Backpacking Light
Backpacking Light was founded in November of 2000 with the simple mission of promoting backcountry travel in lightweight style. HQ in Estes Park, CO.
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Andrew Skurka
7,800 miles of walking found Skurka in Bozeman, MT as part of the Backpacking Light team.
Doug Johnson
Doug Johnson joined BackpackingLight.com in October 2003 and is both a reviewer and the Trekking Systems editor. He lives in Redmond, Washington, with his also-adventurous wife Amy. Doug is an...
Steve Nelson
Steve Nelson, Winter Systems Editor, has been backpacking and playing in the snow since he was a kid growing up in upstate New York. Now living in California, he backpacks...
Mike Martin
Longtime BPL Forum contributor Mike Martin joined the Backpacking Light staff in 2006 as Sleeping Systems Section Editor. Mike holds a Bachelors Degree in Engineering and currently teaches Engineering and...
Rick Dreher
Rick Dreher is interviewed by Bruno the Dalmatian. B. So, now that I’ve had my kibble (AGAIN with the kibble!) we can get down to business. Why backpacking? R. At...
Integral Designs Sil Poncho
See how this shelter rates with others in our Comparison Review of Tarps and Other Floorless Shelters Overview Are you looking for a truly ultralight, minimalist solution for shelter and...
Integral Designs Silshelter
See how this shelter rates with others in our Comparison Review of Tarps and Other Floorless Shelters Overview At only 12.9 ounces, the Integral Designs Sil Shelter provides the lightest...
GoLite Lair 1 Shelter REVIEW
The GoLite Lair 1 Shelter offers more weather protection than a tarp without a dramatic weight penalty. At less than 12 oz, the Lair 1 is ideally suited for solo travel in areas where ventilation is important but the chance for rain is very real.
Comparison Review of Tarps and Other Floorless Shelters
Overview The objective of this review is to provide an overview of the floorless shelters for lightweight backpackers. Herein, we review products from GoLite, Integral Designs, TarpTent, Oware, Granite Gear,...
Granite Gear White Lightnin’ Tarp (8×10)
See how this shelter rates with others in our Comparison Review of Tarps and Other Floorless Shelters Also available in 10×10 and 10×12 sizes In the field, using 8 tie-out...
Merino Wool Shirts
A review of lightweight long sleeve merino wool shirts from Smartwool, Ibex, Icebreaker, Merino Skins, and WhisperWarm.
Campmor (Equinox) Silnylon Poncho-Tarp
See how this shelter rates with others in our Comparison Review of Tarps and Other Floorless Shelters Campmor’s "Ultralite Poncho/Tarps" and Equinox’s "Ultralite Poncho" are one in the same. Order...
Oware Alphamid
See how this shelter rates with others in our Comparison Review of Tarps and Other Floorless Shelters Overview As the name implies, the Oware Alphamid is based on a pyramid...
Campmor (Equinox) Silnylon Tarps
See how this shelter rates with others in our Comparison Review of Tarps and Other Floorless Shelters Configurations Reviewed: 6′ x 8′, 8′ x 10′ Photo Caption: Campmor/Equinox’s Ultralight Backpacking...
Oware Flat Tarps (6×8, 8×10, 10×10)
See how this shelter rates with others in our Comparison Review of Tarps and Other Floorless Shelters Photo: An Oware 10×10 ft tarp setup for an incoming mountain thunderstorm: Pitch...
TarpTent Virga, TarpTent Squall, and TarpTent Cloudburst
Henry Shires' TarpTents, including the solo Virga, the dual-person Squall, and the dual-person Cloudburst, offer simple setup and excellent stability in a package suitable for those who just aren't quite ready to migrate to an open tarp yet.
Oware Tapered Catenary Tarp (6×8)
See how this shelter rates with others in our Comparison Review of Tarps and Other Floorless Shelters Photo: Oware’s 6×8 Cat Tarp: The trim size and catenary cut ridgeline make...
Lightweight Backpacking for Couples
Introduction Most of us do not venture into the backcountry alone. Sharing the outdoors with another person heightens our outdoor experience. That person can be a good friend, parent, brother,...
Catenary Curvature as an Element of Ultralight Tarp Design
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New Lightweight Backpacking Gear – (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2003) – Member’s Version
Gear Availability Many of these products will be available in Spring ’04. Some are being released in Fall ’03 (as early as September) and a few are available now or...Thursday, February 27 through Saturday, March 1 - Registration is Free.
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