Backpacking Light
Backpacking Light was founded in November of 2000 with the simple mission of promoting backcountry travel in lightweight style. We are based in the Northern Rockies with offices in Bozeman, Montana and Laramie, Wyoming, with educational and guided trekking programs offered in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness of Montana (Billings area) and Medicine Bow Mountains of Wyoming (Denver area).
Latest
Fast and Light with Gary Scott: Lightweight Backpacking and Climbing Strategies
Fast and Light on the Khalde Peak Publisher’s Note: I had the pleasure to sit outside the GoLite warming hut at Brighton Base Camp at the Winter Outdoor Retailer Show...
Jetboil Stove (Jetboil Personal Cooking System) REVIEW
One of the most innovative products to hit the market. This review summarizes results from more than 600 boil tests.
Sierra Designs DT Tech Jacket REVIEW
Excellent ventilation and fit, but a poor DWR and zipper durability issues.
Moonstone Nitro Jacket REVIEW
The Moonstone Nitro Jacket is a feature-rich rain jacket for the alpinist wanting helmet headroom and a short hem.
Montane eVENT Superfly Jacket REVIEW
Introduction The Montane eVENT Superfly is the most breathable shell we’ve tested. At an honest 15 oz (425 g) the Montane eVENT Superfly is also the lightest hooded jacket using...
MEC Aquanator Jacket REVIEW
A solid choice for the sloppy mountains of the Pacific Northwest, but deviates unnecessarily from the basic design of general purpose backpacking rainwear.
Montane Hydra-Lite Smock REVIEW
Introduction The Montane Hydra-Lite Smock is (as far as we know) the lightest fully waterproof rain shell on the market (Smock is UK for anorak or a half-length front zipper)....
Mont-Bell Versalite Jacket REVIEW
Introduction At 11.4 oz (320 g), the Mont-bell Versalite Jacket is lightweight and full-featured waterproof/breathable rainwear. The jacket includes some very long (18 in, 45 cm) pit zips, two pack...
Haglöfs LIM Ultimate Jacket REVIEW
At this time, the lightest Gore-Tex (Pac-Lite) jacket available in the world - 8.8 oz.
Arc’Teryx Sirrus SL Jacket REVIEW
Introduction There are two schools of thought for making apparel lighter. The first one, employed by the majority of manufacturers, is to decrease the weight of materials used in the...
Montane Superfly Jacket REVIEW (2004)
Overview The Montane Superfly Jacket uses a two-layer polyurethane-coated ripstop nylon (30 denier) face fabric in what is one of the lightest fully waterproof rain shells on the market: our...
Patagonia Specter Pullover REVIEW 2004
Overview Patagonia promises simplicity and ultralight durability with their new generation of rainwear for lightweight aficianados, and they appear to deliver with the Patagonia Specter Pullover. Patagonia has stripped away...
MontBell Torrent Flier Jacket REVIEW
Overview Slipping into Mont-bell’s Torrent Flier jacket is like going to a concept car show and having one of the dealers hand over the keys. This jacket is loaded with...
GoLite Phantom Rain Jacket REVIEW
The GoLite Phantom Rain Jacket weighs less than 12 oz yet provides full weather protection and good breathability with Gore-Tex Pac-Lite III fabric. This is a full-featured shell providing parka-length coverage, pit zips, and generous pocket space.
Outdoor Retailer News
Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2004 Outdoor Retailer Announces Plans to Remain in Salt Lake Through 2009 – Show Floor Space to Increase 40% – Outdoor Industry Association Dilutes Wilderness Protection...
(Archived) – BearVault BV100 Review
About this Archived Gear Review This product reviewed in this article has been discontinued and replaced by the BV500. See our latest BearVault 500 (BV500) Review for updated info about...
Waterproof Breathable Fabric Technologies: A Comprehensive Primer and State of the Market Technology Review
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Jetboil Stove (Personal Cooking System) First Looks (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2004)
Overview of the Jetboil Stove Tucked in the back corner of the industry’s largest trade show is a closet booth rented by a tiny company with big aspirations to revolutionize...
McMurdo FastFind Personal Locator Beacon First Looks (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2004)
McMurdo claims that they manufacture the smallest and lightest personal locator beacon (PLB). The McMurdo Fastfind personal locator beacon weighs 9 oz (255 g) and measures 6 x 3 x...
OR News – Day 2 Dispatch: January 31 (Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2004)
Daily Feature: JetBoil Stove (Personal Cooking System) A 14 ounce self contained canister stove system that employs an integrated heat exchanging unit to squeeze 12 liters of boiled water out...
