Gear Reviews

The Sea-to-Summit Spark Pro Down 30 Sleeping Bag is a top-of-the-line ultralight 950 fill-power down mummy sleeping bag with premium features, including a draft collar, zippered footbox, and dual side zippers. The shell and liner are made with lightweight 10D nylon fabric …

The Gossamer Gear G4-20 Backpack is a 42-liter frameless roll-top backpack that weighs 25 oz. Being frameless it’s best for carrying loads under 20 to 25 pounds and makes a nice ultralight backpack for multi-day trips and extended day hikes. In many …

While the Outdoor Vitals Skyline 30 Backpack is primarily designed for fastpacking, it makes an awesome daypack for hikers who prefer walking over running. Its vest-style shoulder harness distributes the load across your chest and back for a more comfortable carry. Numerous …

The Feathered Friends Petrel 10  UL is the nicest sleeping bag I own. This is a women’s sleeping bag packed with 950+ fill goose down, made in the USA by Feathered Friends in Seattle, Washington. It weighs 32.3 ounces and is rated …

The REI Rainier Rain Jacket is an inexpensive but well-featured waterproof/breathable rain jacket that can be used year-round for hiking and backpacking. Priced at $99.95 dollars, but often discounted, the Rainier is virtually identical to the Marmot Precip Eco Rain Jacket and …

The Black Diamond Beta Lite 45 is an ultralight rolltop backpack with vest-style shoulder straps inspired by running packs. Weighing 31.2 oz, it’s made with an ultralight fabric called Ultra 200 and Ultra 400 and seam-taped internally, making it effectively waterproof. It’s …

Water purification with the Steripen Adventurer Opti ultraviolet light is an easy way to kill the bacteria, viruses, and cryptosporidium found in natural water sources when day hiking, camping, or backpacking. It’s easy to use, very reliable, and works in all temperatures, …

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Contour 35 is a waterproof frameless backpack designed for thru-hiking by more experienced backpackers carrying minimal gear. With 43.5L of total volume (35L internal and 6.5L external), it’s been stripped down to a minimal feature set to reduce …

The Sea to Summit Telos TR2 Plus is a two-person freestanding backpacking tent with numerous pitching options. The “Plus” version differs from the Standard Telos TR2 version by using a solid inner tent instead of a mesh one to block the wind …

Outdoor Research ActiveIce Sun Spectrum Gloves are lightweight fingerless gloves that protect your hands from the sun’s harmful rays. They’re great for hiking, backpacking, paddling, running, or fishing because they eliminate the need to carry suntan lotion while protecting your hands from …

The Olicamp XTS Anodized Aluminum pot has built-in heat exchange fins that reduce the amount of fuel required to boil a pot of water by about 40%. The pot, which has a 1 liter capacity, is large enough that you can fit …

The REI 650 Down Vest is a great layering piece for fall and spring hiking with a price tag ($99.95) that won’t break the bank. Worn by itself or under a shell, this packable vest is great for hanging out in the …

The REI Trailmade 60 is a high quality affordable and lightweight multi-day backpack that’s great for beginner backpacking or backpackers on a budget. Priced at just $149, it is a best buy with an adjustable length torso so you get a perfect …

The QiWiz Big Dig Ultralight Titanium Trowel is an ultralight 0.5 ounce (15 grams) titanium cat hole trowel for digging holes in hard, rocky, and root-filled soil. It’s much sturdier than inexpensive plastic trowels and much lighter weight, too. Whenever I teach people …