Vintage Backpacking Gear

The NEMO Tetrapod Hammock is a full-featured, gathered-end backpacking hammock with a diagonal lay that weighs 33.5 ounces, not including stakes (on the SectionHiker scale) and comes complete with integrated mosquito netting, a tarp, and webbing straps. Originally designed for Special Operations …

UK hiking and outdoor gear specialist, Montane, is the latest company to join the DCF backpack category with a streamlined roll-top pack called the Montane Hyper Tour 38. Equally, at home in the mountains and on the water, I’ve become rather fond of …

The Zerogram Zero 1 is a single-walled A-frame style backpacking shelter with a front gear vestibule, side screened door, and built-in floor. A rear window, covered with an awning, is also provided for additional ventilation. Pitched with two adjustable trekking poles and …

The Mountain Hardwear Ghost UL 2 (MSRP $449) is a lightweight, double-walled tent designed for 2 people. Weighing just 2 pounds and 2 ounces, it caters to backpackers willing to sacrifice living comfort for reduced weight. Design The Mountain Hardwear Ghost UL 2 …

The Big Agnes Green Ridge Sleeping Pad is a full-length warm weather sleeping pad that only weighs 12.6 ounces (on the SectionHiker digital scale). It packs up super small and is a good choice when you want to go light but not skimp out on …

The Montane Grand Tour 55L is a mid-size, body hugging backpack that is easy to carry and great for technical hiking and backpacking. Made by the British gear manufacturer Montane, the Grand Tour is the big brother of an acclaimed line of smaller …

While the one piece, o.9 ounce Hammock Gear Cuben Fiber Sleeve isn’t that revolutionary, I think it’s a clever improvement over two piece hammock snakeskins. It also compliments large cuben fiber tarps which are hard to stuff into a stuff sack and are …

The KEEN Versatrail is a low hiking shoe that runs wide and has a spacious toe box. Designed for casual use and for easy day hikes, it’s a very stable hiking shoe that defies ankle rolling, but lacks the traction you’d require …

The Kelty Ruckus 28 Roll Top is a fully featured technical daypack loaded with features that can be used for many different types of day hikes, peakbagging, and hut-to-hut trips. Weighing just 1 pound 6 ounces, I’ve been impressed with how comfortable it …

The Mountain Hardware SuperMegaUL 1 Tent is an ultralight 1 person double-walled tent that weighs 1 pound 14 ounces, not including tent stakes and stuff sacks. With a tunnel style design and front vestibule, it has a long bivy style feel to …

Mystery Ranch’s Wet Ribs (retired and replaced by the Mystery Ranch Wing Man Pocket) are a backpack accessory pocket that connects to your pack’s shoulder straps and hangs on the front of your chest or ribs while hiking. It has a large …

Katabatic Gear is best known for their quilts, but they also make backpacks, including the Helios 55 cuben fiber pack, what I jokingly refer to as “the other white backpack.” I’ve been using the 32 ounce Helios 55 for backpacking and winter alpine ascents …

The Boreas Gear Buttermilks 55 is a lightweight backpack suitable for weekend or multi-day backpacking trips. Although it’s a bit on the heavy side at 3 pounds 1 ounces, the Buttermilks combines the simplicity of a minimalist ultralight-style backpack with the load …

I’ve owned a pair of Smith Knowledge Turbo OTG Fan Goggles for a couple of years now. They have a built-in battery-powered exhaust fan that prevents fogging, which can a real problem on winter hikes when you need to wear full-face protection …