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.
We publish three main types of reviews: performance, limited, and first looks. Learn more about review rating and gear awards program and review our affiliate disclosure. If you represent a brand and would like to submit a product for review, go here.
- GEAR • Gear Reviews
- GEAR • Gear Guides
- GEAR • Gear Checklists
- GEAR • Make Your Own Gear
- GEAR • Gear Testing & Research
- SKILLS • Tips, Tricks, and Hacks
- SKILLS • Wilderness Skills
- SKILLS • Training
- SKILLS • Trip Planning
- SKILLS • Food Preparation
- PLACES • Trips
- PLACES • Routes
- CULTURE • Essays
- CULTURE • Stories
- CULTURE • Issues
- CULTURE • People
- CULTURE • News
- CULTURE • Media Reviews
- ARCHIVES (Before 30.Nov.2015)
- SEARCH LIBRARY
- TRAILHEADS
Latest
Patagonia Hybrid Sleeping Bag Review
When climbing alpine routes and sleeping on small ledges where you can't pitch tents, the Patagonia Hybrid may be the sleep system for you.
KS Ultralight Gear R-50 Backpack Review
The KS Ultralight R-50 is a backpack designed for a variety of applications including climbing, hiking, and snow sports.
Atom Packs Prospector Review
The Atom Packs Prospector is a lightweight, durable, and fully customizable flagship backpack from the British company Atom.
MSR Trail Base Water Filter Kit Review
The MSR Trail Base Water Filter Kit is a gravity-powered water filtration kit with modular components for versatility.
Butt in a Sling (BIAS) Hammock Review
Butt in a Sling (BIAS) is a cottage manufacturer based in Tennessee, USA that makes some of the lightest and most comfortable hammocks on the market. Their hammocks are all eleven feet (335 cm) long and use ridgelines for a consistent hang. The Weight Weenie Micro is the original model and is available in a variety of widths while the Weight Weenie Micro HD 1.0 is available in one width and uses a slightly heavier and softer fabric. Both hammocks are available with a variety of options. Add the BIAS Suspension Kit and Nano Buginator bug net, and you have a versatile, comfortable, and ultralight hammock setup!
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 5400 Backpack Review
Light and large: our Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 5400 Backpack review - a lightweight pack with the chops for carrying large loads.
Nemo Equipment Astro Insulated Lite 25L Sleeping Pad Review
The Nemo Equipment Astro Insulated Lite 25L sleeping pad is a plush sleeping pad that adds a touch of luxury to backcountry sleeping. Although discontinued by Nemo, this unique pad may be worth scouring remnant inventory and used gear sales - as of the publication of this review, it may offer the best luxury-comfort-to-weight ratio of any sleeping pad ever manufactured.
Atom Packs “The Atom” Backpack Review (First Looks)
The Atom is the smallest and lightest backpack offered by the UK’s Atom Packs. It is a specialized tool aimed at the fast and light hiker.
MSR PocketRocket 2 Mini Stove Kit Review
The MSR PocketRocket 2 Mini Stove Kit is a complete cook-and-eat solution for one person, featuring a stove, pot, bowl, lid, and pot lifter.
Hummingbird Hammocks Reviews: Single, Single+, Pelican, Warbler, and Suspension System
Hummingbird Hammocks offers a variety of Made in the USA hammocks and accessories including three hammocks, two hammock tarps, a bug net, and other accessories. They have some unique features such as Button Links that eliminate the need for carabiners and integrated tree straps with whoopie slings which simplify the suspension system and make setup very easy. They also offer what is likely the lightest hammock on the market - the Single Hammock, which weighs a scant 5.6 oz. Can the lightest hammock also be the most comfortable?
ThruNite Ti3 Flashlight Review
The ThruNite Ti3 is a diminutive but rugged little flashlight that can produce as much as 120 Lumens of brightness on a single AAA battery.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear REpurpose Bottle Review
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear REpurpose water bottle is a recycled aluminum bottle developed with the lightweight outdoor community in mind.
Vargo V3 Titanium Pocket Cleats Review
Vargo V3 Titanium Pocket Cleats are half the weight of leading lightweight traction devices, but do they perform for running and backpacking?
Tritensil Review
This Tritensil Review features a knife/fork/spoon set done in hard plastic. You can reassemble to make a long-handled spoon or fork.
Ultralight, Ultra-Performance Backcountry Electronics
I've been immersing myself in the study of backcountry electronics this year, including technologies for lighting, navigation, and photo/video. This article highlights some gear that I'm using this summer, and how I'm calculating, and managing rechargeable battery needs.
Topo Athletic Terraventure Review (Trail Running Shoes)
This Topo Athletic Terraventure review features shoes that have narrow heels, a wide toebox, and minimal drop.
Big Agnes Insulated Double Z Sleeping Pad Review
The Big Agnes Insulated Double Z sleeping pad is a wide and comfy pad that adds luxury to sleeping in the backcountry.
Garmin inReach Mini Review
The Garmin inReach Mini is the smallest, lightest, and most powerful satellite messaging device on the market.
Atom Packs Prospector Review (First Looks)
The Prospector is the flagship pack from Atom Packs, a British Company. Each pack is hand-built to order by owner Tom Gale, and the packs are made either as a standard configuration or fully customizable. This Atom Packs Prospector Review takes a first look at this rucksack.
Patagonia 19 Degree Sleeping Bag Review
Of the approximately 70 different sleeping bags I've used, the Patagonia 19 Degree Sleeping Bag is the most comfortable all-purpose mummy bag for use above freezing.
