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
Patagonia Down Sweater Review
This popular jacket has been around and evolved over the years. We love the sizing and fit, but how does it stack up for backpacking?
Crux AK47 and Crux AK57 Packs (UK)
Mini-review for the 2010 State of the Market Report on Internal Frame Backpacks.
Elemental Horizons Northern Lite Pack
Mini-review for the 2010 State of the Market Report on Internal Frame Backpacks.
Westcomb Chilko Down Sweater Review
The Chilko is cutting-edge, as you would expect from Westcomb, and “heats up” the competition in the already “hot” ultralight multi-purpose down jacket category.
Sierra Designs LT Strike 2 Tent Review
The Sierra Designs LT Strike 2 uses a radical pole design to make a roomy two-person tent, but does condensation leave us all wet?
Montane Anti-Freeze Jacket Review
A lightweight three-plus season down insulated jacket that excels in blustery conditions.
Sierra Designs Vapor 15 Sleeping Bag Review
850 fill power down, 15 F temperature rating, 30 ounces – the lightest 15-degree mummy style sleeping bag to be found.
Eastern Mountain Sports Ascent Sector Down Sweater Review
If you’re looking for a good, lightweight, multi-purpose, fully-featured and warm down jacket at a reasonable cost, this one deserves your consideration.
Sherpa Pangboche Down Sweater Review
A very attractive multi-purpose down jacket suited for a wide variety of outdoor activities... does that include backpacking?
Performance Appraisal of the Tarptent Moment
A quality, lightweight shelter that's easy to assemble, but does a condensation issue leave us all wet?
GoLite Demaree Canyon Jacket and Anorak Review
Attractive fully-featured multi-purpose insulated down garments, but are they warm enough for our backpacking needs?
Nemo Espri 2P Tent Review
While not the lightest of tents, this shelter can handle such a wide range of multi-tasking to make it worth a closer look.
Salomon Minim Down Sweater Review
This is one of the more impressive jackets in our ultralight down jacket roundup, but it has a few shortcomings and uncertainties.
Gossamer Gear Lightrek 4 Trekking Pole Review
What happens when you take the highly rated fixed length Lightrek 3 poles and add adjustability and optional straps? Are extra weight, flexibility, durability, and slipping concerns, or does Gossamer Gear nail it with the Lightrek 4 poles?
New Balance MT876OR Review
The latest in the New Balance 87x series of light low-cut joggers - and they're even better than the previously-reviewed MT875ORs.
Sierra Designs Gnar Down Sweater Review
Coming out in fall 2010, the Gnar is a good balance of sizing and fit, features, and overall light weight, but it could be a little warmer.
Integral Designs Wedge eVENT Bivy REVIEW
A three-pound solo shelter made of almost-magically breathable eVENT fabric and designed for alpine climbing, it can handle wild weather, but is it comfortable to live with?
Crux Halo Top Review
Q: What’s a Halo Top? A: an ultralight down-insulated minimalist anorak that weighs just 7.9 oz (225 g), and it’s sized well for taller people.
Brooks-Range Alpini Mountain Anorak Review
The Alpini is a lightweight furnace and lands on our recommended list, but how about a version for non-climbers?
Brunton 7DNL Compass Review
Small, light, easy to use, and about the right size for a simple baseplate model.
