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SteriPEN vs H2O Amigo: A Long Distance Hiker’s Comparison
Cutting-edge solar-powered UV water purification or simple gravity filter? I took both on the CDT to compare/contrast their performance, durability, and usage.
Ten Days in Torres del Paine: Global Test Photo Essay
We discovered why Torres del Paine, Chile is the poster child for Patagonia's wilderness playground.
Food Planning Using Pounds Per Person Per Day
Calculating how much food to take on a trip? My goal is to be perfectly satisfied during my time in the backcountry, but to walk out of the mountains with absolutely ZERO food. It is so gratifying to eat that last raisin on the last mile of the last day. If I can do that, the math worked out perfectly.
Nine Days in Parque National Los Glaciares, Argentina: Global Test Photo Essay
In this Global Test Photo Essay, we arrived ill-equipped for a trek over an ice field. Setting up a base camp and sticking with day trips ensured that we didn't miss out on one of the most beautiful parks in the world.
Katabatic Sawatch 15 Quilt and Crestone Hood Review
Very warm, quality gear from a cottage manufacturer dedicated to innovative lightweight sleeping solutions.
Trip Report: 2010 Teton Crest Expedition
Our seasoned crew decided early on a mostly off-trail trip on a high route through the Teton Range. With no navigational resources but map and compass, we planned to formulate our route day by day as we progressed north to south through mountains.
Small Wonders of Latin America – Global Test Photo Essay
In nine months backpacking around Latin America, there was much grandeur to be seen, but there were also tiny treasures that required a closer look. Examine their petite beauty.
Hiking Through Hyperbole: A Walk in the Clouds
With nearly constant cloud cover and a few mornings waking up to a thick layer of snow on the ground, the focus of the last days on the trail went from staying dry to just staying warm.
Winter ISPO 2011: Day 4 – Technical Treats
Stoves, shovels, poles, crampons, harnesses, and more: oh my!
Winter ISPO 2011: Day 3 – A Smorgasbord of Worldly Flavors
From practical (bras) to indulgent (a back-country electronics charger) to "they can do new things with zippers?", the ispo show floor has it all.
Hiking Through Hyperbole: Blisters and Fire
Blisters, hiking solo, and lightning-started fires marked the stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail from northern California through Oregon.
MYOG: 3mil Plastic Tarps
Practice makes perfect: using polyethylene to prototype designs means I can spend less and try more variations before sewing a final product in technical materials.
Winter ISPO 2011: Day 2 – Powered by Nutella
Another round-up of innovations and interest, treats and treasures!
Winter ISPO 2011: Day 1 – International Delights
In Backpacking Light's first ever coverage of this massive trade show, we're highlighting the innovations not generally available stateside.
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011: An Emerging Revolution in Waterproof-Breathable Fabric Technologies – It’s Not Just Gore-Tex Versus eVent Anymore!
Since 2004, when Backpacking Light published Alan Dixon’s manifesto on Waterproof Breathable Fabric Technologies, we have been a “whisper in the wilderness” extolling the benefits of truly breathable fabrics, like eVent. Now we are seeing the beginning of a waterproof-breathable fabric revolution.
Hiking Through Hyperbole Part 2: The Snowy Sierra
The desert portion done, fear (and trail gossip) centered on snow in the Sierra, with six major passes above 11,000 feet.
Therm-a-Rest ProLite Air Mat Product Review
Cascade Designs upgraded their ProLite self-inflating mat once again, with another weight reduction. What were the consequences of weight loss on warmth?
Hiking Through Hyperbole: The Vortex of Fear
Tackling the Pacific Crest Trail is a big job, made harder by a stream of scary stories filtering down from other hikers.
Black Diamond Ultra Distance Trekking Pole Review
Lightweight, collapsible, fixed-length poles that use avalanche pole technology to lock the sections.
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011: Day 4 – Final Day and Still Plenty of Interesting Gear to be Found
Enduring sleep deprivation and a cold, we roamed the show on the final day and found some very interesting gear – new trail crampons, very lightweight rain mitts, more collapsible trekking poles, a 9-ounce snow shovel, cool apparel and footwear, and more...
Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2011: Day 3 – An Assortment of Awesome Gear
This is not our backpacking gear list (honest!); today we again report on a wide variety of new gear – a new bear canister, more collapsible trekking poles, an insulating skirt for your derriere, lightweight high output lights, an ultralight down jacket from an unlikely source, more footwear, etc, etc...
