Backpacker Magazine 2008 Gear Guide Lists A Whopping 480 Bags
That number — 480 — is a bit overwhelming at first glance. But if you apply my 1-15 rule (your bag should not be over 1 pound, 15 ounces), you trim the choices to 129 sleeping bags. To help pair …...
View ArticleThe SteriPEN: The Ultimate Ultralight Backpacking Water Purifier
As someone who loves gear and is always looking for the next greatest ultralight backpacking gizmo, I strongly recommend you consider the SteriPEN Adventurer. This is Hydro-Photon, Inc’s newest...
View ArticleminiTISSUE: Ultra Ultralight Backpacking Towels
My regular readers know I’m a gearhound. And I’m always looking for the latest and greatest ultralight backpacking “thing” to include in my pack. My latest find is the MiniTissue. Comes eight in a pack...
View ArticleIt’s a Croc – Ultralight Water Shoes An “Optional” Essential
Pulling off your hiking shoes or boots to cross water is literally a pain. A pain in foot and toes. One solution: Crocs Beach Clog Sandals. I jettisoned my heavy boots years ago, in favor of waterproof...
View ArticleBackpacker ’09 Gear Guide Touts Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 1 Tent
Most ultralight tents are pretty durable, so I look at weight, roominess and price in deciding whether I think a tent is in my ultralight backpacking ballpark. The Big Agnes Fly Creek UL 1 gets...
View ArticleThe Ultra, Ultralight iPod Shuffle 3rd Generation
Your favorite music to help you sleep or to give you inspiration during an uphill slog can be a welcome backpacking companion. As long as it doesn’t add a lot of weight.The new iPod Shuffle 3rd...
View ArticleRay Jardin: Father of Modern Lightweight Backpacking
It was 1998 and I had just finished my first year of backpacking with a pack that weighed in at 45+ pounds. Then I read the book, the Ray Way, a guide to ultralight backpacking, and instantly became a...
View ArticleThe Perfect Backpacking Holiday Present: The Jetboil Stove System
My desire to have presents under the tree, no doubt, is a leftover from when I was a kid. As a kid, the sky was the limit. Now, I will be content to see just one: the Jetboil Sol Advanced … Continue...
View ArticlePCT Thru Hiker Red Beard Talks about Sawyer Mini and SteriPen Ultra
In my previous post, I discussed the Sawyer Mini Water Filter, at 2 ounces, a real challenge to big clunky water filters. I use a SteriPen Adventurer, an ultralight version that weighs around 4 ounces....
View ArticleSierra Design Gives You Great Tents and Great Customer Service
A few months ago, I called Sierra Design for advice on re-waterproofing my Sierra Design Light Year ultralight backpacking tent. While on the phone, I mentioned that I also had a Sierra Design Tent...
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