Gear Reviews

The Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L Backpack is an ultralight, ventilated, and adjustable-length backpack made with Ultra, a woven fabric made from Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers that is ultralight, waterproof, and more durable than Dyneema DCF. Weighing 21.7 oz …

Aquamira Water Treatment is a liquid chlorine dioxide solution that many backpackers use to purify and disinfect backcountry water sources like streams, ponds, lakes, and rivers. If you’re unfamiliar with chlorine dioxide, it’s a well-established disinfectant that works by releasing a highly …

The LightHeart Gear Rain Jacket (MSRP $150) is a lightweight siliconized polyester (silpoly) waterproof rain jacket made the old-fashioned way, without any so-called waterproof/breathable fabric. Coated on the outside with silicone and on the inside with polyurethane (PU), this maintenance-free rain jacket …

The La Sportiva Bushido II is a lightly cushioned mesh trail runner that provides excellent traction and stability. It is designed for hiking and trail running in rugged terrain with numerous design elements designed to protect your feet including excellent toe protection, …

The Therm-a-Rest Parsec 0 is a VERY lightweight cold-weather sleeping bag suitable for year-round use. It’s a very warm bag with premium box baffling and 60% of the insulation positioned over the chest and 40% on the bottom in order to provide …

The NEMO Hornet OSMO 2 is an ultralight double-wall semi-freestanding tent that is highly packable for bikepacking and backpacking, more so than a tent made with Dyneema DCF because it’s made with conventional fabrics that stuff more compactly. Weighing 34 oz, it …

Wiggy’s is a cottage manufacturer that makes a variety of products ranging from cold weather sleeping bags to insulated outwear for the wilderness hunting/military market. Their claim to fame is insulation they call Lamilite, which is a popular synthetic insulation called Climashield …

The Big Agnes C-Bar Two Person Tent is a surprisingly affordable backpacking tent with a trail weight of 3 lbs 9 oz. Fully featured, this double-wall tent is easy to set up and made with heavier and more durable materials than Big …

The NEMO Switchback is an accordion-style closed-cell foam sleeping pad that can be used as an ultralight pad by itself or to augment the warmth of a second sleeping pad when sleeping outdoors in colder weather. It’s quite similar to the Therm-a-Rest …

The Patagonia R1 Air Full Zip Hoodie is a surprisingly warm and breathable mid-layer fleece jacket that’s perfect for cold-weather hiking and backpacking. It has two zippered handwarmer pockets and a chest pocket, a snug-fitting under-the-helmet hood, and stretch wrist cuffs that …

The Enlightened Equipment Convert is a hoodless, quilt-style sleeping bag with a full-length zipper and drawstring footbox that allows it to be completely closed like a hoodless sleeping bag, completely open like a down comforter, or partially zipped up like a backpacking …

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Mid-1 Tent is an ultralight single-wall Dyneema DCF tent that weighs 16.8 oz. It has a pyramid shape with steep walls and a very long bathtub floor that makes it ideal for tall backpackers or those desiring more …

The Mystery Ranch Blitz 30 is a great day pack for hiking, work, travel, school, and commuting. It is bomber tough like a lot of Mystery Ranch Packs and has a multitude of functional pockets and PALS (Pouch Attachment Ladder System) attachment …

Danner Trail 2650 GTX Hiking Shoes are a good alternative to mesh trail runners when you want footwear that’s more durable or provides more moisture protection. They run narrow but they’re also available in wide sizes. This same model is also available …