All Gear
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...
Shop Details
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...
Shop Details
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...
Shop Details
ZPacks Carbon Fiber Stake
We’re not big fans of tubular carbon fiber tent stakes, because hikers tend to use them inappropriately in soils that are too rocky or hard. However, the experienced hiker knows...
Shop Details
ZPacks Ultralight Titanium Tent Stake
The ZPacks Ultralight Titanium Stake is our pick for a thin, easy-to-insert, ultralight tent stake for most secondary shelter guylines that don’t require a lot of holding power. An orange...
Shop Details
REI Snow Stake
For winter and spring backpacking in snowy environments, the REI Snow Stake (and the more expensive, but similar MSR Blizzard) are our recommendation when the snow is consolidated. In this...
Shop Details
Nemo Airpin Stakes
A unique hook design built into the head of the Nemo Airpin Stake means that you don’t need loops or knots to secure your shelter guylines, making tension adjustments easy...
Shop Details
MSR Stake Hammer
The MSR Stake Hammer usually stays in our car for camping at developed campgrounds and trailheads, where tent sites are usually compact or gravelly. However, it’s also an essential tool...
Shop Details
Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow
The Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow is our pick for a dedicated pillow when you are trying to save as much weight as possible without sacrificing pillow height. A...
Shop Details
REI Magma Trail Quilt
When we first reviewed the REI Magma Trail Quilt, we were most impressed by its use of premium ultralight fabrics and high-fill down, while still maintaining a price point below...
Shop Details
ZPacks Titanium V Stake
The ZPacks Titanium V Stake has a large surface area that provides outstanding holding power in soft soils, yet is strong enough for use in harder and rockier soils. This...
Shop Details
ZPacks Z-Line Cord
If saving weight is your highest priority, be careful when choosing a guyline cord. 100% Dyneema guylines don’t hold knots well and slip through line tensioners. Other thin guylines have...
Shop Details
Tarptent Reflective Guyline
Tarptent guylines are not the lightest, but they come in pre-built lengths and offer the strongest holding power when used with standard sized lineloc tensioners. Their slightly larger diameter make...
Shop Details
ZPacks Tyvek Groundsheet
While not the lightest material for a groundsheet, Tyvek offers durability that can’t be matched by mylar, polycryo, or DCF. If saving money and maximizing longevity are important to you,...
Shop Details
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ground Cloth (DCF)
If you want to save as much weight as possible but still have a groundsheet/shelter footprint that’s more durable than polycryo or mylar, consider the Hyperlite Mountain Gear DCF Ground...
Shop Details
Mountain Laurel Designs eVENT Soul Bivy
If you need to camp in a bivy sack on a multi-night trip that offers no opportunity to dry out your gear during sunny mornings, the Mountain Laurel Designs eVENT...
Shop Details
Katabatic Gear Pinon Bivy
The Katabatic Gear Pinon Bivy provides insect, wind and rain spray protection while camping in a tarp or floorless shelter. It’s made with a non-waterproof but water-resistant top, so it’s...
Shop Details
Nunatak Gear SULO Expert Quilt
As the name suggests, this efficiently-cut quilt is for those who want to save as much weight as possible. There are wider, warmer, and more feature-rich quilts on the market,...
Shop Details
Katabatic Gear Palisade Quilt
The Katabatic Gear Palisade Quilt has been a staple in our quiver for several years. Very high construction and material quality, high fill power down, ultralight fabrics, an effective and...
Shop Details
Mountain Laurel Designs Trailstar Shelter
The Mountain Laurel Designs Trailstar Shelter is a zipperless shelter that’s a little bit finicky to pitch, but mastering that art is worth it if you need a low-profile and...
Shop DetailsJoin Our Community
Become a Backpacking Light Member
Forum Access
Unrestricted access to all forums, plus the ability to post and start new threads.
Premium Content
Unrestricted access to all 2,300+ articles, gear reviews, skills, stories, and more.
Community Posts
Post new content to the community including gear swaps, reviews, trip reports and more!
Online Education
Get unlimited access to all our online education (*Unlimited membership required).
Pack less. Be more. Become a member today!
