State of the Market Reports (*)
- GEAR • Gear Reviews
- GEAR • Gear Guides
- GEAR • Gear Checklists
- GEAR • Make Your Own Gear
- GEAR • Gear Testing & Research
- SKILLS • Tips, Tricks, and Hacks
- SKILLS • Wilderness Skills
- SKILLS • Training
- SKILLS • Trip Planning
- SKILLS • Food Preparation
- PLACES • Trips
- PLACES • Routes
- CULTURE • Essays
- CULTURE • Stories
- CULTURE • Issues
- CULTURE • People
- CULTURE • News
- CULTURE • Media Reviews
- ARCHIVES (Before 30.Nov.2015)
- SEARCH LIBRARY
- TRAILHEADS
Latest
Tenkara for Backpackers: State of the Market Report – Part 1
A look at the best rods to bring into the Backcountry. It may not be what you think. Sometimes the best combination takes into account both the weight and the reach of the rod.
Ultralight Gaiters: State of the Market Report 2013
Balancing weight and durability, ultralight gaiters are crucial to keeping your feet dry and free from debris.
SOTMR: Two-way Satellite Communications for Backpacking: Part 3: Satellite Texting
Part 3 in our series on satellite communications focuses on the currently available two-way texting devices suitable for lightweight backpacking.
SOTMR: Two-way Satellite Communications for Backpacking: Part 2 – Satellite Phones
Part 2 in our 3 part series on satellite communications focuses on the currently available sat phones suitable for lightweight backpacking.
SOTMR: Two-way Satellite Communications for Backpacking: Part 1 – Introduction
Part 1 in our 3 part series on two-way satellite communications for lightweight backpacking.
Windshirts: 2012 State of the Market Report – Part 2: The Present and Future of Windshirts
Weatherproof, lightweight, breathable. Might the windshirt be the ultimate tool in the lightweight backpacker's arsenal?
Windshirts: 2012 State of the Market Report – Part 1: What is a Windshirt?
Weatherproof, lightweight, breathable. Might the windshirt be the ultimate tool in the lighwieght backpacker's arsenal?
Rain Pants State of the Market Report
A critical look at seven lightweight rain pants to keep you dry this spring.
Light and Fast Packs for Bikepacking
In Part 2 of our exploration of Lightweight Bikepacking, Dave reviews some notable packs and examines their utility for bikepacking.
Tunnel Tents Tutorial and State of the Market Report – Part 3: The Mini-Reviews
Part 3 of this tutorial gives the details on the seven tunnel tents included in this report.
Tunnel Tents Tutorial and State of the Market Report – Part 2: Details and Commercial Models
Part 2 of this tutorial examines the specifics of tunnel tent design and functionality and lists the commercially available tents.
Tunnel Tents Tutorial and State of the Market Report – Part 1: Definition and Pitching
How tunnel tents work, why they can handle extreme weather, and how to pitch them under extreme conditions.
Ultralight Waterproof Breathable Jackets: 2012 State of the Market Report
Part 2: Details on the ten jackets in the report.
Ultralight Waterproof-Breathable Jackets: 2012 State of the Market Report
Part 1: Why should you buy a WPB rain jacket? And why would you buy one that weighs more than 8 ounces (227 g)?
Deep Freeze: A Cold, Hard Look at Winter Stoves
Investigating the lightest-weight options on the market and assessing ease-of-use, reliability, fuel efficiency, and time to boil.
Lightweight Alternative Rainwear: State of the Market Report – Part 2: Overview of Individual Products
Further discussion on the four individual categories, a review of the products tested within the context of each category, and a brief conclusion of ways in which various alternative rainwear products can be combined, both with each other and with WPB garments, to suit various hiking environments and conditions.
Lightweight Alternative Rainwear: State of the Market Report – Part 1: Introducing and Defining Alternative Rainwear
An unruly, heterogenous group, Dave divided it into four categories: simple poncho-tarp, complex poncho-tarp, alternative upper-body wear, and alternative legwear.
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.
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!
Lightweight Integrated Canister Fuel Cooking Systems State of the Market Report 2011: Part 2 – Trends, Stove Ratings, and Selections
Integrated canister fuel cooking systems have advanced substantially in every way – they’re lighter, faster, more efficient, and have more cooking capacity and versatility. In this part we highlight this evolution, explore how these stoves can be very weight-efficient, and identify the top performing stoves for different situations and needs.
