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.
The Unconventional Sleep Systems Manifesto
A Comprehensive Primer and Market Analysis of Top Bags, Quilts, and Wearable Systems
Lightweight Backpacking for Couples
Introduction Most of us do not venture into the backcountry alone. Sharing the outdoors with another person heightens our outdoor experience. That person can be a good friend, parent, brother, sister, or our children. Going into the wilderness with a partner (that special and intimate friend) may be the ultimate expression of togetherness. This article […]
New Lightweight Backpacking Gear – (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2003) – Public Version
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 […]
New Lightweight Backpacking Gear – (Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2003) – Member’s Version
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 […]
Functional Designs Sweetie Pie Summer Bag Doubler
Functional Designs Sweetie Pie Summer Bag Doubler
Big Agnes Zirkel
Big Agnes Zirkel
Western Mountaineering, Feathered Friends, Nunatak, and PhD Lightweight Down Jackets (Comparison Review)
Introduction A lightweight down jacket is a wonderful thing. A down jacket can have up to three to five times more loft than its synthetic counterpart (e.g. a Patagonia Puffball, Moonstone Cirrus, or MEC Northern Lite). The additional loft of down keeps you a lot warmer and makes the jacket ideal for an integrated jacket/bag/bivy […]
Lightweight Backpacking 101: An Introductory Manual for Lightening Your Load Today (1st Edition – August 2001)
Lightweight Backpacking 101: An Introductory Manual for Lightening Your Load Today (1st Edition – August 2001)
The Arc Bag Concept: Saving Weight with Variable Girth Sleeping Bags Having an “Arc” Shaped Cross Section
Editor’s Introduction As we prepare to release BackpackingLight.com, it is probably appropriate to introduce a teaser about what we intend to spend a great deal of time with this year: clothing and sleep systems for ultralight hiking. This editorial provides some insight into the concept of the ARC BAG: a variable girth sleeping bag having […]