America’s Best Backpacking and Outdoor Adventures
Ultralight Rain Shell Mountain Hardwear Quasar Hybrid Pullover $375, 9 oz. (men’s medium) Sizes: men’s S-XXL mountainhardwear.com There was a time when we thought of a waterproof-breathable jacket as a security blanket: It had to protect us against anything, so we wanted it to look like it could. Now that we know more about their strengths and weaknesses, we smartly …
Backpacks Granite Gear Leopard A.C. 58 $250, 3 lbs. 12 oz. (men’s regular) 58L/3,540 c.i. Sizes: men’s and women’s short (fits torsos 14-18 inches) and regular (fits torsos 18-22 inches). Unisex shoulder straps S-L, men’s and women’s hipbelts S-XL. Granite Gear Leopard V.C. 46 with Klymit AirBeam Frame $230, 2 lbs. 6 oz. (men’s regular with AirBeam pack frame) 46L/2,800 …
Boots La Sportiva Hyper Mid GTX $180, 2 lbs. 1 oz. (men’s 9) Sizes: men’s 38-47.5 sportiva.com A boot hits a rare trifecta when it excels for traction in any situation, delivers enough support and comfort for backpacking, and weighs only as much as the lightest hiking shoes. The mid-cut, leather Hyper Mid GTX does all of those things. I …
Three-Season Sleeping Bag REI Igneo (19° F) $329, $339 long, 1 lbs. 15 oz. (reg) Sizes: regular and long rei.com Sleeping bags have seen a lot of impressive advances recently, including water-resistant down feathers. But many of those advances jack up the price of high-end bags, while inexpensive models tend too often to be heavy, bulky, and not as well …
Sleeping Bag Liners Insect Shield Cocoon Safari Bag $80, 6 oz. (with included stuff sack) cocoon.at Sea to Summit Premium Blend Silk+Cotton Liner $55, 5.5 oz. (regular, with included stuff sack) moosejaw.com Sea to Summit Coolmax Adaptor Travel Liner $53, 10 oz. (mummy style, with included stuff sack) moosejaw.com Sleeping bags liners are essential gear for hut trips and a …