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Latest
Market Report: State-of-the-Art Fabrics for Hiking Backpacks and Backcountry Shelters
Ultra-light backpack and shelter fabrics: Explore materials, performance, and construction. Nylon, polyester, UHMWPE, coatings & more.
Nemo Hornet OSMO 3P vs Nemo Dragonfly OSMO 3P as a Family Shelter
The Nemo Dragonfly & Hornet OSMO 3P tents for family backpacking are ultralight, durable shelters tested here with toddlers.
A Place to Sit: A Perspective on Ultralight Camp Chairs
For years, I considered a camp chair a luxury - a non-essential item sacrificed in service of base weight. But that view has changed. Today, I see seated rest not as indulgence, but as a strategic recovery method grounded in biomechanics and physiology. How we sit after hiking - especially over extended periods in camp - can influence how we move the next day. Poor posture prolongs muscular strain and limits circulation. Good posture facilitates neuromuscular reset, joint decompression, and lactate clearance. In this article, learn about chair options, use cases, and products that represent the broad swath of market options availalble.
Gear Guide: Satellite Messaging Devices (“Messengers”)
This gear guide summarizes the category of satellite messaging-centric devices, i.e., devices that focus on satellite messaging as its primary, rather than secondary, function. This is in contrast to navigation-centric devices (which usually offer integrated mapping on the device), such as the Garmin inReach Explorer or Garmin GPSMap.
Inflatable Sleeping Pads: Finding Comfort when Sleeping on the Ground (Updated)
The product category of inflatable sleeping pad is trending towards larger, warmer, and more comfortable pads - with very little weight penalty.
Backpacking Light x REI Gear Guide
Lightweight and ultralight backpacking gear at REI - updated with recommendations, limitations, disclaimers, and consumer advocacy.
Backcountry Lighting Technology and Products: State of the Market Report and Gear Guide
Comprehensive guide to backcountry lighting technology and products. Learn about headlamps, lumens, battery types, and the best models for hiking and camping.
Cottage Gear Guide: Ultralight Hiking & Backpacking Gear from Small, Startup, and Cottage Brands
Discover the most unique, innovative, and ultralight backpacking gear from small, startup, and cottage brands in our Cottage Gear Guide.
Advances in Materials and Manufacturing in Ultralight Backpacks: A Technical Review and Case Study
A technical analysis of material and manufacturing innovations in ultralight backpack design, with a case study of the Arc'teryx Alpha SL 30. This report examines fusion bonding, molecularly bonded UHMWPE laminates, and the engineering tradeoffs shaping the next generation of ultralight packs.
Gossamer Gear Whisper Review (Updated)
The Gossamer Gear Whisper is a 1-person, 2-pole, floorless full-perimeter shelter made with Dyneema Composite Fabrics. It includes an attached noseeum mesh netting skirt, is pitched with 7 stakes, and weighs 9.8 oz (280 g).
Armless Sunglasses: Rethinking Eyewear for the Backcountry
Explore a lighter, more durable, and comfortable alternative to traditional eyewear for backcountry travel in this review of Ombraz armless sunglasses.
Wind Shirts for Backpacking
Wind shirt performance - design, technology, features, standardized breathability and air permeability data (MVTR and APR testing).
Family Tents for Backpacking
A gear guide summarizing the state of the market of 3-person double wall tents and ultralight backpacking shelters.
Timmermade SUL 1.5 Down Sweater Gear Review
The Timmermade SUL 1.5 Down Sweater is a down jacket with an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio for ultralight backpackers.
Down-Filled Backpacking Quilts (Market Survey and Gear Guide)
This comprehensive market survey features 60+ models of down-filled backpacking quilts, 27+ brands across North America and Europe. Includes analysis (warmth, weight, value), expert recommendations, market overview, and more.
Cottage Gear Innovation Awards
The Cottage Gear Innovation Awards celebrate the small, startup, and cottage products, brands, and people that bring forth new methods or ideas that reflect unique originality, creativity, and advances in materials, design, application, or aesthetic to help hikers and other backcountry enthusiasts thrive outdoors.
Traction Spikes
An in-depth guide to traction spikes for hiking, backpacking and running in all seasons. Compare models, materials, and performance attributes with insights from field testing to find performant options for different use cases.
MYOG: SUL Remote Inverted Canister Winter Stove Update
Roger Caffin shows how to solve a fuel vaporisation process failure in his SUL remote inverted canister stove.
No Normal Coffee Paste Review
No Normal Coffee Paste is a compact coffee alternative that requires no brewing. It can be eaten directly from its tube or mixed with water (cold or hot), or spread on or into other food for a quick caffeine boost or coffee flavor injection. It offers a convenient way to consume real coffee without the weight or complexity of traditional brewing methods.
Avalanche and Winter Safety Tools
A guide to tools used to manage risk in avalanche terrain - transceivers, shovels, probes, safety backpacks, saws.
