Trends » Commentary

The SUL Mindset may be more than gear weights, and performance standards. Read More...

A short film about the challenges we face when trying to expose young men to backcountry experiences. Read More...

An eclectic assortment of the staff's favorite gear for 2012. Read More...

Ten years ago, packrafters had few options. Today, the choices are many, and the future looks very promising. Read More...

“Most of the luxuries and many of the so-called comforts of life are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.” -Henry David Thoreau Read More...

Making decisions based on incorrect information negates stellar gear and knowledge, leading to trouble. It can happen far more easily than many of us would care to admit. Read More...

Backpacking Light staff pick their favorite gear/cool dealio/thingy-dingy of 2011. Read More...

Commentary on the (lack of) gear you can love from the cottage industry. Read More...

Backpacking Light staff pick their favorite gear/cool dealio/place of 2010. Read More...

I love gear, but I hate paying for it. Could I get a lightweight shelter, pack, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad for under $100? And if I could... how long would it last me? Read More...

How do the classic fastpacking offerings by Ultimate Direction compare to a pack of today? Read More...

The main reason my pack got lighter was because I realized that being prepared had little to do with the equipment I carried. Read More...

Backpacking Light staff pick their favorite gear of 2009. Read More...

While GPS units are getting bigger and heavier, at least they are also becoming more functional. The Garmin Oregon 550t integrates 100k topo maps, a hi-res display, and a 3.2MP digital camera. Read More...

Coghlan's celebrates 50 years of service to the Outdoor Industry. Read More...

Backpacking Light staff pick their favorite gear of 2008. Read More...

The new BPL Wiki hosted by Backpacking Light! Read More...

Publisher Ryan Jordan recalls moments worth celebrating. Read More...

Essentials commentary from BackpackingLight reader, Allison Miller. Read More...

Essentials commentary from BackpackingLight reader, Mark Henley. Read More...

Essentials commentary from BackpackingLight reader, Jim Bailey. Read More...

Traveling light, simple... and slow Read More...

Backpacking Light staff pick their favorite gear of 2007 Read More...

Trends Editor Craig Mortensen discusses the joys of simplification and describes his transition to an ultralight load. Read More...

New manufacturer of tents with potential for lightweight backpacking, if they make the tents available with lighter fabrics. Read More...

Several lightweight, well-designed, multi-purpose products to aid the lightweight backpacker, while reducing our environmental impacts. Read More...

A day in the life of BPL editors in Salt Lake City. Read More...

The Backpackinglight teams spends a day at Backcountry Base Camp prior to the start of the show. Read More...

An eclectic assortment of favorite gear for 2006. Read More...

A letter to the readers of Backpacking Light Magazine. Read More...

Staff Favorites - Our gear picks from the 2005 hiking and backpacking season. Read More...

Backpacking Light Magazine Partners with GoLite, NOLS, to Bring Lightweight Backpacking Courses to NOLS Curriculum Read More...

Pre-mixed, one-step chlorine dioxide water treatment / disinfection solution. No mixing and easy to use. Say goodbye to iodine. Read More...

My guess is that if you feel the need to add a GPS unit for "safety" or "efficiency", then you've got more serious gaps in your skill set that need to be addressed. Read More...

Do bear canisters reflect poor management policy and only serve to increase bear tolerance of humans? Read More...

Forest Service award recognizes Will Rietveld and spouse Janet Reichl for Leave No Trace education and research. Read More...

Results of a BackpackingLight.com reader contest, featuring the Top 10 Reasons to Carry a Spork List, and "Ode to a Spork" cowboy poetry by Paul Johnson. Read More...

Backpacking Light Publisher Ryan Jordan outlines the benefits of small packs: load stability, bushwhacking ease, and to elicit those "Hey, you day hikin'?" comments from others. Read More...

Commentary on the multiple benefits of lightweight backpacking. Read More...

Report from the Annual Day Zero PCT Kickoff 2005. Read More...

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Op-Ed: what is the utility of a garment that offers the disadvantages of both hard and soft shells? Read More...

BackpackingLight.com Staff Member dies in avalanche in Montana's Centennial Mountains. Read More...

Staff Favorites - Our gear picks from the 2004 hiking and backpacking season. Read More...

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What can you accomplish in a three-day weekend with lightweight gear? Read More...

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A brief primer on lightweight backpacking. Read More...

A brief primer on the nature of ultralight backpacking and how to pursue it! Read More...

Is a PLB consistent with a responsible lightweight backpacking philosophy? Read More...

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Sleeping by Faith: Bag Temperature Ratings Read More...

The Great Waterproof-Breathable Debate Read More...

The Laughing Curmudgeon's Guide to Going Light Read More...

How Light is Too Light? Read More...

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