Gear » State of the Market Reports

Tunnel Tents Tutorial and State of the Market Report - Mini Reviews Read More...

Part 3 in our series on satellite communications focuses on the currently available two-way texting devices suitable for lightweight backpacking. Read More...

Part 2 in our 3 part series on satellite communications focuses on the currently available sat phones suitable for lightweight backpacking. Read More...

Part 1 in our 3 part series on two-way satellite communications for lightweight backpacking. Read More...

The evolution of the frameless backpack and an analysis of current technology and features of four lightweight packs: the Golite Jam, Mountain Hardwear Thruway, Black Diamond Demon, and the authors MYOG Black and White pack. Read More...

Fat bike, skis, or snowshoes? A discussion of the most efficient tools for oversnow travel. Read More...

Weatherproof, lightweight, breathable. Might the windshirt be the ultimate tool in the lightweight backpacker's arsenal? Read More...

A look at five lightweight shelters with extra space for your partner, gear, or four-legged companion. Read More...

Weatherproof, lightweight, breathable. Might the windshirt be the ultimate tool in the lighwieght backpacker's arsenal? Read More...

A critical look at seven lightweight rain pants to keep you dry this spring. Read More...

In Part 2 of our exploration of Lightweight Bikepacking, Dave reviews some notable packs and examines their utility for bikepacking. Read More...

Tunnel Tents Tutorial and State of the Market Report - Mini Reviews Read More...

Tunnel Tents Tutorial and State of the Market Report - Mini Reviews Read More...

Tunnel Tents Tutorial and State of the Market Report - Mini Reviews Read More...

Tunnel Tents Tutorial and State of the Market Report - Mini Reviews Read More...

Tunnel Tents Tutorial and State of the Market Report - Mini Reviews Read More...

Tunnel Tents Tutorial and State of the Market Report - Mini Reviews Read More...

Tunnel Tents Tutorial and State of the Market Report - Mini Reviews Read More...

Part 3 of this tutorial gives the details on the seven tunnel tents included in this report. Read More...

Part 2 of this tutorial examines the specifics of tunnel tent design and functionality and lists the commercially available tents. Read More...

How tunnel tents work, why they can handle extreme weather, and how to pitch them under extreme conditions. Read More...

Part 2: Details on the ten jackets in the report. Read More...

Part 1: Why should you buy a WPB rain jacket? And why would you buy one that weighs more than 8 ounces (227 g)? Read More...

Investigating the lightest-weight options on the market and assessing ease-of-use, reliability, fuel efficiency, and time to boil. Read More...

Further discussion on the four individual categories, a review of the products tested within the context of each category, and a brief conclusion of ways in which various alternative rainwear products can be combined, both with each other and with WPB garments, to suit various hiking environments and conditions. Read More...

An unruly, heterogenous group, Dave divided it into four categories: simple poncho-tarp, complex poncho-tarp, alternative upper-body wear, and alternative legwear. Read More...

This part assembles the information from our testing and evaluations of integrated canister fuel stoves and provides a review of each stove. Read More...

Capable of handling all four seasons as either a single-wall floorless shelter or a fully bug-proof double-wall tent, the Nallo 4 GT can easily be tailored to meet a wide variety of environmental conditions. Is it the right tent for your family backpacking outings? Read More...

Tired of solo trips? Ditch the tiny tarp for one of these multi-person shelters and share the weight with your friends and family. You may even save a few ounces! Read More...

Integrated canister fuel cooking systems have advanced substantially in every way – they’re lighter, faster, more efficient, and have more cooking capacity and versatility. In this part we highlight this evolution, explore how these stoves can be very weight-efficient, and identify the top performing stoves for different situations and needs. Read More...

The Jetboil Personal Cooking System was a major innovation back in 2004. We reviewed it in-depth and reported on its strengths and drawbacks. It’s wonderfully fuel-efficient and wind-resistant, but heavy, a bit slow, and low in cooking capacity. Fast forward to 2011; now we have eight backpackable integrated canister fuel stoves. They are fast, fuel-efficient, wind-resistant, some are cold-resistant, they have a much higher cooking capacity, and some are truly lightweight and can be pared down to as little as 7.5 ounces (213 g). Got your attention? Read More...

Mini-Reviews of the GoLite Timber Lite, Surge Lite, and Carbo Lite Shoes Read More...

Mini-Review of the Salomon 3D Fastpacker Mid GTX and Salomon XA Pro 3D GTX Ultra Shoes Read More...

Mini-Review of the Treksta Evolution Mid GTX Read More...

Do they have any advantages over simple trail runners? And who makes lightweight W-I-D-E shoes for hikers with duck feet? Read More...

Mini-reviews of the Montrail Sabino Trail Mid GTX, Mountain Masochist Mid GTX and AT Plus Shoes Read More...

Why use an airmat instead of a slab of foam? Two reasons: an airmat is thicker and more comfortable, and an airmat has a higher insulation rating or R-value, to protect you from the cold underneath. But you don't want excess weight, so this survey is restricted to airmats weighing less than 400 g (14 oz) for summer use and 800 g (28 oz) for winter use. In Part 1 we looked at the sort of properties we might want in an airmat; in this Part 2 we look at actual airmats. Read More...

Mini-review for the Lightweight Inflatable Sleeping Mats State of the Market Report 2011 Read More...

Mini-review for the 2011 Lightweight Inflatable Sleeping Pads State of the Market Report Read More...

Mini-review for the Lightweight Inflatable Sleeping Mats State of the Market Report 2011 Read More...

Mini-review for the Lightweight Inflatable Sleeping Mats State of the Market Report 2011 Read More...

Mini-review for the 2011 Lightweight Inflatable Sleeping Pads State of the Market Report Read More...

Mini-review for the 2011 Lightweight Inflatable Sleeping Pads State of the Market Report Read More...

Mini-review for the 2011 Lightweight Inflatable Sleeping Pads State of the Market Report Read More...

Mini-review for the Lightweight Inflatable Sleeping Mats State of the Market Report 2011 Read More...

Mini-review for the 2011 Lightweight Inflatable Sleeping Pads State of the Market Report Read More...

Mini-review for the 2011 Lightweight Inflatable Sleeping Pads State of the Market Report Read More...

Mini-review for the 2011 Lightweight Inflatable Sleeping Pads State of the Market Report Read More...

Mini-review for the Lightweight Inflatable Sleeping Mats State of the Market Report 2011 Read More...

Why use an airmat instead of a closed-cell foam pad? Lightweight airmats that rival a closed-cell foam pad in weight now exist, so you don't need to carry extra weight to get good comfort anymore. This survey is restricted to airmats weighing less than 400 g (14 oz) for summer use and 800 g (28 oz) for winter use. Read More...