Patagonia

Synthetic Insulated Jacket Review & State of the Market Report

Gear Guides March 26, 2018

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.

Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody Review

Gear Reviews March 18, 2018

Our Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody Review features one of the highest-performing synthetic jackets we've ever evaluated. It's performance- and feature-to-weight ratio is extremely high and should be a top pick considered for ultralight backpacking.

Patagonia DAS Parka Review

Gear Reviews March 18, 2018

The Patagonia DAS is our highest rated synthetic insulated winter-weight parka. Frequent revisions have created a stunningly effective jacket for expeditions that cross multiple climates and for overnight alpine climbs and backcountry trips where a wet down parka would force you to bail, or worse.  Despite a suite of expedition features, the premium insulation and light fabrics keep the DAS lightweight at only 22 oz. in men's medium. This parka performs so well and is offered at such a reasonable price that we feel it's the only warm synthetic insulated parka worth buying.

Patagonia Nano Air Light Review (Hoody)

Gear Reviews March 11, 2018

This Patagonia Nano Air Light Review features one of the highest performing hoodies on the market, especially for active use in cool conditions. This one's a fleece-killer.

Patagonia Nano Air Hoody Review

Gear Reviews March 6, 2018

The Patagonia Nano Air Hoody was released in July 2014 and was the best performing all-purpose active insulation jacket at that time. Does it hold up to the current crop of insulated jackets?

2017 Backpacking Light Staff Picks

Gear Guides December 31, 2017

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.

Publisher’s Gear Guide: My Personal Lightweight Backpacking Gear Recommendations

Gear Guides December 12, 2017

A summary of gear that I've used in 2017, and enthusiastically recommend for lightweight backpackers this holiday season.

Design Notes: Towards the Limits of Ultralight

News March 8, 2017

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.

Patagonia Airshed Pullover Review

Gear Reviews February 18, 2017

This Patagonia Airshed Pullover Review features a new type of wind shirt that focuses on maximizing the air permeability of the fabric.

Patagonia M10 Anorak Review

Gear Reviews January 12, 2017

This Patagonia M10 Anorak review features a minimally-featured, simply-styled waterproof-breathable rain jacket that weighs 7 oz.

Staff Picks 2016: Our Favorite Backpacking Gear of the Year

Gear Guides December 31, 2016

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

Patagonia Nano Air Light Hoody Review (First Look)

Gear Reviews September 9, 2016

This Patagonia Nano Air Light Hoody Review takes an first look at a lighter iteration in the popular apparel category of "active insulation".

Patagonia Sun Stretch Shirt Review

Gear Reviews July 9, 2016

The Patagonia Sun Stretch Shirt is a lightweight nylon-polyester blend shirt. I use it as a trekking base layer or insect-protection layer in camp. This review reflects my long term experience with this shirt - more than two years and hundreds of miles of use.

Best Ultralight Backpacking Gear of 2015: Our Staff Favorites!

Gear Guides December 30, 2015

This article summarizes our staff's best backpacking gear of the year - the ultralight hiking, backpacking, and camping gear they pick as their favorites for their annual adventures.

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

Outdoor Retailer News August 16, 2003 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...

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

Outdoor Retailer News August 16, 2003 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...

Clothing and Sleep Systems for Mountain Hiking, 1st Edition (August 2002)

Gear Guides August 4, 2002

Clothing and Sleep Systems for Mountain Hiking, 1st Edition (August 2002)

Nunatak Arc Alpinist

Gear Reviews July 4, 2002

Nunatak Arc Alpinist

2001 Raingear Roundup Review Summary

State of the Market Reports (*) December 16, 2001 Introduction Long awaited, read the results of a months-long review of raingear that includes extensive laboratory and field testing of fabrics and garments by the BackpackingLight.COM Product Review Staff. Introduction...