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Field Notes of a Family Man: How to Nurture Your Family and Your Backpacking Obsession
How do we balance being a good parent, spouse and professional [insert your career here], while also embracing the side of us that wants to walk out the door and hike across the planet?
Primus Eta Solo Stove Review
A heat exchanger stove in the now fairly standard upright format. Does the Primus Eta Solo outperform the competition?
MYOG: Group Pot Stand and Windscreen
What's better than a communal, one-pot meal between hiking buddies under the stars? Learn how to make a pot stand/windscreen that's sturdy enough to hold a large pot filled with dinner and light enough to not bow your backpack.
The Global Test Part II: Evaluating System Efficiency for a Round-the-World Journey
In Part 1, we answered the question "What should you pack?" Mid-way through our global trek, we now visit the question "How's that working out for you?"
MSR Carbon Reflex 3 Tent Review
Dropping two full pounds from my current tent weight to use a sub-five-pound three-person double-wall tent all summer sounded too good to be true. How did MSR's lightest 3P shelter work for the Estrella family?
24-Hour Gear Lists
See the winners of our recent contest and download a zip file of all the submissions. Use your favorite to plan YOUR next trip!
Lightly Burdened Pilgrims: Trip Report and Photo Essay
My wife and I retraced the steps of Martin Luther on the 500th anniversary of his famous pilgrimage to Rome... it wasn't quite the thru-hike I had anticipated, but it had a satisfaction all its own.
Keeping it Real in Bolivia’s Cordillera Real: Global Test Photo Essay
Lightweight backpacking in Bolivia's northern Andes.
Apparatus for Testing Thermal Insulation Properties
When it comes to assessing things like air mats, foam mats, and other insulating things, the common measurement is called an R-value - meaning thermal resistance. We describe equipment designed and built to provide calibrated measurements of R-value for BPL articles.
Tall Tales from Colca Canyon, Peru: Global Test Photo Essay
Trekking in one of the world's deepest canyons.
MYOG: eVent Rain/Wind Jacket
Turning 2.5 yards of high performance fabric into a lightweight, breathable rain jacket.
Hiking the Santa Cruz Loop in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca: Global Test Photo Essay
Escaping the "boxes" of modern society in the heart of the breathtaking Peruvian Andes.
Interview with Mike Clelland!
A lively chat to introduce a new feature coming up on Backpacking Light: Mike's Ultralight Tip of the Week!
Eleven Years Old on the PCT
Recently unemployed, with a daughter itching to complete a thru-hike, what's a dad to do? Get sponsors and yank her from school, of course!
Integral Designs eVent Pullover Review
Does the strong appeal, on paper, of the Integral Designs eVent Pullover materialize in real-world use?
7 Myths about the Continental Divide Trail
At first glance, doing a round-trip (a yo-yo) on the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) seems like a waste. Why not hike a different trail instead of hiking the same one two times? However, unlike the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, the CDT is never the same trail twice.
A Country Divided: The Continental Divide Trail
The westernmost place in the continental United States is no longer the furthest west, geographically. It is rather that most rugged landscape generally arrayed across the Continental Divide as it marches from Canada to Mexico.
Walking the Backbone: A Journey on the Continental Divide Trail
Anyone who hikes the long trails is asked “Why go?” There are many answers: the physical challenge, being immersed in the wilderness for months at a time, the joy of seeing new sights every day, the camaraderie of people we meet along the way. Ultimately, the reason I go is for the journey itself.
Canovaccio: Natural, Sustainable Pack Fabrics
New developments in durable and water-resistant backpack fabrics.
Minimalist Footwear for Summer Backpacking
Unlike more traditional running shoes, there is no set pattern established and accepted as to what characteristics make a good minimalist shoe. We scan the currently available products and test some out to see how applicable these designs are for ultralight backpacking.
Home Away From Home In Argentina’s Lake District: Global Test Photo Essay
Months of travel can wear on people, even as they enjoy the "other" of another country. We found the perfect combination of comforts from home and the diversity of a foreign culture in Bariloche, Argentina.
"Simplify, then add lightness." - Colin Chapman
Super Thermo Zip PoloSynthetic mesh base layer with a high zip neck for venting or extra warmth and shoulder inlays for pack-carrying comfort. Weighs 6oz | 170g
