Gear

Upright Canister Stove Reviews, StoveBench Tests, and Gear Guide

This article features upright canister stove reviews that include extensive test data in inclement conditions and market analysis.

Therm-A-Rest Vesper Quilt Review

A detailed review of the Therm-a-Rest Vesper 20F Sleeping bag over 3 seasons of use including detail commentary.

Nemo Siren Review (First Looks)

This Nemo Equipment Siren Quilt review covers a warm-weather backpacking quilt that packs a feature rich, ultralight punch.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Dirigo 2 Tent Review

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Dirigo 2 is a two-person, hybrid single/double wall, two-vestibule Dyneema Composite Fabrics (DCF) tent that can be pitched with two trekking poles. This review assesses wind loading, snow loading, rain, condensation resistance, ease of setup, livability.

Timmermade Waterbear Hood Review (First Look)

Tarptent Aeon Review (First Looks)

The Tarptent Aeon Li is one of the lightest solo (1-person) backpacking tents available. Made with Dyneema Composite Fabrics (DCF), the Aeon is a single-wall design featuring a zippered side-entry with a vestibule. The Aeon requires 4-7 stakes and is pitched with a single trekking pole.

Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra Gear Review

Mountainsmith Zerk 40L Fastpack Review (First Looks)

This review of the Zerk 40L Fastpack provides a first look at Mountainsmith's new ultralight backpack aimed at thru-hikers.

Nemo Switchback Sleeping Pad Review (First Looks)

A first looks review of NEMO Equipment's Switchback Sleeping pad based on initial impressions at from at home and in the field.

MYOG Ultralight Fastpacking ‘Tivy’

Step by step instructions on how to construct my MYOG tivy model and videos and pictures of it in use.

Sport Kilt Review and Kilt Wearing FAQ Companion Guide

The Atom by Atom Packs PERFORMANCE Review

The Atom is a simple pack with a clear mission, having a minimal design and being built for fast and efficient travel.

First Impressions: Black Diamond Glidelite Ski (“Snow Trekkers”) Review (Video)

I put together a 4-minute video montage with my initial thoughts about the Black Diamond Glidelite skis that includes footage from both tracked and untracked trails, with inclines up to about 15 degrees.

Navigation & GPS App Reviews & Gear Guide

This Gear Guide features GPS App Reviews, including AllTrails, Gaia, Google Maps Offline, Guthooks, Hiking Project, MapMyHike, Outdoor Active, Ramblr, REI - National Parks, Spyglass, and ViewRanger.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite Sleeping Pad Review

This Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite review presents our performance assessment of the lightest full-sized air-filled sleeping pad on the market.

Tarptent Stratospire Li Review

Tarptent's Stratospire Li is a two-person DCF shelter with well-considered features and has enough chops for year round use.

StoveBench: A Stove Testing Protocol for Comparing the Performance of Backpacking Stoves

StoveBench defines a protocol that is used to measure two important backpacking stove performance features (power and efficiency) in order to determine a single, quantifiable performance factor called the StoveBench Score.

Staff Picks 2018: Our Favorite Backpacking Gear of the Year

Backpacking Light's editorial team, guides, contributors provide their favorite gear choices in BPL's Staff Picks gear guide for 2018.

Lightweight Winter Down Parka Reviews and State of the Market Report

This article features lightweight down parkas (usually, full-zip jackets with hoods, a longer hem, and box-baffled construction) appropriate for winter backpacking, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, mountaineering, and other cold-temperature activities.

Publisher’s Gear Guide (2019)

My personal recommendations for ultralight and lightweight backpacking gear for 2018-2019 - gear that I've used all year in 2018 that includes the good stuff that's staying in my kit for 2019!