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Latest
GoLite VO24 Backpack REVIEW
Lightweight 1600 cubic inch multi-purpose frameless day pack. Score another winner for GoLite!
Stoves, Tents and Carbon Monoxide – Deadly or Not?
Part 3: Laboratory Measurements for Canister Stoves
Actual canister stoves are surveyed to see which ones are clean and which ones emit too much carbon monoxide.
Sierra Designs Flash Sleeping Bag REVIEW
Packed with 30 ounces of 800-fill down and other heat-retaining features, this lightweight bag earns its 0 °F rating but its snug fit and curved half zipper are its nemesis.
Ultralight Knives and Other Sharp Things
Find out what BPL staffers carry to cut, slice, chop, and snip.
Sierra Designs Assailant Tent REVIEW
This four-season, one-person, single-wall tent is made of a fabric claimed to be more breathable than eVENT.
2007 Rab Summit Extreme Tent REVIEW
Based on the previous Outdoor Designs tent, the Rab Summit Extreme is a rare eVENT tent that provides the ultimate in single wall breathability. It is built to handle the most extreme alpine environments and has few peers in its extreme mountaineering niche.
Pacific Outdoor Equipment Uber Mtn Sleeping Pad REVIEW
The best sleeping pad in its class, but only because it has no competition as a sub-13-ounce, 1.5-inch thick self-inflator.
Make Your Own Gear: Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles
Complete instructions for making your own SUL carbon trekking poles from fishing, golf, and kite parts.
Rab Drillium Jacket REVIEW
Lightweight eVENT multi-sport jacket with a terrific fit and feature set, but its appeal depends on whether you need a helmet-compatible hood or not.
Black Diamond Mega Light and Mega Bug Pyramid Tent REVIEW
The Mega Light is a solid, well designed pyramid tent, but the weight-conscious should leave the bug liner behind.
Exploding Gas Canisters: The Hazard of Overheating
Most canister stoves come with extreme warnings to not use a windshield around them for fear of causing an explosion. Many experienced users ignore these warnings. What is the risk? Can a gas canister explode?
Atlas BC24 Snowshoe REVIEW
This showshoe lets you climb like a mountain goat, but needs more flotation and some weight reduction.
2007 Montane eVENT Quick-Fire Jacket REVIEW
The Montane eVENT Quick-Fire Jacket offers great features such as a full coverage hood, drop tail, excellent sizing, dual vent pockets, and super-breathable eVENT fabric, all at a lightweight 11.9 ounces (size large).
Lightweight Gear for Long Distance Hiking: Four Months in Europe
Roger and Sue Caffin's gear lists for their upcoming 4 months in Europe
Gossamer Gear SpinnTwinn Tarp REVIEW
Gossamer Gear offers an ultralight spinnaker fabric catenary-shaped tarp for one or two people that weighs just 8 ounces!
Northern Lites Backcountry Snowshoe REVIEW
Durable, loads of flotation, and less than 3 pounds per pair – a lightweight snow traveler’s dream.
Adapt Gear Bison Trekking Pole REVIEW
This fixed-length carbon fiber trekking pole is not as elegant or lightweight as our top choice Gossamer Gear Lightrek pole, but it’s a strong performer and is the value champ at only $72/pair.
Lightweight Footwear Systems for Snow Travel Part 3: Model Lightweight Footwear Systems for Snow Hiking, Snowshoeing, and Snow Camping
Based on our research and testing, we recommend lightweight footwear systems for specific conditions and activities. In addition, our Backpacking Light staffers describe their favorite systems, and two ultralight nomads – Andrew Skurka and Chris Townsend – share their wisdom.
Mountainsmith PCT 45 Backpack REVIEW
A feature-rich, heavy load carrier, but it tries to be a bit too much for too many people.
Lightweight Footwear Systems for Snow Travel Part 2: Components
We cover the components of a lightweight footwear system – shoes/boots, footbeds, socks, vapor barriers, booties, overboots, and gaiters (everything on or around the foot), discuss the pros and cons of different options, and identify our favorites.