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
Camelbak Kronos Backpack REVIEW
Overview Photo 1: Camelbak Kronos The Camelbak Kronos is designed as a hybrid between traditional and ultralight packs. The Kronos features a ventilating Exo-Air™ Soft Frame and a 3-liter hydration...
GoLite Den 2 Tent REVIEW
Single wall two hoop design provides exceptional headroom and interior space, and a full panel door offers terrific views and good ventilation.
Kelty Flight 2 Tent REVIEW
Overview The Kelty Flight 2 is a single wall lightweight tent with a two-pole exoskeleton frame. It has numerous features, a reasonable price, and quality construction. However, the ventilation design...
MSR Twin Peaks Shelter REVIEW
Comprehensive review of the MSR Twin Peaks Shelter, a single wall floorless tarp shelter that uses two trekking poles for setup.
Eureka Zeus 2EXO Tent REVIEW
Overview The Eureka Zeus 2EXO is a lightweight single wall tent with exoskeleton frame that stands out because of its numerous features, reasonable price, and quality construction. On the other...
Black Diamond Firstlight Tent Review
So, how do you make a waterproof tent out of non-waterproof fabric? Black Diamond shows us how with the Firstlight EPIC by Nextec single wall freestanding tent.
GoLite Trig 2 Shelter REVIEW
The GoLite Trig 2 Shelter is a single wall pup tent on steroids - it offers more ventilation options and a two-trekking pole pitch.
Six Moon Designs Europa 2 Review
Single wall tent from cottage manufacturer, one rear hope pole, one trekking pole for setup. 2 lbs.
MSR Missing Link Tent REVIEW
Review of the MSR Missing Link Tent - a single wall, two person shelter that can be pitched with a pair of trekking poles.
GoLite Infinity Backpack REVIEW
The 50 liter GoLite Infinity provides stable load carrying with an innovative internal frame and enough options to sufficiently organize your gear, for less than three pounds.
Osprey Aether 60 Review
Comfort and load support are the hallmarks of this lightweight internal frame backpack.
ULA P-2 Review
Overview Photo 1: ULA P-2, shown with the optional top hood pocket. At 2 pounds 15.2 oz (1,338 g) without options, ULA’s P-2 is one of the lightest, large volume...
Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone and Nimbus Latitude REVIEW
Overview Photo 1: Ryan Jordan, carrying Granite Gear’s Nimbus Ozone, and dog Maia in the Bitterroot Wilderness. Granite Gear’s Nimbus Ozone (top loading) and Nimbus Latitude (panel loading) are exceptionally...
Granite Gear Vapor Trail Review
Overview Granite Gear Vapor Trail (manufacturer’s photo). The Granite Gear Vapor Trail uses a flexible high-density polyethylene (HDPE) framesheet in combination with a virtual frame to transfer the load to...
Mountainsmith Auspex Review
Overview Photo 1: Mountainsmith Auspex The Mountainsmith Auspex is a top-loading internal framed pack offering extensive options and exceptional load carrying capability at a lighter weight than many of its...
Gossamer Gear Mariposa Backpack Review
Photo 1: Gossamer Gear Mariposa Overview The Gossamer Gear (formerly GVP Gear) Mariposa represents a significant step forward in the ultralight backpacking industry; a 1-pound (0.5 kg) pack capable of...
Gregory 2004 G Pack Backpack Review
Performance review of a lightweight frameless pack that focuses on utility and comfort.
Suunto X9 Review
Comprehensive review of the Suunto X9 GPS watch.
Cascade Designs ThermaRest Prolite 3 Sleeping Pad Review
Cascade Designs ThermaRest Prolite 3 Sleeping Pad Review
Granite Gear Virga Review
Review of the Granite Gear Virga frameless backpack.
