Whether you’re in the middle of your first thru-hike or planning out next season’s adventures, upgrading to ultralight backpacking gear is a smart investment. The more grams you shed, the farther ...

Final Thoughts The trope that ultralight gear is ultra-expensive is old and tired. Some materials, like Dyneema and high fill power down, are expensive. Most of the gear by most of the cottage ...

Is Ultralight Backpacking Gear Worth the Cost to My Budget—and My Comfort? It’s way more expensive and not as comfortable. Our gear director weighs the pros and cons of an über-light kit.

That said, it can be tough to decide what to strike from your packing list. Here are six examples of gear you can safely leave behind the next time you go backpacking. Durston X-Mid 2 ...

By C.C. Weiss April 23, 2025 The all-new Crosspeak 2 from Hyperlite Mountain Gear becomes the latest (and most expensive) in a recent market surge in ultralight freestanding backpacking tents ...

Durston Gear follows up its value-packed X-Dome 1+ ultralight backpacking tent with the new X-Dome 2, adding full two-person sizing at a minimal weight penalty. The X-Dome 2 also packs storm ...

The best rain ponchos for backpacking are lightweight yet can keep you and your gear dry in rainy weather. Plus, some can double as tarps or groundsheets.