All Articles, Dispatches, Podcasts, and Trailheads

Groovy-Biotic Cooking: Quick, Healthy Meals with an Ultralight Cook Kit

All the details you need to plan backcountry vegetarian meals that are nutritious and tasty.

Origo Rendezvous Peak Multi-Function Watch REVIEW

User friendly and useful as an outdoor navigational aid – if you master its functions and keep it calibrated.

Ultralight in the Icebox

Andrew Skurka, who pioneered the 7700-mile Sea-to-Sea Route, discusses his expectations, concerns, and gear choices for a frigid 400-mile hike through northern Minnesota with ultralight gear.

Bushwhacking Gear: Heavyweight Fabrics and Compatible Construction Techniques to Improve Clothing Longevity for Off-trail Bushwhacking

Thorns, scrub and sandstone can rip ultralight clothing to shreds. What materials and construction techniques hold up to serious bushwhacking?

A Lightweight Guide to Backpacking in Sustained, Cold Rain

Techniques, gear and clothing to keep your pack light and a smile on your face during continuous days of rain.

La Sportiva Trango S EVO GTX Mountaineering Boot REVIEW

Ultralight mountaineering boots that are great on rock and ice as well as long approaches on the trail. But are they durable and warm enough?

Wise Women Go Light, Conclusion

Wise Women Jean (from 20 to 13 pound base weight) and Sue (14 to 9 pound base weight) put their new lightweight gear to the test in the field.

2006 Jacks ‘R’ Better “Down to Earth” Pad Converter SPOTLITE REVIEW

Converts any Jacks ‘R’ Better quilt into a top bag sleep system with an attached sleeping pad.

2006 Jacks ‘R’ Better Old Rag Mtn Quilt SPOTLITE REVIEW

A versatile cold weather quilt that can be used in a cold weather hammock system as well as for “ground sleeping”.

2006 Jacks ‘R’ Better Nest Quilt SPOTLITE REVIEW

A well-designed under quilt that integrates beautifully with Hennessy hammocks.

MSR Titan Kettle SPOTLITE REVIEW

A reasonably light two-man titanium kettle - very light, works well, but not very low cost.

MSR Titan Mini Cookset SPOTLITE REVIEW

A reasonably minimal titanium cookset - very light, works well, but not very low cost. Take just one pot?

Wingnut Adventure 2006 Backpack REVIEW

Small volume (1600 ci, 26 L) adventure racing pack that is ideal for biking and adequate for hiking.

Western Mountaineering Summerlite Sleeping Bag REVIEW

Hooded, down mummy bag rated to freezing that weighs a mere 19 ounces.

CiloGear 60 Liter WorkSack Backpack REVIEW

Durable and adjustable, but initially confusing to set up.

Petzl e+LITE Headlamp REVIEW

One ounce of fresh innovation: rotary switch, white-and-red LED array, modular form, storage capsule, waterproof. But not perfect - our tests reveal some weaknesses.

Princeton Tec Quad LED Headlamp REVIEW

Waterproof, four-LED headlamp with a wide, regulated beam.

Make Your Own Gear: Five Yards to SuperUltraLight
Part 3, Tarp

Complete instructions to construct a 6-ounce tarp with improved weather protection.

Will Rietveld

Montane Jetstream Windshirt SPOTLITE REVIEW

2.8 ounces, full zip - is there a downside?

2006 Backpacking Light Staff Picks

An eclectic assortment of favorite gear for 2006.