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You are here: Home / Archives for Gear Reviews / State of the Market Reports

State of the Market Reports

State of the Market Reports offer an in-depth assessment of an entire product category, with a comparison summary of notable products in that category, and an evaluation of their applications, technologies, features, and performance. Heavy emphasis is placed on a technology overview of the product category, a discussion of performance comparison criteria, and a performance comparison (with ratings) of each product presented in tabular format. Performance is to be based on evaluation of the products in the field.

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Windshirts: 2012 State of the Market Report – Part 2: The Present and Future of Windshirts

Oct 30, 2012 by Dave Chenault, Photos by Meredith Chenault and the author

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?

Jul 10, 2012 by David Chenault

Weatherproof, lightweight, breathable. Might the windshirt be the ultimate tool in the lighwieght backpacker’s arsenal?

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Rain Pants State of the Market Report

May 29, 2012 by Brad Groves

A critical look at seven lightweight rain pants to keep you dry this spring.

Light and Fast Packs for Bikepacking

May 22, 2012 by David Chenault

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

Apr 24, 2012 by Roger Caffin

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

Apr 17, 2012 by Roger Caffin

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

Apr 10, 2012 by Roger Caffin

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

Mar 20, 2012 by David Chenault

Part 2: Details on the ten jackets in the report.

Ultralight Waterproof-Breathable Jackets: 2012 State of the Market Report

Mar 13, 2012 by David Chenault

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

Jan 31, 2012 by Brad Groves

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

Nov 29, 2011 by David Chenault

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

Nov 22, 2011 by David Chenault

An unruly, heterogenous group, Dave divided it into four categories: simple poncho-tarp, complex poncho-tarp, alternative upper-body wear, and alternative legwear.

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