Gear » Reviews

This new single wall tent provides convenience and ventilation, plus loads of room for one person and gear and can accommodate two people when needed. Read More...

Two-person single wall tent with a twist: one side is double wall, so the fly can be rolled up in good weather for extra views and ventilation. Read More...

The Photon ReX looks like another one of those little button-cell LED lights, but it has a couple of very nice surprises - and it even works well. Testing it presented some difficulties, but these were generally easy to overcome. Read More...

Don Wilson explores the new Patagonia Traverse Softshell clothing, with input from Ryan Jordan. Read More...

With a natural bamboo overlay and a leather grip and strap, these poles have a beautiful and classic look. Underneath the bamboo is a modern tapered carbon fiber trekking pole that is both lightweight and very stiff. Read More...

A new development in the area of microfilters which is both light and field maintainable, but does it work well enough? There are problems when the water is not crystal clear. Read More...

At 25.2 ounces for the Refuge and 15.8 ounces for the "world's lightest two-man" Refuge X, Six Moon Designs now has two of the lightest floored single-wall shelters on the market (and the only floored tent made of Cuben Fiber). Were the design compromises and added expense worth the weight savings? Read More...

With all-new, tapered and oversized carbon fiber shafts, the Gossamer Gear Lightrek 3 is significantly stiffer than previous models. As reigning “lightest trekking pole” champ, how does this affect the pole’s overall weight? Read More...

A seven-ounce mosquito-free haven which, when mated with the Gatewood Cape, becomes the inner half of an eighteen-ounce double walled tent system. Read More...

This full-featured synthetic insulated pant really fits well, and it’s a great value – if you want or need the features. Read More...

Finally - a really lightweight, thick, comfy inflatable sleeping pad. Used properly, it's a cushy alternative to a thin torso length pad. Read More...

Camp chair aficionados rejoice - the ten ounce barrier has been convincingly broken by Big Agnes with their six ounce Cyclone SL chair kit. Read More...

A unique feature of the Convertible it that a third pole can be added to "convert" it from a three-season tent to a "WinterLite" four-season tent. At 3.5 pounds for a complete two-person double-wall tent, the Convertible in three season mode is 2.6 ounces heavier than Big Sky's award-winning Evolution 2P, but new design elements make it more stable and versatile. Read More...

The One optimizes light weight, roominess, features, convenience, and weather/bug protection in a seventeen ounce single wall tent. Read More...

An old favorite gets some important upgrades and stands out as a great value for an ultralight 30 °F sleeping bag. Read More...

Does this highly anticipated technological breakthrough live up to the hype? Read More...

Garmin's latest mapping GPS has a large, high-resolution display, streamlined controls (including the new "Rock 'n Roller" input wheel), and topographic maps for the entire United States at 1:100K scale. In many ways, it represents an advance in handheld GPS for the general consumer...but it appears to have missed the mark for lightweight backpacking. Read More...

High-quality, 800-fill down quilt with Pertex Endurance “Arid Zone” patches at head and foot is a solid value. Read More...

This is a modern version of the traditional hardwood walking staff. Made of carbon fiber, it is much stronger and more robust than even the stiffest of trekking poles. It has an adjustable hand strap, breaks down into sections, and can even be converted into a “trail defense system". Read More...

The Golite Pinnacle is a replacement for the popular Gust pack and is the larger version of the popular Golite Jam2 backpack. It offers many upgrades over the Gust, but how do they affect the pack’s performance? Read More...

I worked with R2 Packs to design and build my dream pack, and report on my experience. Read More...

The Hennessy Hyperlight Backpacker A-Sym hammock is a refined backpacking hammock that incorporates full rain and bug protection, and has a convenient entry/exit system. Read More...

With the addition of a new ‘H’ high sensitivity receiver, the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx GPS sets a new benchmark for GPS performance in difficult reception areas Read More...

A small electronic device for purifying water with a mixed oxidizer based on electrolyzing salt. Read More...

Removable carbon fiber stays make it the lightest and most versatile internal frame backpack in its size class, but curved stays would markedly improve its fit and comfort. Read More...

A very light carbon fibre and aluminium alloy ‘potty trowel’ (which works quite well as such) which also functions very well as an ultra-light ice axe. Read More...

With over 38 square feet of floor area, this single person tent has the highest area to weight ratio in its class (single wall shelter with floor), but it has a few flaws. Read More...

Lightest bug-proof one-person shelter on the market. Read More...

These three section carbon fiber trekking poles are sturdy and stiff and are light in your hands AND on your budget. Read More...

A durable and versatile “convertible backpack” with removable stays that allow it to be used either frameless or as an ultralight internal frame backpack. Read More...

A lightweight internal frame child carrier that compacts for use as a day pack. Read More...

The Jacks ‘R’ Better Down to Earth Pad Converter converts any JRB quilt, including the No Sniveller, into a top bag system. Read More...

A well designed and capable lightweight internal frame backpack from REI with a great feature set, and it’s an excellent value! Read More...

Removable carbon fiber stays make it one of the lightest and most versatile internal frame backpacks on the market. Read More...

Score another winner for SMD – the Lunar Duo is a well-designed, roomy, lightweight, well-ventilated single-wall tent for two people. Read More...

Extremely versatile and lightweight four-season, four-person, single-wall, free-standing, breathable fabric tent. Read More...

A lightweight down hammock under-quilt designed for a Hennessy hammock that still allows for easy bottom entry. It can also be used as a top quilt or as a top bag. Read More...

Ultralight by child carrier standards, the Sherpani Rumba Superlight child carrier offers advanced features and a comfortable ride. Read More...

A cold weather quilt that can be used in a cold weather hammock system, as a quilt for ground sleeping, or as a winter overbag. Read More...

These poles use a mix of aluminum and carbon shafts with unique FlickLock adjustments and are solid performers for four season use. Read More...

Innovative snow travel system consisting of an overboot with cleats that click into a snowshoe deck. The design eliminates the snowshoe binding and allows the use of the overboots separately, which allows wearers to use lightweight trail running shoes inside, but there are a few significant drawbacks we discovered from our field testing. Read More...

Priced at only $189 for a 25 °F rated ultralight down sleeping bag, it’s a very nice bag in all respects, except for one major issue. Read More...

Innovative frameless backpack with seven individual compartments you can reach without taking the pack off. Read More...

The Kestrel provides the technically-minded backpacker much more useful information than a multi-function watch, and is easier to use. Read More...

One of the few canisters stoves truly designed for winter use, the Xtreme features an innovative liquid feed system. Read More...

Lightweight 1600 cubic inch multi-purpose frameless day pack. Score another winner for GoLite! Read More...

Packed with 30 ounces of 800-fill down and other heat-retaining features, this lightweight bag earns its 0 °F rating but its snug fit and curved half zipper are its nemesis. Read More...

This four-season, one-person, single-wall tent is made of a fabric claimed to be more breathable than eVENT. Read More...

The best sleeping pad in its class, but only because it has no competition as a sub-13-ounce, 1.5-inch thick self-inflator. Read More...

Based on the previous Outdoor Designs tent, the Rab Summit Extreme is a rare eVENT tent that provides the ultimate in single wall breathability. It is built to handle the most extreme alpine environments and has few peers in its extreme mountaineering niche. Read More...