Archive | Backpacks RSS feed for this section

Deuter Guide 45+ Backpack Review

The Deuter Guide 45+ alpine-style backpack is an extremely flexible and rugged backpack for a wide variety of winter adventures. Although mid-size in capacity (2750 cubic inches / 45 + 10 liters), this pack really shines for multi-sport activities like mountaineering, backcountry skiing or climbing when you have to attach a ton of gear of [...]

Read full story · Comments { 7 }
Mountainsmith Haze 50 Backpack

Mountainsmith Haze 50 Backpack Review

You could say that Mountainsmith ‘has seen the light’ with the introduction of the Haze 50, a minimalist top loading backpack which weighs just under 2 pounds. With just over 3000 cubic inches / 50 L of storage capacity, the Haze 50 is ideally sized for overnight and multi-day backpacking trips with loads up to 25-30 [...]

Read full story · Comments { 13 }
Line your Backpack with a Trash Compactor Bag

How to Keep Your Backpacking Gear Dry with Trash Compactor Bags

The first thing I do when I pack my backpack is to line the inside with a thick trash compactor garbage bag, like the kind you can buy in a supermarket. These plastic bags are very tough, last a long time, and are an excellent defense against rain and wet ground. I’ve been using this [...]

Read full story · Comments { 26 }
The Kelty Spectra Cloud

Kelty’s Ultralight Backpack: An Introduction to The Cloud

Kelty is not a name that you normally associate with ultralight backpacks. But between 1994 and 2004, Kelty manufactured several versions of a distinctive, all-white backpack called the Cloud which rocked the outdoor industry and helped establish many of the design concepts that are still in use by gear manufacturers that specialize in making lightweight [...]

Read full story · Comments { 13 }
How to Fit a Backpack

How to Fit a Backpack

If you routinely experience back pain, shoulder pain, or hip pain when you carry a backpack, there’s a good chance that your backpack doesn’t fit you or that you’re not wearing it properly. This is surprisingly common among backpackers, and one of the main reasons why people don’t go hiking more often. The Biggest Mistakes [...]

Read full story · Comments { 14 }
Hyperlight Mountain Gear 4400 Porter Backpack (Expedition) with optional hip belt pockets and front pocket

Hyperlite Mountain Gear 4400 Porter Expedition Backpack – Review

Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s 4400 Porter Backpack (formerly called the Expedition and the Porter Expedition) is one of the highest capacity packs available today from an ultralight backpack manufacturer. Reminiscent of the famous white Kelty Spectra Cloud backpack, the 31 ounce/72 liter cuben fiber 4400 Porter is targeted at packrafters, hikers, and mountaineers who need additional pack volume for [...]

Read full story · Comments { 21 }
Gossamer Gear Mariposa Plus on Mount Washington, White Mountains

Gossamer Gear Mariposa Plus Backpack Review

Ultralight Backpack maker Gossamer Gear overhauled their entire backpack product line this year, including an update of the Mariposa Plus, long considered one of the finest high volume (70 liters) ultralight backpacks made. I bought an earlier version of the Mariposa in 2008 and used it for section hiking Vermont’s 272 mile Long Trail, so [...]

Read full story · Comments { 23 }
Side compression straps are good to attach snowshoes to a winter backpack

The Best Winter Hiking Backpacks

I get a lot of questions from readers and friends about what backpacks they should buy for winter hiking and backpacking and as usual, it all depends on the type of winter hiking you plan on doing and the conditions you expect to encounter. While you can use a regular 3-season backpack for winter hiking, [...]

Read full story · Comments { 10 }