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
Gossamer Gear Whisper Review (Updated)
The Gossamer Gear Whisper is a 1-person, 2-pole, floorless full-perimeter shelter made with Dyneema Composite Fabrics. It includes an attached noseeum mesh netting skirt, is pitched with 7 stakes, and weighs 9.8 oz (280 g).
Armless Sunglasses: Rethinking Eyewear for the Backcountry
Explore a lighter, more durable, and comfortable alternative to traditional eyewear for backcountry travel in this review of Ombraz armless sunglasses.
Timmermade SUL 1.5 Down Sweater Gear Review
The Timmermade SUL 1.5 Down Sweater is a down jacket with an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio for ultralight backpackers.
Featured Gear Guides
Nemo Hornet OSMO 3P vs Nemo Dragonfly OSMO 3P as a Family Shelter
The Nemo Dragonfly & Hornet OSMO 3P tents for family backpacking are ultralight, durable shelters tested here with toddlers.
A Place to Sit: A Perspective on Ultralight Camp Chairs
For years, I considered a camp chair a luxury - a non-essential item sacrificed in service of base weight. But that view has changed. Today, I see seated rest not as indulgence, but as a strategic recovery method grounded in biomechanics and physiology. How we sit after hiking - especially over extended periods in camp - can influence how we move the next day. Poor posture prolongs muscular strain and limits circulation. Good posture facilitates neuromuscular reset, joint decompression, and lactate clearance. In this article, learn about chair options, use cases, and products that represent the broad swath of market options availalble.
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.
