Archives (*)

Grandpa’s Fire Fork by Light My Fire

Light My Fire shows a revolutionary lightweight cooktool for the whittle challenged.

Evernew America Water Bottles and Hydration Bladders

Evernew enters the water bottle and hydration bladder market with a big splash.

Playing in the Snow: A day at Backcountry Base Camp

GoLite Revamps Apparel Lineup for Fall 2007

Improved fabrics, lighter weight and lower prices - too good to be true?

3 Pounds, 4 Seasons, 1 Person: Sierra Designs Introduces the Single-Wall Assailant

Bomber one-person, four-season, single wall tent with waterproof/breathable fabric and enough room for gear.

ACR Enterprises Personal Locator Beacon – the MicroFix

The ACR MicroFix Personal Locator Beacon weighs just 10 ounces.

Playing in the Snow: A Day at Backcountry Base Camp

The Backpackinglight teams spends a day at Backcountry Base Camp prior to the start of the show.

New Telemark Norm Boots and Bindings (Finally) Debut

After years of development, Scarpa, Crispi, and Rottefella show their long-awaited NTN boots and bindings at ORWM.

Manzella Summit Mitt SPOTLITE REVIEW

Lightweight, dry, and warm handwear for most snow sports, but we found their limits when we used them for snow shelter building.

Wise Women Go Light, Conclusion

Wise Women Jean (from 20 to 13 pound base weight) and Sue (14 to 9 pound base weight) put their new lightweight gear to the test in the field.

2006 Jacks ‘R’ Better “Down to Earth” Pad Converter SPOTLITE REVIEW

Converts any Jacks ‘R’ Better quilt into a top bag sleep system with an attached sleeping pad.

2006 Jacks ‘R’ Better Old Rag Mtn Quilt SPOTLITE REVIEW

A versatile cold weather quilt that can be used in a cold weather hammock system as well as for “ground sleeping”.

2006 Jacks ‘R’ Better Nest Quilt SPOTLITE REVIEW

A well-designed under quilt that integrates beautifully with Hennessy hammocks.

MSR Titan Mini Cookset SPOTLITE REVIEW

A reasonably minimal titanium cookset - very light, works well, but not very low cost. Take just one pot?

MSR Titan Kettle SPOTLITE REVIEW

A reasonably light two-man titanium kettle - very light, works well, but not very low cost.

Will Rietveld

Montane Jetstream Windshirt SPOTLITE REVIEW

2.8 ounces, full zip - is there a downside?

Montane Prism Jacket SPOTLITE REVIEW

Pertex Microlight shell, PRISM synthetic insulation, 12 ounces with hood

Wise Women Go Light, Part 2

Jean and Sue select and test lighter gear from a dizzying array of choices while receiving an avalanche of expert advice - which they accept with trepidation, reject, or take on wholeheartedly - all the while listening to their own self-wisdom gained in their six (or near six) decades of life experience.

Results: John Muir Trail (JMT) Record Attempt – Unsupported, Without Resupply

BPL subscriber, Al Shaver, didn’t break the JMT speed record for an unsupported hike without resupply, but his account may inspire you to try.