Ultralight backpacking tents have become increasingly popular, particularly those made with an ultralight material called Dyneema DCF. Unfortunately, they’ve also become very expensive, putting the lightest weight tents out of reach of most people. But many high-quality ultralight backpacking tents are available …
Read More »Philip Werner
10 Best Bug Shelters for Ultralight Backpacking
There are three different types of ultralight bug shelters suitable for cowboy camping, sleeping in a lean-to, or underneath a flat tarp: bivy sacks, bug bivies, and net tents. They all have their pros and cons, but that’s true of all ultralight …
Read More »Mountainsmith Zerk 40 Backpack Review
The Mountainsmith Zerk 40 is a multi-purpose backpack with vest-style shoulder straps that can be used for backpacking, thru-hiking, or long day hikes. I hesitate to call it a fast-pack because its utility extends far beyond that narrow style of use. Weighing …
Read More »10 Best Backpacking Rain Jackets Under $100
You don’t need to buy an expensive rain jacket for hiking and backpacking because an inexpensive one will work just as well as one costing an arm and a leg. In fact, most backpackers use rain jackets that cost $100 or less …
Read More »Lightweight Backpacking Double Wall Tent Guide
Lightweight double-wall backpacking tents are making a comeback amongst ultralight backpackers with gear weights that rival their single-walled competitors. Double-wall tents have many advantages over single-walled tents, including: Less internal condensation Less drafty because they don’t have to be wind tunnels to …
Read More »REI Co-Op Flash 3 Tent Review
The REI Flash 3 is a freestanding, double-wall 3-person tent that’s lightweight and compact enough for backpacking but spacious enough for car camping. While REI rates it for 3 people, I think it’s on the small size for three full-grown adults unless …
Read More »10 Best Backpacking Chairs of 2023
A lightweight backpacking chair is a luxury item that can make the camping portion of a backpacking trip much more enjoyable and relaxed. If you like to sit around a campfire to socialize at night or read outdoors while sitting upright, bringing …
Read More »My Wife and I Had This Game
My wife and I had this game whenever I’d go hiking or backpacking. I’d take a stuffed animal, one of the 90 or so we owned, pose them on my hikes, and take pictures of them to share with her. My wife …
Read More »10 Best Ventilated (Suspended Mesh) Backpacks of 2023
Ventilated backpacks, also called suspended-mesh backpacks, have a large gap behind the mesh that encourages airflow to help your shirt dry faster if you perspire. They’re much more comfortable than conventional backpacks when you’re hiking in hot and humid weather or when …
Read More »Outdoor Research Ferrosi Convertible Pants Review
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Convertible Hiking Pants are lightweight quick-drying hiking pants with a lot more stretch (14% spandex) than most hiking pants. They’ve quickly become my go-to pants on and off the trail because they are comfortable and look so good. Available …
Read More »REI Flash Air 2 Ultralight Tent Review
The REI Flash Air 2 Tent (substantially revised for 2023) is a two-person, single-wall trekking pole bikepacking/ backpacking tent that weighs 2 lbs 4.5 oz on our digital scale. It was two doors and two vestibules and comes with 2 black collapsible …
Read More »10 Best Men’s Hiking Pants of 2023
Men’s hiking pants are an important piece of hiking gear but many people take for granted. They have to be highly breathable, durable, quick-drying, and easy to vent when you get too hot, but warm when the temperature drops. Fit, freedom of …
Read More »Best Dimensions for a 1 Person Backpacking Tarp
If you crave a deep connection with the wilderness, there’s nothing more intimate than sleeping under a square or rectangular tarp. Pitching a tarp takes more thought than setting up a tent because you need to consider what the best setup or “shape” will …
Read More »NEMO Kayu 15 Sleeping Bag Review
The NEMO Kayu 15 is a down-insulated mummy sleeping bag designed for three-season backpacking and camping. Weighing 2 lbs 3 oz, the Kayu is not the lightest weight sleeping bag in its class, but it has several features that differentiate it from …
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