Patagonia Down Sweater Review — The Versatile Down Classic
The Patagonia Down Sweater is one of the most recognizable puffies on the planet — and it earns the reputation. …
Gear Review
Gear
Gear Reviews
Field-tested gear reviews for backcountry and ultralight backpacking — honest takes from real trail use.
Gear Review
Patagonia Nano Puff Review — The Synthetic Puffy Benchmark
The Patagonia Nano Puff has been a fixture in the backcountry for over a decade, and it’s earned that staying …
Gear Review
Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T Review — The Iconic Fleece
Few pieces of outdoor clothing are as instantly recognizable as the Patagonia Synchilla Snap-T. It’s been in the …
Gear Review
Garmin inReach Mini 2 Review: The Safety Net That Justifies Its Price
The Garmin inReach Mini 2 occupies a strange place in the ultralight backpacking conversation. At $399 hardware + …
Gear Review
Katadyn BeFree 1L Water Filter Review — Fastest-Flowing Ultralight Filter
For years the Sawyer Squeeze has been the default ultralight water filter. The Katadyn BeFree came along and did two …
Gear Review
BearVault BV500 Review — The Backcountry Standard Bear Canister
If you camp anywhere bear canisters are required — most of the Sierra Nevada, Yosemite, Olympic National Park, …
Gear Review
Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp Review — The Backcountry Standard
The Black Diamond Spot 400-R might be the most popular backcountry headlamp in North America. Every trailhead, every …
Gear Review
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT Review — The Ultralight Winter Sleeping Pad
If you’re reading this, you probably already know the NeoAir XTherm by reputation — it’s the sleeping pad …
Gear Review
MSR PocketRocket 2 Review — Still the Best Canister Stove?
The MSR PocketRocket 2 is the canister stove every other canister stove gets compared to. It’s been the reference …
Gear Review
Nemo Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad Review — The Best All-Season Ultralight Pad?
Sleeping pad selection is one of the most underrated decisions in ultralight backpacking. Too thin and you’re cold …
Gear Review
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking Poles Review — Ultralight Done Right
Trekking poles are a polarizing topic in the ultralight community — some hikers swear by them, others find them …
Gear Review
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Down Jacket Review — The Ultralight Insulation Benchmark
Mountain Hardwear built its reputation in the ultralight insulation category with the Ghost Whisperer, and the …
Gear Review
Petzl Actik Core Headlamp Review — Best Rechargeable Headlamp for Backpacking?
A headlamp is one of those pieces of gear you rarely think about until it fails you — at mile 20, in the dark, a mile …
Gear Review
Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L Review — Is It Worth the Price?
The Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L is the backpack every gram-counter eventually gravitates toward. At 17.4 oz for a 60L pack …
Gear Review
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Review — The All-Around Ultralight Tent
The Copper Spur HV UL2 is the tent more ultralight backpackers own than any other. That’s not an accident — …
Gear Review
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter Review — Still the Best Budget Ultralight Filter?
The Sawyer Squeeze has been the default recommendation for ultralight water filtration for years. At 3 oz and $39, …