Nathan Pipenberg

From gear to gadgets, these are the ten best gifts for the weight-weenie in your life.

Our top picks will help you sleep soundly, from frigid evenings in the Midwest to full on Alaskan expeditions.

We tested dozens of pads in an effort to find the very best on the market, ideal for everything from mild winters to the world’s most extreme climates.

After testing 28 down and synthetic options, these eight rose to the top of the ranks.

We tested 25 sleeping bags. Only eight of them kept our trekkers toasty and dry all season.

Our testers put everything from budget aluminum poles to the fanciest carbon we could find through the wringer. These are our favorites.

We lost sleep over narrow, scratchy, crinkly pads so that you don’t have to.

CNOC unveils the ThruBottle as a direct upgrade to the Smartwater bottle.

The new web app combines gear organization and trip reports in a user-friendly package.

Are the unique shape and simple locking mechanism enough to set it apart?

From headlamp straps to trekking pole holsters, these hacks are cheap and (nearly) weightless.

Cutting your pack weight can make for a more fun experience on the trail—to a point. From backpacking with no backpack to trying the Triple Crown without a sleeping bag or tent, we share four stories of hikers who pushed ultralight to uncomfortable—and occasionally dangerous—places.

Only one of these sub-three ounce slip-ons is worth taking on your next hike.

For now, the new rival to Ultra will be found only on Hyperlite Mountain Gear packs.

The Vaucluse ventilation frame is an inexpensive add-on for airflow.

They’re multi-use—and lighter than even the latest high-tech seats.

Conservation corps members are increasingly important to fixing America’s trails. Thanks to federal funding cuts, their jobs are now in jeopardy.

It’s cheap, lightweight, and performs adequately in wind. Can it edge out the competition?

Staffing cuts at federal agencies and slashed budgets are slowing down maintenance efforts on the long-distance trail.

It might not be a “technical fabric,” but linen is the best choice for scorching, dry climates.

We put the latest, lightest pad pumps to the test.

Is the versatility worth the weight?

The NB Air is our new top pick for overnighters and other short trips.

Yes, I know it's a controversial opinion. But even on my lightest and fastest trips, I've found that ditching bottles for a bladder is a better, smoother way to hike.

Without federal funding and support from agency partners, trail stewardship organizations are struggling to keep maintenance projects afloat.

These tried-and-true picks can survive a thru-hike without breaking the bank.

The UK-based brand takes a novel approach to keeping dry.

We put the Chinese brand’s $164 Zpacks lookalike to the test.

Its unique design creates a rare combination of stiffness and light weight.

From Alpha to Octa, we compare four of the best featherweight fleeces.

Oversized and decidedly uncool, the poncho is still one of my top choices for rainy hikes.

It’s featherweight, but is it durable? We tested all summer to find out.

Gore-Tex is going PFAS-free. Does its waterproof tech still perform?

From Dyneema doggy bowls to fuel-saving gadgets, these are the ideal presents for friends and family with baseweight in mind.

Wind screens and a slow burn are your best friends.

In response to a shrinking budget, the land management agency is suspending seasonal hiring next year. Public lands will bear the cost.

At under two pounds, the brand’s latest mattress offers car camping comfort at backpacking weight.

We tried out the ridiculously lightweight Deploy Down Hoody to see how it holds up in the real world.

A stuff sack full of clothes is often the last obstacle holding back new ultralighters.

With clever design, the LOFI stove brings ultralight efficiency to the humble wood burner.

You don't have to shiver in your sleeping bag or cram into a tent just because you’re outside the industry standard for height.

Financing a thru-hike can be expensive. But is it OK to ask others for help?

The cottage industry is brimming with new products using the latest tech fleece.

Over the past 15 years, ultralight gear has gone mainstream—and gotten a bit heavier, too.

Around the country, land managers are clamoring for new trails, but workers are scarce. New college programs and higher wages could help solve the trail work industry’s labor crisis.

With artist prints and thoughtful design, Wild Brush gear stands out for all the right reasons.

Everything you ever wanted to know about sun protection, from UPF ratings to color choices.

A cheap, thin pad is the ultimate multi-use accessory.

Heather "Anish" Anderson obliterated the previous record, hiking 800-miles in 24 days with no aid or resupply.

At less than an ounce, the BRS 3000T is definitely ultralight. But does it work?

Glen Van Peski’s new memoir dishes out life advice and takes readers behind the scenes at Gossamer Gear.

Trendy, high-tech pack fabrics aren’t the upgrade you think they are.

These ounce-saving sleeping bag alternatives come in more shapes and sizes than ever. This is what you need to know before buying.

Our columnist takes on a DIY rite of passage.

We’ve all heard of the redwoods and giant sequoias, but old growth is all around us—if you know where to look.

We put the Traverse's water-shedding tech to the test.

Modern hiking shoes don’t last long. A few companies are trying to buck that trend.

As gear has gotten lighter, the traditional ten-pound baseweight limit for ultralighters has become a thing of the past. It's time to take a more expansive view of what it means to go light.

Looking for a heroic adventure? Hike across an island, seek a rare beast, or complete three more quests on these life-list treks.

Graflyte looks to compete with current ultralight pack material favorite, Ultra.

LearnMYOG is leading the way for the niche community’s DIY makers and crafters.

Leki’s Hemp One Vario poles prove that hemp is a viable option for sustainable outdoor gear.

Challenge Outdoor's textile lineup is growing. Here's how to know what you’re buying.

When it comes to packing for a winter camping trip, separating good advice from falsehoods can be difficult.

You’ve heard of long-distance hiking’s Big Three, but North America has more amazing thru-hikes to discover. Find a new challenge—and a new perspective on the backcountry—on these incredible lesser-known trails.

The iconoclast has become a staple in the ultralight community by refusing to follow trends.

In a category that’s innovation-averse, Cumulus Outdoor Equipment has the competitive edge.

The Whisper splits the difference between tarp and tent.

The budget ultralight brand's shelters beat their competitors on price—but what about performance? We tested the Lanshan 2 Pro to see how it stacks up.

Alpacka’s newest lightweight boat is the best choice for most backpackers.

A lighter pack is a worthy goal—just don’t take it too far.

We tested gear made with the hottest new ultralight fabrics, Ultraweave and UltraTNT

Matteo Volpi hopes his packs will bring thru-hiking culture south of the border.

The Idaho Centennial Trail is a long trail experience that takes hikers through some of the most remote, beautiful terrain in the lower 48. But years of deferred maintenance mean that it’s in danger of vanishing into the wilderness.

Changing environmental standards have upended the industry.

UltraTNT can help manufacturers create lightweight tents that don't deform under tension. The downside? It’s still heavier than Dyneema.

3F UL’s equipment costs a fraction of its American cottage counterparts. Is it any good?

In an industry dominated by a single body-type, the Virga 3 is making waves.

Comparing two titans of featherweight design

Ultra-super-megalight gear and universal sat phones might be standard in 50 years—if the backpackers of the future even want them, that is.