Gregory Mountain Products Z35
This pack from our <a href="https://www.backpacker.com/april_2009_table_of_contents_gear_guide_issue/articles/12859">2009 Gear Guide</a> won't buckle under even the heaviest loads.
Gear
Gear
Lowe Alpine TFX Ridge ND65+15
A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.
Eagle Creek Thrive 65L
Light weight and load-bearing: Try this clean-design, ultralight pack.
Mountain Hardwear Scrambler
This all-purpose weekend pack is comfortable and light.
ARC'TERYX Khamsin 70
Scramble around the trail with Granite Gear's ultralight and stable Vapor Flash backpack.
Lowe Alpine ACE II 25
A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.
Wenger Almer 40L
Wenger's Zernez 50L pack has mountains of features including a built-in raincover and clear map flap.
Mystery Ranch Backpacks G-5000
Pack up the weekend toys for your outdoor activity of choice in Marmot's ultralight–and ultra cheap–Alpha 25 backpack.
Osprey Kestrel 48
This best all-around pack offers plenty of easy to access pockets and compartments, making organization a cinch.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) Flash 30
Want a one-pack quiver? Get this versatile lightweight.
Millet Odyssee 45 LD
The Millet Elevation 30 has everything you want in a pack—stabilty, support, and even wrist loops.
The Coleman Company, Inc. Pounce(TM) X15
Wenger's Zernez 50L pack has mountains of features including a built-in raincover and clear map flap.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) Venturi 40
Bring along your winter toys— L.L. Bean's Mountain Guide pack can carry anything from ice climbing gear to skis.
Millet Elevation 40
The Millet Elevation 30 has everything you want in a pack—stabilty, support, and even wrist loops.
JanSport Tahoma
The Tahoma wins out as a high country favorite.
JanSport Klamath 55
Strap on the comfortable Osprey Argon 85 pack for those long treks with heavy loads.
Montbell North America Versalite Pack 20
A convertible travel pack that can carry big loads.
Mountain Hardwear BMG
A 100-liter pack that provides excellent load transfer and customlike comfort
Millet Elevation 50
The Millet Elevation 30 has everything you want in a pack—stabilty, support, and even wrist loops.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) Venus
Bring along your winter toys— L.L. Bean's Mountain Guide pack can carry anything from ice climbing gear to skis.
Eagle Creek Twist 22
Light weight and load-bearing: Try this clean-design, ultralight pack.
Lafuma Kerala 45 LD
Scramble up anything with the North Face's climber-oriented Spire 40 backpack.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) Stoke 19 Women's
Bring along your winter toys— L.L. Bean's Mountain Guide pack can carry anything from ice climbing gear to skis.
Millet Expe 65
Want a one-pack quiver? Get this versatile lightweight.
ALPS Mountaineering Denali 5500
The durable Lowe Alpine Airzone Centro 45+10 backpack is full of handy pockets and bungees for the organized trekker.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) Flash 50
Want a one-pack quiver? Get this versatile lightweight.
Bergans of Norway Hein 35
Light weight and load-bearing: Try this clean-design, ultralight pack.
Mystery Ranch Backpacks G-7000
Pack up the weekend toys for your outdoor activity of choice in Marmot's ultralight–and ultra cheap–Alpha 25 backpack.
LL Bean L.L.Bean Escape Pack
Here's high-performance proof that a big pack can have a small footprint.
Bergans of Norway Helium 40
Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.
CamelBak® Aventura
Carry up to 100 ounces of hydration power with this comfortable daypack.
ARC'TERYX Arrakis 50
Scramble around the trail with Granite Gear's ultralight and stable Vapor Flash backpack.
Mammut Aspect 28
Ski mountaineers will love both climbing and cruising in this pack from our <a href="https://www.backpacker.com/april_2009_table_of_contents_gear_guide_issue/articles/12859">2009 Gear Guide</a>.
GoLite VO24
This all-purpose weekend pack is comfortable and light. A 100-liter pack that provides excellent load transfer and customlike comfort
Millet Odyssee 45
The Millet Elevation 30 has everything you want in a pack—stabilty, support, and even wrist loops.
Bergans of Norway Helium 55
Light weight and load-bearing: Try this clean-design, ultralight pack.
BOREAL STONE
Scramble around the trail with Granite Gear's ultralight and stable Vapor Flash backpack.
Millet Trek Lite 60 +10
This pack moves with you.
ARC'TERYX Bora 35
Scramble around the trail with Granite Gear's ultralight and stable Vapor Flash backpack.
Vaude Tour 40
You won't find a better pack at a cheaper price than Vaude's Astra 55+10.
Deuter USA Aircontact 55+10
Great for family camping trips, this pack has plenty of useful features that everyone in the family can enjoy. Don't judge a pack by its price: this pack's a loaded bargain.
Granite Gear Meridian Vapor
Scramble around the trail with Granite Gear's ultralight and stable Vapor Flash backpack.
Vaude Versametric 70 + 10
Vaude created a simple, no-frills pack high on stability with the Versametric Ultralight 60+10.
GoLite Pursuit
This all-purpose weekend pack is comfortable and light. A 100-liter pack that provides excellent load transfer and customlike comfort
Black Diamond Black Diamond Bullet
Pack up the weekend toys for your outdoor activity of choice in Marmot's ultralight–and ultra cheap–Alpha 25 backpack.
Field Notes: Boots, Jackets, Tents, And More
The latest word from our testers. This month, we test the Marmot Cauldro jacket, Gregory Z65 pack, Exped Andromeda, tents, Danner Formation boots, and more.
Green Scene: Eco-Friendly Wool
Learn how you can shop for ethical, eco-friendly wool to lighten your planetary load.
Fabric Softener on Down?
Is it safe or advisable to use Febreeze or other "fabric refreshers" on my down sleeping bag?
Is Stove Fuel Dangerous on My Skin?
How toxic is methanol? Is it safe to get on my body?
Fighting Fall Moisture
During my hikes in the fall, between the summer and winter layers, moisture builds up and my chest tends to rub raw. What is the best way to stop this, besides changing shirts more often? Could I use something like Vaseline?
Hip Belt Causing Numbness
When carrying a pack of pretty much any size and weight and using the hip belt, my left leg will go numb sometimes. The problem goes away if I loosen the belt, but this defeats carrying the weight on my waist. (I've been fitted by knowledgeable people.)
Does Bleach Repel Bears?
I'm going fishing in the Trinity Forest rivers, and there are a lot of bears there at this time of year. I can't afford an expensive bear deterrent: What can I use to assist me? I was told to use regular pepper spray or bleach.
Thunderstorm on the Water
We're rafters. In a thunderstorm, should we stay in the boat (the absolute lowest point around) or pull ashore and get out of the water?
Essential Cooking Gear
What are some important tools to take along for good food prep on the trail?
Trekking Poles Review: Leki Carbonlite
Our reviewer found the Leki Carbonlite poles "tough, compact, and eerily light...."
Camera Pack Review: Crumpler Karachi Outpost
This hearty camera bag has plenty of room, and padding, to haul picture-taking paraphernalia plus hiking gear.
The Specialist: How to Make Your Boots Last
4 sole-saving tips from a veteran boot doctor
Make a Tarp Tent
This ultralight mainstay transforms from an A-frame sleeping shelter to a lean-to kitchen in seconds. Tip: Practice on a paper model if you're new to sewing.
Ditch the Tent: How to Set Up a Tarp
Mountain weather in September is typically dry and warm–the perfect time to lighten your load with a versatile tarp.
Extreme Layering: All-Purpose Clothing
For all-purpose performance year-round, this layering system works overtime through any weather.
Extreme Layering: Rainy-Weather Clothing
Don't let a crappy forecast keep you home for the weekend. Just pack this deluge-tested system.
Extreme Layering: Hot-Weather Clothing
From the Grand Canyon to sunshine-pounded Colorado peaks, stay cool and comfortable with this ultralight system.
Extreme Layering: Cold-Weather Clothing
Our testers faced raging blizzards, pounding hail, frigid temps, and 60-mph winds to select these top clothes.
Extreme Layering: Clothing for all Weather Conditions
Wild weather coming? We've devised a perfect system for every condition.
The BACKPACKER Sleeping Bag Water Torture Test
We go above and beyond the regular gear testing rigamarole. We'll simulate a thunderstorm, go for full submersion, and then, a cold–weather test...in a beer fridge.
Hiking While Menstruating?
Should I be worried about hiking in bear country when menstruating?
A Kilt Prevents Chafing?
How do I prevent chafing? Nothing I've tried seems to work.
How Do I Layer for Cold Weather?
I've never really understood the principles of layering. For cold weather treks, should my baselayer be cotton or wool? What about my midlayer? Wool? Fleece? What are the basics of layering for any occasion?
2008 Apparel Guide: The Outtakes
We couldn't fit all of our reviews in one spot. Here, read the outtakes.
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You won't roll off of this foam, self-inflating pad.
Can I Eat a Scorpion?
On an episode of Survivorman, Les Stroud cooked grasshoppers, stating if you didn't, you might get a tapeworm. But he ate a raw scorpion–couldn't one just as easily get a tapeworm from a scorpion?
Big or Little Pre-Hike Breakfast?
I am trying to lose weight and boost my stamina for a hike to Colorado next year. Should I eat a big breakfast for a three-day hike to the Porcupine Mountains, or a smaller breakfast and rely on my fat reserves to help burn off the weight?
Drive to Get Ready for Altitude?
Is it better to drive a long distance to a much higher elevation (like from the Northeast to the Rockies) to get used to the elevation gradually?
Plants for Bug Repellent?
On a recent backpacking trip, I underestimated the amount of mosquito repellent we'd need. Is there a North American plant that can be used, or something one can do to avoid being eaten alive?
Apparel Guide: L.L. Bean Timberledge Winter Sport Pant and OR Prismatic Cap
From head to, well, ankle, our testers give Outdoor Research and L.L. Bean a whirl.
Apparel Guide: Baselayers
Contain your body heat with with these skin-hugging baselayers: the 180s Quantum Dry Base Layer crew and pant, Icebreaker 180 GT Chase 1/4 Zip, Patagonia Wool 2 long sleeve crew and bottoms, and White Sierra Bamboo Crew.
Apparel Guide: Jackets and Insulation Essentials
Stay warm with the Arc'teryx Kappa SV Hoody, Marmot Torrid, REI Ladro Hoodie, and Solstice Cool Ruler.
Apparel Guide: All-Purpose Shells
Check out the Cloudveil Hobak, EMS Aurora Shell Pant, L.L. Bean Ascent GTX, Mountain Hardwear Dragon, and Sierra Designs Cyclone Eco
Lightning Storm Duck and Cover
I've been told for years that the proper way to wait out a lightning storm is to crouch down. Why is this better than lying down on the ground?
Camp Coffee Gear: Make the Perfect Cup
4 backcountry brew gadgets even the snobbiest baristas will love.