The Ultimate Direction Ultra Jacket is a 6.3 ounce lightweight rain jacket (in a size men’s XL) that is light enough to be used as a wind shirt or a rain jacket. Specially designed for ultra runners in Europe’s Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, it has high waterproof/breathability ratings in lab tests, but like …
Read More »
The Montane Minimus 777 jacket is a lightweight, 3-layer waterproof/breathable shell that weighs just 5.1 ounces (144 grams) in a men’s XL, making it lightweight enough to be used as a rain jacket and wind shirt when you want one garment that can perform both functions. Designed for high activity sports like hiking …
Read More »
Update: Therm-a-Rest has killed off the SV valve concept and this product because consumers could not operate it correctly or reliably. Don’t buy it. The Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Xlite MAX SV inflatable sleeping pad is a lightweight inflatable three-season sleeping pad that is super easy to inflate and deflate. The “SV” …
Read More »
The Sierra Designs Tensegrity 1 FL (feather-lite) is a lightweight trekking pole tent that provides the benefits of ultralight tarp camping with the comfort of a screened-in and rain-proof tent. A single wall shelter without a separate rainfly, (you can pitch it in the rain without getting the interior wet) …
Read More »
The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL1 mtnGLO may be the nicest one person double-walled tent I’ve ever slept in. It doesn’t feel cramped, which is unusual for a one person tent, and it has a lot of extra space along the sides, head, and foot ends so you can spread out …
Read More »
The Sierra Designs Lightning FL 2 person tent is a spacious, lightweight tent that’s exceptionally easy to pitch. It features two side vestibules at the head end of the tent that can be used to store gear, and free up interior space, so occupants have a lot more room to spread out. …
Read More »
Dream Hammock is a backpacking hammock maker that provides a wide range of customization options for all of the hammock models they sell, ranging from 4-season hammocks to minimalist, ultralight, and net-less models. If you want custom colors and stitching, underquilt hooks, a special fabric, a different suspension or dozens of …
Read More »
Note: This product has been replaced by the new Ursack AllMitey bear bag. Please read my Ursack AllMitey Review for the complete lowdown. The S29 Ursack is a soft-sided bearproof bag that you can use to store your backpacking food and smellables in at night. They’re different from a traditional …
Read More »
My wife and I kicked off our car camping season last week with a trip to the Dolly Copp campground at the foot of Mt Madison in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. On this trip, we tried out LL Bean’s King Pine 4 tent, in our seemingly endless quest …
Read More »
While I’ve given up on using solar chargers to recharge my batteries on east coast backpacking trips because there are too many trees in the way, they’re still a great portable energy solution for car camping trips and stationary camp sites. My wife likes to car camp and she likes …
Read More »
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 Forces but now commercially available, it’s a single …
Read More »
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 7 tent stakes, it weighs 21.8 ounces on …
Read More »
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 tent is a double-walled, front-entry tent with a …
Read More »
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 climbing and cragging packs introduced by Montane last …
Read More »
Section Hikers Backpacking Blog Hiking and Backpacking for Beginners and Experts