Originally designed for the US Special Forces, The Alpha Air Jacket from L.L.Bean is a sturdy, functional, fully windproof jacket that’s designed to take a beating and provide stubborn weather protection when it’s needed the most. Instead of being built light and fluffy, it’s built with a robust soft shell body, Polartec insulation, and wet weather protection … More L.L.Bean Alpha Air Jacket
The Exped Pack Poncho UL is an ultra light, breezy option for full body and pack coverage perfect for those long, unrelenting rain storms. Instead of utilizing a jacket, pants, and a pack cover, the poncho minimizes materials yet covers the entire body and the backpack for full protection while still managing to be ultra … More Exped Pack Poncho UL Review
There once was a time when down was the only option for light weight winter insulation. This is no longer the case. High performance synthetics like Primaloft have changed the game, and even offer benefits over down fill. The Odin Insulator from Helly Hansen is tangible proof of this. The Odin Jacket outer and inner body are both … More Helly Hansen Odin Insulator Jacket Review
One of the perks of going with hammock camping is the possibility of shedding some weight. Why then are so many hammock suspension systems so heavy? The Eno Helios suspension system is a pair of ultralight straps that aim to make that question irrelevant. Built from incredibly light weight and durable Dyneema line paired with a … More ENO Helios Suspension System Review
The sun is harsh, and generally hates backpackers. Protecting your eyes should be a high priority, especially if you’ll be outside for days on end. The Frazier sunglasses are stylish, comfortable, lightweight sunglasses built from Grilamid with a soothing UV protection applied directly to the lenses. This is what I thought. I’ve been using these … More Spy Optics Frazier Sunglasses
Staying warm in the winter is of the highest priority. That’s why I spend so much time testing and reviewing winter jackets. There are a lot of good jackets out there, but few are truly exceptional. The Alpine Light Down Parka from Montbell, might just be the exception I’ve been looking for. The Alpine Light … More Montbell Alpine Light Down Parka Review
The Odin Minimalist Jacket is an ultra lightweight 2.5 layer rain jacket that’s designed to provide weather protection with the absolute minimal weight penalty. Instead of weighing it down with extra features, it cuts back, providing only the essentials. I put it to the test, and I liked it. The jacket is purely minimalist, consisting of little more than a … More Helly Hansen Odin Minimalist Jacket Review
Light weight and winter; combining the two while enjoying it seems a near impossibility at times. The Big Agnes Slater UL2+ is a shelter designed to bring them closer together, while maintaining a comfortable experience. With an ultralight build based off the immensely popular Fly Creek series but with more internal volume, and a full … More Big Agnes Slater UL2+ Review
Going fast and light often requires ditching the boots and going with something a bit lighter. The Ahnu Ridgecrest is designed to be just that. Waterproof and stable, the light weight yet stable trail shoes offer a more nimble approach to hitting trails without sacrificing protection or durability. I’ve put them to the test, and … More Ahnu Ridgecrest Trail Shoes
The REI Arete 2 falls somewhere between a 4 season mountaineering tent, and a light weight backpacking tent. Beefed up enough to handle high winds and light snow, but light enough to be carried year round it hopes to fill the void that so many backpackers are searching for. Does it work? Borrowing from both … More REI Arete ASL 2 Review
TreeLineBackpacker 