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
MontBell Monoframe Diamond Tent REVIEW
Double wall tent that weighs only 2.5 lbs; fly and pole weigh 1.5 lbs and can be pitched as a tarp. Of course, there's a drawback to these light weights.
Sierra Designs Lightning Tent REVIEW
Lightweight, freestanding double wall tent with Easton FX Carbon poles. Is this the ultimate compromise in a do-it-all three-season tent?
Exped Vela II Extreme Tent REVIEW
Not the lightest double wall tent at nearly 6 lbs, but it's storm-worthy and can shelter two people and loads of gear.
Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 Tent REVIEW
A 3.3-pound double wall tent that uses an innovative Y-pole design to maximize interior space. The full mesh inner walls are good...and bad.
Oware Cattarp 1.1 Tarp REVIEW
Solo silnylon catenary ridgeline tarp at a nice weight, size, and price but it requires a lot of room to pitch.
Vaude Cross Ultralight 35 Backpack REVIEW
For those with short torsos, this is a lightweight and durable pack, with some clever design features.
GoLite Team Backpack REVIEW
Lightweight, frameless, water-hauling, 3300 ci backpack with lots of features - too many for non-adventure racers.
GoLite Galaxy Backpack REVIEW
Lightweight for the volume, plenty of weight-carrying capacity, and user-friendly features, although the water bottle pockets could be more easily accessible.
Vaude Rock Ultralight 25 Backpack REVIEW
Tough, tiny (1525 ci) frameless daypack or overnight pack for minimalists.
Mountain Laurel Designs Spinntex Pro Poncho Tarp REVIEW
A poncho/tarp is a good choice for SuperUltraLight backpacking. With this one you get a good shelter, rainwear, and pack cover for only 7 ounces.
Mountain Laurel Designs Silnylon Pro Poncho Tarp REVIEW
Why use a silnylon poncho/tarp when spinnaker is lighter? The answer may surprise you.
Mountain Laurel Designs Prophet 25 Backpack REVIEW
A well-designed, low volume 4.4-ounce pack for dayhikes or SuperUltraLight overnights.
Fanatic Fringe Thompson Peak Backpack REVIEW
Improves on the classic (now discontinued) GoLite Breeze, and cuts the weight by a third.
Gossamer Gear G5 Hyperlight Backpack REVIEW
It’s made of spinnaker fabric and must be "handled with care," but the volume to weight ratio will knock your socks off!
GoLite Cumulus Jacket REVIEW
A comfortable and lofty 14-ounce jacket with some nice features, but missing ultralight appeal.
Gossamer Gear Spinnshelter REVIEW
Full three-season (non-bomber) weather protection for one person for only 11.2 ounces including guylines and stakes.
Gossamer Gear Whisper Uberlight Backpack REVIEW
Minimal features and prone-to-abrasion-damage spinnaker fabric make this the lightest 2000-cubic inch backpack on the market.
GoLite Feather-Lite Sleeping Bag REVIEW
We found a “sleeper” - the Feather-Lite has 1.5 inches more loft than specified.
Western Mountaineering Flight Down Jacket REVIEW
Lofty, light, warm, and durable for its weight - although it does lose a few feathers at the seams.
MontBell Down Inner Jacket REVIEW
The MontBell Down Inner Jacket is only $139, but lacks the loft of the leading jackets.
