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Montrail Hardrock Trail Shoe SPOTLITE REVIEW
Designed for the grueling Hardrock 100 endurance race – and that’s no exaggeration!
Meridian Designs AquaStar Plus Ultraviolet Light Water Purifier REVIEW
Treat your water using this robust, 3.9-ounce, ultraviolet light based, water purifier.
Komperdell C3 Airshock Men Trekking Pole REVIEW
While the Komperdell C3 Airshock poles are not the lightest trekking poles around, they pack adjustability, grips with comfortable straps, and an antishock system into a very lightweight pole.
Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles Review Summary and Gear Guide Overview
Carbon fiber construction has made its way into the trekking pole industry in a big way. The result is a bunch of really light poles. Which are better? We put twelve all-carbon and carbon/aluminum hybrid trekking poles through some seriously tough testing and rate their performance and features.
Titanium Goat Take Down Goat Pole REVIEW
Strong, light, fixed-length carbon fiber poles with one useful extra feature - the ability to break the poles down into two sections for easy transport.
Leki Carbon Ergometric Trekking Pole REVIEW
The first carbon trekking pole from Leki - top quality and very expensive.
simBLISSity UnSlack Pack SPOTLITE REVIEW
If your backpack doesn’t have convenience pockets for your camera and snacks, here is a good way to add them.
Integral Designs eVENT Shortie Gaiters SPOTLITE REVIEW
Elegant in their simplicity and functionality, they’re like putting your socks on in the morning.
Life-Link AT Superlight Trekking Pole REVIEW
Super stiff, super strong, these are bomber fixed-length mountaineering and bushwhacking poles!
Titanium Goat, Goat Poles Trekking Pole REVIEW
The Goat Poles rock for simplicity, stiffness, and light weight - but there are a few flaws that need attention.
Pacerpole 2-Section Trekking Pole REVIEW
Unique molded grips add extreme comfort and power to these heavier two-section aluminum/carbon fiber hybrids. But are they worth the weight?
Komperdell C3 Duolock Women Trekking Pole REVIEW
Three-section carbon fiber trekking poles that combine sturdy construction, rigidity, and vibration absorption in a very light and compact package. This “Women’s” pole is sized for most hikers, regardless of gender.
Gossamer Gear Lightrek ‘06 Trekking Pole REVIEW
The lightest poles on the market, now with stiffer shafts and more contoured grips. Are the shafts stiff and durable enough for serious trail usage?
Komperdell C2 Carbon Tour Duolock Trekking Pole REVIEW
Two-section carbon poles that are very light weight, adjust for different size users, and perform great in the backcountry.
Alpkit Carbonlite Trekking Pole REVIEW
Stiff, lightweight, and reasonably priced, the Alpkit Carbonlite poles are the carbon trekking pole value leaders. How did they stand up to months of abuse?
New Balance 872 Off Road Trail Shoe SPOTLITE REVIEW
A superb shoe for ultralight backpacking on-trail. Off-trail, they performed exceptionally well, except for one weakness.
Tarptent Contrail (Sneak Preview) SPOTLITE REVIEW
Tarptent returns to its roots with a new fast and light bivy-weight 1-person tent.
SuperUltraLight Favorites Gear List 2006
Taking a summer, long weekend backpacking trip carrying only 10 pounds on your back is easy, comfortable, and safe with the right gear. Here’s a list of the Backpacking Light editors' favorite SUL gear.
Make Your Own Gear: Five Yards to SuperUltraLight
Part 1, Introduction
Not for the frail at heart, in this article we dive into making a SUL tarp, pack, and stuff sack out of a single 5-yard piece of spinnaker fabric.
John Muir Trail (JMT) Record Attempt – Unsupported, Without Resupply
BPL subscriber, Al Shaver, will attempt to break the JMT speed record for an unsupported hike without resupply. He starts on the full moon, September 7th.
Stoves, Tents and Carbon Monoxide – Deadly or not?
Part 1: Theory
You've read the warnings and heard the horror stories about cooking in your tent. How dangerous is it really? Part 1 of this series describes: how CO is formed, a warning sign of production, and a simple change you can make to your stove setup to reduce CO.