Behind the Scenes: Making the 2012 Survival Cover
A behind-the-scenes look at shooting the 2012 Survival Cover with photographer Bud Force.
2012
Editors' Choice Snow Award 2012: Sierra Designs Tov and L.L. Bean Ultralite 850
Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter explains the new innovations in down insulation technology. See what our team thought of these two water-resistant down jackets.
Editors' Choice Snow Award 2012: Vasque Snow Junkie UD Boots
Staff Photographer Ben Fullerton reviews the lightweight Snow Junkie boots from Vasque
Editors' Choice Snow Award 2012: Sierra Designs Ymir 55 Pack
Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter reviews the ski-specific, multi-day Ymir 55 pack from Sierra Designs
Editors' Choice Snow Awards 2012: Sierra Designs TOV Jacket
Andrew Bydlon reviews Sierra Designs' TOV Jacket which utilizes the innovative DryDown technology
Editors' Choice Snow Award 2012: Scarpa Alien Boot
Contributing Editor Tracy Ross shows off the remarkably light Scarpa Alien
Editors' Choice Snow Award 2012: La Sportiva Storm Fighter GTX Pants
Staff Photographer Ben Fullerton shows off La Sportiva's bullet-proof Storm Fighter pants
Editors' Choice Snow Award 2012: Komperdell Carbon Expedition Vario 4 Poles
Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter shows the versatile and collapsible Vario 4 poles from Komperdell
Editors' Choice Snow Award 2012: First Ascent Katabatic Tent
Executive Editor Dennis Lewon with First Ascent's Katabatic Tent
Editors' Choice Snow Award 2012: First Ascent BC Microtherm Hoody
Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter demonstrates First Ascent's thermal down jacket in action
Editors' Choice Snow Awards 2012: Cabela's E.C.W.C.S. Thermal Zone Baselayer
Staff Photographer Ben Fullerton raves about Cabela's Thermal Zone Baselayers.
Editors' Choice Snow Award 2012: Bear Creek Country Kitchens Dry Soup Mixes
Our yurt-dwelling test team shares the goodness of Bear Creek Country Soup Mixes
Editors' Choice Snow Award 2012: Black Diamond Carbon Megawatt Skis
Editor-in-Chief Dennis Lewon reviews Black Diamond's killer Carbon Megawatt Skis
Editors' Choice 2012: Hungry Hikers Murray's Hurried Curry
Beat the backcountry blahs with this aromatic curry dish Beat the backcountry blahs with this aromatic curry dish.
Editors' Choice 2012: L.L.Bean Microlight FS 2 Tent
An ultralight tent for two that's under two hundred bucks.
Editors' Choice 2012: Snow Peak SnowMiner Headlamp
A headlamp that doubles as a hanging lantern A headlamp that doubles as a hanging lantern.
Editors' Choice 2012: Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
An ingenious water filtration system - no pumping required.
Editors' Choice 2012: MSR WhisperLite Universal Stove
A multifuel stove that burns liquid gas and canister fuel with ease.
Editors' Choice Gold 2012: Kahtoola MICROspikes
The ultimate in lightweight traction The ultimate in lightweight traction.
Editors' Choice 2012: Kühl Liberator Zip-off Pants
Our zip-off pant hater has become a believer with these stylish convertibles.
Editors' Choice Gold 2012: Lodge Cast Iron Camp Dutch Ovens
Upgrade your car camping menu with this pioneer pot.
Editors' Choice 2012: Salomon Synapse Mid
Running-shoe comfort with hiking-boot stability.
Editors' Choice 2012: Climbing Chile's Volcano San Pedro
The BACKPACKER editors head to the ultimate gear testing ground: Chile's 3,600-meter Volcano San Pedro
Editors' Choice 2012: Boreas Buttermilks 55 & Lost Coast 60
Two ultralight, ultracomfortable backpacks - one with a top lid and one without.
Editors' Choice 2012: inReach 2-way Satellite Communicator by DeLorme
Send and receive messages from the backcountry