Article Library
Article Library4.5+ 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.
- GEAR • Gear Reviews
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- GEAR • Make Your Own Gear
- GEAR • Gear Testing & Research
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- SKILLS • Training
- SKILLS • Trip Planning
- SKILLS • Food Preparation
- PLACES • Trips
- PLACES • Routes
- CULTURE • Essays
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- ARCHIVES (Before 30.Nov.2015)
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Featured
Latest
Episode 83 | Shelter Condesation
In episode 83 of the Backpacking Light podcast we're going to talk about managing condensation in shelters.
Office Hours (Members-Only Live Stream)
Join us on our members-only "office hours" live stream with Backpacking Light owner/founder Ryan Jordan for short presentations + member Q&A.
Yama Flat Tarp Review
Yama Flat Tarp Review: our first looks at this 7' x 9' silpoly ultralight shelter for ultralight backpacking.
Winter Backpacking
A curated guide to winter backpacking gear, strategies, skills, podcasts, forums, research, education, product recommendations, and more.
Minimalist Footwear and Trail Running Shoes for Hiking and Backpacking
A curated guide to Backpacking Light resources about minimalist footwear (e.g., trail running shoes for hiking and backpacking) - gear, skills, podcasts, forums, research, education, product recommendations, and more.
Handling the Heat: How to Use Your Palms to Stay Cool
Learn how to manage thermoregulation while hiking through effective utilization of your palms.
Gear Reviews
Yama Mountain Gear 1P Cirriform Min Tarp Review
The Yama Mountain Gear 1P Cirriform Min Tarp ($210 in silpoly) is a one-person, 2-trekking pole, side/end-entry full-perimeter tarp shelter.
Superior Wilderness Designs Movement 40L Backpack Review
This review focuses on the modularity of the Superior Wilderness Designs Movement 40L backpack. In particular, the Movement has the ability to morph from a frameless to a framed pack with a suspension capable of carrying 35 pounds (15.9 kg) or so.
Alpacka Refuge Review
The Alpacka Raft Refuge Packraft weighs less than six pounds but includes a cargo fly and whitewater deck.
Skills
Can backcountry fishing save carried food weight?
This article explores the benefits of backcountry fishing (especially tenkara), including the incorporation of fish in your diet and potential food weight savings.
Home Freeze-Drying vs. Other Trail Food Preparation Strategies
Drew Smith talks about the place of home freeze-drying in the wider context of trail food strategies, and attempts freeze dried french toast!
Is Buying a Home Freeze-Dryer Worth the Money?
Home Freeze-dryers are handy but expensive. Are they worth the cost? We show you how to find out.
Gear Testing & Research
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).
Using vapor pressure differential to predict condensation in tents
How does vapor pressure differential influence condensation in tents?
By The Numbers: What’s the Best Base Layer Fabric? Wool vs. Alpaca vs. Polyester
In this paper, I subject base layers in various weights made from merino, merino blends, and alpaca to the suite of tests I have developed to evaluate base layer performance. I then compare the performance of these base layers with those of the polyester base layers I have recently reviewed. We also see if my preconceived notions about merino hold water. Finally, we will see how to choose the fiber for our base layers.
Culture
Look for Me in the Mountains (Backpacking Light Theme Song Download)
Backpacking Light Theme Music (Look for Me in the Mountains)
Tenkara Speaker Series No. 2: Karin Miller
Join us live online at our 2023 Tenkara Speaker Series with Karin Miller of Zen Tenkara. We'll chat about catching big fish on tenkara, Zen Tenkara history and products, industry trends, and what's next in the world of tenkara, and end with a live audience Q&A!
Tenkara Speaker Series No. 1: TJ Ferreira and John Geer
Join us live online at our 2023 Tenkara Speaker Series with TJ Ferreira and John Geer of Tenkara USA. We'll chat about Tenkara USA history and products, industry trends, and what's next in the world of tenkara, and end with a live audience Q&A!
