Backpacking Light staff and contributors give their 2020 staff picks – their favorite backpacking and hiking gear of the year.
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.
NEMO Hornet Elite 2P Review
The NEMO Equipment Hornet Elite 2P (33 oz / 935 g, $499.95) is a semi-freestanding, double-walled, ultralight tent. It features design touches meant to increase the volume of the tent while not adding additional weight.
Podcast 027 | Listener Q & A
Ryan and Andrew answer listener questions gathered from Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Podcast 024 | The Backpacking Gear We Love, and Why
Andrew and Ryan talk about some of the BPL Staff’s favorite gear, our gear review philosophy, current news, and more!
2019 Staff Picks
The Backpacking Light staff offer their ultralight and other gear recommendations for lightweight backpacking, hiking, and camping.
Nemo Airpin Stake Review
NEMO Airpins are ultralight aluminum tent stakes designed with notches that function as a three-point locking system.
Sleeping Pad R-Values: Not That Useful
R-values alone are not enough for many consumers choosing new sleeping pads, and much of the current guidance is inconsistent.
REI Quarter Dome SL 2 Review (Tent)
This REI Quarter Dome SL 2 Review features a 2-person, double-wall, double-entrance, double-vestibule tent that weighs about 3 lbs.
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!