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Hiking Through Hyperbole: Blisters and Fire
Blisters, hiking solo, and lightning-started fires marked the stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail from northern California through Oregon.
MYOG: 3mil Plastic Tarps
Practice makes perfect: using polyethylene to prototype designs means I can spend less and try more variations before sewing a final product in technical materials.
Winter ISPO 2011: Day 2 – Powered by Nutella
Another round-up of innovations and interest, treats and treasures!
Winter ISPO 2011: Day 1 – International Delights
In Backpacking Light's first ever coverage of this massive trade show, we're highlighting the innovations not generally available stateside.
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011: An Emerging Revolution in Waterproof-Breathable Fabric Technologies – It’s Not Just Gore-Tex Versus eVent Anymore!
Since 2004, when Backpacking Light published Alan Dixon’s manifesto on Waterproof Breathable Fabric Technologies, we have been a “whisper in the wilderness” extolling the benefits of truly breathable fabrics, like eVent. Now we are seeing the beginning of a waterproof-breathable fabric revolution.
Hiking Through Hyperbole Part 2: The Snowy Sierra
The desert portion done, fear (and trail gossip) centered on snow in the Sierra, with six major passes above 11,000 feet.
Therm-a-Rest ProLite Air Mat Product Review
Cascade Designs upgraded their ProLite self-inflating mat once again, with another weight reduction. What were the consequences of weight loss on warmth?
Hiking Through Hyperbole: The Vortex of Fear
Tackling the Pacific Crest Trail is a big job, made harder by a stream of scary stories filtering down from other hikers.
Black Diamond Ultra Distance Trekking Pole Review
Lightweight, collapsible, fixed-length poles that use avalanche pole technology to lock the sections.
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011: Day 4 – Final Day and Still Plenty of Interesting Gear to be Found
Enduring sleep deprivation and a cold, we roamed the show on the final day and found some very interesting gear – new trail crampons, very lightweight rain mitts, more collapsible trekking poles, a 9-ounce snow shovel, cool apparel and footwear, and more...
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011: Day 3 – An Assortment of Awesome Gear
This is not our backpacking gear list (honest!); today we again report on a wide variety of new gear – a new bear canister, more collapsible trekking poles, an insulating skirt for your derriere, lightweight high output lights, an ultralight down jacket from an unlikely source, more footwear, etc, etc...
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011: Day 2 – Another Roundup of New and Interesting Gear
Lots of footwear today, for the trail and snow, plus an assortment of jackets, a to-die-for backcountry ski system from La Sportiva, Big Agnes introduces new lightweight trekking poles, a new Klymit skeletal sleeping pad, a 12 ounce sleeping bag from Terra Nova, a 2.3-ounce Quantum GL windshirt from Montane, and more, and more...
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011: Day 1 – Let the Hunt Begin!
The show is underway and we are finding loads of new and interesting lightweight gear to report on. Enjoy!
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011: The Show Begins With All-Mountain Demo at Solitude Ski Area
New/upgraded snowshoes from MSR, Atlas, Tubbs, and Kahtoola; lightweight Kahtoola crampons; and a new “sidecountry” ski pack from Osprey.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Echo Ultralight Modular Shelter System Review
These Cuben Fiber shelter systems are among the lightest out there, consisting of a tarp, mesh insert, and front beak and providing five useful shelter options!
Vibram FiveFingers KSO Treks Review
Will heavier mid and outer soles plus durable leather uppers make for backpacking bliss, or will the Treks leave our feet wrecks?
GoLite Peak Backpack Review
The frameless 36 L Peak backpack has been redesigned: we take an in-depth look, with commentary on the revised Jam and Pinnacle packs.
Via Alpina: Not Another Walk in the Woods
Designed as a European cultural itinerary traversing the continent along the backbone of the Alps, you can experience jaw-dropping Alpine beauty, culture, nature, ecology, history and cuisine in whatever region you like!
Backpacking Light 101: The Art of Ultralight
A Lightweight Primer to Backcountry Travel for the Uninitiated.
2010 Backpacking Light Staff Picks
Backpacking Light staff pick their favorite gear/cool dealio/place of 2010.
Six Moon Designs Traveler Backpack Review
Larger volume frameless backpack, with removable stays, designed to be both a travel pack and a capable backpack once you get to your destination.
Thursday, February 27 through Saturday, March 1 - Registration is Free.Trail Days Online! 2025 is this week:
