Outdoor Research
- GEAR • Gear Reviews
- GEAR • Gear Guides
- GEAR • Gear Checklists
- GEAR • Make Your Own Gear
- GEAR • Gear Testing & Research
- SKILLS • Tips, Tricks, and Hacks
- SKILLS • Wilderness Skills
- SKILLS • Training
- SKILLS • Trip Planning
- SKILLS • Food Preparation
- PLACES • Trips
- PLACES • Routes
- CULTURE • Essays
- CULTURE • Stories
- CULTURE • Issues
- CULTURE • People
- CULTURE • News
- CULTURE • Media Reviews
- ARCHIVES (Before 30.Nov.2015)
- SEARCH LIBRARY
- TRAILHEADS
Latest
Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Glove Review (Updated)
The Outdoor Research Flurry Sensor Glove (2.5 oz / 71 g, $40) is the warmest glove I've found that I can use effectively with a smartphone.
Standards Watch: Standards Are Important (But Not Enough)
Rex Sanders illustrates how difficult it can be to make accurate product comparisons based on manufacturer-provided data.
Staff Picks 2020
Backpacking Light staff and contributors give their 2020 staff picks - their favorite backpacking and hiking gear of the year.
Outdoor Research Stargazer AscentShell Bivy Review
The Outdoor Research Stargazer AscentShell Bivy (18.9 oz / 536 g, $259) is one of the few waterproof-breathable bivy sacks on the market that weigh just over a pound and also includes mosquito netting and a headroom-extending pole.
Episode 29 | The Bohohobos’ Big Trek
Ryan and Andrew talk to Aïscha Tomasoa and Jesper Jensen - the Bohohobos - about their epic trek through Scandinavia as novice backpackers.
ZPacks Vertice Rain Jacket Review
This ZPacks Vertice Rain Jacket review is comprehensive and addresses long-term performance, breathability, DWR, and more.
Arc’teryx Venta Mitten Review
The Arc'teryx Venta Mitten and its cousins, the Venta Glove and Venta AR Glove, are windproof, weather-resistant active insulation layers aimed at users participating in high-output activities in moderately cold temperatures.
Lightweight Backpacking Gear for Cold Winter Temperatures (Two-Layer Systems, Vapor Barriers, and Really Puffy Stuff)
Lightweight backpacking gear for winter temperatures: two-layer insulation systems, vapor barrier systems, and really puffy stuff.
Outdoor Research Uberlayer Review
This Outdoor Research Uberlayer Review features an active insulation jacket that weighs about four ounces more than similar jackets but does not make up for the extra weight with added comfort, durability, warmth, or lower cost. The Uberlayer performed reasonably well in our tests.
2017 Backpacking Light Staff Picks
The Backpacking Light Staff Picks Gear Guide offers what we consider to be our personal recommendations for high-quality, high-performance, lightweight backpacking gear that we've actually used this year.
Staff Picks 2016: Our Favorite Backpacking Gear of the Year
View our staff picks for the best backpacking gear of the year - recommendations from our editors and guides for hiking and backpacking gear.