backpacking gear reviews

The Black Diamond Distance Wind Shell.

The Best Ultralight Hiking and Running Jackets of 2026

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By Michael Lanza

You’re out on an all-day hike or a long climb or trail run or ride in the mountains. The weather forecast looked pretty good before you set out—but no one shared that memo with the wind that just started hammering your summit ridge, or the spitting rain and hail now pelting you as you contemplate the sudden drop in temperature and the miles between you and shelter. The question now is: What’s in your pack?

If you’re smart—and the weather forecast didn’t look to awful—it’s an ultralight jacket that takes up little space, but is about to gift you with just the right amount of weather protection when you need it.

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Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket.

The 12 Best Down Jackets of 2026

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By Michael Lanza

Whatever you need an insulated jacket for, there’s a down or synthetic puffy for your needs, within your budget. And whether you want a puffy jacket for outdoor activities like backpacking, camping, skiing, climbing, and hut treks, or just to keep you warm around town or at outdoor sporting events, this review will help you figure out how to choose the right jacket for your purposes, and it spotlights the best down and synthetic insulated jackets available today.

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Jetboil Flash 1.8L

Review: Jetboil Flash 1.8L

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Backpacking Stove
Jetboil Flash 1.8L
$165, 1 lb. 1.76 oz./504g
backcountry.com

On a recent five-day, 50+-mile backpacking trip through the Grand Canyon, I often arrived at camp exhausted from the day’s hiking. And given the caloric expenditure required by such a trip, that exhaustion invariably came with deep hunger. Being able to quickly boil enough water for the whole group of hungry backpackers—meaning, no waiting in line for food— with Jetboil’s Flash 1.8L helped prevent me from gnawing anyone’s leg off during these trying situations.

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Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 on a backpacker with the Grand Canyon in the background

Review: Gossamer Gear Gorilla Ultralight Backpack

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Ultralight Backpack
Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50
$275, 50L/3051 c.i., 2 lbs. 1oz/934g (Medium, S/M Belt)
Sizes: Small (fits torsos 16-18 ins.) Medium (18-20 ins.), Large (20-22 ins.)
gossamergear.com

I’ve always drawn a line when it comes to ultralight backpacks: My backpack is arguably my most important piece of gear on a backpacking trip (it’s literally in the name!), and cutting ounces of weight from my pack delivers no improvement to how I feel if it’s uncomfortable to carry for hours or days. But that logic rests on the assumption that pack comfort requires those extra ounces—and carrying the Gorilla 50 on an arduous, five-day backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon [link] convinced me of this ultralight animal’s ability to comfortably carry everything I need for even that hard of a trip.

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Leki Skytera FX Carbon SL

Review: Leki Skytera FX Carbon SL Trekking Poles

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Trekking Poles
Leki Skytera FX Carbon SL
$220, 12.6 oz./357g (per pair)
One size, adjustable 110-130cm/43.3-51.2 ins.
lekiusa.com

Poles are one of the most important pieces of gear to save weight on: held in your hands all day, a few extra ounces will be infinitely more noticeable than the same weight on your back. Leki’s Skytera FX Carbon poles weigh in impressively light compared to most poles while still retaining many of the features I prefer in a pair of trekking poles, like adjustability and construction that holds up. From a very rugged five-day backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon to numerous runs and hikes on the steep and rocky trails above my home in Salt Lake City—such as Mount Olympus, which rises a blistering 4,000 feet in 3 miles—I’ve been convinced that these poles offer a good balance of weight, features, and durability.

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