Gear Reviews
Honest, spec-driven reviews of backpacking and hiking gear.
BRS-3000T Ultralight Titanium Stove Review
An honest, research-backed review of the BRS-3000T: the sub-$20 titanium canister stove that weighs just 26g and challenges stoves costing five times as much.
Gossamer Gear Thinlight Foam Pad - 1/8" Review
A 94g closed-cell foam pad built for ultralight versatility — not standalone sleeping. Best used as an inflatable pad companion, sit pad, and pack frame substitute.
Helinox Chair Zero Review
The Helinox Chair Zero is the ultralight backpacking chair benchmark: 17 oz, sub-liter packed size, and genuinely comfortable — at a price.
Katadyn BeFree 1.0L Water Filtration System Review
The Katadyn BeFree 1.0L is a 63g hollow-fiber squeeze filter built for solo hikers and trail runners who want fast, hassle-free hydration on the move.
MSR PocketRocket 2 Stove Review
The MSR PocketRocket 2 is a 73g canister stove that's fast, packable, and surprisingly capable — a near-consensus pick for three-season backpacking.
Nitecore NB10000 Power Bank Review
The Nitecore NB10000 packs 10,000 mAh into a 150g carbon-fiber slab — a compelling choice for ultralight backpackers who refuse to compromise on device power.
Nitecore NU25 MCT Review
A detailed review of the Nitecore NU25 MCT ultralight headlamp, featuring multi-color temperature LEDs, 400 lumens, and a 700mAh built-in battery — all in a 50g package.
Osprey Atmos AG 65 Review
An in-depth review of the Osprey Atmos AG 65 backpack — a comfort-first, feature-rich pack best suited for multi-day trips with loads up to 40 lbs.
Osprey Exos 58 Review (Large)
The Osprey Exos 58 is a feature-rich lightweight pack for thru-hikers and multi-day backpackers who don't want to sacrifice comfort for weight savings.
Platypus QuickDraw Filter Review
The Platypus QuickDraw is a 83g hollow-fiber squeeze filter with a field-testable integrity check, broad bottle compatibility, and strong long-term flow rate — but a short 1,000L filter life.
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System Review
An in-depth review of the Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter — the ultralight, versatile hollow-fiber squeeze filter that's become the default choice for thru-hikers on the PCT and CDT.
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Sleeping Pad Review
A deep dive into the past-season NeoAir XLite — still one of the best warmth-to-weight sleeping pads ever made, crinkle and all.