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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

Lightweight Winter Down Parka Reviews and State of the Market Report

Dec 5, 2018 by Max Neale

This article features lightweight down parkas (usually, full-zip jackets with hoods, a longer hem, and box-baffled construction) appropriate for winter backpacking, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, mountaineering, and other cold-temperature activities.

arc'teryx, crux, down insulation, feathered friends, Goosefeet Gear, insulated clothing, jackets, montbell, mountain equipment, mountain hardwear, Nunatak, Patagonia, PhD, Rab, Western Mountaineering, winter backpacking

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Synthetic Insulated Jacket Review & State of the Market Report

Mar 26, 2018 by Max Neale

This comprehensive State of the Market Report presents more than a dozen synthetic insulated jacket reviews and performance comparison to evaluate their durability, warmth, weather resistance, breathability, and features.

arc'teryx, black diamond, jackets, LL Bean, Montane, montbell, Nunatak, Patagonia, Rab, synthetic insulation

Montbell Thermawrap Guide Review

Mar 6, 2018 by Max Neale

Our Montbell Thermawrap Guide Review found this great value synthetic insulated parka has a reliable ultralight waterproof shell fabric.

insulating clothing, montbell, parka, synthetic

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

The Unconventional Sleep Systems Manifesto

Jan 1, 2006 by Ryan Jordan

A Comprehensive Primer and Market Analysis of Top Bags, Quilts, and Wearable Systems

backpacking light 101, big agnes, bivy sacks, feathered friends, golite, gossamer gear, hammock camping, integral designs, jacks 'r' better, Marmot, montbell, Nunatak, outdoor retailer, Rab, ryan jordan, satellite communications, tarp camping, ultralight sleep systems, Valandre, Washington, Western Mountaineering

New Lightweight Backpacking Gear – (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2003) – Public Version

Aug 16, 2003 by the Product Review Staff

If you are a member and would like to view a version that includes full product specifications and high resolution photos, click here Gear Availability Many of these products will be available in Spring ’04. Some are being released in Fall ’03 (as early as September) and a few are available now or in the […]

black diamond, brunton, camelbak, cascade designs, cloudveil, equinox gear, golite, granite gear, ibex, Marmot, montbell, msr, outdoor retailer, Patagonia, Pertex, Sierra Designs, tarp camping, ultralight sleep systems, Vaude, water treatment, Western Mountaineering, winter backpacking

New Lightweight Backpacking Gear – (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2003) – Member’s Version

Aug 16, 2003 by the Product Review Staff

Gear Availability Many of these products will be available in Spring ’04. Some are being released in Fall ’03 (as early as September) and a few are available now or in the next few weeks. Please contact the manufacturer directly (let ’em know you heard about their products here!) for more precise product release dates […]

alcohol stove, black diamond, brunton, camelbak, cascade designs, cloudveil, equinox gear, golite, granite gear, ibex, Leki, Markill, Marmot, montbell, msr, outdoor retailer, Patagonia, Pertex, Sierra Designs, Snow Peak, tarp camping, trangia, ultralight sleep systems, Vaude, water treatment, Western Mountaineering, winter backpacking

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