All Articles

Latest
Black Diamond Heat Treat Hoody Review

Our Black Diamond Heat Treat Hoody Review determined that the jacket is an all-purpose winter jacket for around town and some winter sports.

LLBean Packaway Review (Primaloft Hooded Jacket)

This LLBean Primaloft Packaway Hooded Review concludes that this jacket offers excellent performance for a very good price.

Rab Nimbus Review

This Rab Nimbus review summarizes the jacket's performance and compares it to others in its class while using it on a number of mountaineering and trekking expeditions in Alaska and other parts of North America.

Patagonia Nano Air Hoody Review

The Patagonia Nano Air Hoody was released in July 2014 and was the best performing all-purpose active insulation jacket at that time. Does it hold up to the current crop of insulated jackets?

Outdoor Research Uberlayer Review

This Outdoor Research Uberlayer Review features an active insulation jacket that weighs about four ounces more than similar jackets but does not make up for the extra weight with added comfort, durability, warmth, or lower cost. The Uberlayer performed reasonably well in our tests.

Montbell Thermawrap Guide Review

Our Montbell Thermawrap Guide Review found this great value synthetic insulated parka has a reliable ultralight waterproof shell fabric.

Rab Xenon X Review

The Rab Xenon X used to be the best all-purpose lightweight synthetic insulated jacket on the market. Over the last seven years, the author has used the Xenon and Xenon X for some fantastic outdoor adventures: a 35-day traverse of Alaska's Brooks Range, climbing Denali, Half Dome, and El Cap, and other things. Though the Xenon X performs above average in our tests, a variety of other jackets now offer superior performance.

Arc’teryx Kappa Hoody Review

This Arc'teryx Kappa Hoody Review features a jacket with high levels of durability and inclement weather resistance, but a mediocre warmth:weight ratio.

Calendar / Updates (Unlimited Members Only)

Unlimited-members-only updates: editorial calendar, podcast, new Unlimited Members benefits, the new webinar series, and Guide's Training course in Montana.

Backpacking Scissors (Reviews and Test Results)

The most comprehensive review of backpacking scissors for ultralight hiking and camping: 11 models compared in 13 tests! You just may leave your knife at home.

Enlightened Equipment Revelation APEX Quilt Review

This Enlightened Equipment Revelation Apex Quilt Review features one of the most customizable and lightest weight synthetic quilts ever made.

Whitewater Packraft Reviews: 2018 State of the Market Report

2018 Packraft Reviews and State of the Market Report providing a comprehensive overview of solo river packrafts.

Good To-Go Herbed Mushroom Risotto Review (Video)

This Good To-Go Herbed Mushroom Risotto review features one of the best packaged backpacking meals I've ever eaten.

2017 Backpacking Light Staff Picks

The Backpacking Light Staff Picks Gear Guide offers what we consider to be our personal recommendations for high-quality, high-performance, lightweight backpacking gear that we've actually used this year.

The Skyline Trail: A Canadian Rockies Gem

The Canadian Rockies are full of backpacking opportunities which are well-traveled but secluded. One scenic route is the Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. I have had the benefit of backpacking many of the trails in the Canadian Rockies. However, I have never managed to make it out to the Skyline Trail. Also, the limited number of backpackers permitted on the trail at one time ensures a relatively private trip, and the elevation of the trail provides unparalleled views.

What we have done about your customer service complaints

Over the last 12 months, Jessica has received a "Great" rating from 92% of our customers who have filed support issues and decided to write a review.

BPL-v5 Vision (Sneak Peek) – Updated Dec 22 ’17

Initial home page mockup of BPL-v5, with some vision behind what we're planning to do with the site menu, ads, and more.

71g BlackYak Emergency Jacket Provides Waterproof Protection at Lightest Weight Possible

The BlackYak Emergency Jacket is a waterproof shell that weighs 71 g (2.5 oz), is made with DSM, and probably costs a fortune.

Mountains, Waterfalls and Rivers: Exploring Monkman Provincial Park, British Columbia

So when Ben texted me that he and two other guys had lined up a brand new "epic" trip in Monkman Provincial Park, British Columbia, I probably should have thought about what I was getting into. But I was up for some excitement so I joined the trip.

Publisher’s Gear Guide: My Personal Lightweight Backpacking Gear Recommendations

A summary of gear that I've used in 2017, and enthusiastically recommend for lightweight backpackers this holiday season.

Now

I'm inspired by Derek's Now concept, and I think it may provide some value to you. Here's what we're doing now.

Join Our Community

Become a Backpacking Light Member


Forum Access

Unrestricted access to all forums, plus the ability to post and start new threads.

Premium Content

Unrestricted access to all 2,300+ articles, gear reviews, skills, stories, and more.

Community Posts

Post new content to the community including gear swaps, reviews, trip reports and more!

Online Education

Get unlimited access to all our online education (*Unlimited membership required).

Pack less. Be more. Become a member today!

Get Started

Loading...