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Red Paw Packs 28 L Flatiron Backpack
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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Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Hoody
Our review of winter-worthy down parkas recognized the Patagonia Fitz Roy Down Hoody as perhaps the best all-purpose winter down parka. At only 17.1 oz, the Fitz Roy packs an...
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Gryphon Gear Aries 20 Quilt
The Gryphon Gear Aries 20 Quilt is a three-season quilt with far more down in it than other similarly rated 20 °F quilts. It has all the same features as...
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Black Diamond Blitz Traction Spikes
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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Rapid Pure Trailblazer Gravity Filter
With so many effective ultralight water treatment options available, it’s hard to recommend heavy filter systems anymore. However, we still see a use case for gravity filters – the need...
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Platypus Quickdraw Filter
The Platypus Quickdraw Filter can be paired with Smartwater bottles or purchased as a kit with its own dedicated soft-sided water bottle. A newcomer to the “squeeze” filter market, it’s...
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Fatmap 3D Mapping Software
We use Fatmap 3D in our online courses and masterclasses when teaching route planning and navigation. It’s fly-through feature is terrific, and it’s much easier to use than Google Earth...
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Harvest Right Freeze Dryer
Freeze drying is the ultimate DIY process for the passionate backcountry foodie. The food lasts much longer, is more nutritious, and cooks much faster than dehydrated foods. In addition, the...
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Excalibur 2400 Dehydrator
For DIY backcountry foodies who don’t yet want to make an investment into a freeze dryer, we recommend Excalibur Dehydrators. They are simple, reliable, and effective. The Excalibur 2400 Dehydrator...
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Patagonia Capilene Air Hoody
We’re big fans of the trend towards base layer and insulating garments that are both loftier (more insulating) and more breathable (less dense knit). This extends their comfort ranges across...
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C.S. Instant Coffee
Although the compact size, strong flavors, and wide distribution of Starbucks Via will always be attractive to ultralight backpackers, more discriminating coffee drinkers should consider C.S. Instant Coffee. It comes...
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Smartwool Merino 150 L/S Crew
Smartwool 150 Merino is one of our favorite fabrics for its light weight, soft hand, durablity, and next to skin comfort. The Smartwool Merino 150 Long Sleeve (L/S) Crew is...
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REI Base Layer L/S Crew
If merino wool is not your game and you’d rather wear a synthetic base layer, check out the budget-friendly REI Base Layer Long Sleeve (L/S) Crew. It’s not the lightest...
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Patagonia R1 Air Hoody
The Patagonia R1 Air Hoody is more breathable than the original R1 and is a good option as an all-purpose fleece layer for backcountry use. While most ultralight backpackers opt...
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Melanzana Micro Grid Hoody
Acquiring a Melanzana Fleece Hoody is about as difficult as buying season tickets to the Boston Red Sox. And like the Sox, Melanzana has created a cult following for its...
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Goosefeet Gear Down Socks
Down booties are usually overbuilt with durable soles, too much insulation, and heavy fabrics. Not so with the Goosefeet Gear Down Socks, which do one thing, and do that one...
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Patagonia Houdini Air Jacket
We’re not huge fans of wind shirts that aren’t breathable. That’s why we think the Patagonia Houdini Air Jacket is such a versatile jacket. When it’s not raining, a wind...
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ZPacks Ventum Ultralight Wind Shell Jacket
If you want a wind shirt that focuses on one thing – minimum weight – then check out the ZPacks Ventum Ultralight Wind Shell Jacket. It weighs less than two...
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Patagonia Quandary Pants
The Patagonia Quandary Pants are lightweight, durable, fast-drying, and not baggy. They are one of the few dedicated hiking pants that have belt loops – a very nice feature if...
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Senchi Designs Waxwing Hoodie
We’re big fans of the trend towards base layer and insulating garments that are both loftier (more insulating) and more breathable (less dense knit). This extends their comfort ranges across...
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