Stephen Seeber presents measurements of several market-leading insulations along with four performance metrics to help judge their performance.
Science & Technology
Dive into the "how things work" side of lightweight backpacking gear and techniques. Our S&T articles include summaries of testing reports, research projects, and more. Discover the validity of manufacturer claims, the scientific basis of design, or how and why equipment performs differently in response to various environmental conditions.
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Lipstick on a Pig? Wind & Cold Temperature Testing of the Jetboil Stash (StoveBench)
Backpacking Light publisher Ryan Jordan subjects the Jetboil Stash to the StoveBench testing protocol to answer the pressing question: is this innovation, or lipstick on a pig?
Standards Watch: Standards Are Important (But Not Enough)
Rex Sanders illustrates how difficult it can be to make accurate product comparisons based on manufacturer-provided data.
By the Numbers: If You Carry a Space Blanket, Buyer Beware
Stephen Seeber tests the infrared reflective properties of space blankets.
On Heatsinks and Thermal Balance
Roger Caffin troubleshoots the heat shunt on V4 of his inverted canister stove design.
Unlimited Podcast 002 | Sleeping Bag Temperature Ratings
In this Unlimited video podcast, Rex Sanders and Ryan Jordan discuss sleeping bag temperature ratings, the ISO 23537 temperature rating standard, and how consumers can interpret the standard to make better buying decisions.
Standards Watch: Sleeping Bag Temperature Ratings
In this installment of Standards Watch, Rex Sanders tackles sleeping bag ratings: the standard, the pros, and the cons.
Measuring Waterproofness in Outdoor Performance Fabrics with a DIY Hydrostatic Pressure Test Device at Home
In this article, I present a DIY testing device (and test results for 30 fabrics) that allows me to measure the hydrostatic head of “waterproof’ fabrics at home.
Is a heat exchanger pot worth the weight?
This article attempts to determine how a heat exchanger welded to the bottom of a pot actually affects fuel consumption.
Estimating the Age (Lifespan) of Your Backcountry Water Filter
The goal of this test is to determine the effective age of your backpacking water filter based on comparing its current flowrate to its flowrate when new.