All Gear

Vargo Pocket Cleats Solo
1.15 oz (33g) MSRP: $30

This is not an all-purpose traction device. It’s a minimalist instep crampon designed for incidental use on hard snow, and should be used on steep terrain only by hikers with...

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Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra
14.25 oz (404g) MSRP: $75

Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultras are mid-weight, mid-traction crampons designed for improving traction on unstable footing due to rain, mud, snow, and ice. Trail Crampon Ultras feature largest-in-class traction teeth, an...

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REI Flexlite Air Chair
16 oz (454g) MSRP: $100

The higher leg angle of the REI Flexlite Air Chair (relative to the Helinox Chair Zero), combined with its deeper seat, cradle your hips and body more comfortably, while in...

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Exped Lightning Backpack
39.9 oz (1131g) MSRP: $200

Roll-top closure, compression straps, a single aluminum stay, and stretch side pockets. A simple, functional backpack that carries 20-35 pound loads well.

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REI Flash Carbon Trekking Poles
13.6 oz (386g) MSRP: $139

The REI Flash Carbon is a well-built pole with virtually no vibration or rattle, and has the stoutest tip of any carbon pole we’ve reviewed, which helps protects the lower...

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Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ Trekking Poles
12.7 oz (360g) MSRP: $190

A very short collapsed length (14.6 inches / 37 cm), light weight, and a terrific extended grip/strap combo make the Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ one of the best all-round...

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Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking Poles
10.0 oz (284g) MSRP: $170

One of the lightest folding poles we’ve tested, this “tiny-when-collapsed” pole (16 inches / 41 cm long when collapsed), the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z is a solid choice when light...

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Tenkara Hane Fishing Rod
3.5 oz (99g) MSRP: $160

Gear reviews from our staff and members, buy/sell used, shopping tools, and more about the Tenkara Hane Fishing Rod.

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Topo Athletic Terraventure
21.6 oz (612g) MSRP: $120

The Topo Athletic Terraventure shoe is advertised as being narrow at the heel but wide at the toe box – this means they do not fit the usual formula for...

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Enlightened Equipment Visp Rain Jacket
5 oz (142g) MSRP: $190

The Enlightened Equipment Visp Rain Jacket is targeted to users interested in a minimally-featured design, a fit-and-feature set for backpackers (instead of trail runners or climbers), made with high-performance fabrics at a...

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Feathered Friends Eos Down Vest
8 oz (227g) MSRP: $249

The Feathered Friends Eos Down Vest is a simple, well-constructed, well-fitting down vest with a high warmth-to-weight ratio. The Eos Down Vest is, as you might suspect, the vest version of the...

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Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter
11.5 oz (326g) MSRP: $110

The Platypus Gravityworks 6.0L Filter is a mature product that addresses the use cases of high-volume water treatment for groups and basecamp scenarios. It is simple to operate and is...

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Arc’teryx Norvan VT 2
11.3 oz (320g) MSRP: $170

With a sleeker and more refined design than most other trail running shoes, the Norvan VT 2 is an aesthetically appealing shoe that is thoughtfully built around the human foot....

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Nemo Kunai 2P/3P Tent
83 oz (2353g) MSRP: $700

The short length of the Nemo Kunai 2P Tent means its usefulness as a two-person tent is primarily limited to those under 5’9” (175 cm). If you are tall, you...

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Enlightened Equipment Torrid Apex Pullover
8.55 oz (242g) MSRP: $175

The Enlightened Equipment Torrid Apex Pullover is minimalist in all the right areas while trying to retain as much warmth as possible for the weight. It uses an efficient and...

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Black Diamond Blitz Traction Spikes
3.2 oz (91g) MSRP: $40

When the lightest and most compact traction device is required for the incidental snow patch here and there, consider the Black Diamond Blitz. These aren’t appropriate for icy winter conditions,...

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Red Paw Packs 28 L Flatiron Backpack
18.0 oz (510g) MSRP: $220

The Flatiron Pack 28 L is available in a variety of X-Pac and DCFH (Dyneema Composite Fabric Hybrid) colors and weights. It features a unique front entry zipper, Spandura outer...

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Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Nano Day Pack
1.0 oz (28g) MSRP: $30

There aren’t very many stowable ultralight packs on the market that can be used for stuffing gear in your main pack and a utility pack for day hikes from base...

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Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket
8.8 oz (249g) MSRP: $325

The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket is one of the most popular “summer” down jackets used by ultralight backpackers, and packs a lot of warmth into its half-pound weight...

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PHD Yukon K Pullover
12.0 oz (340g) MSRP: $766

If you’re not on a budget, and you are looking for the lighest possible box-baffled hoody that is light enough for summers in the U.S. Mountain West but warm enough...

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