Updated Aug 15, 2026
Best Subreddits for Hiking Gear Brands in 2026
RedditFind ranked hiking and backpacking communities for outdoor brands, retailers, cottage makers, ecommerce sellers, and trail-product teams.
Why this map matters
Hikers judge equipment as a system: fit, carried weight, weather, terrain, durability, repairability, and the cost of failure.
A pack, boot, shell, shelter, or filter can earn strong reviews in one use case and fail badly in another. Reddit threads preserve the missing context: body shape, route, temperature, trip length, load, experience, and what broke.
This guide separates broad gear buying from ultralight systems, multi-day field reports, footwear and apparel fit, fastpacking, and brand-trust discussions so teams can research without flattening every hiker into one persona.
hiking and outdoor gear brands
Use RedditFind evidence to identify subreddits worth researching, monitoring, and joining for hiking and outdoor gear brands.
DTC backpack, footwear, apparel, and trekking accessory companies
Use RedditFind evidence to identify subreddits worth researching, monitoring, and joining for DTC backpack, footwear, apparel, and trekking accessory companies.
outdoor retailers and ecommerce sellers
Use RedditFind evidence to identify subreddits worth researching, monitoring, and joining for outdoor retailers and ecommerce sellers.
Top 5
The hiking gear communities to read first
Start with ultralight, camping-gear, hiking-gear, camping-and-hiking, and backpacking communities to compare specialist depth with broader buyer language.
#1 · 97%
r/ultralight
A large lightweight/ultralight backpacking community focused on low base weight, gear lists, sleep systems, tents, packs, clothing, stoves, water filtration, and long-distance hiking efficiency. Discussion quality is generally very high, with frequent data-driven analysis, product spec comparisons, and in-depth shakedowns. · Read first, then participate only when the rules allow it.
234K
Weekly visitors
3K
Weekly contributions
Why RedditFind recommended it
Highly aligned with ultralight gear makers, cottage brands, and product teams researching lightweight buyers; weekly visitors 234K and weekly contributions 3K show both scale and steady discussion volume. Commercial brand posts require prior mod approval, so it is best suited for long-term listening, thoughtful commenting, and participation after disclosing affiliation.
Main content
A large lightweight/ultralight backpacking community focused on low base weight, gear lists, sleep systems, tents, packs, clothing, stoves, water filtration, and long-distance hiking efficiency. Discussion quality is generally very high, with frequent data-driven analysis, product spec comparisons, and in-depth shakedowns.
#2 · 94%
r/campinggear
A large camping and backpacking gear community focused on tents, sleeping pads, sleeping bags/quilts, stoves, lighting, pillows, storage, and price comparisons. Users both show off gear and ask for buying advice and failure experiences. · Read first, then participate only when the rules allow it.
198K
Weekly visitors
1.8K
Weekly contributions
Why RedditFind recommended it
A great fit for outdoor retailers, ecommerce sellers, and camping/backpacking gear brands doing consumer insight work; weekly visitors 198K and weekly contributions 1.8K indicate dense gear discussion and strong engagement. Compared with pure hiking communities, this one is more focused on what to buy, whether it is worth it, and how to use it.
Main content
A large camping and backpacking gear community focused on tents, sleeping pads, sleeping bags/quilts, stoves, lighting, pillows, storage, and price comparisons. Users both show off gear and ask for buying advice and failure experiences.
Representative posts
#3 · 92%
r/hikinggear
A community dedicated to hiking-related gear, with common topics including packs, hiking shoes and boots, socks, pants, insulation layers, trekking poles, first aid kits, and beginner gear lists. Most posts are buying advice, sizing/fit checks, usage feedback, and brand alternatives. · Read first, then participate only when the rules allow it.
79K
Weekly visitors
1.4K
Weekly contributions
Why RedditFind recommended it
Almost directly aligned with the user strategy, since the target audience is hiking gear buyers and researchers; weekly visitors 79K and weekly contributions 1.4K mean it is smaller than r/Ultralight but more concentrated on gear questions. Brands can participate, but commercial marketing and new product announcements require prior mod approval, and research posts are not allowed.
Main content
A community dedicated to hiking-related gear, with common topics including packs, hiking shoes and boots, socks, pants, insulation layers, trekking poles, first aid kits, and beginner gear lists. Most posts are buying advice, sizing/fit checks, usage feedback, and brand alternatives.
Representative posts
#4 · 88%
r/campingandhiking
A backpacking community for people who hike while carrying camping gear, covering multi-day hikes, route reports, pack weight, sleep systems, tents, food, safety, and logistics. It is not a car camping community; the focus is hike-in camping/backpacking. · Read first, then participate only when the rules allow it.
160K
Weekly visitors
864
Weekly contributions
Why RedditFind recommended it
Well suited for studying backpackers, thru-hikers, and multi-day hiking gear purchase decisions; weekly visitors 160K and weekly contributions 864 mean high traffic but stricter posting thresholds and rules. Note that standard gear reviews are usually only allowed from regular contributors, so brands are better off joining discussions first.
Main content
A backpacking community for people who hike while carrying camping gear, covering multi-day hikes, route reports, pack weight, sleep systems, tents, food, safety, and logistics. It is not a car camping community; the focus is hike-in camping/backpacking.
Representative posts
#5 · 85%
r/backpacking
A huge backpacking community covering both wilderness backpacking and travel backpacking, with posts required to be tagged Travel or Wilderness. Popular content includes long-distance hiking, first backpacking trips, gear failures, food, and ultralight debates. · Read first, then participate only when the rules allow it.
368K
Weekly visitors
4.6K
Weekly contributions
Why RedditFind recommended it
With weekly visitors 368K and weekly contributions 4.6K, this is one of the largest target audience pools in the sample; but about half the content may lean toward travel, so it scores below more vertical gear communities. It offers strong insight value for boots, packs, sleep systems, food, and beginner gear needs.
Main content
A huge backpacking community covering both wilderness backpacking and travel backpacking, with posts required to be tagged Travel or Wilderness. Popular content includes long-distance hiking, first backpacking trips, gear failures, food, and ultralight debates.
Use cases
How different teams should use the map
Separate listening, comparison, support research, and careful participation before posting.
| Goal | Priority communities | Primary use | Recommended format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buyer-language research | r/ultralight, r/campinggear, r/hikinggear, r/campingandhiking, r/backpacking | Read how people describe problems, comparisons, objections, and trust before purchase. | Internal notes and careful replies when rules allow. |
| Product-page and support copy | r/ultralight, r/campinggear, r/hikinggear, r/campingandhiking, r/backpacking, r/wildernessbackpacking, r/hiking, r/outdoorgear | Turn repeated questions into FAQ, comparison copy, and support language. | No direct pitch; use clear evidence and disclosure. |
| Participation risk check | r/ultralight, r/campinggear, r/hikinggear, r/campingandhiking, r/backpacking | Review official About and Rules text before a brand account enters a subreddit. | Modmail or disclosed expert help when appropriate. |
Operating clusters
Community clusters by job to be done
The clusters separate purchase questions, ultralight systems, field failures, body and footwear fit, fast-moving trail use, and brand trust.
Core hiking gear purchasing and user pain points
Recommended mix · 5 subreddits
How to use this cluster
- Prioritize a listening-first approach: track high-frequency questions such as women's pant fit, pack fit, shoe-sock combinations, rain gear, dry bags, first aid kits, and trekking poles.
- When participating, avoid pushing products like a brand account; it is better to give advice framed around use case + budget + body type + frequency of use.
- Useful for building a category lexicon: fit check, pack weight, hot weather socks, waterproof trousers, hiking pants, dry pack, first aid kit.
Key content to read
- Pack fit and load-carrying comfort
- Choices around hiking pants, socks, shoes/boots, and layering
- Small waterproofing, water filtration, first aid, and safety gear
- Brand quality, dropshipping, deceptive marketing, and price fairness
Representative posts and communities
Representative posts
| Community | Fit | Why relevant |
|---|---|---|
| r/hikinggear | Match 97% | weekly visitors 79K and weekly contributions 1.4K show that while it is not the largest community, gear discussion volume is high enough; highly overlaps with hiking gear, backpacks, hiking boots, and outdoor apparel. |
| r/campinggear | Match 91% | weekly visitors 198K and weekly contributions 1.8K indicate high activity and dense gear content; suitable for studying purchase decisions around camping gear and backpacking gear. |
| r/campingandhiking | Match 87% | weekly visitors 160K and weekly contributions 864 indicate an active community, though gear review rules are stricter; good for observing how backpackers trade off weight, comfort, and reliability. |
| r/outdoorgear | Match 75% | weekly visitors 7K and weekly contributions 54 indicate lower activity but a very precise theme; useful for studying how everyday users ask questions about outdoor apparel and camping/backpacking gear. |
| r/outdoorsgear | Match 69% | weekly visitors 6.4K and weekly contributions 63 indicate limited scale but ongoing gear Q&A; useful for supplementing non-expert users' buying language and pain points. |
Ultralight, cottage brands, and long-distance gear systems
Recommended mix · 5 subreddits
How to use this cluster
- Focus on how users evaluate products through weight, price, durability, comfort, and risk, rather than just brand names.
- In ultralight communities, provide hard information: weight, materials, days used, route, temperature, failure cases, and alternatives.
- Brands or product teams can study the reputation mechanics of cottage brands such as Durston, Zpacks, Gossamer Gear, Enlightened Equipment, 3F UL, Katabatic, MEC, and others.
Key content to read
- base weight and LighterPack analysis
- Tents, tarps, quilts, sleeping pads, stoves, and water filtration systems
- Lightweight but inexpensive gear alternatives
- Discussion of new cottage brand products, materials, and supply chains
Representative posts and communities
Representative posts
| Community | Fit | Why relevant |
|---|---|---|
| r/ultralight | Match 95% | weekly visitors 234K and weekly contributions 3K indicate both high activity and strong expertise; rules are strict, but as long as content is high quality, it is excellent for product insight. |
| r/campingandhiking | Match 87% | weekly visitors 160K and weekly contributions 864 indicate steady discussion volume; compared with r/Ultralight, it has less extreme gram-count culture and shows broader user trade-offs. |
| r/wildernessbackpacking | Match 82% | weekly visitors 123K and weekly contributions 2K indicate very strong activity; aligns well with wilderness backpackers and long-distance gear needs, but offers limited room for commercial participation. |
| r/fastpacking | Match 78% | weekly visitors 2.9K and weekly contributions 46 indicate a small but precise community; highly valuable for crossover products between trail running and backpacking. |
| r/ultralightcanada | Match 72% | weekly visitors 8.5K and weekly contributions 113 indicate solid activity within a regional UL community; good for the Canadian market, but with limited global generalizability. |
Multi-day backpackers, thru-hikers, and real-world failure cases
Recommended mix · 5 subreddits
How to use this cluster
- Pay attention to gear details in real trip reports: carried weight, footwear failures, sleep quality, water sources, weather, knee pain, insects, and resupply.
- Treat popular failure cases as product demand signals, such as sole delamination, packs overloaded to 21kg, uncomfortable sleep systems, and low filtration efficiency.
- When participating, it is best to answer from the angle of what you would do on a similar route/in similar temperatures/with similar load, rather than giving generic recommendations.
Key content to read
- Gear stress tests on long-distance or multi-day backpacking routes
- Failure/success cases involving footwear, packs, sleep systems, water filtration, and safety gear
- First-time backpacking purchase lists and upgrade paths for beginners
- Durability, repairability, and safety redundancy in wilderness settings
Representative posts and communities
Representative posts
| Community | Fit | Why relevant |
|---|---|---|
| r/hikinggear | Match 97% | weekly visitors 79K and weekly contributions 1.4K indicate high density of gear Q&A; suitable for turning real-world failure cases into more specific product improvement directions. |
| r/ultralight | Match 95% | weekly visitors 234K and weekly contributions 3K indicate strong discussion depth; highly aligned with thru-hikers, ultralight makers, and product teams. |
| r/campingandhiking | Match 87% | weekly visitors 160K and weekly contributions 864 indicate stable activity; users often provide route, trip length, weight, and gear lists, making it useful for qualitative research. |
| r/backpacking | Match 84% | weekly visitors 368K and weekly contributions 4.6K make it one of the largest traffic pools; because it mixes in travel backpacking content, Wilderness-related posts need to be filtered. |
| r/wildernessbackpacking | Match 82% | weekly visitors 123K and weekly contributions 2K indicate very high contribution volume; rules prohibit advertising and commercial research, so it is better used as a research pool than a promotion channel. |
Footwear, apparel, layering, and body-fit issues
Recommended mix · 5 subreddits
How to use this cluster
- Track body-fit issues rather than just product categories: women's pant cuts, hot-weather socks, wide/narrow feet, knee pain, sweat, UPF, rain jacket breathability, waterproof shoes, and trail runners.
- When brands participate, it is best to acknowledge differences in body types and climate conditions rather than making one-size-fits-all recommendations.
- Useful for product teams building personas: users in hot-humid regions, beginners in cold mountains, female hikers, long-descent hikers with sensitive knees, and ultralight sun-protection users.
Key content to read
- hiking pants, shorts, base layer, sun hoodie, rain shell
- hiking boots, trail runners, socks, sandals, and water crossing shoes
- Temperature, humidity, sweat, friction, blisters, and knee load
- Fit and sizing pain points in women's gear
Representative posts and communities
Representative posts
| Community | Fit | Why relevant |
|---|---|---|
| r/hikinggear | Match 97% | weekly visitors 79K and weekly contributions 1.4K indicate sustained activity in gear Q&A; highly aligned with hiking boots, outdoor apparel, and day hiking gear. |
| r/ultralight | Match 95% | weekly visitors 234K and weekly contributions 3K indicate a high volume of expert discussion; suitable for brands studying trade-offs among fabric, breathability, durability, and weight. |
| r/outdoorgear | Match 75% | weekly visitors 7K and weekly contributions 54 indicate average activity but very specific questions; useful for supplementing user language around outdoor apparel. |
| r/ultralightcanada | Match 72% | weekly visitors 8.5K and weekly contributions 113 indicate solid regional activity; valuable for Canadian retail and insulation-layer purchase research. |
| r/outdoorsgear | Match 69% | weekly visitors 6.4K and weekly contributions 63 indicate low-to-mid activity; useful for observing mainstream outdoor consumers rather than expert thru-hikers. |
Fast movement, daypacks, and trail running crossover scenarios
Recommended mix · 4 subreddits
How to use this cluster
- Use r/fastpacking as a high-precision sample, focusing on pack bounce, shoulder-strap pockets, 20-30L capacity, bivy/tarp, lightweight insulation layers, and hydration systems.
- Use r/Ultralight and r/backpacking as spillover samples to observe how fastpacking design is received by mainstream hikers or ultralight users.
- Well suited for research by pack, hydration vest, trail running apparel, minimal shelter, and day hiking pack brands.
Key content to read
- 20-30L running vest / fastpack
- Carry stability, bounce, shoulder-strap pockets, and side-pocket accessibility
- Lightweight 1P tent, bivy, tarp, and fast overnighter systems
- daypack, helmet carry, trekking poles, flasks, and carrying small cameras
Representative posts and communities
Representative posts
| Community | Fit | Why relevant |
|---|---|---|
| r/hikinggear | Match 97% | weekly visitors 79K and weekly contributions 1.4K indicate active gear Q&A; while not specifically focused on fastpacking, it provides a mainstream entry point. |
| r/ultralight | Match 95% | weekly visitors 234K and weekly contributions 3K indicate a large enough lightweight discussion base; while not a dedicated running community, its gear logic strongly overlaps with fastpacking. |
| r/backpacking | Match 84% | weekly visitors 368K and weekly contributions 4.6K provide a large sample; Wilderness and gear-related content needs to be filtered to avoid general travel noise. |
| r/fastpacking | Match 78% | weekly visitors 2.9K and weekly contributions 46 indicate a small but highly specialized community; especially valuable for trail running, fastpack, and hydration vest brands. |
Brand sentiment, retail pricing, and trust risk
Recommended mix · 5 subreddits
How to use this cluster
- Build brand sentiment monitoring around quality failures, dropshipping, customer service, greenwashing, price comparisons, REI vs Walmart, MEC vs Sea to Summit, and similar topics.
- Do not just look at upvotes; repeated doubts in the comments, alternative brands, warranty experiences, and 'I will never buy again' statements are more valuable for research.
- Well suited for ecommerce and retail teams working on SKU pricing, competitive substitution, return risk, user trust, and content education.
Key content to read
- Brand avoid lists and quality failure cases
- Retail channel price differences and user trust
- Warranty, customer service, durability, and safety testing
- Secondhand markets, discounts, import taxes, and regional supply
Representative posts and communities
Representative posts
- ⚠️ WARNING: ManasluClo (Manaslu Clothing) - Massive Dropshipping Scam Targeting Climbers/Outdoor Enthusiasts
- Why is the Walmart version half the cost of the one I got at REI
- The Disappointing Face (The North Face hiking boots fail)
- MEC vs Sea to Summit Experiences with Sleeping Pads (Durability/Longevity + Warranty/Customer Service)
- Does anyone have any experience with Nordisk coats and/or Thindown?
| Community | Fit | Why relevant |
|---|---|---|
| r/hikinggear | Match 97% | weekly visitors 79K and weekly contributions 1.4K indicate that gear reputation spreads quickly; especially important for hiking gear brands and DTC brands. |
| r/ultralight | Match 95% | weekly visitors 234K and weekly contributions 3K indicate many expert users; suitable for studying cottage brand reputation, though commercial marketing must be approved first. |
| r/campinggear | Match 91% | weekly visitors 198K and weekly contributions 1.8K indicate hot discussion around gear consumption; very useful for outdoor retailers and ecommerce sellers. |
| r/outdoorgear | Match 75% | weekly visitors 7K and weekly contributions 54 indicate limited scale but strong buying intent; useful for observing more mainstream trust issues in outdoor gear. |
| r/ultralightcanada | Match 72% | weekly visitors 8.5K and weekly contributions 113 indicate a small but highly precise regional sample; suitable for Canadian brands and retailers. |
Participation
Where brands should be careful
Posting limits vary by community. Check the captured rules for promotion, links, surveys, low-effort content, and other topic-specific restrictions before participating.
| Community | Promotion risk | Suitable | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| r/ultralight | High; rules mention commercial posts or brand promotion, surveys or market research, affiliate links, referral links, or external links. | Use it for: Highly aligned with ultralight gear makers, cottage brands, and product teams researching lightweight buyers; | Avoid commercial posts or brand promotion, surveys or market research, affiliate links, referral links, or external links; keep any participation specific, disclosed, and useful. |
| r/campinggear | Medium; no returned rules, so check the subreddit before posting. | Use it for: A great fit for outdoor retailers, ecommerce sellers, and camping/backpacking gear brands doing consumer insight work; | Avoid generic promotion; start with observation, saved posts, and rule checks. |
| r/hikinggear | High; rules mention commercial posts or brand promotion, surveys or market research, affiliate links, referral links, or external links. | Use it for: Almost directly aligned with the user strategy, since the target audience is hiking gear buyers and researchers; | Avoid commercial posts or brand promotion, surveys or market research, affiliate links, referral links, or external links; keep any participation specific, disclosed, and useful. |
| r/campingandhiking | High; rules mention commercial posts or brand promotion, surveys or market research, sales, transactions, or DM solicitation. | Use it for: Well suited for studying backpackers, thru-hikers, and multi-day hiking gear purchase decisions; | Avoid commercial posts or brand promotion, surveys or market research, sales, transactions, or DM solicitation; keep any participation specific, disclosed, and useful. |
| r/backpacking | High; rules mention commercial posts or brand promotion, surveys or market research, low-effort posts, spam, or AI-generated content. | Use it for: this is one of the largest target audience pools in the sample; but about half the content may lean toward travel, so it scores below more … | Avoid commercial posts or brand promotion, surveys or market research, low-effort posts, spam, or AI-generated content; keep any participation specific, disclosed, and useful. |
Full ranking
The full community list from the RedditFind run
Use the full ranking across packs, footwear, apparel, shelters, sleep systems, water treatment, trekking accessories, and long-distance hiking.
| Rank | Community | Score | Weekly visitors | Weekly contributions | Community content |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | r/ultralight | 97% | 234K | 3K | A large lightweight/ultralight backpacking community focused on low base weight, gear lists, sleep systems, tents, packs, clothing, stoves, water filtration, and long-distance hiking efficiency. Discussion quality is generally very high, with frequent data-driven analysis, product spec comparisons, and in-depth shakedowns. Highly aligned with ultralight gear makers, cottage brands, and product teams researching lightweight buyers; weekly visitors 234K and weekly contributions 3K show both scale and steady discussion volume. Commercial brand posts require prior mod approval, so it is best suited for long-term listening, thoughtful commenting, and participation after disclosing affiliation. |
| 2 | r/campinggear | 94% | 198K | 1.8K | A large camping and backpacking gear community focused on tents, sleeping pads, sleeping bags/quilts, stoves, lighting, pillows, storage, and price comparisons. Users both show off gear and ask for buying advice and failure experiences. A great fit for outdoor retailers, ecommerce sellers, and camping/backpacking gear brands doing consumer insight work; weekly visitors 198K and weekly contributions 1.8K indicate dense gear discussion and strong engagement. Compared with pure hiking communities, this one is more focused on what to buy, whether it is worth it, and how to use it. |
| 3 | r/hikinggear | 92% | 79K | 1.4K | A community dedicated to hiking-related gear, with common topics including packs, hiking shoes and boots, socks, pants, insulation layers, trekking poles, first aid kits, and beginner gear lists. Most posts are buying advice, sizing/fit checks, usage feedback, and brand alternatives. Almost directly aligned with the user strategy, since the target audience is hiking gear buyers and researchers; weekly visitors 79K and weekly contributions 1.4K mean it is smaller than r/Ultralight but more concentrated on gear questions. Brands can participate, but commercial marketing and new product announcements require prior mod approval, and research posts are not allowed. |
| 4 | r/campingandhiking | 88% | 160K | 864 | A backpacking community for people who hike while carrying camping gear, covering multi-day hikes, route reports, pack weight, sleep systems, tents, food, safety, and logistics. It is not a car camping community; the focus is hike-in camping/backpacking. Well suited for studying backpackers, thru-hikers, and multi-day hiking gear purchase decisions; weekly visitors 160K and weekly contributions 864 mean high traffic but stricter posting thresholds and rules. Note that standard gear reviews are usually only allowed from regular contributors, so brands are better off joining discussions first. |
| 5 | r/backpacking | 85% | 368K | 4.6K | A huge backpacking community covering both wilderness backpacking and travel backpacking, with posts required to be tagged Travel or Wilderness. Popular content includes long-distance hiking, first backpacking trips, gear failures, food, and ultralight debates. weekly visitors 368K and weekly contributions 4.6K make this one of the largest target audience pools in the sample; but about half the content may lean toward travel, so it scores below more vertical gear communities. It offers strong insight value for boots, packs, sleep systems, food, and beginner gear needs. |
| 6 | r/wildernessbackpacking | 82% | 123K | 2K | Focused on multi-day wilderness backpacking, with content around trip reports, routes, campsites, tents, food, safety, and gear issues away from cities and roads. The community has strong expectations for original content, detailed itinerary information, and LNT. weekly visitors 123K and weekly contributions 2K indicate very strong activity, and users are closer to high-value backpackers and wilderness gear buyers. It is not a pure gear community, but it shows gear in real multi-day wilderness use contexts. |
| 7 | r/hiking | 76% | 357K | 5.1K | A large hiking community focused mainly on hiking photos, route experiences, day hikes, and long-distance hiking reports, while also allowing some gear discussion. Popular posts lean more toward scenery and trip stories. weekly visitors 357K and weekly contributions 5.1K provide massive reach, making it useful for understanding ordinary hikers' interests and route scenarios; but gear discussion density is not high, and any commercial promotion is explicitly prohibited, so it is not suitable as a brand's main battlefield. |
| 8 | r/outdoorgear | 72% | 7K | 54 | An outdoor gear Q&A community covering gear for hiking, backpacking, camping, skiing, kayaking, and more, with popular content often focused on clothing layers, sleeping bags/quilts, jackets, pants, and brand experiences. The theme is highly relevant to the user strategy, but weekly visitors 7K and weekly contributions 54 indicate low-to-mid activity, so it scores below the larger communities. Useful for supplementing research on long-tail gear issues and low-noise Q&A. |
| 9 | r/fastpacking | 70% | 2.9K | 46 | A fastpacking community focused on combining trail running with lightweight backpacking, discussing 20-40L running packs, vest packs, bivys, lightweight tents, clothing layers, and long-distance fast movement. A very strong match for trail running, fastpacking packs, lightweight apparel, and high-efficiency gear brands; weekly visitors 2.9K and weekly contributions 46 mean the scale is small but the users are highly precise. Useful for studying advanced, niche buyers who are willing to discuss details. |
| 10 | r/ultralightcanada | 68% | 8.5K | 113 | A Canadian ultralight backpacking community discussing Canadian routes, gear, MEC/local brands, insulation layers, sleeping pads, quilts, food, trading, and trip reports. Content must be Canada-related. weekly visitors 8.5K and weekly contributions 113 indicate strong activity within a regional UL community, making it suitable for research by Canadian retailers, MEC/local cottage brands, and brands entering the Canadian market. The geographic limitation is clear, so global brands need to anchor content in Canadian pricing, taxes, supply, and conditions. |
| 11 | r/outdoorsgear | 66% | 6.4K | 63 | A general outdoor gear community covering footwear and apparel, waterproof shells, rain gear, sleeping pads, water filters, packs, brand identification, and DIY gear. Compared with r/outdoorgear, it is more mixed but still gear-centric. weekly visitors 6.4K and weekly contributions 63 indicate low activity, but discussions are directly centered on product choice. Useful for long-tail demand research, especially around water shoes, UPF apparel, rain jackets, waterproof shells, and entry-level gear. |
| 12 | r/ultralightaus | 64% | — | — | An Australian ultralight bushwalking community discussing lightweight gear in Australian conditions, AliExpress alternatives, sleeping pads, quilts, water carry, routes, and navigation. The community is highly attentive to local channels, pricing, and practicality. Although there is no weekly data, the sample shows good discussion quality and high gear relevance; useful for researching Australian ultralight users, dry-climate high-volume water carry, Larapinta, Macpac, Alton Goods, and other local topics. The lack of weekly activity data keeps the score conservative. |
| 13 | r/ultralightbackpacking | 62% | 4.3K | 40 | A smaller ultralight backpacking community covering lightweight tents, bear canisters, hammocks, sleeping bags/quilts, DCF, cookware, and fun ultralight gear. Overall it is more relaxed and looser than r/Ultralight. weekly visitors 4.3K and weekly contributions 40 indicate limited activity, but the user topic is fully relevant to ultralight gear. Useful for supplementary observation of beginner and casual UL users, but not suitable as a primary growth channel. |
| 14 | r/ulgeartrade | 60% | 3.3K | 371 | An ultralight hiking gear buy/sell/trade community, with posts centered on secondhand tents, packs, sleeping bags/quilts, clothing, sleeping pads, accessories, and more, requiring titles to clearly state brand, weight, size, and price. weekly visitors 3.3K and weekly contributions 371 indicate limited traffic but high transaction frequency, making it useful for researching secondhand pricing, brand resale value, popular models, and real demand. It is not a content marketing community, and brands should not treat it as a promotion channel. |
| 15 | r/pnwhiking | 58% | 56K | 1.2K | A Pacific Northwest hiking and backpacking community focused mainly on route reports and regional topics such as volcano/alpine/forest hikes, Wonderland, Enchantments, Goat Rocks, Rainier, and more. Gear is not the core focus, but it often appears in trip reports and route preparation. weekly visitors 56K and weekly contributions 1.2K indicate very strong regional activity, making it useful for studying PNW hikers' real seasonal, weather, water-source, snowline, and route needs. Because it is not a gear-specialist community, it scores below vertical gear communities. |
| 16 | r/backpackinghikinggear | 55% | 363 | 11 | A very vertical small community for backpacking/hiking gear, covering sleeping bags/quilts, pack capacity, water filtration, sun hats, GPS, sleeping pads, and gear trading/questions. The topic is highly aligned, but weekly visitors 363 and weekly contributions 11 indicate activity is too low, so it can only function as a long-tail community. Useful for finding small, fragmented gear problems, but not for investing major operating resources. |
| 17 | r/camping | 52% | 463K | 4K | A huge camping community focused mainly on tent/hammock camping, campsite experiences, solo camping, family camping, comfort gear, and camping etiquette, without much attention to long-distance hiking or ultralight travel. weekly visitors 463K and weekly contributions 4K indicate enormous scale, but the user strategy clearly does not want general camping recreation to be a primary outcome, so the score is pushed down. Useful for researching mainstream camping gear and comfort accessories, but not for studying thru-hiker or UL buyers. |
| 18 | r/bikepacking | 49% | 135K | 3.8K | A large bikepacking community discussing bike-camping routes, bike bag systems, DIY bags, long-distance resupply, camping systems, and gear setups. It is bike-centric rather than a hiking gear community. weekly visitors 135K and weekly contributions 3.8K indicate very strong activity, and there is overlap in sleep systems, lightweight storage, and outdoor apparel; however, the core audience is cyclists, so overlap with the hiking/backpacking strategy is only partial. |
| 19 | r/hikingessential | 47% | 544 | 29 | A small beginner hiking and gear community covering beginner hiking, basic gear, packs, hydration bladders, cookware, high-altitude glasses, shoes, and first aid kits. It also includes some videos and light promotional content. weekly visitors 544 and weekly contributions 29 indicate low activity, but the topics are close to beginner purchase decisions. Useful for observing beginner hikers' gear confusion, but not suitable for high-investment operations. |
| 20 | r/wildcampingandhiking | 39% | 2.2K | 39 | A small community combining wild camping and hiking, mainly discussing wild camping, stealth camping, regional regulations, pests, route suggestions, and basic gear. The content leans more toward a European/UK camping context. weekly visitors 2.2K and weekly contributions 39 indicate low-to-moderate activity, with some overlap with backpacking/camping gear. Because much of the content is about locations, regulations, and camping partners rather than gear purchase decisions, it scores relatively low. |
| 21 | r/ulhikinguk | 38% | 980 | 19 | A small UK ultralight/lightweight hiking and camping community discussing lightweight tents, Dyneema pack modifications, routes, apps, and local hiking habits in UK conditions. weekly visitors 980 and weekly contributions 19 indicate relatively low activity, but it offers some insight value for the UK ultralight market. Suitable for UK retailers, small brands, and localized product research. |
| 22 | r/rohiking | 34% | — | — | A Romania/Carpathian hiking community whose content mainly consists of route photos, summits, bears, trail markers, weather, and local safety. The language is mostly Romanian. There is no weekly activity data, but sample posts show decent engagement, making it useful for studying Eastern European mountain hiking scenarios. It is only weakly related to the target of global outdoor brands, with gear discussion not concentrated and language/regional barriers relatively high. |
| 23 | r/vintagecampinggear | 23% | 185 | 6 | A vintage camping gear community focused on pre-2000 old tents, stoves, lanterns, sleeping bags, and collectibles. Discussion leans toward collecting, restoration, and identification. weekly visitors 185 and weekly contributions 6 indicate very low activity, and it is not a modern DTC outdoor gear buying community. It has a little reference value for brand history, retro aesthetics, and product heritage. |
| 24 | r/backpackingtips | 20% | 127 | 0 | A very small backpacking tips community with mixed content around travel advice, service promotion, coffee, knees, and a small amount of gear. In the current sample it skews toward travel and low activity. weekly visitors 127 and weekly contributions 0 indicate almost no recent contribution volume, so its operating value is very low. Although the name is relevant, in practice it offers limited help for hiking gear/backpacking gear research. |
| 25 | r/midwestbackpacking | 18% | 46 | 1 | A small Midwest backpacking, bikepacking, canoe camping, and related community, with only a very small number of sample posts. The content leans more toward regional activities and simple questions. weekly visitors 46 and weekly contributions 1 indicate extremely low activity. Although the topic is related to backpacking, the data volume is too small to make it a research or participation priority. |
| 26 | r/hiking_people | 16% | 192 | 0 | An extremely small general hiking community positioned around sharing routes, gear advice, and outdoor stories. In the sample, it mainly contains a single AllTrails research recruitment post. weekly visitors 192 and weekly contributions 0 indicate almost no real community discussion. The name is relevant, but it lacks active gear content, so it scores very low. |
| 27 | r/hikingwomen | 10% | — | — | A small community positioned around women's solo hiking, but the current sample has no posts and no weekly activity data. The rules emphasize not sharing specific locations. Women's hiking gear is indeed important within the target audience, but this community currently has no usable activity data or content samples. For research on women's fit, women's footwear/apparel, and solo safety, priority should go to r/hikinggear, r/backpacking, or active women-related communities. |
Original About and Rules evidence
This section keeps the raw About / Rules text captured for each subreddit so operators can check the source before participating.
#1
r/ultralight
About / Public Description
r/Ultralight is the largest online Ultralight Backcountry Backpacking community! This sub is about overnight backcountry backpacking, with a focus on moving efficiently, packing light, generally aiming at a sub 10 pound base weight, and following LNT principles. Join us and ask yourself the question: Do I really need that?
Rules
Golden Rule - Be A Nice Human
Discussion and spirited intelligent debate is acceptable and encouraged; however, abuse or harassment, whether targeted at an individual or group of individuals, is forbidden with a zero tolerance policy. This includes, but is not limited to: name calling, bashing other user's religion, racism, misogyny, anti-LGBTQ+, and generally being mean. Temporary and perm bans will be issued in some situations at the Moderator's discretion.
Stay On-Topic
Content must align with r/Ultralight's Subreddit Description, Mission Statement and Scope of: “Overnight backcountry backpacking, with a focus on moving efficiently, packing light, and generally aiming at a sub 10 pound base weight.” Questions should be obviously related to ultralight wilderness backpacking; posts related to front-country camping, bikepacking, general electronics, one-bag travel, etc, will be removed.
Posts Should Be High Effort
Standalone posts should strive to be thorough, informative, or helpful to a wide range of future readers. Meaning descriptive titles and original content; doing research first, searching the sub; providing adequate context in your post; creating posts that positively contribute to the subreddit mission. Posts that ask questions that the manufacturer or retailer can best answer are not considered High Effort. Questions that don’t meet these requirements should be posted in the Weekly Thread.
Sponsorship and Self Promotion
Posting about gifted or sponsored items is fine, but it must be disclosed (just once is fine) in your post/comment. Content creators and UL companies/designers/celebrity hikers are encouraged to engage with the subreddit. Promoting your own products/Youtube/Instagram/blog/etc. should account for no more than 10% of your engagement with the subreddit. Exceptions can be made at the moderator’s discretion if the user in question offers valuable insight to the community.
Commercial Brand Marketing
These posts require prior approval before posting, please message the Mods via Modmail first. Promotions and exciting new gear announcements are welcome from companies with products that fit within the Sub's Directive and have a history of engaging with the community.
Buying/Selling/Trading & Sale Posts Don’t Belong Here
Posts and comments intended to buy, sell or trade gear are not allowed. This content belongs on the affiliated r/ULgeartrade subreddit. Standalone posts regarding discounts or sales of UL gear are not allowed, asking for discount codes or if a company will have a sale soon is also not allowed. Please feel free to post discounts or ask for discount codes or sales in the pinned weekly discussion thread.
No MYOG
Posting questions about a MYOG project you are working on is not permitted. These questions belong on the r/myog Subreddit. General discussion about fabric choices for a custom pack/new fabrics/etc. are allowed but should contain enough information to be useful to other people. Posting your finished project as a fully detailed gear review that follows the Gear Review Template is allowed. These posts are limited to the 10% self-promotion rule. I.E., you must be a regular contributor to the sub.
No Surveys
Survey posts are not permitted and will be removed.
Customer Service Posts
Posts exclusively focused on customer service experiences are prohibited. This includes complaining about a customer service interaction; asking if anyone has had a similar experience with a company or product; asking if a product would qualify for warranty repair/replacement etc. Posting your customer service as part of a fully detailed gear review that follows the Gear Review Template is allowed. Writing short comments in the Weekly Thread about a customer service experience is allowed.
Remember Leave No Trace Principles
We all enjoy spending time in nature so it’s important to make sure the advice given aligns as closely as possible with LNT Principles. Think of how you can extend those principles to everyday life – replacing single-use plastics when appropriate, recycling or reselling old gear, and reducing your contribution to overconsumption – ask yourself if you really need to upgrade or replace a piece of gear, or if it’s just something new and hyped.
About / Public Description
A community to get advice and to show off camping and backpacking gear. Helpful folks who love the hobby as much as you do. Please note: We may initiate another blackout to further protest the API changes. Some of the largest subreddits such as r/funny and r/teenagers are going private indefinitely.
Rules
—
#3
r/hikinggear
About / Public Description
This subreddit is for all gear related discussion. Requests, pricing help, suggestions, experience and the like.
Rules
Golden Rule - Be A Nice Human
Discussion and spirited intelligent debate is acceptable and encouraged; however, name calling, bashing other user's religion, racism, misogyny, anti-LGBTQ+ and generally being mean is forbidden with a zero tolerance policy.
Stay On-Topic
Content must align with /r/hikinggear community description
Low Effort Posts
Details are required with all picture posts. Photos should be original content (OC), high effort, and not Earthporn images. Please don't ask questions without providing enough context and/or without doing your own research first.
Self Promotion and Sponsorship
Advertising of your own blogs, websites, social media accounts, Youtube channel, etc. must make up no more than 10% of your overall contribution to this Subreddit. Additional rules for sponsorship (including Employees): Posts/comments made regarding gear received for free or at a significant discount via employment, sponsorship, or ambassadorship (for a review or pro-bono) needs to be disclosed at the top of your post/comment. Disclosure is only required one time per post or thread.
Commercial Brand Marketing
Promotions and exciting new gear announcements are welcome from companies with products that fit within the Sub's Directive. These posts require prior approval before posting so please message the Mods via Modmail first.
Buying/Selling/Trading & Sale Posts
Posts and comments intended to buy, sell or trade gear are not allowed. This content belongs on the affiliated /r/geartrade subreddit.
Surveys
Survey posts are not permitted and will be removed.
About / Public Description
For Backpackers who Hike with Camping Gear in their Backpack. Tips, trip reports, back-country gear reviews, safety and news
Rules
Camping AND Hiking
All posts must be about camping in a place you hiked to and closely related topics like gear, destinations and food. [Check this list of outdoor related subreddits to see if there is a more specific subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/CampingandHiking/wiki/index/related_subreddits/)
Ads, blogs, websites
Advertising of your own blogs/websites/channels should be kept to a minimum. It should make up no more than 10% of your overall contribution to this subreddit.
No surveys
Surveys are not allowed, with few exceptions. All survey posts must be vetted by the moderators before posting.
Equipment sales
Any post on equipment sales will be self post.
Gear Reviews
Gear reviews will be removed and are not allowed unless it is from a regular contributor of this subreddit.
Original Content
Photos should be original content (OC) and not Earthporn images. Full explanation [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/CampingandHiking/comments/3eg6jo/metaoriginal_content_vs_earthporn/).
Low Effort post
No random photos of locations. Post should include details of the trip and engaging questions asked in comments. Some common details to include are mileage, gear, number of days, location, or route taken.
No Breaking LNT Principles
No content that breaks the 7 core Leave No Trace (LNT) principles. https://lnt.org 1. Plan Ahead and Prepare 2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces 3. Dispose of Waste Properly 4. Leave What You Find 5. Minimize Campfire Impacts 6. Respect Wildlife 7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors The C&H moderator team will have final say on principle-breaking content.
Be nice
Don't be a jerk. We are here because we love camping. Refrain from insults, attacks, bigotry, etc.
No NSFW content
'Not Safe For Work' content is not allowed
Other
Other
About / Public Description
A subreddit for traveling backpacking and wilderness backpacking, not restricted to one or the other. All posts must be flaired "Travel" or "Wilderness"
Rules
All posts tagged "Wilderness" or "Travel"
In order to offer a place for the spectrum of Backpackers, posts should be tagged with either "Travel" for things most related to destination backpacking, and "Wilderness" should be used when the post primarily relates to outdoor camping or hiking.
Submissions must include a short paragraph describing your trip.
Submitted content should be of high-quality. Low effort posting of very general information is not useful. Posts must include a trip report of at least 150 characters or a short paragraph with trip details. Tell us something about your trip. How long did it take to get there? How did you get there? How was the weather that day? Would you go back again?
Self Promotion and Spam
This is a community of users, not a platform for advertisement, self promotion, surveys, apps, or blogspam. Including YouTube channels and Guide Services. Absolutely no app advertising here. Self promotion should be limited to about 10% of your posts. If this is a concern, go find a discussion to share all that good advice you have accumulated! [Reddit Self-Promotion Guide](https://www.reddit.com/wiki/selfpromotion)
All photos and videos must be Original Content
All photos and videos must be Original Content. No AI generated pictures. Reposts and stolen content is not allowed.
Be helpful. Don't use strong swear words.
Polite, constructive criticism of ideas is acceptable. Unconstructive criticism of individuals and usage of strong profanity is unacceptable.
About / Public Description
A subreddit dedicated to backpacking in the wild places on earth - where people are few, cell signal is nil, and Mother Nature still reigns. Backpacking defined as multi-day trips into the wild, unpopulated, areas of the world.
Rules
Don't be a jerk
Treat others as you would like to be treated. If you do not have anything nice to say, then don't say it. If you wouldn't say something nasty to a fellow backpacker in the wild, don't say it here. This includes disparaging or inappropiate posts or comments of any sort.
No advertising or promotional posts
No advertising or promotional posts please. Do not post give-aways, contests, raffles, items for sale or advertise for a specific company, website or product. Do not advertise for your blog. Do not advertise your YouTube or TikTok videos/channel or ask for subscribers. These posts will be removed.
No advertising or promotional comments
No advertising or promotional comments please. Do not post give-aways, contests, raffles, items for sale or advertise for a specific company, website or product. Do not advertise for your blog. These comments will be removed. This applies to YouTube and TikTok videos (commenting on your post with links/directions to your own channel.)
When posting photos
Please post only your original photos, or an original photo taken by someone in your backpacking group. Interesting historical photos related to wilderness backpacking, that aren't your own, are also allowed. Please also read rule 5.
After posting photos add a trip report
Comment on the post with some information about your trip: Number of nights out. Distance traveled. Who did you go with? Why did you chose this location? Anything else you'd like to mention about your trip. Please post this comment immediately after posting the photo. Also, if you caption your photos this will be considered a trip report.
No surveys, polls or user opinion gathering
Surveys, polls or any kind of user opinion gathering for commercial, academic or other uses are not allowed. Posts asking for opinions for personal advice are allowed.
When posting Youtube videos
1. Video must be from a 1 night minimum trip. 2. Video must take place in wilderness away from roads, cars, buildings, etc. Abandoned buildings, ranger buildings, wilderness huts, etc. are okay. 3. Video must not contain irresponsible wilderness practices. Breaking LNT, showcasing dangerous behavior, use of drones. 4. Comments must not contain excessive advertisement for your channel. 5. You must provide a trip report in the comments. 6. Do not ask for subscribers here.
Stay on-topic
The subject and content of posts must align with r/WildernessBackpacking's subreddit description and scope of "Wilderness backpacking defined as multi-day trips into the wild, unpopulated, areas of the world." All posts must be about camping in a place you travelled to away from civilization or closely related topics like gear questions, destinations, food, routes, backpacking advice or topics of interest to wilderness backpackers. Posts not adhering to this will be removed.
Respect Leave No Trace (LNT) and responsible behaviors
Posts and comments that advocate behaviors not adhering to Leave No Trace (LNT) principles will be removed. See LNT.ORG for more information on LNT principles. Additionally, posts or comments involving drone footage or irresponsible behaviors will be removed.
English language sub
We are an English language subreddit, and non-English posts will be removed
Posts should be high effort
Standalone posts should strive to be thorough, informative, or helpful to a wide range of future readers. Meaning descriptive titles and original content; doing research first, searching the sub; providing adequate context in your post; creating posts that positively contribute to the subreddit mission. If you asking about what gear to bring or leave behind create and share a lighterpack.com list. Bottom line is do your homework first, don't expect others to do it for you.
#7
r/hiking
About / Public Description
The hikers' subreddit.
Rules
Posts must be about hiking
Preferably posts, pics, discussion about you and your hikes. This can include trip reports, photos, videos, gear discussion, etc. Medical photos/content are not allowed. Please see this [POST](https://www.reddit.com/r/hiking/comments/1m8zm0e/medicalinjury_photos_and_advice_posts/)
Photo and Video posts MUST include location and general description of your hike.
The title of any picture or video posts must include details on the location of the hike. The body of the post must also include a brief description of your hike Example: Title: Summit of Half-Dome, Yosemite National Park, California, USA Body: Took a long awaited hike along the Half-Dome trail and climbed the many vertical steps! Please see this [POST](https://www.reddit.com/r/hiking/comments/1eu1igg/rule_2_the_title_rule_or_why_your_photo_post_got/)
Any type of Promotional content is not allowed
Any type of promotion is not allowed. Whether it's a link to your blog, website, YouTube channel, fundraiser, survey, Instagram, business, product, or merchandise. This can extend to include entire accounts built around a business (Trekking/Guide companies, Adult Content, Bloggers) at the mods discretion. If your post was removed because of a YouTube link, please upload your videos using a non-monetized source like Streamable or Reddit's own video service.
Must be Original Content
All content must be your own Original Content No AI generated pictures, videos, posts or comments are allowed.
No drone footage
Drones impact peoples quiet enjoyment of the outdoors and are not related to hiking. Posts with drone footage will be removed
About / Public Description
Reviews or questions about gear for camping, backpacking, hiking, skiing, kayaking, and everything else outdoors. rs.
Rules
Spam
Self promotional posts Jerk
About / Public Description
This community is dedicated to long days outdoors that involve moving efficiently and fast with everything you need on your back to spend the night.
Rules
Be kind
Discussion and spirited intelligent debate is acceptable and encouraged; however, name calling, bashing other user's religion, racism, misogyny, anti-LGBTQ+ and generally being mean is forbidden with a zero tolerance policy. Temporary and perm bans will be issued in some situations at the Moderator's discretion.
Stay on topic
Content must align with /r/fastpacking' Subreddit Description, Mission Statement and Scope.
Low effort posts
Low effort posts include, but are not limited to: Posts without descriptions (title only, no body) Posts only containing photo(s) of gear that the community is already familiar with. Photos should be original content (OC), high effort, and not Earthporn images. Asking questions without providing enough context and/or without doing your own research first. Memes/shitposts Posts not positively contributing to the sub directive (see sidebar) We'll remove these at our discretion.
About / Public Description
Welcome to the Canadian Ultralight Backpacking Community! This subreddit is intended to allow for Canadian backpackers to organize meet ups and trips, and to discuss all things Canadian Ultralight.
Rules
Canada Related Content
Please only post content that is relevant to Canada. General content about Ultralight Backpacking should be posted on /r/Ultralight. Ask yourself "does this post make more sense on the /r/Ultralight subreddit?" before posting here.
Don't Be a Hoser
Discussion and spirited intelligent debate is acceptable and encouraged; however, name calling, bashing other user's gear, racism, misogyny, anti-LGBTQI and generally being a hoser is forbidden. Removal of the post or comment is a warning. Temporary and perm bans will be issued in some situations at the Moderator's discretion.
Provincial Flairs
Posts relating to [Trip Reports], [Trip Proposals], [Meet Up] and specific local [Store Sales] must also include a [Provincial Flair]
Photos & Videos
Photos should be original, high effort, and not Earthporn images. Must include a [Provincial Flair], brief ‘Trip Report’ and ‘Gear List’. Videos should be (OC), high effort, and not Trailporn. Must include a [Provincial Flair], brief ‘Trip Report’ and ‘Gear List’. “Whats In My Pack” videos are allowed only if gear is specific to Canadian trips, and “Gear Reviews” are allowed if they are related to Canadian specific brands and Canadian cottage companies (MEC, Northern Ultralight, Ciele, etc.).
Ads, Blogs, Videos & Websites
Advertising of your own blogs/websites/youtube videos should be kept to a minimum. It should make up no more than 10% of your overall contribution to this subreddit. Content should be relevant to the community and positively contribute to the sub. Mods will apply this rule at their discretion.
Improper Trip Report Format
Trip reports will be self posts. Posting links to trip reports on your own website are permitted as long as you are not violating the 10% rule explained in "Ads, Blogs, and Websites" section above. Posts must include details of the trip and [Provincial Flair]. Some common details to include are kilometres traveled, gear lists, base weight, number of days, location, and the route taken. Trips reports should include information about gear relevant to this community.
Low Effort Posts
Low effort posts will be removed at the discretion of the moderators. They include, but are not limited to: Posts without descriptions (title only, no body). Posts only containing photo(s) of gear that the community is already familiar with. Asking questions without providing enough context and/or without doing your own research first. Memes/shitposts. Posts not positively contributing to the sub directive. Any type of surveys.
Sponsorship Disclosure
Posts/comments made regarding gear received for free or at a significant discount via employment, sponsorship, or ambassadorship (for a review or pro-bono) needs disclosing at the top of your post/comment. Disclosure required in initial comment about the gear within a given post. Comments related to the same piece of gear in separate posts require disclosure again. Employees of companies must disclose this employment as someone who is sponsored would.
Buying/Selling/Trading & Sale Posts
Buying, selling, and trading of gear must be within Canada and only posted in the weekly “General Discussion: Gear Trade Thread” Posts made to advertise a sale on gear must contain a [Store Sale] flair, as well with a [Provincial Flair] if stores are only locally located.
Make Your Own Gear (myog)
Posting questions/discussions about methods, techniques, etc regarding an MYOG project you are working on is not permitted, unless it’s specifically related to Canadian fabric and material resources. Those questions relating to methods and techniques belong on r/myog and will be removed.
#11
r/outdoorsgear
About / Public Description
If it can be used in the outdoors - or provides useful information on something that is used in the outdoors - it belongs here. i.e. gear reviews, new gear, etc. Outdoor gear for the gear enthusiast!
Rules
Authenticity checks
Authenticity checks should be posted to brand-specific subs (eg. r/arcteryx).
For-Sale Posts
Items for sale should be posted in gear-sale focused subs (eg. r/geartrade)
Firearms
While often an outdoor pursuit, content related to firearms should be posted to firearm-specific subs.
#12
r/ultralightaus
About / Public Description
A subreddit to discuss all things ultralight bushwalking in Australia.
Rules
Golden Rule - Be A Nice Human
Discussion and spirited intelligent debate is acceptable and encouraged; however, name calling, bashing other user's religion, racism, misogyny, anti-LGBTQ+ and generally being mean is forbidden with a zero tolerance policy. Temporary and perm bans will be issued in some situations at the Moderator's discretion.
Stay On-Topic
Content must align with /r/UltralightAus' Subreddit Description, Mission Statement and Scope.
Low Effort Posts
Low effort posts include, but are not limited to: Posts without descriptions (title only, no body) Posts only containing photo(s) of gear that the community is already familiar with. Photos should be original content (OC), high effort, and not Earthporn images. Asking questions without providing enough context and/or without doing your own research first. Memes/shitposts Posts not positively contributing to the sub directive (see sidebar) We'll remove these at our discretion.
Self Promotion and Sponsorship
Advertising of your own blogs, websites, social media accounts, Youtube channel, etc. must make up no more than 10% of your overall contribution to this Subreddit. Additional rules for sponsorship (including Employees): Posts/comments made regarding gear received for free or at a significant discount via employment, sponsorship, or ambassadorship (for a review or pro-bono) needs to be disclosed at the top of your post/comment. Disclosure is only required one time per post or thread.
Commercial Brand Marketing
Promotions and exciting new gear announcements are welcome from companies with products that fit within the Sub's Directive. These posts require prior approval before posting so please message the Mods via Modmail first.
Buying/Selling/Trading & Sale Posts
Posts and comments intended to buy, sell or trade gear are not allowed. This content belongs on the /r/ULgeartrade subreddit. Posts regarding discounts or sales of UL gear are not allowed. Please feel free to post them in the pinned deals thread.
Surveys
Survey posts are not permitted and will be removed.
About / Public Description
Ultralight backpacking by the people for the people.
Rules
Be Nice!
Be Kind and Courteous: We're all in this together to create a welcoming environment. Let's treat everyone with respect. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required. Give others the benefit of the doubt.
No Spam
No Spam: Give more than you take to this group. Excessive self-promotion, spam and irrelevant links aren't allowed.
Stay on Topic
This is an ultralight focused sub, please utilize other subreddits for off topic posts.
No Gear Sales
We do not allow gear sales, please use https://www.reddit.com/r/GearTrade/ for this!
#14
r/ulgeartrade
About / Public Description
Buying / Selling / Trading of ultralight hiking gear.
Rules
READ THE PINNED POST BEFORE EVER POSTING.
https://www.reddit.com/r/ULgeartrade/comments/dk40ci/rulgeartrade_rules_read_before_posting/
This sub is for personal buying / selling / trading Ultralight items only!
This sub is for personal buying/selling/trading Ultralight items only! See the list of appropriate items in the rules post.
Use tags! [WTS] = want to sell, [WTB] = want to buy, [WTT] = want to trade
It is required to tag posts! Please use the following tags at the beginning of post titles. Posts will automatically be removed if they are not included. Acceptable tags: [WTS] = Want to Sell [WTB] = Want to Buy [WTT] = Want to Trade. You can also combine tags, e.g. [WTT/WTS].
Titles need to include: Manufacturer, Item, Weight. If applicable: Size and sex.
Include at least this info in the title: Manufacturer (or MYOG), item, weight. If applicable: size and gender (for clothing and footwear). Other critical info can be added: e.g.: [WTS] Enlightened Equipment Men's Torrid Jacket, size L, 2018 version, 7 oz. You can list multiple items at once, but if you have more to say than the title allows, please consider making more than one post.
Posts must contain: Price, weight, item description and photos
Posts must contain this mandatory information: Price, weight, item description and photos (see rule five)! Please include all relevant details, like condition of the item (new, used, damages), modifications, size, color, fabric, model year, location (e.g. US/EU/Japan) etc.. People also like to read about personal experiences. Just think what you would want to read if you were a buyer.
Posts must contain personal photos, including a verification picture.
Posts must contain personal photos, including a verification picture. Please use self taken images of the things listed and not just manufacturers stock images. At least one photo has to have the item in frame with a piece of paper with your reddit username and the current date. People also really like seeing items on a scale with the weight in the picture. (this is ULgeartrade after all!)
Direct sales/trades only. No external links (ebay), no auctions, no OBO's, no gift cards
Direct sales/trades only! No links to other sites, no auctions, no Ebay, no "or best offer" posts, no gift cards!
No predatory sales or trades!
No predatory sales or trades! Selling items for over their original retail sales price is prohibited. (Retail plus shipping for new items is ok.) Trading offers with significant value difference (a desirable but low priced item, for a higher priced item or duping someone who does not realize) are not allowed.
Follow post ettiquette!
Rude, derogatory, or off-base comments will be removed and may result in a ban. Comments that are purely critical of pricing, and clearly demonstrating no desire to purchase the item, will be removed.
#15
r/pnwhiking
About / Public Description
The PNW is a beautiful place to wander! From the North Cascades to the Redwoods, we've got it all: dry desert, coastal rainforests, high alpine volcanoes, deep gorges, and old growth forests. We're here to share our photos, experiences, and stories of hiking and backpacking in the PNW.
Rules
Be polite.
- Don't make hateful posts or comments. - Treat others and their experiences with respect.
Don't Spam.
- Please post photos, trip reports, questions, etc. - Please don't post advertising, ad-driven blog posts, or affiliate links
No posts asking for smoke predictions
Nobody knows if it'll be smoky beyond tomorrow. Refer to stickied post
About / Public Description
Subreddit where you can nerd out about gear more specific to Backpacking! Post Video reviews, pictures or even just talk about gear in order to help others make decisions on what gear might be right for them! Happy Trails :)
Rules
Posts Must Be Backpacking Gear Related
This subreddit was made specifically for the gear aspect when it comes to Backpacking.
No NSFW content
This subreddit refuses to allow any NSFW posts or anything promoting NSFW content creation, we're just here to nerd out on gear.
No hate of any kind will be tolerated
We're here to celebrate the difference in our selves and the differences in our opinions in order it make this community about Backpacking gear better.
No posts related to politics
This subreddit is for backpacking gear only. We do not ignore the world's problems here, however there are other subreddits for the kind of stuff. Go there.
Flair Required
All posts must have an accurate flair, not having a flair may result in your post being edited or removed all together.
#17
r/camping
About / Public Description
A subreddit for campers concerned more about the act of recreational camping and less concerned about hiking long distances or light gear. Primarily for tent/hammock camping. No RV camping here.
Rules
Stay On Topic
All posts must be about camping (generally tent or hammock) and closely related topics like gear, destinations and camping food. [Check this list of outdoor related subreddits to see if there is a more specific subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/CampingandHiking/wiki/edit/index/related_subreddits)
Be Nice
Don't be a jerk. We are here because we love camping. Refrain from insults, attacks, bigotry, etc.
Trip Details Required
Trip details beyond location must be provided with all picture/video posts. Any type of information to add context is valuable. E.g. how did you get there, how long did you camp, what was the weather, were reservations/permits required, what tent did you use, what did you eat, how many people were with you, etc /r/camping is a place for conversation and sharing information. Drop-and-Run style posts are discouraged. Please stick around after posting and interact with the community.
No RV Camping
RV's, large trailers, large and small vans, campers, pop-up campers, and cabins are not allowed. Please take RV to /r/GoRVing or check out /r/vanlife.
Ads, blogs, websites
Advertising of your own or some else blogs/websites/channels is not allowed Asking for blogs/websites/channels recommendation should also be kept to a minimum. The moderators reserve the right to remove any post asking for blogs/websites/channels recommendations.
No Reposts, OC Only
If a photo, must be original content. No reposts, no memes (unless you regularly submit other content) and no AI.
No NSFW Content
'Not Safe For Work' content is not allowed
No Surveys
Surveys and market research are not allowed as they are requested too frequently and are never popular. Do not ask the moderators about the possibility to post a survey. Please take them to /r/samplesize
No Short Links
No link shorteners. Link shorteners to Amazon products pages or any other websites are not allowed. The moderators have no way of guaranteeing the links are safe and they do not want to risk the safety of the community.
Low Effort/repeated question Post
All posts must show a minimum level of effort and thought. Vague or overly broad questions (e.g., “What’s the best tent?”, “Where should I go camping?”) will be removed unless they provide enough detail to encourage meaningful discussion or advice. This includes gear questions, location requests, and general tips/tricks. Posts that are too short, unclear, or look like they were written with little care may also be removed. Moderators reserve the right to remove posts they consider low-effort.
#18
r/bikepacking
About / Public Description
Bikepacking: Off-Pavement Bicycling and camping where you would if you were to go backpacking. Bikepacking is generally in the backcountry, but you can backpack on local trails.
Rules
Say it with Love
Not everything needs to be said. If you are certain your opinion needs to be on record, say it with love.
This Bores Me
So you wanna post a bike pic? Some would love to see it. Others, not so much. As a compromise, show us a pic of your bike, out in a COMPLETELY WILD setting. Hero shots welcome!
Self Promotional Posts
Self promotional posts must include your relationship the item. Are you a company rep, being paid to promote or review, or is it your personal blog?
Not Bikepacking
Not everything to do with bikes is bikepacking. Some posts might be better suited for /r/Cycling, /r/bicycletouring/, /r/MTB/, ect.
No AI generated content
No AI generated content.
About / Public Description
Your ultimate guide to everything on the trail. Discuss the latest hiking gear, compare pack weights, and share those essential tips for safety and comfort, share your stories, videos and all about Hiking and Camping. This is the resource hub for all hikers, from day trips to week-long treks. Get prepared before you lace up!
Rules
Be respectful
Treat everyone with respect. No harassment, insults, or toxic behavior.
Stay On Topic
Content must be related to hiking, backpacking, hiking gear, preparation, trails, or outdoor hiking experiences.
No Dangerous or Misleading Advice
Do not share unsafe hiking practices, harmful recommendations, or misleading information.
No Spam or Excessive Self-Promotion
Promotional content must provide value. Repeated links, affiliate dumping, or low-effort promotion is not allowed.
Use the Correct Flair
All posts must use the most relevant flair for organization.
No Low-Effort Posts
Posts must include meaningful context, questions, or discussion. One-line or vague posts may be removed.
No Buying or Selling
This subreddit is not a marketplace. No selling gear, services, or affiliate offers.
No Irrelevant External Links
External links must be directly helpful and relevant to the discussion.
No Duplicate Posts
Avoid reposting the same content repeatedly within a short timeframe.
Respect Reddit Sitewide Rules
All content must follow Reddit's global policies including prohibited content and behavior.
About / Public Description
r/WildCamping is a community to discuss all aspects of wild camping away from established campsites, whether you are someone who practices Bushcraft and likes to spend a few nights in a natural setting after a long days walk or a hiker who needs to pitch up in the hills. What unites this sub is the desire for a more natural experience and an appreciation of the "wild" outdoors.
Rules
Golden Rule - Wild Camping Locations
Since wild camping is illegal in some countries, and we want to minimise any damage to a particular environment, please do not provide a specific wild camping location. It is better to teach others to find their own secluded location as opposed to making a few select sites public knowledge. However advising others of large regions where there is ample opportunity is allowed i.e. "The hills around Mountain A has plenty of cover" or "The Western part of National Park B has plenty of locations"
Golden Rule - Don't be a Dick
Discussion and spirited intelligent debate is acceptable and encouraged; however, name calling, bashing other user's gear, racism, misogyny, anti-LGBTQI and generally being an asshole is forbidden. Removal of the post or comment is a warning. Temporary and perm bans will be issued in some situations at the Moderator's discretion.
Ads, Blogs, Videos & Websites
Advertising of your own blogs/websites/youtube videos should be kept to a minimum. It should make up no more than 10% of your overall contribution to this subreddit. Content should be relevant to the community and positively contribute to the sub. Mods will apply this rule at their discretion.
Surveys
Survey posts are not permitted and will be removed.
Buying/Selling/Trading
Buy/Sell/Trade posts will be removed. Please use r/GearTrade or r/ULgeartrade for these posts. Alternatively, you can offer the item in the monthly discussion thread.
Improper Gear Review Format
Gear reviews will be self post, well put together, and formatted well. Posting links to gear reviews that are not your own is permitted. Posting links to reviews on your own website are permitted as long as you are not violating the 10% rule explained in "Ads, Blogs, and Websites" section above. Reviews should be of items relevant to the wild camping and wild hiking community.
Improper Trip Report Format
Trip reports will be self posts. Posting links to trip reports on your own website are permitted as long as you are not violating the 10% rule explained in "Ads, Blogs, and Websites" section above. Posts should include details of the trip. Some common details to include are terrain, gear lists, weather, number of days, location, and the route taken. Trips reports should include information about gear relevant to this community.
Original Content
Photos should be original content (OC) and NOT Earthporn images.
Low Effort Posts
Shit posting, low effort, spam, memes, and posts not positively contributing to the sub directive are subject to removal.
Sale Posts
Posts made to advertise a sale on gear will be removed. Please use the weekly pinned discussion post to talk about gear sales.
#21
r/ulhikinguk
About / Public Description
Ultralight and Lightweight backpacking, hiking and camping in the UK.
Rules
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#22
r/rohiking
About / Public Description
The Carpathian outdoor subreddit.
Rules
Bun simt
Suntem aici dintr-o pasiune comuna. Pastrati cat posibil un limbaj decent
Promovare
Promovarea turelor comerciale nu este permisa. Postarile legate de blogul personal, site-ul sau canalul de Youtube nu sunt interzise, dar nu faceti exces.
OC si Locatie
Original content-ul este incurajat. Incercati sa lasati si cateva detalii despre poza/videoclip.
Off-topic
Nu faceti off-topic
About / Public Description
Post pictures of your old camping gear to share with the internet.
Rules
Be Nice
The golden rule.
No Spam
No self-promotion of any kind.
Vintage Camping Gear Only
Older than 2000, must be Camping related
About / Public Description
Community centered around cataloging helpful backpacking tips. Food, Packing, Gear, Travel, Visa's, locations, Etc.
Rules
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About / Public Description
A place to discuss backpacking, bikepacking, canoe camping, and similar activities in the Midwest.
Rules
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#26
r/hiking_people
About / Public Description
A community for hikers of all levels to share tips, trails, gear recommendations, and stories from the great outdoors. Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or just lacing up your boots, join us to explore and inspire!
Rules
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#27
r/hikingwomen
About / Public Description
A community for women who prefer to hike solo.
Rules
No location sharing
Please feel free to post pictures, but don't share the location. This causes these gorgeous places to be damaged by overuse. Post responsibly.
How to turn this into a weekly workflow
Tag posts by trip type, terrain, weather, pack weight, body or foot fit, budget, and experience level.
Separate first-impression reviews from multi-day use, failure reports, warranty stories, and repair experience.
Use repeated fit and failure language to improve sizing, product pages, comparison copy, and support content.
Check commercial, affiliate-link, survey, trip-report, and recommendation rules before posting.
FAQ
Which hiking gear communities should a brand read first?
Start with r/ultralight, r/CampingGear, r/hikinggear, r/CampingandHiking, and r/backpacking, then narrow by product, region, route, and user experience.
Why is r/ultralight useful beyond ultralight brands?
Its users make weight, material, durability, comfort, and risk tradeoffs explicit, which gives many outdoor product teams unusually detailed evidence.
Can an outdoor brand ask for product feedback?
Only when the community rules allow it. Disclose affiliation, avoid disguised promotion, and consider modmail before surveys, research asks, or product links.