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
Alcohol Stove Comparison: Trail Designs (12-10 and Kojin) vs. Zelph (Starlyte and Starlyte Mod)
This review compares the boil time and fuel consumption performance of the Trail Designs 12-10 and Kojin alcohol stoves, and the Zelph Starlyte and Starlyte Mod alcohol stoves, under a variety of wind conditions.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Shell Jacket Review
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Shell Jacket is made using Dyneema Composite Fabric bonded to a polyester fiber outer face for durability, and to a monolayer eVENT membrane on the inner face for breathability.
Xero TerraFlex Review
This Xero Terraflex review features shoes that should interest both trail runners and ultralight hikers looking for a true minimalist shoe option for rugged terrain: super-flexible sole, zero drop, some cushioning, and very good traction.
Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody Review
Our Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody Review features one of the highest-performing synthetic jackets we've ever evaluated. It's performance- and feature-to-weight ratio is extremely high and should be a top pick considered for ultralight backpacking.
Nunatak Skaha Apex Review
The Nunatak Skaha Apex is our highest rated windproof synthetic insulated jacket. Even though the jacket costs less than its closest competitors, it is custom-made in Utah. We highly recommend the Skaha Apex to anyone who wants the either the best fitting jacket or the highest warmth to weight ratio.
Patagonia DAS Parka Review
The Patagonia DAS is our highest rated synthetic insulated winter-weight parka. Frequent revisions have created a stunningly effective jacket for expeditions that cross multiple climates and for overnight alpine climbs and backcountry trips where a wet down parka would force you to bail, or worse. Despite a suite of expedition features, the premium insulation and light fabrics keep the DAS lightweight at only 22 oz. in men's medium. This parka performs so well and is offered at such a reasonable price that we feel it's the only warm synthetic insulated parka worth buying.
Montane Spitfire One Review
Our Montane Spitfire One Review determined that this is one of the best value, very warm synthetic insulated parka for wet conditions.
Arcteryx Nuclei FL Jacket Review
Arcteryx Nuclei FL Jacket Review: one of the best lightweight windproof synthetic insulated jackets on the planet. It weighs a mere 9.9 ounces.
Arc’teryx Nuclei AR Review
Our Arcteryx Nuclei AR Review found that this jacket has impressive water resistance and, thus, is the best belay jacket for alpinists.
Patagonia Nano Air Light Review (Hoody)
This Patagonia Nano Air Light Review features one of the highest performing hoodies on the market, especially for active use in cool conditions. This one's a fleece-killer.
Arcteryx Proton LT Hoody Review
Our Arcteryx Proton LT Hoody Review found that the Proton LT's durability, features, and warmth make it an ideal winter activewear choice.
Black Diamond Heat Treat Hoody Review
Our Black Diamond Heat Treat Hoody Review determined that the jacket is an all-purpose winter jacket for around town and some winter sports.
LLBean Packaway Review (Primaloft Hooded Jacket)
This LLBean Primaloft Packaway Hooded Review concludes that this jacket offers excellent performance for a very good price.
Rab Nimbus Review
This Rab Nimbus review summarizes the jacket's performance and compares it to others in its class while using it on a number of mountaineering and trekking expeditions in Alaska and other parts of North America.
Patagonia Nano Air Hoody Review
The Patagonia Nano Air Hoody was released in July 2014 and was the best performing all-purpose active insulation jacket at that time. Does it hold up to the current crop of insulated jackets?
Outdoor Research Uberlayer Review
This Outdoor Research Uberlayer Review features an active insulation jacket that weighs about four ounces more than similar jackets but does not make up for the extra weight with added comfort, durability, warmth, or lower cost. The Uberlayer performed reasonably well in our tests.
Montbell Thermawrap Guide Review
Our Montbell Thermawrap Guide Review found this great value synthetic insulated parka has a reliable ultralight waterproof shell fabric.
Rab Xenon X Review
The Rab Xenon X used to be the best all-purpose lightweight synthetic insulated jacket on the market. Over the last seven years, the author has used the Xenon and Xenon X for some fantastic outdoor adventures: a 35-day traverse of Alaska's Brooks Range, climbing Denali, Half Dome, and El Cap, and other things. Though the Xenon X performs above average in our tests, a variety of other jackets now offer superior performance.
Arc’teryx Kappa Hoody Review
This Arc'teryx Kappa Hoody Review features a jacket with high levels of durability and inclement weather resistance, but a mediocre warmth:weight ratio.
Enlightened Equipment Revelation APEX Quilt Review
This Enlightened Equipment Revelation Apex Quilt Review features one of the most customizable and lightest weight synthetic quilts ever made.
