Footwear
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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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Staff Picks 2025
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 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 121 | How to Plan a Short Thru-Hike
In episode 121 of the Backpacking Light podcast we’re going to learn about how to plan a short thru-hike.
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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.
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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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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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Brooks Cascadia
Gear reviews from our staff and members, buy/sell used, shopping tools, and more about the Brooks Cascadia.
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Gorewear Shield Socks
Gear reviews from our staff and members, buy/sell used, shopping tools, and more about the Gorewear Shield Socks.
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La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Mid GTX Hiking Boots
A very light and supportive mid-height hiking boot with outstanding traction on wet rock. Consider this for cool-weather hiking in wet or snowy conditions. Size up 1-2 sizes and consider…
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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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Minimalist Footwear and Trail Running Shoes for Hiking and Backpacking
A curated guide to Backpacking Light resources about minimalist footwear (e.g., trail running shoes for hiking and backpacking) – gear, skills, podcasts, forums, research, education, product recommendations, and more.
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Bedrock Cairn Adventure Sandals
Gear reviews from our staff and members, buy/sell used, shopping tools, and more about the Bedrock Cairn Adventure Sandals.
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High Tail Designs Hiking Gaiter
Gear reviews from our staff and members, buy/sell used, shopping tools, and more about the High Tail Designs Hiking Gaiter.
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Saucony Peregrine Trail-Running Shoes
Gear reviews from our staff and members, buy/sell used, shopping tools, and more about the Saucony Peregrine 12 Trail Running Shoes.
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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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Smartwool Performance Hike Full Cushion Crew Socks
Gear reviews from our staff and members, buy/sell used, shopping tools, and more about the Smartwool Hike Full Cushion Crew Socks.
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Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweight Hiking Socks
Gear reviews from our staff and members, buy/sell used, shopping tools, and more about the Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweight Hiking Sock.
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Bedrock Cairn Sandals Review
This review of the Bedrock Cairn Sandals examines footwear for hiking in sandals that is comfortable, secure, and grippy in dry, loose conditions.
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Inov-8 Terraultra G 270 Trail Running Shoes Review
The Inov-8 Terraultra G 270 (9.5 oz / 270 g, MSRP $160) is a moderately-cushioned, zero drop, wide toebox trail running shoe with better-than-average durability and fantastic fit.
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