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EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS 2009: THE BEST NEW GEAR
OVER 3,000 GPS-ENABLED TRIPS!
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GEAR CHICK: YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
MEDICINE MAN: ESSENTIAL SKILLS REVEALED
BACKPACKING 101: GET STARTED NOW!
VIDEOS: FEND OFF A BEAR, PACK RIGHT, AND MORE.
PHOTOS: FEAST YOUR EYES WITH THESE SHOTS
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Backpacker Magazine – April 2009
Get This Gear: Essentials From A to Z
We tested more than 500 products–stoves, clothes, cameras, filters, tech tools, knives, and meals–to find these proven performers.
X
Xylophone
Upgrade any campfire jam with a lightweight, packable (it's less than five inches tall and around) Stirring Xylophone. Who knew? $16; larkinthemorning.com
Y
Yoga moves
Improve core strength to prevent injury and rejuvenate sore muscles with this quick (and free!) routine from our sister publication, Yoga Journal. yogajournal.com/video/56
Z
Zipline
You don't need kids to justify a zipline. One staffer installed the Spring Swings Fun Ride in his backyard and says, "If you have two trees, you owe yourself this rush." $50-$100 (depending on length); springswings.com
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The latest gadgets for technophobes, technogeeks,
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READERS COMMENTS
Are you kidding me with the $30 chopsticks?? I thought this magazine was about appreciating outdoors, not marketing a bunch of needless crap.
Posted: Nov 13, 2009 Shane
I use the nite ize s biner as a key chaine. I hook it to my belt loop. Numeros times my keys have fallen off. I usually can hear the sound of keys hitting the ground. On a recent end of Fly fishing adventure. I turned the car around to do a final check for any forgoten equipment. The metalic reflection came from the ground. I got out and there was the nite Ize S-biner. BackPacker Editors award and all. Spring not strong enough!
Posted: May 27, 2009 Lost Keys
How many backpackers do you know that carry $600 binoculars? Get real.
Posted: May 16, 2009 dropkick
I'm really surprised to see MSR's quick 2 system at the same time that GSI's dualist system is not mentioned yet it has the 2008 editor's choice and lighter than MSR's. This really makes me question the credibility of the whole backpacker's site that I have always had it as a flagship.
Posted: May 14, 2009 AN
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