Ryan and Andrew answer listener questions gathered from Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
2019 Staff Picks
The Backpacking Light staff offer their ultralight and other gear recommendations for lightweight backpacking, hiking, and camping.
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!
Podcast 013 | SKILLS SHORT – 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.
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!
Lightweight Trekking Pole Reviews & Gear Guide
This lightweight trekking poles gear guide discusses the scientific justification for/against poles, and features reviews of 14 models.
Design Notes: Towards the Limits of Ultralight
This post from the Publisher’s Blog (available to Unlimited Members only) offers some comments on the nature of ultralight design and the opportunities that await designers and manufacturers of ultralight gear.
Staff Picks 2016: Our Favorite Backpacking Gear of the Year
View our staff picks for the best backpacking gear of the year – recommendations from our editors and guides for hiking and backpacking gear.
Dyneema, Cuben Fiber, and the Future of Outdoor Gear
The introduction of Dyneema (a.k.a., Cuben Fiber) fabrics is one of the most exciting developments to hit the ultralight gear niche over the past several years. With the introduction of several new cottage manufacturers, the acquisition of Cubic Tech, and innovation in ultralight gear made with Cuben Fiber / Dyneema, there are exciting times ahead.