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Sunshine in the Sierra
Everything about the Sierra portion of the PCT was harder this year. Balls and Sunshine faced record-setting snow, low food, dangerous water crossings, injuries, and a markedly slower pace.
Nemo Pentalite Review
A versatile shelter with a unique design, the Pentalite manages to bring something new to the realm of pyramid tent design: a large floorspace and optional full bug protection without a full-height inner bug net. The size, weight savings, and flexibility of this design make it a good candidate for a group backpacking, car camping, or base camp use. So far, so good, right?
CAMP Xenon 4 Pole Review
These highly anticipated poles made quite a splash at 2011 ORWM. The Xenon 4 Trekking Poles are light, compact, easy to use and reasonably priced. How did they stand up to testing?
Field Testing Air Permeable Waterproof-Breathable Fabric Technologies – Part 2: Are There Detectable Differences Under Real World Backpacking Conditions?
Manufacturers make lofty claims for the enhanced breathability of the new fabrics. I tested ten jackets under challenging and forgiving backpacking-type conditions, while recording temperature and humidity inside and outside the jackets, and reported my findings. Perhaps I didn’t experience “air and water vapor permeability so shocking you’ll swear it's magic,” but I did identify some standouts and some promising trends of interest to backpackers.
MSR Twin Brothers Shelter Review
On paper, the palatial space and bare-essentials engineering of this tent make it appear like a dream come true for ultralight group travel. How does it actually perform in the real world?
Lightweight Integrated Canister Fuel Stoves State of the Market Report 2011: Part 3 – Wrap Up and Reviews of Individual Stoves
This part assembles the information from our testing and evaluations of integrated canister fuel stoves and provides a review of each stove.
Jetboil Flash Cooking System Review
The Flash is basically a flashier PCS and will eventually replace it.
Jetboil Sol Ti Premium Cooking System Review
Jetboil’s lightest and most technically advanced integrated canister fuel cooking system.
Monatauk Gnat Titanium Stove Review
The lightest canister fuel stove in the world.
Jetboil Sol Advanced Cooking System Review
Same features, nearly the same performance, and less expensive than the Sol Ti Premium Cooking System.
Primus Eta Solo Cooking System Review
An integrated stove from Primus similar to the Jetboil PCS, with a few design improvements but similar performance.
Hilleberg Nallo 4 GT Review
Capable of handling all four seasons as either a single-wall floorless shelter or a fully bug-proof double-wall tent, the Nallo 4 GT can easily be tailored to meet a wide variety of environmental conditions. Is it the right tent for your family backpacking outings?
Jetboil Zip Cooking System Review
A scaled down and inexpensive version of the original PCS, the Zip is lighter weight and a great value.
Backpacking Checklist (Gear List): 3-Season, 3-Day
An example of what a lightweight backpacker might take on a 3-day outing.
State of the Market Report: Family/Group Backpacking Tents
Tired of solo trips? Ditch the tiny tarp for one of these multi-person shelters and share the weight with your friends and family. You may even save a few ounces!
How to Use Trekking Poles: The Gas-Brake-Coast Method
Poking poles around for added stability is fairly intuitive, but the full promise of two more legs - greater endurance, building upper body strength, and reducing injury from stress or falls - requires some technique. Try Skip's straightforward and effective approach!
Lightweight Integrated Canister Fuel Cooking Systems State of the Market Report 2011: Part 2 – Trends, Stove Ratings, and Selections
Integrated canister fuel cooking systems have advanced substantially in every way – they’re lighter, faster, more efficient, and have more cooking capacity and versatility. In this part we highlight this evolution, explore how these stoves can be very weight-efficient, and identify the top performing stoves for different situations and needs.
Continental Divide Trail Project Report: Hopewell Lake, NM, August 2011
An open letter from a grandfather to his two grandsons, about his CDTA volunteer time.
Vango Helium Superlite 200 Tent Review
A sub-40 ounce, two-person, double-wall, hybrid tunnel tent that sheds wind and rain with ease?
New Balance 1000 Insulated Boot Review
The NB1000 replaces the discontinued Keen Growler as our favorite lightweight insulated boot; it’s made of lighter materials and has the same insulation and functionality.
MYOG: Down Vest
An easy introduction to working with down, this vest has no frills, bells, or whistles: just warm insulation where you need it most!
"Simplify, then add lightness." - Colin Chapman
Minimalist Card HolderSlim card holder made from recycled sailcloth. Weighs just 0.5 oz.
