Gear Reviews
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Marmot Precip vs. Cloudveil Drizzle: Raingear for Lightweight Backpacking
Introduction It seems like all major manufacturers have an “ultralight” rain jacket in their line. The problem, however, is that all is not what it seems to be…ultralight often results...
Gerber Sports Saw
Editor’s Note: This product is described only for your information. It has not been submitted for review and thus, has not undergone our normal testing procedures. The lightest Sven saws...
Feathered Friends EPIC Jackorak
Imagine this. A highly water resistant, hooded wind and shower shell sized large enough for layering and to cover your butt with a full-length zipper, massive mesh-vented torso pockets, and...
Ibex Icefall Jacket and Glacier Vest
Both the Icefall and Glacier use Ibex’ Climawool™ Lite, which is similar to Schoeller Dynamic. It has a woven shell of Nylon and Lycra but has a napped merino wool...
Cloudveil Veiled Peak Jacket
Weight: 16.3 oz size M The Veiled Peak is Cloudveil’s midweight softshell jacket for aerobic activities. Unlike their famed Serendipity Jacket, which uses a heavier Schoeller Dryskin Extreme, the Veiled Peak...
Arc’Teryx Alpha Comp
Weight: 14.3 oz size M The Alpha Comp softshell/hardshell hybrid is a solid performing alpine hiking/climbing jacket. If you don’t expect to be inundated with rain, this jacket can handle...
Cloudveil Prospector Jackets
Introduction We like softshell garments. You know that. They are superbly breathable and offer a wider range of comfort than traditional hardshell clothing. Stretchwoven softshells, in particular, with their trim...
MSR, Snow Peak, and Backpacker’s Pantry 1-L + 1.5-L Backpacking Cooksets
Introduction Most hardcore solo ultralight hikers choose miniscule, titanium “pots” that are more appropriately described as “cups”. However, this style remains on the fringe and the defacto standard for a...
Integral Designs George Tarp
See how this shelter rates with others in our Comparison Review of Tarps and Other Floorless Shelters Introduction The Integral Designs George Tarp applies economies of scale to a silnylon...
Hennessy Hammock REVIEW
Introduction We received two models of Hennessy Hammocks, the Ultralight Backpacker and the Extreme Light Racer. The only functional differences between the two lie in the material that is used...
GoLite Vapor Ultra-Lite Local Barrier Vest
The GoLite Vapor Vest capitalizes on vapor barrier principles to keep your insulation dry while wearing a backpack and hiking (or skiing, or climbing) in very cold conditions.
Six Moon Designs Europa Tent (2003)
Introduction The Europa Tent (now in Version “II”) by Six Moon Designs is a single-wall, silnylon tent with a hooped rear pole and a single pole (e.g., trekking pole) front...
Ultralight Adventure Equipment (ULA) P-1 Pack
Introduction ULA Equipment of Logan, Utah makes lightweight packs and shelters. This review focuses on their P-1, their mainstream frameless pack designed for carrying loads of up to 25 pounds....
MSR Overland Carbon Trekking Poles
Introduction The Overland Carbon trekking pole from MSR is an all-carbon, non-spring-loaded, 3-section trekking pole designed for backpacking and marketed in particular to ultralight hikers. This review focuses on the...
GVP Gear G4 Pack
Utility for PDA-Wielding Executives “This pack multitasks like a PDA-wielding executive,” notes one ridiculous review of this pack published in another backpacking magazine. We all scratched are heads and asked...
Hilleberg Bivanorak
Hilleberg Bivanorak
Kiva Jazz Adventure Racing Pack
Kiva Jazz Adventure Racing Pack
Closed Cell Foam Sleeping Pads
Closed Cell Foam Sleeping Pads
Soft Shell Pants
Ibex Alp and Ibex Guide Lite Pants; Arc’Teryx Gamma LT Pant; Sierra Designs Ultra Pants; Cloudveil Rodeo Pants Table of Contents Info & Stats on Pants Overview of Softshell Pants...
GoLite Hex 3 Shelter REVIEW
The GoLite Hex 3 Shelter is a winter traveler's dream: a floorless shelter that provides bombproof wind and storm protection. For 3-season use, the Hex 3 is a roomy refuge from fringe season storms.
