Backpacking Light
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Ultralight Three-Season Down Jackets State of the Market Report 2010 Part 2
Seriously lightweight down jackets – those most suitable for ultralight backpacking and other lightweight pursuits. Our evaluation includes comparative specifications, calculated parameters, warmth testing, ratings, and identifying the standouts for different situations, needs, and preferences.
Ultralight Three-Season Down Jackets State of the Market Report 2010 Part 1
A state-of-the-art overview of ultralight down jackets – we analyze the components and discuss “baffling” issues like shell fabrics, down quality, fill weight, packing density, loft, and warmth.
Rapids, Wolves, and Winter
With amazingly light loads that included skis, packrafts, dry suits, winter camping gear, and a week’s worth of food, we set out to visit the Frank Church Wilderness in winter to prove a point.
Ultralight Three-Season Down Mummy-Style Sleeping Bags: State of the Market Report 2010
Mummy bags win hands down as the most thermally efficient bag design. An ultralight down mummy combined with an ultralight down jacket and pants creates a remarkably warm and versatile sleeping system for colder conditions. Join Will as he rounds up and rates the lightest three-season down mummy bags.
Sierra Prime: Off Trail in California’s High Country
The greatest rewards come when you choose to get off the beaten path and build a personalized hike that mixes challenge and fun at whatever level works for you.
MontBell Ex Light Women’s Down Jacket Review
The lightest down jacket to be found, but the women’s version doesn’t have as much loft and warmth as the men’s version.
2009 Backpacking Light Staff Picks
Backpacking Light staff pick their favorite gear of 2009.
Denali Light: The 2009 Attempt
A light and kind-of fast expedition on one of the world’s great mountains.
Denali Light: The 2007 Attempt
Lightening up on Alaska’s classic mountaineering route.
Wilderness Trekking II: Long Distance Backpacking
The stated goal wasn't to make everything else a little bland, but this trip was beyond the pale. And yes, everything else IS just a little bland afterwards.
Backpacking Light 2009 Reader Photo Contest Results
We are pleased to announce the winners of our 2009 Reader Photo Contest!
Le Parcour de Wild Race Report
With temperatures that ranged from -5 F to 40 F, the Bob Marshall Wilderness threw some formidable weather our way and reminded us: this stuff ain't for the faint of heart!
Wilderness Cred for the Packrafting Noobs
I was perfectly content to let others do all the lightweight lifting, but at the first chance of a packrafting class (learning to play without buying the gear!), I jumped... and pulled my husband, Rob, with me.
Sugar Coma: Days 4 & 5 (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2009)
After five glorious days of all the sweet new stuff retailers can offer, we're home and recovering from the high. Our last blog blizzard of some standouts.
Trail Designs Caldera Keg-H (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2009)
Heineken beer can based Caldera system capable of cooking for two people.
A Potpourri of Eye Candy: Day 1 (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2009)
A grueling first day at summer 2009 OR rewarded us with loads of lightweight goodies; here's a first installment, with more to come.
ORSM09: Open Air Demo (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2009)
Open Air Demo consists of booths and boats – and there is always something new, something interesting, and something unique.
Coming Soon – Backpacking Light Coverage of the Summer 2009 Outdoor Retailer Show (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2009)
What can you expect from our coverage of the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market next week?
Wilderness Trekking School Summer Initiation
The summer of 2008 got Backpacking Light's Wilderness Trekking School off to a great start. We ran three trips in three wildly different locations: Northern Rockies, Pacific Northwest, and Desert Southwest. Each allowed for a unique experience and permitted us to focus on the core curriculum of the Wilderness Trekking format.
Shangri-Lite at 62 – Haute Route at 20 Pounds or Less
On the Haute Route, a 21-pound pack is over-inflated. At sixty-two well-used years, I submitted myself to random weight checks to remain sub-twenty pounds and passed most of them. Making the formula feasible are the huts and hotels which always appear just when you've had enough.
