Gear Reviews
Backpacking Light has built a hard-won reputation for comprehensive and fair product reviews, reflecting our Editorial Values of Objectivity, Trust, Authority, Inclusivity, and Clarity.
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Latest
Berghaus Octans 40 Backpack Review
An adventure racing pack with innovative design elements, how does it perform as an ultralight backpack?
Easton Mountain Products CTR-70 Trekking Poles Review
Does a bigger diameter result in stronger poles, and what's the weight trade-off?
Páramo Vista Rain Jacket Review
An incredibly breathable full-zip rain jacket that manages to fend off precipitation without using a membrane.
Montane Slipstream GL Jacket Review
A very lightweight hoodless windshirt utilizing Pertex’s newest lightest fabric – Quantum GL. In addition to his thorough evaluation, Will includes a discussion of the versatility of a windshirt.
Andrew Skurka’s The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide: Book Review
Are You an Ultimate Hiker? Andy Skurka’s approach to backpacking.
CAMP Flash Anorak Review
An innovative design makes this wind shell easy to put on and take off.
Crazy for Quilts – How Quilts Became My Sleep System of Choice, PLUS A Review of My Favorite, the Stateless Society Custom Quilt
Take a walk through the backpacking addicted mind of Ray as he explains his journey to custom quilts, and read a review of his favorite model, a 14-ounce beauty made by fellow BPL-er Javan Dempsey.
Mountain Laurel Designs TrailStar Shelter Review
Simplicity and strength in an all-season shelter.
Clikstand T-2 Alcohol Stove System Review
Can 100% titanium justify the price tag?
Nemo Obi Elite 1P Tent Review
Nemo becomes a serious player in the ultralight tent category. The Obi Elite 1P is a cutting edge one-person double-wall tent that matches the weight and roominess of many single-wall tents.
MSR Lightning Flash Snowshoe Review
If unlimited traction is what you want in a snowshoe, the Lightning Flash delivers; it can rightfully lay claim to the title of lightest high-traction snowshoe available.
Sony NEX-7 Digital Camera Review
Large sensor. High resolution. Small package. Interchangeable lenses. Is the DSLR finally dead for the backpacking photographer?
Rab MeCo Baselayers Review
Rab's new baselayers blend merino wool and synthetic fabrics - do they achieve the best of both worlds?
Altai Skis: The Hok Ski and X-Trace Universal Binding Review
For fast, easy over-snow travel, combine the traits of a snowshoe and those of a ski. A short, fat ski would keep the maneuverability, packability and hopefully light weight of a snowshoe as well as the glide and easy trail breaking of a ski. How well does this theory play out in reality?
Jacks ‘R’ Better Sierra Stealth Quilt Review
The Jacks ‘R’ Better Sierra Stealth Quilt is an ultralight summer quilt designed “with the ground sleeper in mind.” As the lightest of three wearable quilts available from JRB, the Sierra Stealth has a resealable Velcro head hole in the center that allows the quilt to be used as a serape around camp - eliminating the need for a lightweight jacket in addition to sleeping gear.
Seek Outside VersaShelter 6-Person Tipi
This single-wall, three/four-season, tipi-style shelter is the largest tipi in the VersaShelter line. A significant amount of the weight savings comes from the use of an all carbon fiber pole.
Kahtoola MTN 28 Snowshoe Review
Incorporating a stand-alone trail crampon that works along with the snowshoe itself, the Mountain 28 eliminates the need to carry a separate traction device for conditions that call for grip, not float. Intriguing in theory, how did it work in practice?
Nemo Pentalite Review
A versatile shelter with a unique design, the Pentalite manages to bring something new to the realm of pyramid tent design: a large floorspace and optional full bug protection without a full-height inner bug net. The size, weight savings, and flexibility of this design make it a good candidate for a group backpacking, car camping, or base camp use. So far, so good, right?
CAMP Xenon 4 Pole Review
These highly anticipated poles made quite a splash at 2011 ORWM. The Xenon 4 Trekking Poles are light, compact, easy to use and reasonably priced. How did they stand up to testing?
MSR Twin Brothers Shelter Review
On paper, the palatial space and bare-essentials engineering of this tent make it appear like a dream come true for ultralight group travel. How does it actually perform in the real world?
