Gear

With new fabrics, a strong design and plenty of pitching options, the HP is quite attractive. Will this relatively lightweight double-wall abode have us exclaiming with enthusiasm or will we hurry on to the next cutie? Read More...

Totally synthetic, solid soles with a good tread and a range of width fittings, a Gore-Tex 'Extended Comfort Footwear' lining, but a slightly stiff sole. Read More...

With 800 fill-power down and weighing less than 12 ounces, does this attractive and warm jacket ultimately put fashion over function? Read More...

Well designed, lightweight, warm down bootie with an integrated tall gaiter and performance equivalent to a multi-layer system. Read More...

Ultralight down insulated pants from MontBell, PHD, and Western Mountaineering are reviewed and compared. Down pants provide the most warmth for their weight, and are especially versatile for colder weather camping. Wear them to stay warm in camp and to extend the warmth of an ultralight sleeping bag. Read More...

This Japanese stove is small, light, and well-made, with a unique miniature pressure regulator instead of a needle valve. Read More...

Is this the "Three Musketeers" of backpacking gear (all for one, one for all!), or does it leave Chris feeling cold? Read More...

Mummy bags win hands down as the most thermally efficient bag design. An ultralight down mummy combined with an ultralight down jacket and pants creates a remarkably warm and versatile sleeping system for colder conditions. Join Will as he rounds up and rates the lightest three-season down mummy bags. Read More...

This jacket really rocks - an excellent balance of light weight, basic features, warmth, wind and water resistance, and cost. Read More...

Remarkably lofty and warm for a 30 F (-1 C) rated bag – this is the first sleeping bag I have tested that’s warmer than its claimed temperature rating! Read More...

There's a lot of bang for the buck in this roomy, lightweight, double-wall tent! Read More...

This zipperless down mummy-style 23 F rated sleeping bag is elegant for its simplicity, light weight, and high loft-to-weight ratio. Read More...

Petzl has been busy upgrading and gives us two new versions of an old stand-by. Read More...

The ultimate down jacket for ultralight backpacking and lightweight cold weather pursuits. Read More...

The lightest down jacket to be found, but the women’s version doesn’t have as much loft and warmth as the men’s version. Read More...

An ultralight down jacket that performs well in active pursuits, but it’s not the best choice for ultralight backpacking. Read More...

The Hydrogen is a well designed, high loft, roomy, warm, mummy-style down 30F-rated sleeping bag, but its shell fabric is heavy and wets out too easily. Read More...

Lowrance adds touchscreen functionality with its top of the line Sierra GPS. With a plethora of multimedia options, it comes across as more entertainment device than a dedicated navigational aid. How does it work for backpacking? Read More...

Big Agnes raises the bar for two-person double-wall tents by creating their lightest offering ever. In fact, it is the lightest tent in this category from any manufacturer. Will it Fly high, or leave us up a Creek? Read More...

A lot to like and a great value for a 30 F rated down mummy bag weighing only 19 ounces. Read More...

My expectation for a small game rifle is to be able to shoot a very small and compact group on a target at 25 yards or less, and the Pak-Rifle makes my heart beat faster. Read More...

Sure, it's lighter than its DSLR brethren, but it's also heavier and bulkier than its compact cousins. Does it offer improvements to justify carrying the additional weight and bulk? Read More...

GoLite Footwear has developed a unique underfoot suspension system that largely accomplishes their intentions. The shoes are comfortable, but there are durability concerns for the soles. Read More...

A warm, refined sleeping bag, but not the lightest in its class. Read More...

Trim-fitting ultralight three-season down jacket with a great shell and basic feature set, but its numerous horizontal seams allow down fragments to leak out. Read More...

The E-620 is the lightest mid-sized or "crop sensor" format DSLR with all the functionality and image quality for serious backcountry still photography - even in difficult situations like handheld shots in low morning and evening light. Read More...

Lower volume ultralight backpack with removable stays and other components - so you can set up the pack for individual trips and personal preferences to your heart's content. Read More...

The specifications look great, but the devil is in the details. Read More...

Totally synthetic, luggy soles, and a breathable draining upper, plus a range of width fittings including really wide (4E). (Updated 9/22/09) Read More...

Not the lightest down jacket to be found, but it's an excellent balance of warmth and durability, and versatile the year around as an outer layer or midlayer. Read More...

A packrafting paddle is not a particularly special thing. It’s simply a kayak paddle, capable of being broken down into two or four pieces for easy stowage while inside or attached to a pack. Read More...

If almost everyone is taking manufacturing to China, what are the short- and long-term consequences for both the developed and developing worlds? Read More...

Practical application review on using the helmet cam in the backcountry... essentially, how does it do? Read More...

Garmin trumpets the addition of a camera to this gadget, but are the improvement they DON'T mention even more impressive? Read More...

A compact digicam with a professional pedigree, the LX3 tempts outdoor photographers with a fast wide angle (f:2.0/24 mm equivalent) zoom lens, RAW file capability, high-definition video and solid performance. Read More...

Perfect balance of warmth, light weight, and performance for less extreme conditions. Read More...

With 40 lbs from skin out for both father and son, would our contingency plan of "snuggling for warmth" come into play? Read More...

The Nemo Nano Elite is marketed by the manufacturer as a lightweight, fast set-up tent aimed at adventure racers and the fast-and-light crowd. Since I can't run with the former, I try to hang with the latter. Read More...

Totally synthetic, good soles, and a XCR membrane for wet weather use, plus a range of width fittings including really wide. Very good under some winter conditions, but with a curious defect which limits their use. Read More...

Although the Scarp 2 incorporates several weight-saving and space-making design elements to create a friendly, roomy, well ventilated, and stable tent for two campers, these benefits do not come without compromise. Read More...

With a trail weight of just 1 pound 11 ounces, it's the Guinness World Record holder for the lightest double-wall tent commercially available, but that doesn't mean it's perfect. Read More...

The MSR Hyperflow was previously reviewed in 2008, and was found to be light and convenient for crystal clear water, but it died very quickly in any other water. MSR acknowledged this problem and modified the cartridge to handle poorer water quality. The modified cartridge is tested here to see if there is an improvement. Read More...

At less than four ounces and roomy enough for a weekend of SUL gear (30L), the ZPacks Blast 18 certainly qualifies as "SUL" by the standard set several years ago by the Gossamer Gear G6, but is far more durable (yet has a similar weight as the first G6). Read More...

Backpacking Light has been able to spend time with a pre-production Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Pad in the laboratory, in our living rooms, and in the field. Does the product deliver? Read More...

MSR utilizes lightweight fabrics, carbon fiber poles, and elegant design to achieve a sub-three-pound double-wall tent for two. Read More...

The Functional Design Sweetie Pie Bag Expander is a versatile, zip-in, sleeping bag expander that can be used singly for individuals that enjoy more space, or together with another expander as a sleeping bag doubler. Two expanders can also be zipped together to form a child-sized bag allowing for an adventurous toddler to have his own space. Read More...

Three-pound internal frame backpacks with great fit, features, versatility, and value. Read More...

At one ounce per pair, these waterproof/breathable rain mitts are designed for ultralight backpacking, but should they be worn over a jacket sleeve or under it? Read More...

Prior to the Terra Nova Laser Photon Elite, the Laser Competition was listed by Guinness World Records as "the lightest two-skin (double-wall) tent." While no longer the record-holder, at just over 2 pounds, the Laser Competition is still among the lightest double-wall tents on the market. Read More...

Great value on a super-warm, lightweight, 800 fill down parka. Read More...