Gear
Backpacking Light offers in-depth gear reviews and gear guides, a used gear swap, a curated gear shop of recommended lightweight backpacking gear, shopping and research tools, and more.
You can also use the Gear Finder to search for gear on sale, and browse gear-related content by Brand or Gear Type.
Featured Gear Reviews
Garmin inReach Messenger Plus Review
The Garmin inReach Messenger Plus can send short text, photo and audio messages, weighs 4.1 ounces and has an MSRP of $500.
REI Magma Trail Quilt 30 Review (Updated)
This REI Magma Trail Quilt 30 review features a high quality, well-insulated quilt that uses water-resistant down and includes an insulated draft collar.
Superior Wilderness Designs Rugged Long Haul Review
The Superior Wilderness Designs Rugged Long Haul is a 35 to 50 L internal frame backpack weighing 2 pounds made from Ultra and EPX fabrics.
Featured Gear Guides
Minimalist and Backpacking Footwear
In this guide, we’ll explore the primary categories of footwear for backpacking and hiking, including minimalist footwear, examining their unique benefits, limitations, and use cases.
Inflatable Sleeping Pads: Finding Comfort when Sleeping on the Ground (Updated)
The product category of inflatable sleeping pad is trending towards larger, warmer, and more comfortable pads - with very little weight penalty.
Gear Guide: Satellite Messaging Devices (“Messengers”)
This gear guide summarizes the category of satellite messaging-centric devices, i.e., devices that focus on satellite messaging as its primary, rather than secondary, function. This is in contrast to navigation-centric devices (which usually offer integrated mapping on the device), such as the Garmin inReach Explorer or Garmin GPSMap.
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Today's Gear Deals
REI Anniversary Sale is on! Now thru May 27!
New deals are released on Tuesdays. 30% off REI brand clothing & gear. Up to 50% off hiking boots. 60% off at REI Outlet + members get an extra 20%.
Backcountry.com Memorial Day Sale 2024
Memorial Day Sale Is Here! Gear Up For Summer Outside. Up to 30% off. Sale ends 5/27/2024.
Garage Grown Gear, Small Business Sales Week 2024
From Tuesday, May 14th to Tuesday, May 21st, enjoy incredible discounts and special offers from your beloved small outdoor brands.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Memorial Day Sale! 15% off sitewide! Shop now with code GEARUP15 through 5/27.