2. Deuter ACT Zero 60 A great pack for an extended A.T. section hike, this big load hauler forgoes extra bells and whistles for ultra-light (just over three pounds) performance and an innovative Aircontact back-panel system that provides consistent sweat relief. Also, the price is right. $169; deuterusa.com
3. Gregory Miwok Don’t bring too much bag on short, fast summits or extended day hikes. The Gregory Miwok is a full-featured daypack with quick compressibility and a bevy of pockets for easy access to essentials. Our tester loved the big front mesh pocket to keep his rain shell close. $99; gregorypacks.com
4. Osprey Aether The comfort of the form-fitting harness and hip belt has made the Aether a new standby for hardcore backpackers. Our expert (see sidebar) has used this pack for over five years, and as recent tweaks mean weight loss and improved fit, this pack is only getting better with age. $259; ospreypacks.com
5. Mountainsmith Phoenix The 100-percent recycled fabric of this long-distance bag is made from 107 16-ounce plastic bottles. It also features sustainable bio-polymer buckles and even recycled zippers and webbing. $289; mountainsmith.com
BAGS 
1. The North Face Green Kazoo The North Face has given its popular Blue Kazoo an eco-friendly makeover. The Green Kazoo offers the same roomy mummy cut and warm 600-fill down with a 100-percent recycled polyester shell and liner that reduces energy consumption by 84 percent. $279; thenorthface.com
2. GoLite Adrenaline 20 Made to please the growing contingent of ultra-light junkies, the Adrenaline tips the scales at a ridiculously light 1 lb. 14 oz. But the featherweight sack doesn’t sacrifice overnight comfort thanks to the cozy 800-fill down and a convenient hood on top to seal warmth. $325; golite.com
3. Mountain Hardwear UltraLamina 0° As we head into the cold months, let this bag be your winter camping warrior. The UltraLamina 0° is highly compressible so pack space is never an issue, but the synthetic fill redistributes quickly, so you’re not stuck with cold spots as you sleep on the chilly ground. $220; mountainhardwear.com 4. Big Agnes Edna SL Are you constantly rolling off your sleeping pad in the middle of the night? Those days are over thanks to Big Agnes’ innovative sleeve, which lets you slide your pad into the bag. In addition to the no-roll feature, the Edna is a high-end women’s-specific sack stuffed with 800-fill goose down and extra insulation in the foot box and core area for cold sleepers. $390; bigagnes.com
