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  • Start Here
  • Bikepacking & Touring
    • Bikepacker’s Companion E-Book
    • Routes & Trips
    • Tips & Advice
    • Favorite Gear
    • Trip Planning Workbook
  • Backpacking & Hiking
    • Trail Guides
    • Gear & Clothing
    • Lightweight Backpacking
    • Tips & Advice
    • Favorite Gear
    • Trip Planning Workbook
  • Places
    • Africa
      • All Africa
      • Côte d’Ivoire
      • Egypt
      • Guinea
      • Kenya
      • Liberia
      • Rwanda
      • Senegal
      • Sierra Leone
      • Sudan
      • Tanzania
      • Uganda
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • Laos
      • Vietnam
    • New Zealand
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Chile
    • Canada
    • USA
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Idaho
      • Montana
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • Oregon
      • Utah
      • Washington
      • Wyoming
      • All USA
    • All Travel
  • Activities
    • Hike
    • Bike
    • Travel
    • Run
    • Ski
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  • More
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Lightweight Backpacking

12 Things I Don’t Bring Backpacking Anymore

To show you how backpacking gear lists can evolve, here’s a list of items I stopped using as my preferences, skills, and experience level changed.

Side by side pictures of Crown and Circuit backpacks

ULA Circuit Versus Granite Gear Crown: Comparison and Review

The ULA Circuit and Granite Gear Crown are both popular lightweight backpacking packs with similar features. This side-by-side review explains how they compare.

Six Moon Designs Haven Tarp: Gear Review After 1300 Miles

The Haven Tarp by Six Moon Designs is a lightweight two person trekking pole tarp. Here’s how we feel about it after 1300 miles on the Colorado and Arizona Trails.

Hiker wears lightweight backpack on Colorado Trail

ULA Circuit Backpack Review After 1300 Miles

Detailed review and description of the ULA Circuit 68 liter pack, the lightweight backpack I used on the Arizona and Colorado Trails.

Travel size toothbrush, paste, floss, and lip balm for backpacking

What’s in My Lightweight Toiletries Kit For Backpacking and Bikepacking

Here’s what to include in a simple lightweight toiletries kit for backpacking, plus hygiene tips and other backcountry toiletries how-to’s.

Visual Guide: Lightweight Solo Tents by Price, Weight, Style (Updated for 2022)

Sorting through the options for the best lightweight solo tent? This visual chart organized by price and weight will help you see which tents stand out for their weight, value, and design.

Colorado Trail Thru Hiking Gear List: What Worked and What Didn’t

A moderately lightweight and comfortable gear list for thru hiking the stunning Colorado Trail, with notes on what worked well and what didn’t.

Collage of backpacking gear pictures

My Favorite Backpacking Gear: A Peek Into My Garage

After years of trial and error, here is the backpacking gear and clothing that I return to over and over again.

Bearikade with open lid

Bearikade Expedition Bear Canister – Gear Review

If you need a really big bear canister, the Bearikade Expedition should be at the top of your list. Here’s a review to help you decide if all the fancy carbon fiber is worth your money.

Lake Tahoe from TRT

Tahoe Rim Trail: 7 Day Lightweight Backpacking Itinerary and Tips

The 170 mile Tahoe Rim Trail makes a fantastic lightweight backpacking route. Here’s a 7 day TRT itinerary, plus gear and logistics notes, from my TRT thru-hike.

Two ultralight bivvies and other backpacking gear at small campsite under tree

Borah Gear Cuben Bivy – Gear Review After 100+ Nights

The Borah Gear Cuben bivy is an ultralight, ultra-packable, water resistant bivy with bug netting top. It’s not right for every adventure, but here’s where it shines.

Review: Big Sky Soul 1P Tent – Four Years of Bikepacking, Backpacking, & Travel

Detailed review of the Big Sky Soul 1P, an affordable, lightweight, versatile freestanding solo tent. Here’s why I love it for backpacking, bikepacking, and travel.

Clothes For Backpacking: A Lightweight Full-Comfort Packing List

Choosing your backpacking clothes wisely can shave pounds off your pack weight and keep you comfy in any weather. Here’s an overview of what to wear backpacking and my personal favorite items.

Two pairs of hikers' feet in Altra Lone Peaks and Dirty Girl gaiters

Should You Be Hiking in Trail Running Shoes?

Tired of big heavy boots? Here’s how to decide if hiking in trail running shoes is right for you, plus how to transition safely and which shoe models to consider.

Two Borah bivvies beneath Haven tarp pitched with trekking poles at a forest campsite

Lightweight Backpacking: Gear and Tips to Lighten Your Load

Say goodbye to sore shoulders and cranky knees. These lightweight backpacking tips will cut pounds from your pack weight so you can hike farther, faster, or just more comfortably.

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