The Sitka Fanatic Hoody is a versatile hooded grid fleece mid-layer that’s great for on-trail hiking and off. It has an integrated face mask which is good for wind and sun protection, mittens sewn onto the end of its sleeves, a kangaroo pocket, and a drop tail that works well …
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Western Mountaineering Meltdown Jacket Review
The Western Mountaineering Meltdown Jacket is a 17 oz jacket for shoulder season and winter adventures. While it isn’t long enough to fall into the parka category, it has enough loft to keep your core warm even in very frigid conditions. As well, it is too lofty to layer under …
Read More »Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 Backpack Review
The Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 is a lightweight ultralight-style backpack that weighs 30.5 oz. It’s ideal for weekend backpacking and long-distance trips, particularly if you prefer a backpack that has lots of pockets and a frame, like a more conventional backpack, but weighing half as much. The Mariposa is also …
Read More »Big Agnes Mystic UL 15 Sleeping Bag Review
The Big Agnes Mystic UL 15 is a lightweight 850 fill power mummy-shaped down sleeping bag that can be used for camping and backpacking. Weighing 32 oz, it is a cross between a backless quilt and a hooded mummy sleeping bag because it relies on your sleeping pad to provide …
Read More »Vargo BOT 700 Review
The Vargo BOT 700 is a lightweight, wide-mouth titanium bottle that can be used for cooking or cold-soaking meals on backpacking and camping trips. The BOT 700 lets me cook some of my meals and cold soak others, without the need to carry a separate cook system or plastic cold-soaking …
Read More »Outdoor Vitals ShadowLight 60 Ultralight Backpack Review
The Outdoor Vitals ShadowLight 60 is a 31.5 oz ultralight-style backpack pack designed for multi-day backpacking and thru-hiking. It’s a rolltop backpack made with Robic nylon ripstop (details below) with an unusual external pocket system and a front zipper so you can access gear in the pack without unrolling the …
Read More »Kuhl Renegade Cargo Convertible Hiking Pants Review
KUHL Renegade Cargo Convertible Pants are great for hiking, backpacking, and outdoor recreation because you can unzip and remove the lower legs if you start to overheat. They’re made with a super comfortable softshell-like fabric called Duralux which combination of nylon and spandex. They have six pockets, boot zips, a …
Read More »Deuter Guide Lite 24 Backpack Review
The Deuter Guide Lite 24 is an ultralight, streamlined backpack designed for alpine hiking and climbing. Weighing just 1 lb and 7 oz (650 grams), it’s a real departure for Deuter in terms of looks, features, and materials. The pack has a great mix of technical features with plenty of …
Read More »Flat Cat Gear Ocelot Canister Stove Windscreen Review
Boiling time vs fuel efficiency, which is more important to a backpacker? If you’re a long-distance backpacker hiking a remote route without access to easy resupplies, you probably care more about making your stove fuel last as long as possible, and not whether you can shave another 30 or seconds …
Read More »Osprey Soelden 32 Backpack Review
The Osprey Soelden 32 is a 2.5-lb pack designed for backcountry skiing and snowboarding. The Soelden, and its counterpart the women’s Osprey Sopris (20 or 30), feature options for carrying skis and boards, with reinforced areas to protect the packs from metal edges. A large front panel with a J-shaped …
Read More »Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Backpack Review
The Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Ultralight Backpack is a multi-day backpack that’s optimized for lightweight backpacking and thru-hiking. It’s a great backpack for people who want to transition from carrying a much heavier back to a lighter weight one, without having to replace all of their existing backpacking gear with …
Read More »Gossamer Gear Liteflex Hiking Chrome Umbrella Review
The Gossamer Gear Liteflex Hiking Chrome Umbrella is an 8 oz full-size trekking umbrella that provides sun and rain protection on the trail. It became a game-changer for me on my Pacific Crest Trail hike and it still reigns as one of my favorite pieces of hiking and backpacking gear. …
Read More »Sea-to-Summit Spark UL Sleeping Bag Review (5 Degrees F)
The Sea-to-Summit Spark IV is a 5-degree (F) down ultralight sleeping bag that can be used for cold weather and winter and backpacking. It is insulated with 850 fill power goose down and comes with cold-weather features including a full-length snag-free zipper, a down-filled draft tube, and a draft collar. …
Read More »Fjallraven Bergtagen 38 Backpack Review
The Fjallraven Bergtagen 38 is a waterproof mountaineering backpack that’s designed for winter hiking and climbing with modular components that added or removed depending on your needs. It has wooden frame stays, a lid, and hip belt that can all be removed for long approach hikes, ski tours, or summit …
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