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Backpacking Light

Pack less. Be more.

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Staff Picks 2020

Dec 24, 2020 by Backpacking Light

backpacking light staff picks - a photo collage showing all of the gear

Backpacking Light staff and contributors give their 2020 staff picks – their favorite backpacking and hiking gear of the year.

altra, big agnes, biolite, dirty girl, enlightened equipment, feathered friends, golite, Good To-Go, gossamer gear, GSI Outdoors, helly hansen, hoka, injinji, janji, klymit, minus 33, montbell, mountain safety research, Mountainsmith, msr, Nemo, Nemo Equipment, Nunatak, Outdoor Research, Patagonia, pstyle, Rab, RBH Designs, rogue panda, seek outside, ULA, vargo, vargo outdoors, zpacks

How to choose backpacking footwear so you can keep hiking until you die

Jul 14, 2019 by Ryan Jordan

Most advice about minimalist footwear can be rejected outright. Often, the advice is given by hikers who haven’t put in the time required to understand the complexity and depth of foot biomechanics and the long-term effects of overuse that is endured by walking for decades. Here are some guiding principles if you want to keep hiking into your sunset years, so you can delay the inevitable onset of overuse conditions like hallux rigidus.

altra, approach shoes, footwear, hoka, la sportiva, minimalist footwear, scarpa, shoes, sole, trail running shoes

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2017 Backpacking Light Staff Picks

Dec 31, 2017 by Ryan Jordan

The Backpacking Light Staff Picks Gear Guide offers what we consider to be our personal recommendations for high-quality, high-performance, lightweight backpacking gear that we’ve actually used this year.

altra, arc'teryx, black diamond, BRS, buff, Butt in a Sling, Fozzils, katadyn, montbell, mountain laurel designs, Nemo Equipment, Nightcore, Northstar Canoes, Nunatak, Osprey, Outdoor Research, Patagonia, Petzl, rei, Ripstop by the Roll, seek outside, Staff Favorites, staff picks, Superior Wilderness Designs, Tech4o, Zelph, zpacks

Wet, Cold Feet When Backpacking: How To Keep Your Feet Dry(er) and Warm(er) in Inclement Weather

Sep 29, 2017 by Ryan Jordan

Keep feet warm and dry by using a carefully designed system that involves different types of socks, shoes, and gaiters.

altra, cold, Darn Tough, footwear, gaiters, Goosefeet Gear, hoka, inclement weather, Rocky, salomon, shoes, Smartwool, socks, trail running shoes, zpacks

Minimalist Footwear for Backpacking? (Video)

May 19, 2017 by Ryan Jordan

This vlog features commentary by Backpackinglight.com Founder & Publisher Ryan Jordan about the applicability of minimalist footwear for backpacking.

altra, hoka, merrell, minimalist footwear, vibram

Staff Picks 2016: Our Favorite Backpacking Gear of the Year

Dec 31, 2016 by Backpacking Light

View our staff picks for the best backpacking gear of the year – recommendations from our editors and guides for hiking and backpacking gear.

altra, black diamond, Cilo Gear, Exped, Goosefeet Gear, GoPro, hyperlite mountain gear, kelty, Kokopelli, locus gear, Moleskine, Montane, msr, Nemo, Oboz, Outdoor Research, Patagonia, Purple Rain, rei, ruta locura, Solo Stove, Staff Favorites, Tenkara USA, Therm-a-Rest, Tyvek, zpacks

Altra Lone Peak NeoShell Review

Apr 1, 2016 by Chase Jordan

Altra Lone Peak Neoshell Review for ultralight backpacking

The Altra Lone Peak Neoshell: light, zero-drop, wide toebox, waterproof-breathable. An ultralight backpacker’s shoe for the fringe season?

altra, trail running shoes

2014 Staff Picks

Jan 1, 2015 by BackpackingLight.com Staff

Backpacking Light’s staff is some of the most passionate backpackers around. Take a look at the ultralight gear we use and treasure.

alpacka, altra, bluewater, buff, cascade designs, deejo, dynafit, feathercraft, golite, hoka, hyperlite mountain gear, kovea, new balance, paradox, Staff Favorites, suluk46, trail designs

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