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Latest
Staff Picks 2020
Backpacking Light staff and contributors give their 2020 staff picks - their favorite backpacking and hiking gear of the year.
Ultralight Water Treatment Options for Backpacking
The purpose of this article is to present three ultralight water treatment options for backpacking. We chose these three for their diversity and efficacy, and they include a chemical method, a physical method, and an electro-ultraviolet method. We included a video to demonstrate each technology in the field.
Lightweight Wood Saws for Backpacking
Lightweight wood saws for backpacking can be used for preparing firewood and more. Here's what affects saw performance and how that's revealed in four models from Bahco, Suluk46, Coghlan's, and Sven Saw.
2019 Staff Picks
The Backpacking Light staff offer their ultralight and other gear recommendations for lightweight backpacking, hiking, and camping.
Lightweight Chairs for Backpacking (Gear Guide & Reviews)
Reviews of lightweight chairs and other seating options for backcountry use, including backpacking - 18 chairs and seats less than 25 oz.
Upright Canister Stove Reviews, StoveBench Tests, and Gear Guide
This article features upright canister stove reviews that include extensive test data in inclement conditions and market analysis.
Navigation & GPS App Reviews & Gear Guide
This Gear Guide features GPS App Reviews, including AllTrails, Gaia, Google Maps Offline, Guthooks, Hiking Project, MapMyHike, Outdoor Active, Ramblr, REI - National Parks, Spyglass, and ViewRanger.
Staff Picks 2018: Our Favorite Backpacking Gear of the Year
Backpacking Light's editorial team, guides, contributors provide their favorite gear choices in BPL's Staff Picks gear guide for 2018.
Lightweight Winter Down Parka Reviews and State of the Market Report
This article features lightweight down parkas (usually, full-zip jackets with hoods, a longer hem, and box-baffled construction) appropriate for winter backpacking, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, mountaineering, and other cold-temperature activities.
Publisher’s Gear Guide (2019)
My personal recommendations for ultralight and lightweight backpacking gear for 2018-2019 - gear that I've used all year in 2018 that includes the good stuff that's staying in my kit for 2019!
Lightweight Trekking Pole Reviews & Gear Guide
This lightweight trekking poles gear guide discusses the scientific justification for/against poles, and features reviews of 14 models.
Dehydrated and Freeze-Dried Backpacking Dinners (Gear Guide)
This gear guide features several dozen options for freeze-dried and dehydrated backpacking dinners from many different brands and provides nutritional information on each one for comparison purposes.
Synthetic Insulated Jacket Review & State of the Market Report
This comprehensive State of the Market Report presents more than a dozen synthetic insulated jacket reviews and performance comparison to evaluate their durability, warmth, weather resistance, breathability, and features.
Backpacking Scissors (Reviews and Test Results)
The most comprehensive review of backpacking scissors for ultralight hiking and camping: 11 models compared in 13 tests! You just may leave your knife at home.
Whitewater Packraft Reviews: 2018 State of the Market Report
2018 Packraft Reviews and State of the Market Report providing a comprehensive overview of solo river packrafts.
2017 Backpacking Light Staff Picks
The Backpacking Light Staff Picks Gear Guide offers what we consider to be our personal recommendations for high-quality, high-performance, lightweight backpacking gear that we've actually used this year.
Publisher’s Gear Guide: My Personal Lightweight Backpacking Gear Recommendations
A summary of gear that I've used in 2017, and enthusiastically recommend for lightweight backpackers this holiday season.
Staff Picks 2016: Our Favorite Backpacking Gear of the Year
View our staff picks for the best backpacking gear of the year - recommendations from our editors and guides for hiking and backpacking gear.
Hiking Underwear & Shorts – Men’s (Guides’ Notes)
Underwear acts as a moisture (sweat) transfer layer to keep you reasonably dry "down there". This guide highlights some important considerations about materials, design, fit, weight, and performance criteria when selecting a pair of hiking underwear (or shorts).
Best Ultralight Backpacking Gear of 2015: Our Staff Favorites!
This article summarizes our staff's best backpacking gear of the year - the ultralight hiking, backpacking, and camping gear they pick as their favorites for their annual adventures.
