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Winter Backpacking on Packed-Snow Trails (Gear List)

A winter backpacking gear list for hiking on packed-snow trails in dry (low-humidity) climates.

Winter Backpacking When There’s No Snow?

My shelter, sleep, clothing, water, and cook system for when temps drop but full-on winter snow and wind hasn't yet arrived.

Keeping Gear Handy on the Trail with Multi-Use Accessory and Utility Pouches

Having accessible "pockets" on your pack is useful for keeping little bits of gear handy without taking off your pack. But consider a multi-use pouch that can also be worn as a standalone fanny-style pack.

Tarptent Moment DW Review (2019 Version)

The Tarptent Moment DW is a one-person, single-hoop tunnel, silnylon double-walled backpacking tent with a highly modular design.

Episode 24 | Gear We Love (2020 Edition)

Andrew and Ryan talk about some of the BPL Staff's favorite gear, our gear review philosophy, current news, and more!

ZPacks Vertice Rain Jacket Review

This ZPacks Vertice Rain Jacket review is comprehensive and addresses long-term performance, breathability, DWR, and more.

2019 Staff Picks

The Backpacking Light staff offer their ultralight and other gear recommendations for lightweight backpacking, hiking, and camping.

Drop 40L Backpack Review

The Drop 40L is a 30 oz (842 g), small-volume pack designed to make externally stored gear easily accessible while moving quickly.

Lightweight Backpacking Gear for Mountain Travel (Case Study)

In this video, I walk through my gear during a 9-day summer trek in the high mountains of the western US. This was a trip with friends and family - 3 other adults and four children ages 7-11. We moved camps every day but one, and spent 70% of our miles off-trail, with camps up to about 11,600 feet. Scroll down for gear notes and trip photos!

Episode 13 | Tent-bound in a Storm

In this episode, Ryan offers some practical guidelines for managing wet gear, condensation, and camp chores if you have to be holed up in a tent during a prolonged period of inclement weather.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction Backpack Review

This Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction Backpack Review features a pack with a lightweight Dyneema Composite Fabrics body, Hardline woven fabric side and hip belt pockets for durability, and a mesh back pocket for storing wet gear.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Dirigo 2 Tent Review

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Dirigo 2 is a two-person, hybrid single/double wall, two-vestibule Dyneema Composite Fabrics (DCF) tent that can be pitched with two trekking poles. This review assesses wind loading, snow loading, rain, condensation resistance, ease of setup, livability.

Field Notes: Retreat from a Spring Alpine Storm

On the leading edge of the last bomb cyclone storm cycle that hit the Rockies and Midwest this spring (April 2019), I was hoping to get in a quick 24-hour trip up in the high country of Wyoming's Snowy Range.

24: Idaho (Video – Couples Backpacking)

Ryan and Stephanie Jordan venture into Idaho's Sawtooth range for a couples backpacking trip.

Field Notes: Winter Backpacking in Southeast Wyoming

Lightweight backpacking in winter: field notes from SE Wyoming - tarp camping, firebuilding, wood stove cooking, and more (VIDEO).

Publisher’s Gear Guide (2019)

My personal recommendations for ultralight and lightweight backpacking gear for 2018-2019 - gear that I've used all year in 2018 that includes the good stuff that's staying in my kit for 2019!

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 5400 Backpack Review

Light and large: our Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter 5400 Backpack review - a lightweight pack with the chops for carrying large loads.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear REpurpose Bottle Review

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear REpurpose water bottle is a recycled aluminum bottle developed with the lightweight outdoor community in mind.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Shell Jacket Review

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Shell Jacket is made using Dyneema Composite Fabric bonded to a polyester fiber outer face for durability, and to a monolayer eVENT membrane on the inner face for breathability.

Podcast 002 | Dyneema Composite Fabrics

In this episode, we dive into the design, manufacturing, and applications of Dyneema Composite Fabrics.

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