The Zpacks Vertice Rain Jacket is an ultralight 3-layer waterproof/breathable rain jacket with a two-way adjustable hood, adjustable wrist cuffs, pit zips, waterproof zippers, and a large chest pocket. It’s cut longer in the torso and arms than most lightweight rain jackets, …
Read More »Philip Werner
Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L Backpack Review
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 …
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 »Aquamira Water Treatment Drops Review
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 …
Read More »LightHeart Gear Rain Jacket ’23 Review
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 …
Read More »When Lightning Strikes Your Trekking Umbrella…
Can a trekking umbrella protect you against lightning? No. Lightning is attracted to the highest thing around. So if you’re in an open field and you open an umbrella above your head, there is a higher risk that lighting will hit you. …
Read More »10 Best Winter Sleeping Bags of 2024
The most important attributes of a sleeping bag for winter camping and backpacking are warm insulation, compressibility, low weight, and ample interior space to store gear and water so it doesn’t freeze overnight. Cost is also a factor, although a good winter …
Read More »What is the Difference between Tent Trail Weight and Packaged Weight?
Trail weight is the weight of a tent with just the fly, the inner tent, pre-attached guylines, and the tent poles minus the tent stakes, stuff sacks, extra guylines, and repair kit if one is included with your tent. Packaged weight is …
Read More »La Sportiva Bushido II Trail Runner Review
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, …
Read More »Therm-a-Rest Parsec 0 Sleeping Bag Review
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 …
Read More »Winter Backpacking on a Budget: Gear Up without Breaking the Bank
Winter backpacking and mountaineering are great sports. But the cost of winter gear is very expensive, upward of $2000 or more. In my experience, it’s best to acquire winter backpacking gear over a period of 2-3 years, so you can spread out …
Read More »Ultralight Backpacking Tent Footprints
Most tent footprints are unnecessarily heavy. But there are some easy ways to reduce the weight of your footprint using ultralight footprint alternatives. Backpackers and campers use tent footprints to protect the bottom of their tents from sharp rocks and sand that can …
Read More »Winter Bivy Sack Guide for 2024
Winter bivy sacks were first developed as solo shelters for mountaineering and climbing where participants were interested in lightweight and highly compressible camping gear. Bivy Sacks are also an attractive option for backpacking hunters, backcountry skiers, and winter backpackers who want the …
Read More »Leukotape Blister Prevention Tape for Running and Hiking
Leukotape P Sports Tape is a sticky blister prevention tape with a strong zinc oxide adhesive that won’t come off, even in very wet conditions. It’s also highly breathable, so it can be safely worn by runners and backpackers for several days …
Read More »