Reviews
Outdoor Vitals Vario Jacket Review
This summer, I walked the Wind River High Route with The Trek editor, Kelly Floro, and another gal friend. On cold mornings, as we popped out of damp tents at...
Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear 1L Fanny Pack Review
I used to be one of those snobby backpackers who swore up and down I'd never use a fanny pack. I have enough side pockets on my hip belt, I...
Nemo Disco 30 Degree Sleeping Bag Review
Until this year, I hadn't slept in anything other than a Feathered Friends or Western Mountaineering bag since about 2014. I know those bags. I trust those bags. Why mess...
Sea to Summit Ascent 25°F Down Sleeping Bag Review
Lately, I've really been enjoying pairing the Sea to Summit Ascent down sleeping bag with a foam pad, especially when cowboy camping. Depending on what kind of hike we're talking...
LightHeart Gear Solo Sil-Nylon Tent Review
The search for the perfect lightweight solo long-distance hiking shelter is, it seems, neverending. It's tricky to strike a balance between weight, durability, ease of assembly (I have seen some
Topo Athletic Pursuit Trail Shoe Review
I began my thru-hiking career (Colorado Trail, 2015) in Hoka’s Mafate Speed trail runners, which were extra cushy, incredibly tough, and astonishingly lightweight. Alas, some 861 miles into my 2016
BioLite HeadLamp 325 Review
I’m sometimes asked what my “favorite” piece of gear is for long-distance hiking. Usually, people are surprised when I tell them it's the BioLite 200 lightweight, USB-rechargeable headlamp. Ever
Gossamer Gear Kumo 36L Superlight Backpack Review: Vaporwave Edition
At a blisteringly austere 14.6-ounce base, the Gossamer Gear Kumo is a bare-bones backpack that doesn't actually have any bones (it's frameless). It offers everything a long-distance hiker could need
LightHeart Gear FireFly 1-Person Trekking Pole Tent Review
At its core, the newest version of the LightHeart Gear FireFly tent trades simplicity for space. It requires a few extra pieces, as well as a few extra steps in...
REI Quarter Dome SL 1 Tent Review
Choosing a tent that works well for you is one of the most important gear decisions a backpacker can make. It pays to do some research and hold out for...