Backpacking Light

The Perils of Certainty

Making decisions based on incorrect information negates stellar gear and knowledge, leading to trouble. It can happen far more easily than many of us would care to admit.

Berghaus Octans 40 Backpack Review

An adventure racing pack with innovative design elements, how does it perform as an ultralight backpack?

Easton Mountain Products CTR-70 Trekking Poles Review

Does a bigger diameter result in stronger poles, and what's the weight trade-off?

Indoor Girl Takes on a Yurt

Baby steps: out of love for her outdoorsy husband, Margie looks before she leaps and books a weekend in a Utah yurt, THEN learns the definition of "yurt."

Páramo Vista Rain Jacket Review

An incredibly breathable full-zip rain jacket that manages to fend off precipitation without using a membrane.

How to Best Pack Your UL/Frameless Backpack with UL Gear

The advantages of having a lightweight, frameless backpack are huge - but without that heavy frame, the backpack has all the qualities of a large sack. For maximum comfort, you'll need to pack carefully, in a way that gives your backpack form and balance.

2012 Photo Contest Winners!

The votes are counted, photos drooled over, and the top ten are in. Congrats to all who entered - the eye candy was gorgeous!

Hiking Hells Canyon Rim to Rim

Crossing the deepest river gorge in North America with unmaintained trails, poor communication, and a little conflict: will frustration be followed by triumph or a turn-around?

Crazy for Quilts – How Quilts Became My Sleep System of Choice, PLUS A Review of My Favorite, the Stateless Society Custom Quilt

Take a walk through the backpacking addicted mind of Ray as he explains his journey to custom quilts, and read a review of his favorite model, a 14-ounce beauty made by fellow BPL-er Javan Dempsey.

Mike Clelland’s Tiny Manifesto of Ultralight Backpacking Tips

Rotating feature with tips and illustrations from Mike Clelland!'s new book: Ultralight Backpackin' Tips

Introducing Chris Wallace as Backpacking Light’s New Gear Editor

Rab MeCo Baselayers Review

Rab's new baselayers blend merino wool and synthetic fabrics - do they achieve the best of both worlds?

2011 Backpacking Light Staff Picks

Backpacking Light staff pick their favorite gear/cool dealio/thingy-dingy of 2011.

Kahtoola MTN 28 Snowshoe Review

Incorporating a stand-alone trail crampon that works along with the snowshoe itself, the Mountain 28 eliminates the need to carry a separate traction device for conditions that call for grip, not float. Intriguing in theory, how did it work in practice?

Lightweight Integrated Canister Fuel Stoves State of the Market Report 2011: Part 3 – Wrap Up and Reviews of Individual Stoves

This part assembles the information from our testing and evaluations of integrated canister fuel stoves and provides a review of each stove.

Jetboil Flash Cooking System Review

The Flash is basically a flashier PCS and will eventually replace it.

State of the Market Report: Family/Group Backpacking Tents

Tired of solo trips? Ditch the tiny tarp for one of these multi-person shelters and share the weight with your friends and family. You may even save a few ounces!

Vango Helium Superlite 200 Tent Review

A sub-40 ounce, two-person, double-wall, hybrid tunnel tent that sheds wind and rain with ease?

New Balance 1000 Insulated Boot Review

The NB1000 replaces the discontinued Keen Growler as our favorite lightweight insulated boot; it’s made of lighter materials and has the same insulation and functionality.

MYOG: Down Vest

An easy introduction to working with down, this vest has no frills, bells, or whistles: just warm insulation where you need it most!