All Articles

GoLite’s New Shelter Line for 2008 (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2007)

Fourteen new lightweight single wall tents, some with breathable fabric

Golite Ultra Sleeping Bag (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2007)

Golite rejoins the hoodless quilt market with an innovative new bag.

The North Face Triumph Anorak (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2007)

Cocoon Pillow by Design Salt (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2007)

A pillow that feels real that weighs 3.2 ounces

Open Air Demo at ORSM 2007

A preview of new products at ORSM

2007 Sherpani Rumba Superlight Child Carrier REVIEW

Ultralight by child carrier standards, the Sherpani Rumba Superlight child carrier offers advanced features and a comfortable ride.

2007 Jacks ‘R’ Better Nest Down Under Quilt REVIEW

A lightweight down hammock under-quilt designed for a Hennessy hammock that still allows for easy bottom entry. It can also be used as a top quilt or as a top bag.

2007 Jacks ‘R’ Better Old Rag Mtn Down Quilt REVIEW

A cold weather quilt that can be used in a cold weather hammock system, as a quilt for ground sleeping, or as a winter overbag.

Kahtoola FLIGHTsystem REVIEW

Innovative snow travel system consisting of an overboot with cleats that click into a snowshoe deck. The design eliminates the snowshoe binding and allows the use of the overboots separately, which allows wearers to use lightweight trail running shoes inside, but there are a few significant drawbacks we discovered from our field testing.

2007 Black Diamond Enduro CF Trekking Pole REVIEW

These poles use a mix of aluminum and carbon shafts with unique FlickLock adjustments and are solid performers for four season use.

Crazy Creek Backpacker Lite AIR Chair SPOTLITE REVIEW

For lightweight backpackers who crave the luxury of a chair (10 oz) plus a REALLY COMFORTABLE torso sleep pad (11 oz) - this is worth a look.

Keen Shellrock WP Trail Shoe SPOTLITE REVIEW

With its eVENT softshell upper, the Shellrock seems like it should be the perfect lightweight trail shoe for wet conditions, but my field testing revealed very mixed results.

AntiGravityGear TreeLine SPOTLITE REVIEW

One-ounce bear hang using flat weave Spectra cord that easily glides over a tree limb.

Lafuma Pro 650 Down Sleeping Bag REVIEW

Priced at only $189 for a 25 °F rated ultralight down sleeping bag, it’s a very nice bag in all respects, except for one major issue.

Ultralight Outfitters Lightning Access Backpack REVIEW

Innovative frameless backpack with seven individual compartments you can reach without taking the pack off.

2007 Birdiepal Umbrellas SPOTLITE REVIEW

For those that love umbrellas, Birdiepal brollies are the lightest available- and they are durable enough to survive the backcountry.

Lightweight Backpacking Gear for Kids

A review of commercially-available, lightweight gear suited for - if not made for - backpacking with kids.

2007 Jacks ‘R’ Better SilNyl Tarp SPOTLITE REVIEW

A tarp that is larger than a stock hammock tarp and extends coverage for wet, cold, and snowy conditions.

Stoves, Tents and Carbon Monoxide – Deadly or Not?
Part 5: Laboratory Measurements for Solid Fuels

Several solid fuels are surveyed at different power levels to assess their carbon monoxide emissions. The results are not good.

Kestrel 4000 Pocket Weather Tracker REVIEW

The Kestrel provides the technically-minded backpacker much more useful information than a multi-function watch, and is easier to use.

Journey on the Wild Coast, Part 2 – the Gear

Erin describes the gear needed to complete a 4000 mile trek encompassing multiple climate zones, every season, and mixed modes of travel.