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Bushwhacking Gear: Heavyweight Fabrics and Compatible Construction Techniques to Improve Clothing Longevity for Off-trail Bushwhacking

Thorns, scrub and sandstone can rip ultralight clothing to shreds. What materials and construction techniques hold up to serious bushwhacking?

La Sportiva Trango S EVO GTX Mountaineering Boot REVIEW

Ultralight mountaineering boots that are great on rock and ice as well as long approaches on the trail. But are they durable and warm enough?

Wingnut Adventure 2006 Backpack REVIEW

Small volume (1600 ci, 26 L) adventure racing pack that is ideal for biking and adequate for hiking.

Western Mountaineering Summerlite Sleeping Bag REVIEW

Hooded, down mummy bag rated to freezing that weighs a mere 19 ounces.

CiloGear 60 Liter WorkSack Backpack REVIEW

Durable and adjustable, but initially confusing to set up.

Petzl e+LITE Headlamp REVIEW

One ounce of fresh innovation: rotary switch, white-and-red LED array, modular form, storage capsule, waterproof. But not perfect - our tests reveal some weaknesses.

Princeton Tec Quad LED Headlamp REVIEW

Waterproof, four-LED headlamp with a wide, regulated beam.

Make Your Own Gear: Five Yards to SuperUltraLight
Part 3, Tarp

Complete instructions to construct a 6-ounce tarp with improved weather protection.

2006 Backpacking Light Staff Picks

An eclectic assortment of favorite gear for 2006.

Make Your Own Gear: Five Yards to SuperUltraLight
Part 2, Stuff Sack

Complete instructions to construct a 0.2-ounce stuff sack sized right to compress a SUL tarp (Part 3) into a tidy 4 x 4 x 8 inch bundle.

Grand Shelters Icebox Igloo Building Tool REVIEW

The Icebox does the igloo engineering for you, but you still have a steep learning curve. Once you master the technique, you may discover a new and fun wintertime activity.

Tarptent Double Rainbow Tent REVIEW

Introduces some major advancements in single wall tent design and provides user friendliness not seen before in a single wall tent, but there are a few details that could be refined.

Big Agnes Seedhouse SL3 Tent REVIEW

A lightweight double-wall three-person tent with full storm protection and great views - but is it really sized for three?

Valandré La Fayette Sleeping Bag REVIEW

A four season bag that offers excellent loft for the weight. The center zip has advantages, but is it the right solution for you?

Tarptent Rainshadow 2 Tent REVIEW

Ultralight (just over 2 1/2 pounds) single wall tent with a bathtub floor and plenty of space for three adults - or maybe the whole family.

Hilleberg Rajd Tent REVIEW

Lightweight single wall, two-person shelter with lots going for it: quality materials and construction, ease of set up, interior space and headroom, and storm worthiness – but it has one major problem.

Gossamer Gear / Tarptent Squall Classic Tent REVIEW

At just over 1 ½ pounds, the Squall Classic improves on the original Tarptent Squall design with bathtub floor, spinnaker cloth construction, Easton aluminum stakes, and guyline adjusters. It drops significant weight from the Tarptent Squall 2 but does it go far enough to justify the cost?

Tarptent Contrail Tent REVIEW

Tarptent introduces the 1+ person Contrail, a throwback to the original minimalist Tarptent, but loaded with refinements and new design elements.

Fibraplex Fibrapole 292 Carbon Fiber Tent Poles REVIEW

Fibraplex carbon fiber tent poles can save ounces of tent weight - are they durable enough?

Crescent Moon Silver 10 Backcountry Snowshoes REVIEW

Lots of nice features, climbs like a goat, and would be near perfect if they were lighter.

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