Article Library
4.5+ million words and 2,500+ articles about backpacking gear, hiking and camping skills, gear testing, outdoor technology research, backpacking routes and trips, people, philosophy and ideas, outdoor news and commentary, and more. Premium and Unlimited Members get full access to the entire library.
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Latest
Episode 99 | How to Hide Your Food from Bears
In episode 99 of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to learn about how bears smell, and what you can do to hide your food from the nose of a bear.
Superior Wilderness Designs Rugged Long Haul Review
The Superior Wilderness Designs Rugged Long Haul is a 35 to 50 L internal frame backpack weighing 2 pounds made from Ultra and EPX fabrics.
Book Review: Trail of the Lost
Mark Wetherington reviews the Trail of the Lost by Andrea Lankford and reacts to the implications it unveils for backpackers.
Navigation and Communication Devices: Strengths, Limitations, and Use Cases
In this video, I will cover various types of navigation and communications devices, their benefits and limitations, and use case scenarios where you might use one or a combination of multiple devices.
Episode 98 | Canister Stoves in the Winter
In episode 98 of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to learn how to get the most out of your ultralight canister stove for winter backpacking.
Peak Bagging in the High Sierra
Isaac Simons writes about the experiences, struggles, and transcendence of peak bagging in the Sierra Nevada.
Gear Reviews
Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Glove Review (Updated)
The Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Glove (2.5 oz / 71 g, $40) is the warmest glove I've found that I can use effectively with a smartphone.
MSR Pro Bivy Review
The MSR Pro Bivy weighs less than 10 ounces (285 g). It's a very compact, feature-less bivy sack that embodies the essence of bivy sack camping.
Granite Gear Crown2 60 Gear Review
The Granite Gear Crown2 60 is a 60 liter capacity internal frame backpack that carries up to about 35 pounds comfortably and weighs around 2.1 to 2.5 pounds.
Skills
Stove Systems for Winter Backpacking
Ryan discusses how you build and utilize your stove system for winter cooking and snow melting to maintain hydration.
Animal Encounters in the Backcountry
Ryan shares some principles about how to manage wildlife encounters, based on his own encounters with wild animals in the backcountry.
Bear and Food Storage Policy in the National Parks
America’s National Parks each have different food storage requirements for backpackers. This article discusses the requirements, various options, and focuses on what bear canisters are exemplary options, and why.
Gear Testing & Research
By The Numbers Fabric Air Permeability and MVTR are Closely Related, Just Not How You Might Expect
This work explores the relationship between air permeability and MVTR in fabrics that do not include a waterproof membrane.
By The Numbers- How Much Wind Penetrates Your Air Permeable Outer Layer at Hiking and Running Speeds (Updated)
Stephen Seeber helps us answer the question, "do air-permeable garments allow a noticeable amount of ventilation while hiking or running?"
By the Numbers: The Myth of Air Permeability in Windshirts
If one of your objectives in selecting a windshirt is eliminating moisture vapor, your selection should rely more heavily on Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR) than Air Permeability Measurements (APM / CFM).
Culture
On Finding and Claiming Femininity in the Backcountry
"...they never felt more powerful, or more fit, or happier about themselves and their bodies, than when they were thru-hiking." - Nikki Stavile on femininity in the backcountry.
Backcountry Permits: Navigating Logistics and Disappointment in the Modern Technological Age
Different land management agencies have different difficulties obtaining a permit to plan and enjoy a backpacking trip.
How much does backpacking really cost?
Daniel Hu discusses the question: How much should I spend on my backpacking kit, and how can I do so responsibly?