Articles (2020)

Previously Macpac had only one lightweight pack in their entire line (the AMP, which we have previously reviewed), now they will have three. New for 2007 is their new AMP Light series of lightweight packs with volumes of 20, 35, and 45 liters.

The new AMP Light packs are frameless by our definition, but they do have a sewn-in stiff foam strip on either side of the backpanel to provide rigidity. All three packs have basically the same feature set: durable lightweight fabrics; wide padded shoulder straps; removable/pivoting hipbelt; mesh pockets on the front, sides, and hipbelt; hydration sleeve; side compression straps; load lifters, and sternum strap. All are top loading with a top pocket. The smallest pack does not have a mesh front pocket.

At 4.0 oz (3.6 oz BPL measured) the next version of the SteriPEN, the Adventurer is half the weight of the original SteriPEN and should be available in October. At this weight the SteriPEN ultraviolet technology weighs less than most filters and starts to be competitive against chemical treatments. SteriPEN sterilizes water with ultraviolet light. It is effective against viruses, bacteria, and protozoa (e.g. Giardia and Cryptosporidium). It will treat 50 to 60 liters of water on a single set of batteries. Using the optional storage case with integrated solar charger, the SteriPEN adventurer will treat 1250 gallons! of water (the life of the ultraviolet emitting bulb).

UV treatment is generally both faster and more effective than filters or chemical treatments. Filters are generally not effective against viruses and most chemical treatments are not rapidly effective against Cryptosporidium (a protozoa). Chlorine dioxide-based treatments generally require a contact period of one to four hours to inactivate protozoan cysts, while iodine treatments are generally ineffective against both Crypto and Giardia.

Specifications:

• Mfr weight 4.0 oz (BPL measured weight 3.6 oz!)
• Uses two CR123 lithium photo batteries (or rechargeable lithium ion CR123’s)
• 6.6 oz (BPL measured) = weight of optional clamshell storage case with two rechargeable CR123 batteries
• $130 MSRP of SteriPEN Adventurer
• $50 MSRP of optional clamshell storage case with two rechargeable CR123 batteries

Performance:

• Push-button, automatic, microprocessor & sensor controlled treatment time
• Treats for viruses, bacteria, and protzoa
• Treats 16 oz in 48 seconds
• Treats 1 liter in 90 seconds
• Treats 50 to 60 liters on a set of lithium non-rechargeable batteries
• Treats approx. 40 liters on a set of lithium ion rechargeable batteries
• Treats approx. treat 1250 Gallons using optional storage case with integrated solar charger (the life of the ultraviolet emitting bulb)

The eVENT Pullover jacket from Integral Designs is a hoodless pullover that uses a 40d soft textured nylon eVENT (the original eVENT Rain Jacket uses a 30d fabric). The new fabric is both tougher and also softer with a better drape. It is fully seam taped with a curved back that is three inches longer than the front. At 9 ounces, it is 0.5 ounces lighter than the eVENT Rain Jacket.

Features and Specifications

• 9 ounces (size L)
• $180
• Pullover design with a 14 inch waterproof zipper
• 40d soft textured nylon eVENT is softer and more durable
• Hoodless, pocketless
• Cut longer in the back
• Available in black and dark green

Also made from the new fabric is the eVENT Cruiser Jacket which is also hoodless but features a full front zip and zippered hand pockets. It weighs 11.5 ounces (size L) and retails for $200.

Imagine doing steep technical ice with an 8 oz technical ice axe; 8 oz, 12-point crampons with steel front points; and a 3.3 oz harness. Camp achieves this by using aluminum combined with Sandvik Nanoflex steel reinforcements in critical strength and durability areas-crampon front points and axe pick and spike. Sandvik Nanoflex is 60% stronger and 20% lighter than normal steel.

Only the Lightest for Snow and Ice Travel*:

8.6 oz = Aluminum 12 point crampon with steel front points! $160
8.6 oz = Technical Aluminum Ice Axe with steel pick and spike! $130
7.3 oz = Aluminum Mountaineering Axe $100
4.4 oz = 8 ft (240 cm) Carbon Fiber Avalanche Probe $70
3.3 oz = Climbing Harness $40

* All are BPL measured weights

New to the Inov-8 line is Shoc-Zone, their system for rating the shock absorption of their midsoles that uses a scale of one to four arrows. It works like this:

• One arrow: elite racing flat
• Two arrows: high performance trail running or adventure racing shoe
• Three arrows: hiking cushioning/ultra running
• Four arrows: cushioning similar to a traditional training shoe

Also new are all models in the four-arrow Shoc-Zone range.

Like all Inov-8 shoes, the names designate first the sole type and next the weight of the shoe in grams (size 9 US). The Roclite sole is an intermediate design for mixed terrain while the F-lite is for hard compact to paved surfaces.

The four-arrow shoes offer an entry point into the Inov-8 line for those who are used to the cushioning of a traditional running shoe. However, they are also true Inov-8 shoes, offering the performance benefits of ultralight weights and maximum flexibility for natural foot movement.

Also new is the Mudclaw 340 O+ which features the aggressive tread of the Mudclaw 330 O but with the addition of ten metal studs for traction in icy conditions.

At 1 pound 8 ounces, the Hyperlite Backpacker A-sym drops seven ounces off of the popular Ultralite Backpacker A-sym. According to Tom Hennessy, this gets the Hyperlite very close to the 1 pound 4 ounce Light Racer A-sym hammock without the issues of shelter durability that come with his adventure racing-only models. The weight reduction is made through the use of lighter 1.1 ounce uncoated 30D nylon for the hammock and 1.3 ounce 30D silnylon for the fly.

In addition, Hennessy plans to switch the rainfly to an even-lighter 20D polyester early in 2007. This will bring the Hyperlite down to approximately 1 pound 5 ounces, effectively bumping the Light Racer A-sym out of the Hennessy line.

For those unfamiliar with Hennessy A-sym hammocks, they use an asymmetrical design that puts the camper at a diagonal axis, giving a much flatter position than a traditional hammock. A bottom exit with Velcro closure, full bug netting with internal pocket, a ridgeline cord to maintain internal space, and a full-coverage rain fly round out the Hennessy design.

Features and Specifications

• 1 lb 8 oz (going to approx. 1 lb 5 oz in 2007)
• $219.95
• Comfortable for six-foot tall hikers
• 200 pound weight limit
• Includes bug netting, full fly, Velcro entrance closure, internal pocket
• Asymmetrical design for nearly-flat sleeping

In addition, Tom showed us a prototype rainfly made out of Cuben Fiber fabric. When trading the Hyperlite fly for the Cuben Fiber fly, the hammock dropped and ADDITIONAL 7.4 ounces bringing the total Hyperlite/Cuben Fiber package to just 17.9 ounces.

We were excited to leave the Hennessy booth with both a Hyperlite Backpacker A-sym and an exclusive on the Cuben Fiber fly; look forward to both reviews at BackpackingLight.com.

A option now available on Hennessy hammocks is a simple 0.3 ounce plastic funnel that hangs from the rainfly guyline attachment(s). When it rains, water runs down the fly and into the bottle, adding tension to the rainfly at just the time that it typically starts to sag and leaving you with a bottle of fresh water in the morning. By using a simple filter such as noseeum netting, the crud stays out of the water.

The Travel Hammock continues to improve their hammock line. The Skeeter Beeter adds no-see-’em netting to the original Ultralight hammock extending the usefulness of this inexpensive hammock into areas where high bug pressure is common.

The third integrated canister fuel cooking system to hit the market soon is the Primus EtaPower EF. Primus takes a somewhat different approach to create an integrated canister fuel cooking system, and in several ways it’s more versatile than systems from Jetboil and MSR.

The weight is 27.3 ounces for the whole package, including a pot grabber. Arrghh, you say? Actually, the weight is not as bad as seems because you can leave the carry case and pot grabber at home and save 8.7 ounces, making the weight comparable with the Jetboil and MSR systems. Having said that, the bottom line is none of these systems is truly lightweight.

The versatility in the Primus system is:

• It is a remote canister system and has a pre-heat tube, so you can use it as a liquid feed system
• The cookpot is 2.1 liters, larger than the MSR or Jetboil, and a 1.7 liter pot is available. Both pots are wide to facilitate heat transfer
• The cookpot with attached heat exchanger fins can be used on other conventional stoves
• You get both a cookpot and frypan for the same weight as the MSR or Jetboil systems

Primus claims that the EtaPower will boil 28 liters of water from a single 8-ounce fuel canister. For comparison, MSR claims their new Reactor Stove will boil 22 litres per canister. So, it looks like we have some good competition “heating up” here.

At this point, I know exactly what you’re thinking – Backpacking Light needs to do an in-depth comparison of the three systems under controlled conditions and report on their comparative fuel efficiency and performance. We’re on it, expect a full report in a few months.

The field of hammocks keeps growing with each Outdoor Retailer show. We all know that hammocks can make great places to take a nap during the day in ones own backyard, but they can also make wonderfully comfortable shelters. Hammock Bliss has designed several models of hammocks that ought to suit the needs of hammock campers all over.

The Debris Sock is available in Cool Max or merino wool, both with a 1.3 ounce weight (BPL measured). This patent-pending design combines a performance sock with an integrated cuff that acts as a gaiter.

New and innovative features:

• At 1.3 ounces, no combination of sock or gaiter comes close to this weight and simplicity
• Even the most breathable stretch gaiters are warm and sweaty; the Debris Socks offer far superior breathability- they are nearly as breathable as normal socks

Attached at the laces with a clip and under the rear of the sole with a two-piece replaceable cord, the Debris Sock snugly covers the entire top of the shoe, sealing it from sand, rock, or other trail materials. For those times when a short scree gaiter is too warm or too heavy, the Inov-8 Debris Sock should be all the protection you’ll need.

The new Mountain Hardwear Bunker 1 is the smallest and strongest tent in MH’s EV series. It is solo shelter loosely based on a tent that survived a night on the summit of Everest. According to MH’s designer Sean McDevitt, recent testing has the tent withstanding 136 mph winds. The Bunker 1’s strength comes from its low wind-shedding profile and ultra strong 12mm diameter Scandium PF poles which are thicker than the middle section on most trekking poles! Fabrics and construction are similar with other EV series tents (see Mountain Hardwear EV2 Tent REVIEW http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/mountain_hardwear_ev2_tent_review.html) with a Conduit FR waterproof/breathable canopy fabric of pre-stretched polyester body fabric and Superlight 2000 PE Nylon pseudo-bathtub floor.

The tent is a classic diamond with crossing poles and single walled waterproof/breathable construction. While low and compact the tent is still has enough room to accommodate a 6 ft climber and gear, albeit snugly. The external poles and clips allow for fast pitching and almost infinite flexibly to guy out the tent.

Specifications:

• 1 person (fits up to 6’ 1” BPL tested)
• 2 Poles – 12mm Scandium
• 16.7 ft² floor area
• 34 in peak height
• Tent body (single wall) Conduit FR waterproof/breathable pre-stretched polyester
• 2000 PE Nylon pseudo-bathtub floor

Every year I think the number of new headlamps that will be released will decrease and every year I am proven wrong. People love headlamps. There is probably a headlamp for every niche application, in most cases more than one. This has created an embarrassment of riches and the treasure trove has been expanded yet again at this year’s show.

Petzl e+LITE

Petzl has entered the arena of the less than one ounce headlamp with the e+LITE. Powered by two lithium coin 3V batteries this may be the lightest lamp with batteries on the market right now.

Features and Specifications

• Weight: 27 grams.
• Multiple light modes are controlled via a lever switch. Modes include low (1 LED) and high (3 LED) power setting with switchable red and white LED’s.
• Battery life of 3.5 hours (3 white LED’s on high) to 70 hours (1 red LED on low).
• Battery type: 2 lithium coin cell 3V batteries.
• Light output is 16 lumens which is quite good.

Black Diamond

Black Diamond caught our attention with three new headlamps: the Icon, Gizmo, and Wiz. The Gizmo and Wiz target the very lightweight headlamp market and the Wiz further refines its target audience with a minimal feature set for children. While the new Icon expands the arena of high-power lamps with its 3-watt LED design.

The Icon

• This 3-watt headlamp will become available November 1, 2006. The lamp can work with either 3 AA batteries or an optional 3.6-volt NiMh rechargeable battery. It has a rich feature set to appeal to those who need a high intensity light and those who can get by with much less illumination.

Features and Specifications

• Weight: 4.1 ounces without batteries
• Can run with either 3 AA batteries or on the optional 3.6-volt NiMh battery pack.
• A single 3-watt LED is surrounded by 4 SuperBright white LEDs. Their are 3 brightness settings in two modes of operation plus a strobe.
• A battery power meter calibrates to the type of batteries being used.

The Gizmo and the Wiz

These two headlamps have somewhat similar features and could well appeal to a lot of the same people even though the Wiz has only 2 SuperBright LEDs compared to the Gizmo’s 3.

Brunton

This is a monster of a headlamp. The L5 sports a single 5-watt (yes five) LED that can be run in several different brightness modes. Even at the 5-watt mode Brunton claims a battery life of 15 hours. If you absolutely need an extremely bright headlamp that weighs 4 ounces without batteries than the L5, when it arrives later this year, is it.

Features and Specifications

• Weight: 4 ounces without battery pack. I was not able to get a precise weight on this but expect it adds approximately another 4 ounces.
• The lamp is powered by a single rechargeable 4.5 volt battery.
• 3 brightness modes plus strobe.

GoLite has re-designed their entire backpack line for 2007. Many important changes have been made in their new internal frame packs, giving them a more durable, functional, and gender-specific feature set. That’s right, all of the new packs have men’s and women’s models.

Some highlights include replacement of the corrugated polystryene framesheet with a composite framesheet, adjustable aluminum stays, more durable and lighter fabrics, contoured well-padded shoulder straps, water-resistant zippers, large hipbelt pockets, angled side stretch mesh pockets, and adjustable straps to attach a snowboard or snowshoes.

Overall, the new packs hit the key size ranges, and incorporate the full feature set that most lightweight backpackers would want. Kudos to GoLite for making their packs better without making them heavier and more expensive.

While I compared pack sizes and weights with their predecessors, that’s about where the comparison ends. The new packs have a nicer feature set, are more user-friendly, and the colors are more pleasing. We will report on their performance in future reviews.

The parade of the headlamps continues. Princeton Tec has taken their 3-Watt LED Apex and placed it on a diet. The Apex Pro weighs 106 grams (3.7 ounces) less than its AA powered cousin, the Apex. The weight reduction was achieved by changing the battery pack. The Apex Pro uses 2 CR123 Lithium batteries.

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The reduction in weight does come at the cost of a shorter overall burn time though the regulated burn time period is actually slightly longer in 3 Watt High mode.

National Geographic Debuts “National Parks Explorer 3D”
New Electronic Version of Trails Illustrated for National Parks

I still use my nearly 10 year old National Geographic 50 National Parks CD-based maps-as recently as last month for a Shenandoah National Park trip. It has accurate trails, usage regulations, park infrastructures and other essential information for trip planning that the 1:24,000 series USGS topographic maps do not. But the 50 National Parks CD maps and software are dated and their information is less accurate than it was 10 years ago. The support software to read and manipulates the maps is equally dated.

Next month, National Geographic will publish “National Parks Explorer 3D,” an interactive, electronic version of their Trails Illustrated National Park Maps. It will contain a the newest and most-up-to-data Trails Illustrated maps for 25 of the most popular national parks and a wealth of additional travel and recreational information. The software is based on their new Topo! 4.0 engine. It has all the power of Topo! 4.0 but with much easier to use tools [we hope to see these in Topo! 4.1]. For instance the route tool automatically snaps to and precisely follows trails. Waypoints are automatically added as you draw routes. There is a new sophisticated print preview that makes printing custom maps about 10x easier than Topo! 4.0. There is an accompanying PDF file with the map legend, park regulations, contact number, and additional travel and recreational information for the area. While I think it is a bit gimmicky, it has a viewing tool that allows you to view your route in 3D as if you were flying over it in a helicopter. This helps you visualize just how steep that upcoming pass is.

Included Parks

• Acadia, ME
• Arches, UT
• Big Bend, TX
• Bryce Canyon, UT
• Canyonlands, UT
• Death Valley, CA
• Glacier/Waterton, MT/Aberta
• Grand Canyon, AZ
• Grand Teton, WY
• Great Smoky Mountains, TN/TC
• Isle Royale, MI
• Joshua Tree, CA
• Kings Canyon, CA
• Mt. Rainier, WA
• North Cascades, WA
• Olympic, WA
• Redwood, WA
• Rocky Mountain, CO
• Sequoia, CA
• Shenandoah, VA
• Theodore Roosevelt, ND
• Yellowstone, WY/MT
• Yosemite, CA
• Zion, UT

The Featherlite Carbon trekking poles are new from Komperdell and fall in their Alpine line of using the same grips found on their top-rated C3 Duolock adjustable poles. Add light and stiff carbon fixed-length shafts and ultralight Alpine press-fit tips and you’ve got a 4.3 ounce (bpl measured-120cm length) fixed length trekking pole.

These poles (due out in Winter, 2006) are not the lightest fixed-length carbon poles on the market; the Gossamer Gear Lightrek, and Titanium Goat poles, Bozeman Mountain Works STIX PRO, have them beat by over an ounce. However, they beat each pole in one way or another:

• Much stiffer than the Gossamer Gear Lightrek poles and with straps
• More finished than the Titanium Goat poles- contoured grips with straps and better tips
• A full $180 cheaper than the STIX PRO poles

The Komperdell Featherlite Carbon poles are the first fixed-length carbon poles with contoured grips and straps that are in the same ballpark as the custom poles listed above- and at a great price. We can’t wait to get these out in the field!

Features and Specifications

• Available Winter, 206
• Comes in 110-135 cm lengths (in 5 cm increments)
• 4.3 ounces per pole (120 cm length without baskets)
• Carbide flextip
• Technically an alpine ski pole but perfect for backpacking
• Approximately $100

For those looking for the most distinguished poles around, check out the Komperdell Bamboo fixed-length poles. Starting with the carbon fiber shafts found on the Featherlite poles, they add a natural bamboo finish and a leather grip and strap. The result is a pole that is as stiff and vibration-damping as a modern carbon fiber pole but in a look that is distinctly classic.

Available in Winter 2007 (yes- over a year away), the Bamboo poles may be available in two finishes- one in a natural bamboo finish with a brown leather grip and a fur-lined strap, and the other in a lacquered bamboo finish with black leather grips and matching leather straps.

At 6.4 ounces for the 125 cm length and 6.5 ounces for the 135 cm length (bpl measured), these will not be the lightest poles around. However, they certainly have the most class and will have a reasonable price of approximately $110. They will be available in 110-135cm lengths.

An adjustable model is also in the works that uses the bamboo-coated carbon fiber for the upper section and standard C3 Duolock carbon sections for the lowers.

GoLite has re-designed their entire backpack line for 2007. Say bye-bye to the Infinity, Perspective, Speed, Race, Trek, Gust, and their brethren. Also going is GoLite’s SilLite fabric, which did not have enough abrasion resistance.

I would have to say that GoLite’s present pack line is a conglomeration of hits and misses. The Infinity and Jam were hits, but many of the others did not fare as well. GoLite’s goal with their new packs is to make them light AND durable, and to get the details right in terms of features and comfort. I am personally very impressed with the new packs; they incorporate a lot of nice improvements with little or no weight gain – exactly what I would like to see.

The new lineup will consist of nine packs in three groups. The Ultra group (presented here) is their very lightest packs; the Adrenaline group is adventure racing packs, and the Venture group is full-featured internal frame packs. All of their new packs are lighter than most of the competition, and all but one (the Ion) is available in both men’s and women’s specific versions.

Here is the upshot of the new GoLite Ultra packs, as I see it right now. The Ion is elegant in its simplicity, but lacks functionality compared to lighter SUL packs from Fanatic Fringe, Gossamer Gear, and Mountain Laurel Designs. It’s simple, durable, and probably comfortable, but the total lack of outside pockets really limits it. There’s not even a place to put a water bottle! The Jam² is the standout. At 3,000 cubic inches, it hits a sweet spot for ultralight backpacking, and lots of improvements make a great pack even better. The Pinnacle is basically a better Gust. The volume and weight are similar to the old Gust, and the details from the Jam give it a nicer feature set.

Overview

Using lighter materials and stripping away unneeded features, Primus unveils a lighter version of their Micron stove that appears to be the lightest canister stove currently available.

The new MicronStove Ti 2.5 is constructed primarily of titanium and aluminum. The original 3.4oz Primus Micron stood out due to its compact folded size and unique lever-operated piezoelectric ignition. The MicronStove Ti 2.5 dispenses with the piezo igniter, and replaces heavier steel parts with re-designed components made from the lighter metals. For example, the older wire legs are now stamped titanium pieces with serrations on top to improve pot support.

I did not have an opportunity to fire up the prototype unit I saw at the show, but I was allowed to weigh it. In spite of the “2.5” in its name, and its brochure’s claimed 2.4oz weight, the prototype had an actual measured weight of 2.2oz. If production units can maintain this weight, this would make it the lightest commercially available canister stove, beating the 2.5oz Snow Peak GigaPower Titanium Manual, 2.7oz Coleman F1 Ultralight, and 2.7oz Vargo Jet-Ti Stove. Judging solely from its specifications, I expect performance to be comparable to the older model.

Specifications and Features

• Dimensions in use: 3.5 in high x 5 in wide (9 x 13 cm)
• Dimensions stored: 2.5 in high x 2.8 in wide x 2.3 in thick (6 x 7 x 6 cm)
• Heat Output: 7500 BTU/hr (claimed)
• Measured Weight: 2.2oz (62g) (prototype)
• MSRP: $65