This past year I’ve been hosting Epic Trails and traveling to some seriously cool places, which means I’ve been able to test a ton of hiking and backpacking gear in the real world. In this video, I round up my personal favorites across the board—NOT necessarily the “best” or the most expensive—because if we only talk about the best, we’re basically just talking about pricey stuff all day. I’m sharing what I actually kept reaching for: my current favorite tent, sleep setup, pack, footwear, cooking kit, and a few clothing layers that stood out. I break down why I love the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 (fast setup, color-coded poles, surprisingly quiet), and why I ended up picking the ZenBivy ultralight sleep system even though it’s a bit more complex than my usual “keep it simple” approach. I also talk about the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60—super comfy, simple, and that big rear pouch is money for quick-access stuff. Then we get into shoes vs. boots (Oslo GTX shoes and Salomon X Ultra 360s), my forever-staple MSR PocketRocket cook kit, and a couple jackets ranging from “do you need this? no” (Arc’teryx Beta AR) to “this thing is an inferno” warm (La Sportiva Luminina 200).