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Outdoor Gear Journalism: Developing Trust Standards
The integrity of gear reviews is currently experiencing a decline in consumer trust. Consequently, the GearTrust framework, which is substantiated by research, has been developed to conduct credibility audits and elevate consumer confidence.
Topographic intervention: reconciling terrain and neurobiology with your mental and emotional health needs
Walking is often prescribed as a catch-all fix for mental and emotional distress. But when generic advice like “go for a walk” doesn’t work, it’s not your fault - it’s the prescription that failed. This essay explores a more intentional framework: topographic intervention. By aligning terrain with specific emotional states - like using uphill climbs to metabolize anxiety or forested trails to cradle grief - walking becomes more than movement. It becomes medicine. Discover how matching physiology, emotion, and landscape can unlock walking’s real power for healing.
Collateral Damage: How Tariff Policy Is Gutting America’s Outdoor Gear Innovators
Ryan Jordan breaks down the impacts of the 2025 US tariff chaos on the cottage industry for backpacking gear.
Legacy of Fire: The Ghost of Trees
Nikki Stavile writes on the impact of fire on hikers and the communities they hike through using stories from Jasper and the Tahoe Rim Trail.
Comfort vs. Weight: Gear Guidance for Aging Backpackers
Ronni Wilde writes about her adventures lightening her pack to allow her to do more backpacking at an older age.
New Gear Guides: REI & Cottage Brands (+2024 Sale Info)
Quick reference to information and links to the new REI and Cottage Brand gear guides & 2024 Spring Sales.
Book Review: Trail of the Lost
Mark Wetherington reviews the Trail of the Lost by Andrea Lankford and reacts to the implications it unveils for backpackers.
On Finding and Claiming Femininity in the Backcountry
"...they never felt more powerful, or more fit, or happier about themselves and their bodies, than when they were thru-hiking." - Nikki Stavile on femininity in the backcountry.
Backcountry Permits: Navigating Logistics and Disappointment in the Modern Technological Age
Different land management agencies have different difficulties obtaining a permit to plan and enjoy a backpacking trip.
How much does backpacking really cost?
Daniel Hu discusses the question: How much should I spend on my backpacking kit, and how can I do so responsibly?
The Fact of Fatigue: On Trail Running, Jeff Garmire, and the High Price of Endurance
Isaac Simons humorously describes the effects of overtraining for trail running adventures including discussions with Jeff Garmire.
Look for Me in the Mountains (Backpacking Light Theme Song Download)
Backpacking Light Theme Music (Look for Me in the Mountains)
Tenkara Speaker Series No. 2: Karin Miller
Join us live online at our 2023 Tenkara Speaker Series with Karin Miller of Zen Tenkara. We'll chat about catching big fish on tenkara, Zen Tenkara history and products, industry trends, and what's next in the world of tenkara, and end with a live audience Q&A!
Tenkara Speaker Series No. 1: TJ Ferreira and John Geer
Join us live online at our 2023 Tenkara Speaker Series with TJ Ferreira and John Geer of Tenkara USA. We'll chat about Tenkara USA history and products, industry trends, and what's next in the world of tenkara, and end with a live audience Q&A!
Tri Peaks: Winter Scrambles in the Santa Monica Mountains
An essay on how day hikes and trail runs can enhance our outdoor experience when the wilderness isn’t accessible.
Musings: Hiking in Grizzly Country
Musings about backpacking in grizzly bear habitat.
Unresting Event
See how backpacking and forest ranger work in the High Uinta Wilderness and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument influenced Ben Kilbourne’s record, Unresting Event.
Lessons from Moving Fast
Ben Kilbourne explores the experience of moving fast through a vast mountain landscape and what you can learn from the experience.
The Best of Backpacking Light: 2022 Highlights
Highlights of 2022 - the most popular, most engaging content and featured highlights, forums, education, and more.
BPL Live! Tour, News, and Q&A
Join us for BPL Live! and take a tour of Backpacking Light, find out what's new, and get answers to your questions about Backpacking Light, using the website, getting the most out of your membership, and more!
