Aimed at survival enthusiast and collectors, the ‘Hawk’ is an 17 ounce steel tomahawk by Jason Hanson, designed for minimal weight and ease of carry. Quick Review: … More An Ultralight Tomahawk? Let’s talk about it.
The Insulated Double Z from Big Agnes is an update to one of my all time favorite sleeping pads, the Double Z. Sadly, the Double Z was not insulated, and rendered it pretty much useless in temperatures under about 40 degrees. How does this warmer, fuzzier version hold up? About the pad The Insulated Double … More Big Agnes Insulated Double Z Review
Minimalism in backpacking has become a growing trend, but all too often leaving the user lacking performance and comfort in pursuit of a minimal pack weight. The Siren Quilt from Nemo has the weight savings and simplicity associated with minimalism, but without sacrificing performance or comfort. The quilt is built from a feathery 10 denier … More Nemo Siren Ultralight Quilt Review
The L.L.Bean PrimaLoft Packaway jacket is a light weight, highly compressible mid layer garment that challenges fleece for year round usability and comfort, but can it replace it? Let’s see how it holds up. About the jacket The Packaway is built from light weight rip-stop nylon, with a thin layer of PrimaLoft One synthetic insulation. The … More L.L.Bean PrimaLoft Packaway Jacket
Balancing weight and comfort is a never ending struggle when it comes to backpacking. All too often we have to sacrifice one or the other to make things manageable. The Neoair Xtherm aims to solve that problem by providing plush warmth, at low weights. Can it really happen? We put the pad to the test, and here is … More Thermarest Neoair Xtherm Review
Trekking poles have a host of benefits when it comes to backpacking, especially when it comes to carrying that loaded pack across steep gradients. A trekking pole is useless if you can’t depend on it, however. The Helinox Ridgeline Series offer light weight, stability, and most importantly, durability. About the Poles The ridgeline series come … More Helinox Ridgeline FL Trekking Poles Review
The Sierra Designs DriDown Hoody is a light weight, compressible, waterproof down filled hoody designed for those who want plenty of warmth without a weight penalty. About the hoodie The hoddie is built from a light weight 20D ripstop, with a protective water/ wind protective membrane on top. It’s filled with 800 fill DriDown, to … More Sierra Designs DriDown Hoody Review
Does light weight, high brightness, water resistance, intuitive controls, and affordability make for a great headlamp? The answer may be surprising. About the headlmap The Black Diamond Ion headlamp is designed with simplicity in mind. There are no buttons. Instead, there is a touch sensitive front panel that reacts to a series of swipes and … More Black Diamond Ion Review (2014)
I’ve always been a firm believer of the notion that every backpacker should carry a light weight, sharp, reliable knife with them at all times. There is an infinitely long list of uses for just a basic knife, but a knife that can also start a fire, and be quickly sleeved and stashed out of … More Light My Fire Swedish Fireknife Review
The Sierra Designs Flashlight UL2 is a non-freestanding ultralight backpacking tent that is designed to be used with trekking poles (or the included, optional, vertical poles) to cut weight. Ringing up at 3 lbs 2 oz it certainly accomplishes the goal at just under $359. With the optional vertical poles you’ll add an additional 6 … More Sierra Designs Flashlight UL2 Review
TreeLineBackpacker 