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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.

The Holiday Gift Guide of Lightweight Outdoor Gear for Trust-Funded Gear Junkies

Petzl Ultra Rush Headlamp, Benchmade Osborne Knife, Hyperlite Mountain Gear Dyneema Duffel Bag, MSR Carbon Core Stakes, La Sportiva Stratos Cube Boots.

2014 Staff Picks

Backpacking Light's staff is some of the most passionate backpackers around. Take a look at the ultralight gear we use and treasure.

Gear Guide: Ultralight Inflatable Pillows

Neck problems? Back problems? An ultralight inflatable pillow may be an ideal solution, but don't dive in head first. Read this first to see which ultralight pillows are the best.

Gear Guide: Packrafts

Review the current offerings in the packraft market and find out which boats are most appropriate for a variety of purposes including alpine lake fishing, incidental river crossings, flatwater boating, expedition packrafting, and whitewater paddling.

ISPO 2014, Munich, Part 3

We've covered the materials, the combinations, and now ISPO wraps up with a look at some innovative ski gear.

ISPO 2014, Munich, Part 2

ISPO 2014 features some innovative products. From sleep systems to clothing the new technology is exciting.

2013 Staff Picks

As we close out the year, take a minute and see which gear our staff uses often.

Backpacking Tights – Part 2

Take a more in depth look at the tights best suited for the backcountry.

Tenkara for Backpackers: State of the Market Report – Part 2

Part 1 helped you choose the rod. After reading part 2 you'll be all set with the tackle needed to fish tenkara in the backcountry.

2012 Backpacking Light Staff Picks

An eclectic assortment of the staff's favorite gear for 2012.

2011 Backpacking Light Staff Picks

Backpacking Light staff pick their favorite gear/cool dealio/thingy-dingy of 2011.

2010 Backpacking Light Staff Picks

Backpacking Light staff pick their favorite gear/cool dealio/place of 2010.

2009 Backpacking Light Staff Picks

Backpacking Light staff pick their favorite gear of 2009.

2008 Backpacking Light Staff Picks

Backpacking Light staff pick their favorite gear of 2008.

2007 Backpacking Light Staff Picks

Backpacking Light staff pick their favorite gear of 2007

Lightweight Backpacking Gear for Kids

A review of commercially-available, lightweight gear suited for - if not made for - backpacking with kids.

Ultralight Knives and Other Sharp Things

Find out what BPL staffers carry to cut, slice, chop, and snip.

Lightweight Footwear Systems for Snow Travel Part 3: Model Lightweight Footwear Systems for Snow Hiking, Snowshoeing, and Snow Camping

Based on our research and testing, we recommend lightweight footwear systems for specific conditions and activities. In addition, our Backpacking Light staffers describe their favorite systems, and two ultralight nomads – Andrew Skurka and Chris Townsend – share their wisdom.

Lightweight Footwear Systems for Snow Travel Part 2: Components

We cover the components of a lightweight footwear system – shoes/boots, footbeds, socks, vapor barriers, booties, overboots, and gaiters (everything on or around the foot), discuss the pros and cons of different options, and identify our favorites.

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