The Backpacking Light Podcast
The Backpacking Light Podcast explores the technology, gear, skills, and philosophy of backcountry wilderness travel through stories, interviews, and investigative reports.
Subscribe: Apple • Spotify • RSS

Latest Podcast Episodes
Episode 129 | Field Notes – The Limits of Wilderness Minimalism
Ryan Jordan examines wilderness minimalism under stress, using physiology, psychology, and Stoic philosophy to analyze five high-risk scenarios.
Episode 128 | The Metabolic Cost of Carrying a Backpack
What does it really cost your body to carry a backpack in the backcountry? In this episode, we explore the science behind the metabolic demands of load carriage – how pack weight, load distribution, terrain, and walking speed impact energy expenditure. (included: interview with pack designer Dan Durston.)
Episode 127 | Field Notes – Shelter Fabrics
In episode 127 of the BPL Podcast, Ryan Jordan explores shelter fabrics: strength-to-weight, waterproofing, coatings, pitch stability, storm resilience, strength-to-weight ratios and waterproofing to coating quality, pitch stability, and storm resilience.
Episode 126 | Field Notes – Ultralight Chairs: Performance or Luxury?
Recovery isn’t passive. It’s a skill – and how you sit at camp might matter more than you think.
Episode 125 | How to Plan a Long Thru-Hike
Learn how to thru-hike successfully with expert advice from Nikki’s Appalachian Trail journey. Discover essential strategies for planning, training, gear, nutrition, and mental wellness to make your long-distance hike enjoyable and achievable.
Episode 124 | Fastpacking Pack Design with Black Diamond
An in-depth discussion with Black Diamond’s Joe Grant and Derick Noffsinger on the design evolution of hybrid packs for fastpacking and mountain travel.
Episode 123 | The 5 Fs of Fastpacking
In episode 123 of the Backpacking Light podcast, we’re going to learn about Fastpacking – the art of traveling long distances with very little gear in a short amount of time
Episode 122 | Unconventional Sleep Systems
In episode 122 the Backpacking Light podcast we’re going to learn about unconventional sleep systems—alternatives to traditional sleeping bags that emphasize modularity and minimalism.
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.
Episode 120 | Using Quilts in Cold Temperatures
In episode 120 of the Backpacking Light podcast we’re going to continue our study of how to sleep warm in cold temperatures, focusing on the gear that makes up your sleeping system.
Retro Racing Character, Built for Everyday WearDrawing on the colorful racing chronographs of the 1960s and '70s, the RS1 Rally pairs vintage motorsport style with the durability expected from a Vaer. Its 40mm case houses a Japanese VK63 meca-quartz chronograph movement, complete with stopwatch functionality and an integrated tachymeter scale, while contrasting subdials give the watch its distinctive retro character. Sapphire crystal, 100 meters of water resistance, a screwdown crown, and strong BGW9 lume make it far more than a style piece. At under $300, it's an easy pick for the car enthusiast or chronograph fan.See RS1 Rally Chronograph at Vaer