Insulation - Fleece
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By The Numbers: Fun Findings For Five Fuzzy Fabrics
Five fuzzy insulations get measured head-to-head: Polartec Alpha Direct, Primaloft Evolve, and three Teijin Octa builds. See how structure drives air permeability, MVTR, drying rate and energy, directional R-value, and durability. Results highlight Alpha’s breathability and efficiency, Evolve’s resilience, and Octa’s structured, durable use cases for high-output backcountry layering systems.
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Episode 141 | Hiking at Night in a Blizzard
Critical winter layering, handwear, footwear, lighting, and navigation systems for safely hiking out through a sub-freezing blizzard at night.
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Episode 140 | Winter Storm Decisions
Use a six-question framework to decide whether to stay put or bail when winter storms, terrain, and fatigue raise backcountry risk.
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Cottage Gear Guide: Ultralight Hiking & Backpacking Gear from Small, Startup, and Cottage Brands
Discover the most unique, innovative, and ultralight backpacking gear from small, startup, and cottage brands in our Cottage Gear Guide.
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Episode 138 | Plan-Focus-Trust
Learn the Plan–Focus–Trust framework and discover how preparation removes fear, presence builds clarity, and trust turns small wins into lasting confidence – a mindset for wilderness travel and life goals.
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Staff Picks 2024
Our staff selects their favorite hiking, backpacking, and other backcountry gear that they’ve used over the past year – the next edition of our infamous Staff Picks!
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Episode 102 | Polartec Alpha Direct
In episode 102 of the Backpacking Light podcast you’re going to learn about the origin, evolution, and use of Polartec Alpha Direct in modern ultralight layering systems.
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The Dirt Catwalk: Modern Layering Ensembles for Backpackers
In this article, I discuss some of the challenges that an effective layering system needs to address. In addition, I highlight a handful of the layers that I use the most and how I combine them into various ensembles for different use cases.
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Episode 99 | How to Hide Your Food from Bears
In episode 99 of the Backpacking Light podcast we’re going to learn about how bears smell, and what you can do to hide your food from the nose of a bear.
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Backpacking Light Staff Picks: Our Favorite Gear
Our staff selects their favorite hiking, backpacking, and other backcountry gear that they’ve used over the past year – the next edition of our infamous Staff Picks!
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Publisher’s Gear Guide Update (Nov ’23)
The Publisher’s Gear Guide has been updated. This gear guide contains recommendations in various categories by Backpacking Light Publisher and Founder Ryan Jordan. This is the gear he actually chooses to use on his own trips.
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Patagonia R1 Air
Gear reviews from our staff and members, buy/sell used, shopping tools, and more about the Patagonia Men’s R1 Air.
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Episode 89 | Fall Layering Systems
In episode 89 of the Backpacking Light Podcast, we are going to talk about fall layering systems.
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Episode 75 | Winter Layering for the Legs
Much attention is paid to layering for the torso, head, hands, and feet – but the legs are often ignored. However, during winter conditions, an intentional layering strategy for the legs can make the difference between comfort and misery. For mild winter conditions, a layering strategy may look similar to a 3-season lower body layering system. However, when temperatures drop below freezing, and snow and wind increase, the strategy needs to change a bit. Listen to this episode to explore some of these strategies so you can stay warm and comfortable when the mercury drops.
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FarPointe Duo Hoodie
Gear reviews from our staff and members, buy/sell used, shopping tools, and more about the FarPointe Duo Hoodie.
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2022 Backpacking Light Members Choice Awards
First annual Members Choice Awards – what gear do our members use and love as we near the end of 2022?
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Episode 49 | Untraditional Layers
Ryan and Andrew discuss lightweight layering options for backpacking clothing that fall outside the norm of function.
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Lightweight Clothing Layering Systems for Backpacking (Member Q&A)
How to assemble and save weight on a clothing layering system for hiking and backpacking to stay warm, dry, and comfortable.
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Senchi Designs Waxwing Hoodie
We’re big fans of the trend towards base layer and insulating garments that are both loftier (more insulating) and more breathable (less dense knit). This extends their comfort ranges across…
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Patagonia R1 Air Hoody
The Patagonia R1 Air Hoody is more breathable than the original R1 and is a good option as an all-purpose fleece layer for backcountry use. While most ultralight backpackers opt…
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