. “I've used it recently on various hiking trips and it has more than served its purpose.” 

Plus, if you happen to find yourself hiking in a rainstorm, the integrated FlapJacket secures the main compartment opening and protects the contents from rain.

James Stover, the owner of Colorado-based outdoor tour company Grand Junction Adventures, has taken this backpack with him on hiking trips and other adventures where stability and balance are key. (Think ice climbing in No Thoroughfare Canyon in the Colorado National Monument and rock climbing in western Colorado’s Unaweep Canyon.) “I like that the backpack is light weight and can be used for big climbing trips in wet and dry climates,” he says. Plus, “it can hold a lot of gear which is great for those big days or overnight trips.”

“I can confidently say the Osprey Tempest 33 is a great option for women who are looking for a smaller pack,” Mikala Whitaker says, swearing by it as her favorite women’s hiking backpack. And she would know: The outdoor travel blogger has walked the Camino de Santiago trail three times. 

“I find it extremely comfortable, even when I’ve been hiking all day every day for weeks,” she says. “Not only has it helped me walk multiple Camino de Santiagos, but this pack has helped me successfully summit Mount Kilimanjaro and hike all over New Zealand.” 

Plus, it’s made to last, says Whitaker: “It’s held up really well over the years, even surviving getting lost temporarily by an airline.”

If you want a solid backpack for a half-day or day out on the trail, you don’t need to bring one with a huge volume. This REI 18-liter pack weighs just 10 ounces and has everything you need to get you through shorter hikes, thanks to efficient design and super-durable construction (and it’s water-resistant in case you get caught in a shower). 

“This backpack is very simple and functional in a good way,” says Melissa Miller, an adventure traveler and outdoor influencer at @miss.rover. “This has been my go-to for shorter hikes and really great as a travel bag that is very lightweight and packable. Even with a simple design, it still has a space for a water bladder and a low profile hip belt and chest strap.”