Clothing - Insulating

News from the cottage industry is conspicuously absent from Outdoor Retailer, where even modest booths can be more costly than a serious gear-buying habit. So, here are a few new and noteworthy pieces of gear from smaller manufacturers that were either released late in 2011 or are coming in 2012. Keep these items on your radar as you prepare for the coming season! Read More...

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

Manufacturers make lofty claims for the enhanced breathability of the new fabrics. I tested ten jackets under challenging and forgiving backpacking-type conditions, while recording temperature and humidity inside and outside the jackets, and reported my findings. Perhaps I didn’t experience “air and water vapor permeability so shocking you’ll swear it's magic,” but I did identify some standouts and some promising trends of interest to backpackers. Read More...

An easy introduction to working with down, this vest has no frills, bells, or whistles: just warm insulation where you need it most! Read More...

Patagonia introduces the lightest down jacket to be found. We now have four good contenders for an ultralight down jacket shootout; which one will come out on top? Read More...

Featuring 900 fill-power down, baffled construction, high loft, and a nearly waterproof shell, the Yukon Pullover is a well-balanced four-season down parka. Is this the ultimate ultralight down garment for cold weather pursuits? Read More...

Very warm, quality gear from a cottage manufacturer dedicated to innovative lightweight sleeping solutions. Read More...

From practical (bras) to indulgent (a back-country electronics charger) to "they can do new things with zippers?", the ispo show floor has it all. Read More...

Another round-up of innovations and interest, treats and treasures! Read More...

In Backpacking Light's first ever coverage of this massive trade show, we're highlighting the innovations not generally available stateside. Read More...

Enduring sleep deprivation and a cold, we roamed the show on the final day and found some very interesting gear – new trail crampons, very lightweight rain mitts, more collapsible trekking poles, a 9-ounce snow shovel, cool apparel and footwear, and more... Read More...

This is not our backpacking gear list (honest!); today we again report on a wide variety of new gear – a new bear canister, more collapsible trekking poles, an insulating skirt for your derriere, lightweight high output lights, an ultralight down jacket from an unlikely source, more footwear, etc, etc... Read More...

Lots of footwear today, for the trail and snow, plus an assortment of jackets, a to-die-for backcountry ski system from La Sportiva, Big Agnes introduces new lightweight trekking poles, a new Klymit skeletal sleeping pad, a 12 ounce sleeping bag from Terra Nova, a 2.3-ounce Quantum GL windshirt from Montane, and more, and more... Read More...

Come see the softer side of making your own cozy fleece items! Read More...

This popular jacket has been around and evolved over the years. We love the sizing and fit, but how does it stack up for backpacking? Read More...

The Chilko is cutting-edge, as you would expect from Westcomb, and “heats up” the competition in the already “hot” ultralight multi-purpose down jacket category. Read More...

A lightweight three-plus season down insulated jacket that excels in blustery conditions. Read More...

Attractive fully-featured multi-purpose insulated down garments, but are they warm enough for our backpacking needs? Read More...

This is one of the more impressive jackets in our ultralight down jacket roundup, but it has a few shortcomings and uncertainties. Read More...

Multi-purpose three-season down jackets balance light weight, warmth, and features. These jackets are designed to please as many people as possible, in as many activities as possible, while keeping the overall weight light enough to impress the average consumer. Our evaluation includes comparative specifications, calculated parameters, warmth testing, ratings, and identifying the standouts for different situations, needs, and preferences. Read More...

Seriously lightweight down jackets – those most suitable for ultralight backpacking and other lightweight pursuits. Our evaluation includes comparative specifications, calculated parameters, warmth testing, ratings, and identifying the standouts for different situations, needs, and preferences. Read More...

A state-of-the-art overview of ultralight down jackets – we analyze the components and discuss “baffling” issues like shell fabrics, down quality, fill weight, packing density, loft, and warmth. Read More...

Coming out in fall 2010, the Gnar is a good balance of sizing and fit, features, and overall light weight, but it could be a little warmer. Read More...

Q: What’s a Halo Top? A: an ultralight down-insulated minimalist anorak that weighs just 7.9 oz (225 g), and it’s sized well for taller people. Read More...

The Alpini is a lightweight furnace and lands on our recommended list, but how about a version for non-climbers? 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...

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...

Klymit launches their first products based on their noble gas inflation technology. Read More...

After five glorious days of all the sweet new stuff retailers can offer, we're home and recovering from the high. Our last blog blizzard of some standouts. Read More...

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

Lightweight, extremely versatile hooded down jacket that can be worn as an outer layer or midlayer. Read More...

The only true limitation with the Gatherer is your imagination. Read More...

Ex means Extra Light baby! 7-denier shell, 900-fill down, 5.4 ounces - this jacket is a highlight of the show. Read More...

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

A performance sweater made from all natural fabrics Read More...

Loft recovery and water weight gain measurements of select down and synthetic tops after a thorough soaking. Read More...