backpacks

Gear Review: Mountainsmith Zerk 40L Fastpack

Gear Review: Mountainsmith Zerk 40L Fastpack

The Zerk 40L Fastpack is a brand new pack from Mountainsmith designed in conjunction with backpacking athlete Tom Gathman, aka the Real Hiking Viking. It was built for a Fastest...

Apr 30, 2019 : Carl Stanfield
Top Backpacks of 2017: Results from the Annual Hiker Survey

Top Backpacks of 2017: Results from the Annual Hiker Survey

In this installment of The Trek’s 2017 Hiker Survey, we cover backpacks and shake downs. We asked hikers about the frame type, capacity, brand, and model of their backpacks. In...

Jan 8, 2018 : Mariposa
Best Thru Hiking Backpacks of 2017

Best Thru Hiking Backpacks of 2017

As backpacking gear gets lighter and hikers more savvy with their base weight, the pack trend has followed suit... or perhaps led the charge.We sifted through the current offerings—from the...

Jun 12, 2017 : The Editors
Superior Wilderness Designs: UL Backpacks You Should Know About

Superior Wilderness Designs: UL Backpacks You Should Know About

The masterminds behind SWD: Stitch and Good Lady The Ultralight Backpacking industry’s future began to change in January of 2016, when Brandon McIntyre (Stitch) and Ashley Thick (Good Lady)

May 5, 2017 : Mary Beth Skylis
Do I Really Need All These Packs?

Do I Really Need All These Packs?

The four packs in my go to inventory range from a slim and trim 12 oz. day pack to a 6 lb., 4 oz. behemoth of an expedition pack.

Apr 27, 2017 : John Edward Harris
Evolution of My Gear – Aiming for Ultralight

Evolution of My Gear – Aiming for Ultralight

In my last post, I talked about my plan to go with the flow on the trail and provided some background on my professional life prior to hitting the trail....

Feb 25, 2017 : Jim McNelis (Moonshine)
Great Pack Debate: Pros & Cons of ULA Circuit Vs Osprey Viva

Great Pack Debate: Pros & Cons of ULA Circuit Vs Osprey Viva

Apparently, I wasn't quite done with the Great Pack Debate. In my last post, I talked about how reducing my base weight was the answer to my pack dilemma. However,...

Feb 7, 2017 : Annette 'The Rainbow'
Dyneema: The Future of Backpacking?

Dyneema: The Future of Backpacking?

The advances that DSM Dyneema and Cuban Technologies are making has allowed tent and backpack weights to be sliced in half.

Nov 21, 2016 : Mary Beth Skylis
The Top Backpacks on the Appalachian Trail: 2016 AT Thru-Hiker Survey

The Top Backpacks on the Appalachian Trail: 2016 AT Thru-Hiker Survey

Unless you're making the rest of us jealous by slackpacking the whole way, your backpack is one of the most important pieces of gear you take on a long-distance hike. Whether you...

Nov 10, 2016 : Mariposa
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Tour

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Tour

Signs at the entrance led me through hallway after hallway of artist’s studios, diners, and fabric-strewn shops. A door opened into the sunlight and an ancient alley, moss growing down...

Apr 9, 2016 : Maggie Wallace