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.
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Latest
REI Flash 65 and REI Flash 50 Packs
Mini-review for the 2010 State of the Market Report on Internal Frame Backpacks.
MontBell Versalite 50 and MontBell Versalite 50 Short (Japan)
Mini-review for the 2010 State of the Market Report on Internal Frame Backpacks.
One Planet Shadow Pack (Australia)
Mini-review for the 2010 State of the Market Report on Internal Frame Backpacks.
Westcomb Chilko Down Sweater Review
The Chilko is cutting-edge, as you would expect from Westcomb, and “heats up” the competition in the already “hot” ultralight multi-purpose down jacket category.
Sierra Designs LT Strike 2 Tent Review
The Sierra Designs LT Strike 2 uses a radical pole design to make a roomy two-person tent, but does condensation leave us all wet?
Montane Anti-Freeze Jacket Review
A lightweight three-plus season down insulated jacket that excels in blustery conditions.
Sierra Designs Vapor 15 Sleeping Bag Review
850 fill power down, 15 F temperature rating, 30 ounces – the lightest 15-degree mummy style sleeping bag to be found.
Eastern Mountain Sports Ascent Sector Down Sweater Review
If you’re looking for a good, lightweight, multi-purpose, fully-featured and warm down jacket at a reasonable cost, this one deserves your consideration.
Sherpa Pangboche Down Sweater Review
A very attractive multi-purpose down jacket suited for a wide variety of outdoor activities... does that include backpacking?
Performance Appraisal of the Tarptent Moment
A quality, lightweight shelter that's easy to assemble, but does a condensation issue leave us all wet?
GoLite Demaree Canyon Jacket and Anorak Review
Attractive fully-featured multi-purpose insulated down garments, but are they warm enough for our backpacking needs?
Nemo Espri 2P Tent Review
While not the lightest of tents, this shelter can handle such a wide range of multi-tasking to make it worth a closer look.
Salomon Minim Down Sweater Review
This is one of the more impressive jackets in our ultralight down jacket roundup, but it has a few shortcomings and uncertainties.
Gossamer Gear Lightrek 4 Trekking Pole Review
What happens when you take the highly rated fixed length Lightrek 3 poles and add adjustability and optional straps? Are extra weight, flexibility, durability, and slipping concerns, or does Gossamer Gear nail it with the Lightrek 4 poles?
New Balance MT876OR Review
The latest in the New Balance 87x series of light low-cut joggers - and they're even better than the previously-reviewed MT875ORs.
Sierra Designs Gnar Down Sweater Review
Coming out in fall 2010, the Gnar is a good balance of sizing and fit, features, and overall light weight, but it could be a little warmer.
Integral Designs Wedge eVENT Bivy REVIEW
A three-pound solo shelter made of almost-magically breathable eVENT fabric and designed for alpine climbing, it can handle wild weather, but is it comfortable to live with?
Crux Halo Top Review
Q: What’s a Halo Top? A: an ultralight down-insulated minimalist anorak that weighs just 7.9 oz (225 g), and it’s sized well for taller people.
Brooks-Range Alpini Mountain Anorak Review
The Alpini is a lightweight furnace and lands on our recommended list, but how about a version for non-climbers?
Brunton 7DNL Compass Review
Small, light, easy to use, and about the right size for a simple baseplate model.