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
Alpacka Scout Review
The Alpacka Raft Scout packraft (2022 model) weighs less than four pounds. We review its durability and stability for both flatwater and Class 1 river running.
Durston Kakwa 40 Review
Gear Review: the Durston Kakwa 40 backpack utilizes an inverted U-shaped internal frame for stability and comfort at moderate loads. But how does it fare at heavier weights?
Durston X-Mid Pro 2 Review
The Durston X-Mid Pro 2 tent is an ultralight (20.4 oz / 578 g) two-person, side-entry, double-door, double-vestibule single-wall Dyneema Composite Fabrics (DCF) trekking pole-supported shelter.
Featured Gear Guides
BatteryBench Tests of Nitecore and Anker Portable Battery Chargers
Anker Powercore PD 10000 and PD 20000 and Nitecore NB10000 and NB20000 carbon fiber portable battery chargers are put through the BatteryBench testing protocol.
Publisher’s Gear Guide
Backpacking Light owner, founder, and publisher Ryan Jordan's commentary on the hiking, camping, and backpacking gear he's been using this year.
Staff Picks 2021
Each year, our staff selects their favorite hiking, backpacking, and other backcountry gear that they’ve used this year - our infamous Staff Picks!
Recent Member Gear Reviews
Recent Gear Swap Listings
Shop for Gear
Today's Gear Deals
Enlightened Equipment Warehouse
This deal links to the Enlightened Equipment Warehouse, where you can find both overstocks and "scratch-and-dent" deals (lightly used, or gear with cosmetic blemishes). This is a great way to get high quality EE gear and apparel at 10-20% discounts.
On Sale Right Now at ZPacks
This link goes to the ZPacks Bargain Bin, which includes products with discounted pricing because of overstock, cosmetic blemishes, discontinued styles and colors, and more.
Backcountry.com
From 8/26/2022 – 9/6/2022, take up to 70% off popular gear, apparel, and accessories!
Patagonia Web-Only Specials
This deal links to current web-only specials at Patagonia. These products include web-exclusive gear and apparel not sold in Patagonia retail stores or outlets, discontinued and overstock items, out-of-season products/colors/styles, and more.
