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Ultralight Gear Store:
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 Lightweight Outdoor Gear



  The Lightweight Backpacker Welcomes You !

If you engage in backpacking, at some point, you may consider packing a lighter load. That consideration was the main reason that Backpacking Lightweight was created in 1996, and it continues to be its primary focus. Since then, however, the Lightweight Backpacking & Hiking website has grown to include a vast repository of resources useful for year-round backcountry safety & enjoyment. While it is true that Backpacking Lightweight promotes ultralight backpacking & hiking, featuring lightweight backpacking equipment, it is a also a proven resource - for all backcountry travelers - for researching and purchasing quality outdoor gear!!  We welcome you, and we hope you will enjoy traversing the Lightweight Backpacking & Hiking website.

Shop Hiking Gear !
Ultralight Hiking Trekking Light
Featured Stuff
Winter Backpacking Snowshoeing
This n' That

 Backcountry Gear Clearance
BACKPACKING LIGHT GEAR SUGGESTIONS !


Hiking & Backpacking Forums
Hiking & Backpacking Forums


The new Gregory backpacks drive home the "lighter and faster" philosophy, while keeping packing comfortable and affordable. Time-tested quality applied to their new lightweight backpacks for women and for men.



Outdoor clothing you can depend on again and again. Holds it's value very well also, and someday you can sell on eBay! :)


  ULTRALITE SUPER !,
by Western Mountaineering

Western Mountaineering Ultralite Sleeping Bag


For the nth year running, this is by far our favorite 3-season, ultralight sleeping bag - at only 1 lb, 10 oz.
More Info HERE ! )



Complement Your lightest, warmest WM bag with the lightest, warmest mattress!! - from ThermaRest
 
Light, Warm, Compact, Durable - The NeoAir Mattress and the NeoAir Seat are the world's lightest, most advanced 3-season air mattress. The top choice for people who have strict weight and space limitations on everything from high-mileage journeys to fast and light weekends.


Innovative, ultralight, high-quality all describe Black Diamond gear.


Outdoor Gear Reviews    
Hiking & Backpacking Forums
Hiking & Backpacking Forums


Popular Backpacking &
Hiking Community

ENTER HERE!
Not just discussion, but a backpacking and hiking community! One of the best places on the planet to interact with backpacking gear experts!! Get answers to your questions, share your expertise, or just hang out with a knowledgable and fun community of backcountry travelers & outdoor gear connoisseurs.
 

BACKPACKING GEAR REVIEWS
 
Our collective backpacking & hiking experiences have made this website a wealth of backcountry information. Here we share our experiences via articles, short stories, gear reviews, gear-making instructions, knowledge nuggets, gear lists, etc. All contributions are published and periodically one is selected and FEATURED on this page.
 
Featured Article
 
Lightening the Load
( by Greg Cope (aka trailblazer) )

Hiking Lightweight:
 
Hiking lightweight is not a new concept. Since the advent of what we consider backcountry hiking, there have been those who have headed into the backcountry with little more to accompany them than a blanket and a little food. Indeed, anyone who has hiked for an extended period of time knows the value of lightening the weight one carries. A lighter backpack can not only help propel one up that hill, or help ones knees on the backside of that hill, but also can help one enjoy the overall venture even more. Before I began my lightweight change, I would hike just to get there. Now - with less weight - I can actually hike just to hike.
 
As I look back several years ago, my backpack must have weighed in at over 50lbs. It was an all too familiar feeling for me....hike a few minutes, rest. Hike a few minutes, rest. With my heart beating so hard and my head reeling in exhaustion, I had a hard time enjoying what should have been solitude and serenity, but was only downright punishment......It was during one of these moments several years ago when the ray of "light" .... dawned ...

Complete Article HERE ! )


 

Stay Healthy--Eat Well

MARY JANES FARM ORGANIC MEALS

Mary Janes Farm Organic Backcountry Meals

NATURAL HIGH GOURMET MEALS

Natural High

 



Sleeping Bags    

Free "MS Word" Downloads:
( click title, to download )
Traveling Light Philosophy & PracticeThe Philosophy & Practice of Traveling Light in the Backcountry
Winter TipsWinter Camping Tips
Camping with Sherlock HolmesSherlock Holmes goes Camping
Hiking Fourteen EssentialsBackpacking 14 Essentials
Outdoor Gear ChecklistBackpacking Gear Checklist

Make Your Own Gear
Your newest projects published at the Make Your Own Outdoor Gear website:

Homemade camp stovethe FireLight Stove - a soda can stove - by Ray Prince (3/29/07)
Homemade BackpackInstructions for Making Your Own Backpack - by DJ (1/27/07 Update)
Outdoor Gear ChecklistInstructions for Making Your Own Bike Panniers - by Scott Shurlow
Lightweight BackpacksTHE KD5IVP Backpacker Yagi - by Paul Dryer, KD5IVP
Ultralight TentJones Tent II - Two Person, Two Pound Tent - by Phil Jones

Submit YOUR Projects !!



 


Some of our favorite Gear:
- Mountainsmith packs
- Western Mountaineering sleeping bags
- Marmot sleeping bags
- Granite Gear packs
- Integral Designs tents, bags
- Black Diamond tents, lights
- MSR Stoves Tents Cookware
- Snowpeak stoves & cookware
- GoLite packs & Golite tents
- Osprey backpacks
- Lightweight Climbing Gear

and don't forget::
- Backpacking Food


Ultralite Gear for Cyclists? - YES


 

 

Backpacking.net TM Recommended Reading

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Backpacking Experiences

" Not all those who
   wander are lost ! "

J.R.R. Tolkien

Day Hike Supplies for YouOutdoor Gear Reviewed  
TLB in THE TIMES
TLB in Backpacker
Backpacking Lightweight in The New York Times

TLB in BACKPACKER TM
Day Hiking Equipment List
Hiking Light in Backpacker Magazine
SUPPORT TLB Hiking with Children is Fun PORTAL