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.
We publish three main types of reviews: performance, limited, and first looks. Learn more about review rating and gear awards program and review our affiliate disclosure. If you represent a brand and would like to submit a product for review, go here.
- GEAR • Gear Reviews
- GEAR • Gear Guides
- GEAR • Gear Checklists
- GEAR • Make Your Own Gear
- GEAR • Gear Testing & Research
- SKILLS • Tips, Tricks, and Hacks
- SKILLS • Wilderness Skills
- SKILLS • Training
- SKILLS • Trip Planning
- SKILLS • Food Preparation
- PLACES • Trips
- PLACES • Routes
- CULTURE • Essays
- CULTURE • Stories
- CULTURE • Issues
- CULTURE • People
- CULTURE • News
- CULTURE • Media Reviews
- ARCHIVES (Before 30.Nov.2015)
- SEARCH LIBRARY
- TRAILHEADS
Latest
Markill Peak Ignition Canister Stove REVIEW
Compact and lightweight but sensitive to wind. Identical twin to the Kovea Camp 3, and sister to the Vargo Jet-Ti sold in the US.
Rab Quantum Top Bag Sleeping Bag REVIEW
The original top bag is state-of-the art in some ways, and an antique in others.
Montane 180 Rain Shell REVIEW
This waterproof/breathable polyurethane laminate pullover is light, but could lose more weight by eliminating extra features.
MontBell Peak Jacket Rain Shell REVIEW
A full featured rain shell with pit zips that weighs only 11.2 ounces (size L), but how does the fabric - MontBell Breeze Dry-Tec three-layer waterproof/breathable - perform?
Montane Air Jacket Rain Shell REVIEW
Full-featured multi-purpose eVENT rain jacket that weighs less than 13 ounces, but what's the deal with the wire brim on the hood?
Mo-go-gear Fire-fly Alcohol Stove REVIEW
Lightweight alcohol stove cooking system with great fuel economy that needs a pot stand redesign.
Oware Gore-Tex Rain Chaps REVIEW
Bushwalkers take note: these chaps are tough, breathable, and weigh less than six ounces.
Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero Rain Hat REVIEW
A functional and lightweight waterproof-breathable rain hat that becomes a performance liability in warm conditions.
GoLite Ultra-Lite Poncho/Tarp REVIEW
Just because Skurka and Coup chose this raingear/shelter for their record-setting thru-hikes, that doesn't mean it will work for you. Here's the scoop on a tough poncho that makes a great shelter but suffers a little in raingear mode.
GoLite Reed Rain Pants REVIEW
The lightest waterproof/breathable rain pants available: nearly perfect, with one glaring problem - that we show you how to address "easily enough" without adding a lot of weight.
Equinox Full Moon Chaps REVIEW
Silnylon rain chaps that are freakishly light but limited in application and best paired with a poncho or cagoule.
Exped Wallcreeper Sleeping Bag REVIEW
Two-pound down bag rated to freezing with a foot section that can be opened, armholes, and full front zip to convert it into a vest.
Nunatak Arc Ghost Sleeping Bag REVIEW
Innovative variable girth top bag that weighs under a pound and is rated to freezing.
Speer Hammocks PeaPod and Top Blanket REVIEW
Down blanket that completely surrounds a hammock and sleeper, along with a narrow down top blanket designed specifically for hammock use.
Speer Hammocks Frog Sac Sleeping Bag REVIEW
Warm weather, full-length center zip, PrimaLoft insulated sleeping bag.
Six Moon Designs Comet Backpack REVIEW
Removable stays, an internal pad pocket, and adjustability over a wide torso length range make the Comet unique.
Speer Hammocks 8.0 A Hammock REVIEW
Simple, rugged, top entry hammock with large silnylon canopy.
Black Diamond Zenix IQ LED Headlamp REVIEW
Combines 1-watt LED technical lighting prowess with more economical standard 5 millimeter LEDs for non-technical pursuits.
Princeton Tec Corona LED Headlamp REVIEW
Eight-LED array powered by three AA batteries.
Big Sky Products (SummitShelters) Revolution 2P UL Tent REVIEW
Light weight, single-wall Epic shell, two-person freestanding tent.
