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Berghaus Mount Asgard Smock Review
The Mount Asgard Smock is a minimalist mountaineering shell meant to withstand hard use and bad weather. If Superman needed a jacket, would this be the one?
Backpacking versus Thru-hiking
Thru-hiking is not simply a longer version of a backpacking trip. Considering thru-hiking a long trail? Make sure you know what you're getting into and set yourself up for success.
Guidelines for Grizzly Country
While most grizzly behavior is predictable, there is always an extent to which animals are unpredictable, and thus hiking in grizzly country is inherently dangerous, even if the statistical hazard is very small. Read up on salient safety issues before your next late season backpacking or hunting trip.
Patagonia Ultralight Down Shirt Review
Patagonia introduces the lightest down jacket to be found. We now have four good contenders for an ultralight down jacket shootout; which one will come out on top?
Completing a Thru-Hike
What sets successful thru-hikers apart from the rest of the pack? Superfitnessawesomesauce? A trust fund? The best gear? The answer may surprise you.
Mistaken for Strangers
Trip report from the New Mexican high desert: three fellow BPLers (strangers but for the forums) and a father-in-law unite to experience the thoughtful introspection and cheerful relationship inherent in a group backcountry trek.
With a Capital C: My 2011 Alaska Mountain Wilderness Classic
Race report, gear and food, and, for the really ambitious, pointers for entering a wilderness race.
Lightweight Mid-Height Trail Shoes State of the Market Report 2011
Do they have any advantages over simple trail runners? And who makes lightweight W-I-D-E shoes for hikers with duck feet?
Lightweight Mid-Height Trail Shoes: Montrail
Mini-reviews of the Montrail Sabino Trail Mid GTX, Mountain Masochist Mid GTX and AT Plus Shoes
A Marriage Proposal on Walden Pond
Can a backpacker more comfy on the trail find love with a lady for whom three stars is roughing it? An excerpt from Ron's recently published memoir, Pathfinder: Blazing a New Wilderness Trail in Modern America.
Lightweight Mid-Height Trail Shoes: Treksta
Mini-Review of the Treksta Evolution Mid GTX
Lightweight Mid-Height Trail Shoes: GoLite
Mini-Reviews of the GoLite Timber Lite, Surge Lite, and Carbo Lite Shoes
Lightweight Mid-Height Trail Shoes: Salomon
Mini-Review of the Salomon 3D Fastpacker Mid GTX and Salomon XA Pro 3D GTX Ultra Shoes
Gossamer Gear Thinlight Foam Mat and Generic EVA30 Foam Mat
Mini-review for the 2011 Lightweight Inflatable Sleeping Pads State of the Market Report
Exped DownMat Pump 7, Exped SynMat UL 7 S Mats
Mini-review for the Lightweight Inflatable Sleeping Mats State of the Market Report 2011
Lightweight Inflatable Sleeping Mats – State of the Market Report 2011 Part 2: Test Results and Mini-Reviews
Why use an airmat instead of a slab of foam? Two reasons: an airmat is thicker and more comfortable, and an airmat has a higher insulation rating or R-value, to protect you from the cold underneath. But you don't want excess weight, so this survey is restricted to airmats weighing less than 400 g (14 oz) for summer use and 800 g (28 oz) for winter use. In Part 1 we looked at the sort of properties we might want in an airmat; in this Part 2 we look at actual airmats.
Kooka Bay GoosePad, Kooka Bay Synthetic Insulated and Kooka Bay TaperLite Mats
Mini-review for the Lightweight Inflatable Sleeping Mats State of the Market Report 2011
Mammut Light Pump Mat
Mini-review for the 2011 Lightweight Inflatable Sleeping Pads State of the Market Report
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir, Therm-a-Rest ProLite, and Therm-a-Rest Deluxe LE Mats
Mini-review for the 2011 Lightweight Inflatable Sleeping Pads State of the Market Report
MontBell UL 90 and MontBell UL 120 Mats
Mini-review for the Lightweight Inflatable Sleeping Mats State of the Market Report 2011
Stephensons Warmlite Down Air Mat
Mini-review for the 2011 Lightweight Inflatable Sleeping Pads State of the Market Report
