If you aren’t carrying a tarp like the Zpacks Flat Tarp on you backcountry trips, your should be. The number of uses for a lightweight tarp is almost endless. A tarp never comes out of my pack because I have
Why did the Feathered Friends Flicker Ultralight Quilt catch my eye? After countless hunts where I needed a sleep system light enough to carry “just in case,” I found myself searching for something that didn’t force me into a full
Over the last two years, I’ve been testing this Outdoor Vitals StormLoft Down backpacking quilt in the 15-degree regular size, and I’ve pushed its limits in both cold and warm conditions. Quilts used to be a niche product—mostly reserved for
When you’re deep in the backcountry scouting, chasing elk or deer, or simply backpacking, your sleep system plays a critical role in whether you stay another day or head back to the trailhead to regroup. The first line of defense
Overnight recovery is critical on extended cold-weather trips, and there’s no better way to guarantee a poor night’s rest than with a crummy sleep system. My 15-year-old down sleeping bag was starting to show its age, so when Sea to
Some frigid temperatures on recent hunts left me wanting to find a really good winter sleeping bag which prompted this Feathered Friends Ibis review. When it’s really cold out and you want to keep hunting, hiking or backpacking, having the
I needed an ultralight power bank. The Nitecore NB Air 5000 mAh ultralight power bank looked like exactly what I needed for our attempt at an R5 in the Grand Canyon in under 48 hours. What’s an R5? For those
The combination of adverse conditions provides the perfect opportunity to put the Seek Outside Twilight hot tent to the test. What comes to mind when you think about late-season backpack hunts? Cold? Definitely. Snow? Likely. Wind? Inevitable. I’ve had my eye
Anytime a tent comes in at just 19.4 ounces (excluding poles and stakes) for a two-person shelter, it demands your attention. The Zpacks Offset Duo certainly caught mine. Fully outfitted—with eight stakes, all the guy-outs, three carbon fiber poles, and
What drew me to wanting to test the Sea to Summit Spark Pro 15° sleeping bag? Well, I’ve been drawn to backpacking since before I can remember, and I’ve always loved being outdoors exploring new country. Along with that, I
The introduction of backpacking hot tents, like the Backcountry Lite Mesa Tipi Tent, is a game changer for folks who like to do winter or cold weather backpacking. I’ve been backpack hunting since I was a kid where all I
I am always on a quest to refine my gear kit, looking to increase functionality while decreasing weight. I was excited to try an Argali tent when the Boise-based company began producing shelters a few years ago and was confident
For those of you mummy bag sleepers who are hesitant to jump into a quilt, especially during the late season, I have a solution for you born from this Enlightened Equipment quilt review. Trust me, I understand your hesitation. I
Looking for the best ultralight 3P tent? If you need or want some extra space, it’s tough to beat the Zpacks Triplex 3P Tent. This ultralight 3P tent is super easy to set up, can fit up to 3 adults
No one ever “wants” to have to use a first aid kit, but when you need one, you need one, especially a backpacking, hunting, or hiking first aid kit. If something goes wrong when in the backcountry, it is a
Why would I want to do a Durston X Mid review? Well, over many years of running multiple different tents, I typically found myself only bringing freestanding tents on backpack hunting trips due to their ability to handle the elements
Is the 30° Katabatic Palisade ultralight quilt the best backpacking quilt you can buy? There is a strong argument for that statement, and we will do our best in this review to give you the details you need to make
Having tested the Zpacks Altaplex in recent years, when I saw the Zpacks Plex Solo 1-person tent, I REALLY wanted to do this Zpacks Plex Solo Review. Even lighter than the Altaplex, this tent is a stunning 13.9 ounces and
Is there any better place to test gear than Alaska? This Nemo Stalker sleeping bag review was born from a hunt that I recently was able to go on….a hunt of a lifetime. I was the lucky winner of an
My quest for the perfect backcountry tent is what lead me to do this Argali Rincon 2P Tent review. As some will remember, I was previously using the Six Moons Designs Haven Ultralight Tent, and while that tent served me
How well you sleep in the backcountry is one of those things that can significantly impact your experience in the great outdoors. This Six Moon Designs Owyhee tent review takes a look at one of the three most important pieces
Are you looking to shave weight from your pack without sacrificing comfort? That was our goal with this Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bag review. The design of this new Zpacks Zip Around Sleeping Bag is one that lends itself to
Are you looking for the best ultralight sleeping pad? The new Exped Ultra Series Pads are quite possibly the best Exped sleeping pads yet, but we needed to test them to be sure. The new Exped Ultra Series comes in
Whether you are backpacking, hunting, or camping a good sleeping bag is one of the most essential pieces of gear. This Sea to Summit Ascent review was born from the need to stay warm in the backcountry while keeping the
Sleeping mats. Some people use them, some people don’t. This Sea to Summit sleeping pad review is the product of many nights spent in the backcountry sleeping on the ground to save weight. When I was younger I never used
The Durston X-Mid Pro 2 is our pick for the best ultralight 2P tent for it’s simplicity, weight, and spacious interior. Featuring 2 doors and 2 large vestibules, naturally waterproof dyneema fabric, and excellent wind and rain performance, the X-Mid
Ultralight hot tents are not only a thing, they are a game changer. This Seek Outside Redcliff review comes after our review of the Seek Outside Cimarron Light that we tested last year but found to be a bit tight
After an experience I had several years ago, I set out to find a cold weather sleeping bag. Enter this Feathered Friends Eider review. Whatever winter sleeping bag I end up with needs to meet the challenge of the weather
Backpacking tents are one of those items we seem to always be testing and evaluating. The Six Moon Designs Haven Bundle is one of the options on the market for a 3-season, two-person, double wall tent. I’ve slept in a
Over the years we’ve had the pleasure of testing a number of Zpack tents, so when they released the Zpacks Duplex XL, or the DupleXL, we wanted to see how it might be different from the tried and true Duplex
What makes up the best ultralight backpacking chair? If the best backpacking chair simply means the most comfortable regardless of weight, there are a lot of options. However, if you are looking for an ultralight backpacking chair, that’s a whole
When you are looking for the best headlamp for whatever outdoor adventure you are on, there are a number of things that come into play with your selection: Do you need an extended battery life? How bright of a light
Are you in the market for one of the best hot tents for backcountry hunting? That’s exactly why we wanted to do this Seek Outside Cimarron Light review. When you spend any time in the backcountry during the colder months,
When cold weather hits, you need a good pad with a high R-Value in order to stay warm. A Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme review was definitely in order as soon I saw that Sea to Summit had
Several bitter cold hunts finally pushed me over the edge to put together this Seek Outside 8 Man Tipi review. Not sure if it is worth the price? You’ve come to the right place to get some honest feedback. I’d
When it’s bitter cold out and you want to keep hunting, having the right sleeping bag is critical. Enter this Sea to Summit Alpine sleeping bag review. While many of us may shy away from spending nights in a tent
I’d been wanting to do a Katabatic Alsek 22 review for a while now after testing the Katabatic Flex last year and being so impressed with it. As a fan of backpacking quilts, I wanted to see what the Alsek
So, you want the lightest of the light but still need to stay warm in the backcountry? You may want to take a look at this Zpacks Classic Sleeping review. The Zpacks Classic Sleeping Bag is one of the the
When I first saw that Zpacks came out with a new ultralight freestanding tent, I really wanted to test one out and put together this Zpacks Free Duo review. It looked like it had the possibility of being the best
Over the last few months I’ve had the opportunity to test the Rugged Camp Sleeping Pad and Pillow on some outdoor adventures. If you’ve ever spent any time camping, backpacking, or hunting in the backcountry and slept on the ground,
I knew I wanted to test and put together a Zpacks Altaplex Tent review after looking over its specs when Zpacks brought back the Altaplex. It looked like one of best ultralight one person tents I’d come across, but field
Looking for the best ultralight sleeping bag but having a hard time knowing what is best for your situation? There are so may options out there, each with different temperature ratings, and often times each sleeping bag has multiple temperature
Selecting the best ultralight quilt for the situations you are going to encounter can be a tough job, given the large number of options on the market today. We conducted real-life testing of these 6 top tier ultralight quilts to
The Sea to Summit Ember Quilt is a unique backpacking quilt that offers features I’ve not found in other backpacking quilts I’ve tested. While quilts in general are typically more versatile than sleeping bags, this one offers even more versatility
The Katabatic Flex Quilt is one that blew our socks off during testing. It performed much better than its temperature rating, has a TON of features, offers a lot of customization, and just flat out impressed. Even if you aren’t
So, you want the lightest of the light but still need to stay warm in the backcountry? You may want to take a look at this Zpacks Solo quilt review. The Zpacks Solo Quilt is the lightest of the Zpacks
In this Enlightened Equipment Enigma quilt review we wanted to put this thing to the test and find its actual lower limit. The Enlightened Equipment Enigma quilt that we tested has a temperature rating of 30 degrees, but we tested
The Feathered Friends Raven and Lark sleeping bag lines are nothing short of AMAZING! If you are looking for a premium sleeping bag while still keeping the weight reasonable, this is your bag. Feature rich, super warm, and the highest
Looking for a super comfortable sleeping bag that gives you ample room to move around, toss and turn, and still keep you warm? The Exped Comfort Sleeping bag may be just what you are looking for. When I saw what
When it’s time to pick up a quality ultralight sleeping bag, you undoubtedly dread looking at the price tag. This is where this Outdoor Vitals Summit review comes in. When I saw the price tag on the Outdoor Vitals Summit
The Six Moon Designs Skyscape Trekker 1p tent is a unique shelter that is feature-rich, but weighs in at just 28oz and packs up very small. In this Six Moon Designs Skyscape Trekker review we are going to look at
Looking for an insanely light and compact sleeping bag? Need one that packs down so small you might lose it in your pack? (OK…that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the point). The Sea to Summit Spark Sleeping
The Exped Downmat Winter UL is flat out WARM AND COMFORTABLE. This thing is a quilt user’s dream, but pairs amazingly with a good sleeping bag as well. I’ve spent a lot of nights on this pad with both quilts
In this Sea to Summit Escapist Tarp review we look at the incredible versatility and details of the Escapist Tarp. If you are looking for a shelter that can conform to your needs every time in the field, the Escapist
The Exped Synmat UL Pad is a great option when it comes to ultralight sleeping pads. In this review we look at the Synmat UL M insulated pad from Exped and how it performed in the field in various conditions
In this Six Moon Designs Deschutes Plus review, we are going to look at what makes the Deschutes Plus unique. Its design features, such as the interior bug net, make this a great shelter. The netting does a great job
We searched long and hard before we finally settled on the Exped Down Pillow as our elite gear pick in this category. While we tried many excellent pillows, it wasn’t until we tried this one that the selection was made.
What’s the best backpacking water filter? That’s a question many of us ask when looking to venture into the backcountry for multiple days. There’s no clear-cut answer to that question as the type of filter you might need differs depending
The Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated pad encompasses everything you want for a comfortable night’s sleep in the backcountry without adding unneeded weight. This thing is crazy comfortably, feature-rich, ultralight, and warm. If you are looking for that
Are you using one of the best ultralight backpacking stove options out there? Are you in the market for backpacking stoves but not sure what features are most important? We put a bunch of them to the test to help
Updated 2019 Nemo Hornet 2P Review In 2019 the updated Nemo Hornet 2P tent was released. This redesign set out to take care of some of the issues I noted my previous Nemo Hornet 2p review that plagued the previous
For a lot of years, my Idaho backcountry hunts didn’t find me bringing along a way to communicate with the outside world. That’s part of the joy of being in the backcountry, right? In this Garmin Inreach Mini review, we
Finding the Best Backpacking Pillow Here in the last installment of the Backcountry Camp Series, we are going to help you find the best ultralight backpacking pillow. This is piece of equipment that can make a huge difference in getting
Ultralight Sleeping Pads In this series, Part 1 and Part 2 we talk about tents, in Part 3 and Part 4 we look at some sleeping bags, and now we will look at sleeping pads. A good ultralight sleeping pad
In Part 3 of the Backcountry Camp Series, we talked about what you need to know when picking out the best lightweight sleeping bag. Here in Part 4, we talk about a handful of lightweight sleep systems. For this review,
What are some of the best ultralight sleeping bags? There are so many to choose from! How do you decide between down or synthetic? What style of sleeping bag is the right fit for you? Do you prefer a sleeping
In this Kelty Salida 2 review we show you why this entry level floored backpacking tent gives you a lot for the price point. Weighing in at 3lbs 14oz, it’s the heaviest of the shelters I tested, but also the
The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 is a time tested, well built tent from Big Agnes. In this review of the Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2, you’ll see why it’s been loved by backpackers and hunters for many years, this
So, you want an ultra-durable tent that will handle just about anything you throw at it while still being reasonably lightweight? In this Hilleberg Anjan 2 review, you’ll see why the Anjan 2 is that tent. Hilleberg is long known
The Nemo Hornet 2p is a tent with a great reputation and with good reason. It is crazy-light for a two door, two vestibule, two-person tent. It weighs in at an impressive 2lbs 6oz trail weight (1lb 15oz “minimum weight”
At just 19.4 ounces, this thing is a dream. You get a full bathtub style floor, 45 inch width and 7.5ft length, giving you a spacious 2p tent that is easy to set up, waterproof, and the Dyneema fabric is
The VIAM Outdoors CC Divide is a very different shelter than the others I’ve reviewed. I wanted to test this one out because it offers so many options. The VIAM Outdoors CC Divide is offered in two different material
In this Six Moon Designs Lunar Duo review we’ll show you some of its impressive specs and features. With a ton of interior space, large vestibules, and a 45 inch peak height, this thing was appropriately dubbed the “Backcountry Palace”
Looking for the best backpacking tents for hunting? Do you enjoy nights in the wilderness? Is it your preferred method of hunting doing a backpacking style hunt in the high country? Whether you are an experienced backpacker or just getting
Here in part one of this series we are going show you how to choose a backpacking tent that is best for you. Venturing into the backcountry for a multi-night trip can be an intimidating prospect if you are preparing
S&S Archery Trekking Poles: Worth The Weight? Trekking poles. A long time staple in the backpacking world. Only in recent years have hunters really started to bring them along on their hunting trips. In this S&S Archery trekking poles review
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