Reviews

New and evolving technologies necessitate a reexamination of the conventional wisdom of down versus synthetic fill insulation. Read More...

These new trail shoes have gone the way of the Vibram sole. How does this development affect performance? Read More...

Mainstream manufacturers are catching on, and competition in the ~2lb tent range is fierce. The SuperMegaUL2 is a brilliant addition to this growing field. Read More...

A predominantly well engineered sleeping bag that suffers from a small, yet serious design flaw. Read More...

A merino wool layering system to keep you dry and comfortable on cool summer nights. Read More...

A 29 oz sleeping bag featuring vertical baffles and Insotect technology... is it worth the weight? Read More...

Superb fit and finish, high breathability, and nice mix of features, but durability insurance doesn't come with the $280 price tag - and at 9 oz, is it light enough? Read More...

Durable lightweight packs that can carry a larger volume (and higher weight) expedition kit. Read More...

A 22-ounce waterproof dry suit designed for packrafters with an eye towards saving weight and bulk on longer expeditions. Read More...

Sure they look nice, but how do these clean, uncomplicated packs from new manufacturer Boreas handle the trails? Read More...

Finally, a remote-canister stove without the extra weight. Read More...

At 5 ounces less than its predecessor, is the new Fly Creek worth the extra price? Read More...

With its polka-dots and odd shape, can this unique 3-season shelter be taken seriously? Read More...

Has Timberland found a niche the lightweight market? Read More...

A comparison of two full-featured down jackets with Quantum GL fabric and 850 fill power down. Read More...

A fully featured hard shell at a minimal weight. Read More...

A unique accessory pocket that can be used in multiple ways. Read More...

An extremely minimal trail runner with options for the wide footed. Read More...

A lightweight sub-3-pound internal frame backpack that’s well designed, durable, comfortable, and features freedom of movement innovations. Read More...

**(Updated 10/25: Addendum after Heavy Use)** A review of the latest in the New Balance 8xx series of light low-cut joggers and comparison to the previously-reviewed MT875 and MT876 shoes. Read More...

Review of Timberland's new waterproof lightweight hiking boot. Do they belong in the lightweight backpacker's quiver? Read More...

Reviews of the Revelate Designs Viscacha and Porcelain Rocket Booster Rocket Read More...

This lightweight mountaineering pack from Russia provides large volume, simplicity, and durability. Read More...

Waterproof shells with a minimalist design and four-way stretch fabric Read More...

Will it light the trails on fire? Read More...

A lightweight ski day pack with a handy, hands-free ski carrying system. Read More...

On paper, the Malpais has everything a gear junkie could possibly want, but does real-world experience with the jacket remind us of the disparity between some online dating profiles and the actual person? Read More...

An adventure racing pack with innovative design elements, how does it perform as an ultralight backpack? Read More...

Does a bigger diameter result in stronger poles, and what's the weight trade-off? Read More...

An incredibly breathable full-zip rain jacket that manages to fend off precipitation without using a membrane. Read More...

A very lightweight hoodless windshirt utilizing Pertex’s newest lightest fabric – Quantum GL. In addition to his thorough evaluation, Will includes a discussion of the versatility of a windshirt. Read More...

Are You an Ultimate Hiker? Andy Skurka’s approach to backpacking. Read More...

An innovative design makes this wind shell easy to put on and take off. Read More...

Take a walk through the backpacking addicted mind of Ray as he explains his journey to custom quilts, and read a review of his favorite model, a 14-ounce beauty made by fellow BPL-er Javan Dempsey. Read More...

Can 100% titanium justify the price tag? Read More...

Simplicity and strength in an all-season shelter. Read More...

Nemo becomes a serious player in the ultralight tent category. The Obi Elite 1P is a cutting edge one-person double-wall tent that matches the weight and roominess of many single-wall tents. Read More...

If unlimited traction is what you want in a snowshoe, the Lightning Flash delivers; it can rightfully lay claim to the title of lightest high-traction snowshoe available. Read More...

Large sensor. High resolution. Small package. Interchangeable lenses. Is the DSLR finally dead for the backpacking photographer? Read More...

Rab's new baselayers blend merino wool and synthetic fabrics - do they achieve the best of both worlds? Read More...

For fast, easy over-snow travel, combine the traits of a snowshoe and those of a ski. A short, fat ski would keep the maneuverability, packability and hopefully light weight of a snowshoe as well as the glide and easy trail breaking of a ski. How well does this theory play out in reality? Read More...

The Jacks ‘R’ Better Sierra Stealth Quilt is an ultralight summer quilt designed “with the ground sleeper in mind.” As the lightest of three wearable quilts available from JRB, the Sierra Stealth has a resealable Velcro head hole in the center that allows the quilt to be used as a serape around camp - eliminating the need for a lightweight jacket in addition to sleeping gear. Read More...

Incorporating a stand-alone trail crampon that works along with the snowshoe itself, the Mountain 28 eliminates the need to carry a separate traction device for conditions that call for grip, not float. Intriguing in theory, how did it work in practice? Read More...

This single-wall, three/four-season, tipi-style shelter is the largest tipi in the VersaShelter line. A significant amount of the weight savings comes from the use of an all carbon fiber pole. Read More...

These highly anticipated poles made quite a splash at 2011 ORWM. The Xenon 4 Trekking Poles are light, compact, easy to use and reasonably priced. How did they stand up to testing? Read More...

A versatile shelter with a unique design, the Pentalite manages to bring something new to the realm of pyramid tent design: a large floorspace and optional full bug protection without a full-height inner bug net. The size, weight savings, and flexibility of this design make it a good candidate for a group backpacking, car camping, or base camp use. So far, so good, right? Read More...

On paper, the palatial space and bare-essentials engineering of this tent make it appear like a dream come true for ultralight group travel. How does it actually perform in the real world? Read More...

Jetboil’s lightest and most technically advanced integrated canister fuel cooking system. Read More...

Same features, nearly the same performance, and less expensive than the Sol Ti Premium Cooking System. Read More...

The Flash is basically a flashier PCS and will eventually replace it. Read More...