La Sportiva TX Hike Mid GTX boots are lightweight waterproof/breathable hiking mids with mesh uppers, a soft and sticky sole like a trail runner, Vibram lugs like a hiking boot, and a lacing system like a mountaineering boot. While I normally shun …
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REI Lightweight Base Layer Bottoms Review
REI’s Lightweight Base Layer Bottoms are long johns that have many uses on a backpacking trip. They can be used as sleeping clothes to keep your quilt/sleeping bag free of salt, body oils, and bug dope; as a base layer under rain …
Read More »10 Best Backpacking Water Filters of 2022
What are the best water filter and water purification treatment systems used by backpackers? That really depends on your preferences, the quality of the water you need to filter or purify, and the number of people you need to treat water for. …
Read More »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 new woven fabric made from Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers that is ultralight, waterproof, and more durable than Dyneema DCF. Weighing 19.6 …
Read More »Garmin inReach Mini 2 vs inReach Explorer+
The Garmin inReach Mini 2 and the inReach Explorer+ are two-way satellite communicators that can send and received status messages to loved ones or alert emergency services if you need assistance. The inReach Mini 2 received a major upgrade this year (2022) …
Read More »Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter (4L) Review
The Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter is a complete and well-integrated water filter that includes all of the components required to set up a gravity-based water filter system. Gravity water filters are good for filtering several liters backcountry water at once for consumption …
Read More »La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II Trail Runner Review
The La Sportiva Ultra Raptor II is a trail runner with mesh uppers and a sticky rubber sole that is great for hiking and backpacking in mountainous terrain. La Sportiva is a climbing shoe company after all, so it figures that they’d …
Read More »NEMO Sonic 0 Sleeping Bag Review
The NEMO Sonic 0 is a down-insulated sleeping bag that can be comfortably used from zero degrees Fahrenheit up to 40 degrees. (This is the 2022 version which has been significantly updated from previous models.) While the Sonic 0 can be used …
Read More »Rab Downpour ECO Rain Jacket Review
The Rab Downpour Eco Rain Jacket is an affordable waterproof/breathable rain jacket with many features that will appeal to environmentally conscious hikers. It has an excellent human-sized (non-helmet compatible) hood, pit zips, hipbelt compatible pockets, and velcro wrist cuffs. The entire jacket …
Read More »Gregory Facet 55 Backpack Review
The Gregory Facet 55 Backpack is a lightweight ventilated women’s backpack weighing 2 lbs 8.8 oz / 1.16 kg that is designed for backpacking and thru-hiking. It’s an internal frame backpack with a wire perimeter frame, a floating top lid, load lifters, …
Read More »NEMO Tensor Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad Review
The NEMO Tensor Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad is an inflatable air mattress with an R-value of 4.2. It is available in a wide range of sizes and shapes including mummy and rectangular shapes and long and regular lengths. While it is a …
Read More »Hammock Gear Dyneema Fiber Hex Tarp Review
The Hammock Gear Dyneema Fiber Hex Tarp is a six-sided catenary cut tarp made with Dyneema DCF that weighs between 4.75 oz and 6.57 oz, depending on its length (10′, 11′, 12′) and whether you want a green or camouflage-colored tarp. It’s …
Read More »Leki Black Series FX Carbon Trekking Poles Review
Leki Black Series FX Carbon Trekking Poles are adjustable, carbon fiber, lightweight Z-style trekking poles that fold away into 3 sections for travel or for easy storage in your backpack when they are not needed. The cork gripped handles have a slight …
Read More »Zpacks Plex Solo Tent Review
The Zpacks Plex Solo is an ultralight one-person, single-wall tent made with Dyneema DCF that weighs just 13.9 oz. Retailing for $599, it has a hybrid pyramid shape and comes with a built-in bathtub floor, insect netting, and a front vestibule. A …
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