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Backpacking Light

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Gear Reviews

Reviews and comparison reports about the use and performance of lightweight backpacking, hiking, camping, trail running, bikepacking, packrafting, backcountry fly fishing, survival, and other outdoor gear.

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First Impressions: Black Diamond Glidelite Ski (“Snow Trekkers”) Review (Video)

Jan 31, 2019 by Ryan Jordan

I put together a 4-minute video montage with my initial thoughts about the Black Diamond Glidelite skis that includes footage from both tracked and untracked trails, with inclines up to about 15 degrees.

backcountry skiing, black diamond

Navigation & GPS App Reviews & Gear Guide

Jan 27, 2019 by David Hosmer

This Gear Guide features GPS App Reviews, including AllTrails, Gaia, Google Maps Offline, Guthooks, Hiking Project, MapMyHike, Outdoor Active, Ramblr, REI – National Parks, Spyglass, and ViewRanger.

all trails, apps, gaia, google maps, gps, guthooks, hiking project, map my hike, navigation, outdoor active, ramblr, rei, spyglass, Topo Maps+, viewranger

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Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite Sleeping Pad Review

Jan 21, 2019 by Andrew Marshall

This Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite review presents our performance assessment of the lightest full-sized air-filled sleeping pad on the market.

cascade designs, neoair, Sleep System, sleeping pad, thermarest, ultralight sleep systems

Tarptent Stratospire Li Review

Jan 10, 2019 by Andrew Marshall

Tarptent’s Stratospire Li is a two-person DCF shelter with well-considered features and has enough chops for year round use.

double wall tents, shelters, Tarptent

Staff Picks 2018: Our Favorite Backpacking Gear of the Year

Dec 27, 2018 by Backpacking Light

Backpacking Light’s editorial team, guides, contributors provide their favorite gear choices in BPL’s Staff Picks gear guide for 2018.

alcohol stove, AllTrails, apps, Backpack, Base Layer, bowl, camera, electronics, enlightened equipment, gaia, garmin, GoPro, gossamer gear, GSI Outdoors, Katydyn, lightweight cooking system, Montane, mountain hardwear, msr, MyTrails Co., new balance, Northern Lites, Oware, pants, Patagonia, prana, Qalo Silicone, quilt, rain jacket, rei, Shackleton, shelters, shirt, shoes, Sleep System, sleeping pad, smith optics, snowshoes, sunglasses, tenkara, Tenkara Rod Co., thermarest, Topo Maps+, trail designs, Ursack, water bottle, water filter, wind screen, wind shirts, YNAB, Zelph

Lightweight Winter Down Parka Reviews and State of the Market Report

Dec 5, 2018 by Max Neale

This article features lightweight down parkas (usually, full-zip jackets with hoods, a longer hem, and box-baffled construction) appropriate for winter backpacking, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, mountaineering, and other cold-temperature activities.

arc'teryx, crux, down insulation, feathered friends, Goosefeet Gear, insulated clothing, jackets, montbell, mountain equipment, mountain hardwear, Nunatak, Patagonia, PhD, Rab, Western Mountaineering, winter backpacking

Publisher’s Gear Guide (2018-2019)

Dec 2, 2018 by Ryan Jordan

My personal recommendations for ultralight and lightweight backpacking gear for 2018-2019 – gear that I’ve used all year in 2018 that includes the good stuff that’s staying in my kit for 2019!

adventure medical kits, aquamira, black diamond, buff, Darn Tough, feathered friends, gaia, garmin, Gear Aid, Good To-Go, Goosefeet Gear, GoPro, GoRuck, hyperlite mountain gear, Joby, Katabatic Gear, katadyn, la sportiva, locus gear, McHale Backpacks, msr, national parks pass, Patagonia, Petzl, Polycro, Qalo Silicone, Raidlight, rei, Sawyer, Saxx, Sea To Summit, Smartwool, Snow Peak, sony, Tarptent, Thinksport, ultralight backpacking bootcamp, Ursack, webinar, Wilderness adventure treks, Zoom, zpacks

Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 Backpack Review

Nov 28, 2018 by Adam VanZee

The Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 is a high volume ultralight backpack that is capable of carrying heavier loads.

Backpack, gossamer gear

Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket Review & Zeta SL Pant Review

Nov 26, 2018 by Ryan Jordan

The Arc’teryx Zeta FL Jacket is a Gore-tex Paclite Plus rain jacket that features a trim fit and hip length. It has articulated tailoring in the hood and arms, a full-length water-resistant zipper, two handwarmer pockets with water-resistant zippers, elastic hem and wrist cuffs, and an adjustable hood aperture.

arc'teryx, rain gear, rain jacket, rain pants

Lightweight Trekking Pole Reviews & Gear Guide

Nov 21, 2018 by Backpacking Light

This lightweight trekking poles gear guide discusses the scientific justification for/against poles, and features reviews of 14 models.

black diamond, gossamer gear, helinox, Komperdell, Leki, locus gear, Mons Peak IX, rei, ruta locura, trekking poles, zpacks

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