Dear Gear Team,

I鈥檝e been backpacking for a few years and am thinking of buying some ultralight gear, but I鈥檓 worried about cost and comfort. Are the trade-offs worth it?

鈥擶eighing My Options

This question is all about aspiration. I remember the first time I saw an ultralight-equipped hiker like it was yesterday. I was exploring Oregon鈥檚 Cascades with an overloaded pack and had just slogged a mile up 1,000 vertical feet, pausing before the valley that would lead to a cirque, when Ms. Ultralight swept up silently behind me wearing minimalist trail-running shoes and a teensy pack. A quick hello escaped her lips as she passed, and then she floated over a talus field like an apparition, disappearing into the woods beyond. When I arrived at the base of the cirque an hour later, there she was in the distance, a hammock slung between two trees, with the best possible view of the iridescent blue lake before us. I slowly set up what suddenly felt like a totally overwrought camp, jealous of her compact accommodations, her defined quadriceps, and her next-to-nothing pack. Could I be like that one day?

It turns out I could. In the years that followed, I backpacked more and carried less. I pinched pennies to buy a lighter tent, sleeping bag, and stove. I whittled down my packing list and built up my mileage, which toned my quads. I knew I was in deep when I sawed off half of my closed-cell foam pad to curtail my load. Yet, one night as I lay upon that half-pad, the mosquitos gnawing at my cheeks (I鈥檇 taken to leaving my tent behind when the forecast was good) and my belly rumbling because I hadn鈥檛 brought enough food, I decided that I鈥檇 had enough.

On that night I asked myself: Why do I backpack? The verdict became clear to me as my cheeks swelled with insect saliva: I do this to get away from people and enjoy nature鈥斺�渆njoy鈥� being the key verb there. I don鈥檛 do it to spend a small fortune on wispy gear, only to curl up in the fetal position with half my body against the unforgiving ground.

So ask yourself the same. Do you want to experience wilderness at a reasonable clip鈥攁nd enjoy a few comforts while you鈥檙e at it鈥攐r push yourself to the limits equipped with only the bare necessities? Neither is wrong, but your answer will reveal your truth. And that鈥檚 crucial amid today鈥檚 divisive gear world, a place full of holier-than-thou rhetoric and proclamations from magazines like this one, internet forums where many will tell you that ultralight is the only way, and enough featherweight models on the market to keep you researching for years. If you鈥檙e about to hike thousands of miles, you should probably dive in and read the reviews. But if you鈥檙e a weekend warrior squeezing in a few longer trips each year, all that fretting over grams is probably for naught. Your quads will look better with the extra weight anyway.

Send your questions to deargear@outsideinc.com.

The post Is Ultralight Backpacking Gear Worth the Cost to My Budget鈥攁nd My Comfort? appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Packs play an important role in the winter backcountry, helping us get out faster, stay out longer, and do it all more safely. This year鈥檚 crop uses every trick in the book: fabrics that lighten the load without compromising strength, new pockets that add volume without bulk, and designs that blend the space between clothing and equipment storage. In the process, packs have also become more versatile. You might just find a reason to use these bags year-round.

Mountain Hardwear Powabunga 32 ($200)

The Powabunga changed how we pack for ski touring. At first glance, it doesn鈥檛 look revolutionary. It weighs a very average 3.1 pounds, with tough 500-denier Cordura fabric, an 颅avalanche-tool pocket, a fleecy goggles-storage pouch, and zippered back-panel access to the main compartment鈥攅verything we鈥檇 expect from a backcountry ski pack of this size. The surprises are the two side pockets. Without eating up any interior space, they fit all the gear we need on the go and used to store inside our pack, including skins, snacks, a 32-ounce water bottle, a multitool, and sunglasses. They open vertically, so things don鈥檛 fall out if the pack is lying in the snow. As a result, we wound up choosing the Powabunga for days when we鈥檇 normally use a 40-liter. It carries nicely, even when it鈥檚 overloaded, thanks to a steel frame that transfers weight onto the pivoting padded hipbelt. Of the 15 bags we tested last winter, this was the only one that had us hollering its name. Powabunga indeed! 3.1 lbs

Mystery Ranch Gallatin Peak 40L ($249)

Best for Hut Trips

The Gallatin Peak is a full-featured 颅backcountry workhorse. A massive interior easily swallows an overnight kit, while the orange lining makes everything visible. Zippered pockets in the main body and lid keep small items organized. Brightly colored glove-friendly zipper pulls make it easy to find and open the avalanche-tool pocket, which fits even big shovel blades and probes. It also has a third slot for a snow saw. Those aren鈥檛 the only new features: there鈥檚 reinforced nylon to shield the pack body from ski edges, straps for ropes and ice axes, long zippers to open both sides of the main pocket, a torso and hipbelt that are both adjustable, and generous padding. All that in a pack that weighs only three pounds鈥攊mpressive. 3 lbs

Black Diamond Cirque 22 Ski Vest ($159)

Best for Going Fast and Light

Simply put, the Cirque made us faster. Yes, it鈥檚 light鈥�1.5 pounds. But what sets it apart is the design, which marries a running vest and a ski pack. Without stopping, we could grab snacks from the two shoulder-strap pockets, pull skins out of a dedicated basement compartment, rack skis diagonally (plus remove them for the descent), and adjust the fit with a pull-cord side compression system. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think I took the pack off all day,鈥� said a tester. Just don鈥檛 overload it. Pushing the 22-liter capacity caused the pack to bulge, which made for a less comfortable fit. For minimalist missions, ski-mountaineering racing, or anyone interested in doing more skiing and less standing around, this pack delivers. 1.5 lbs

Ortovox Free Rider 28 ($190)

Best for Day Trips

Whether you鈥檙e hiking a ridge or making quick turns through steep chutes, the Free Rider makes heavy loads disappear. That鈥檚 thanks to a host of features usually found only on bigger packs, like a wide, stretchy, 颅hip-hugging waist belt, a well-cushioned back panel, and load-stabilizer straps. Even schlepping heavy alpine boards, we felt stable. A small top zipper makes essentials easy to grab from the main compartment, and a huge back-panel U-zip allows you to get to the bottom of the pack during transitions without an excavation. The 颅avalanche-tool pocket is tight for big shovel blades. But with straps to carry everything from ice axes to snowshoes, the pack is ready for any outsize winter day mission. 2.5 lbs

Black Crows Dorsa 27 ($190)

Best for Slackcountry

You鈥檇 be hard-pressed to find a more minimalist winter pack than the Dorsa, which is exactly what makes it perfect for playing just outside the resort. To keep weight down, designers nixed a dedicated avalanche-tool area. Instead, your skins, shovel, and probe share the main compartment with clothes and water. Valuables and goggles go into the top pocket, which one tester squeezed full of cookies, granola bars, and a breakfast burrito, along with a phone and keys. A roll-top closure means you can even fit a bulky resort jacket inside if you decide to hop into the sidecountry midway through an in-bounds day, while a vertical zipper down the center of the pack body gets you to your gear swiftly when you have skis racked A-frame. 2.5 lbs

Osprey Glade 12L ($110)

Best for In-Bounds

Last winter, COVID safety protocols meant base lodges were either closed or had restricted capacity. This lean, low-profile pack became our mobile locker for a ski season short on indoor breaks. A 2.5-liter hydration bladder tucks into a full-length back pocket with room to spare for a sandwich, skins, and a layer. (The insulated hose resisted icing well below freezing.) If you鈥檙e in a pinch, the second large compartment even fits avalanche tools. A small zippered pouch keeps hand warmers and a spare neck gaiter close at hand. But what impressed us the most about the Glade is how well it carried, even stuffed full. It didn鈥檛 balloon out, so lift rides were a cinch, and it rode smoothly zipping down our favorite bump runs. 2 lbs

The North Face Phantom 50 ($199)

Best for Climbing Ice and Snow

The Phantom doesn鈥檛 just offer a great bang for your buck鈥攊t squeezes maximum performance out of every pound. Its organizational features are few (just two small pockets, one in the lid and one at the left hip), but the 50-liter top loader easily swallows a technical mission鈥檚 worth of gear and has enough straps to carry ice tools, skis, and a rope. The body is nearly waterproof and made of durable 210-denier recycled nylon reinforced with Spectra, with a carbonite coating on the bottom. But our favorite feature is the compression straps, which are partially 颅routed through the shell fabric and encircle the pack. Tightening them squeezes the whole bag, not just the sides. 鈥淥verflowing or half full, it always felt stable,鈥� said a tester. 2.2 lbs

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I really didn鈥檛 need another backpack when I got my hands on the new ($300). (The pack also comes in a women鈥檚 50-liter size and unisex 55- and 70-liter sizes.) In fact, my overflowing听gear wall was practically throwing my other packs onto the floor in an act of rebellion. Despite the breadth of my quiver, when it came time to gear up for a backpacking trip, I would stare at my options, unconvinced that any would do the trick. Some were heavy and cumbersome yet never fit my equipment quite right; others were ultralight and made for a single purpose. Missing was the versatile hauler I needed to be my ride-or-die on sprawling scenic trails or rugged granite peaks.

Feeling choosier than Goldilocks herself, I decided to test the 4.2-pound, 65-liter PCT on a stretch of its namesake trail through the Mt. Hood National Forest, hoping it would put an end to my search for the just-right backpack. And after 21 miles and three hot, buggy days, this pack has become my go-to for multi-day treks through any type of mountain terrain.

I am not a hiker who is gentle on their gear. I believe that true durability allows you to be in the moment, rather than worrying about wear and tear. Not only were the PCT鈥檚 210-denier ripstop body and 420-denier Cordura bottom lightweight, I was pleasantly surprised that they held up to getting snagged on downed trees and being haphazardly tossed on the ground at the end of the day. As an added bonus, everything but the base is made from 100 percent recycled materials. Mountain Hardwear even worked with its supplier to make cording out of scrap yarns to keep material out of landfill.

On the trail, I was impressed by the PCT鈥檚 sleek design and variety of compartments. It鈥檚 primarily a top-loading pack, but you can unzip the front panel to provide easy access to the bottom and middle of the main compartment. This front-loading design is something I鈥檝e loved about my ski touring pack鈥擨 can quickly grab gear stashed at the bottom without having to totally unpack鈥攂ut sorely missed in my backpacking haulers until now. It enables me听to set up camp in a jiff while keeping everything else neatly(ish) in place.

The removable lid has two extremely roomy zippered pockets on top and one on the underside. When I filled them up with items I wanted handy, like a headlamp, fresh socks, hats, and a generous amount of snacks, I was surprised at their capacity. Another highlight was the front stash pocket, which was made of the same durable 210-denier ripstop material as the rest of the pack. This large, open compartment accommodated bulky items like a warm layer and camp meals without maxing out. I reserved the two equally spacious zippered compartments on the front of the stash pocket for dirty, stinky听items that accumulated by days two and three.

Despite the abundance of spacious pockets on the main body of the pack, those on the hip belt were far too small to stash my phone. I had to stow it in one of the front zippered pockets that was inaccessible with the pack on, which made photographing the spectacular views of Mt. Hood a hassle.

One feature I didn鈥檛 expect to appreciate so much was the two side stretch pockets that were each big enough to stash a full-sized Nalgene plus a Croc. I鈥檓 a diehard fan of hydration reservoirs, but I decided to go with bottles this time, and I was perfectly happy about it.听(It does have a hydration reservoir pocket in case I change my mind for future trips.)

Of all of its performance features, the innovative hip belt was by far my favorite. It听is tethered to a flexible, springy steel frame and thus moves dynamically with your pelvis while hiking. Rather than forcing you to adjust your step to the load, this design intuitively shifts weight听back and forth to keep it centered, reducing pressure on听your joints and providing more comfort on the trail. For me, this meant no rubbing, minimal fussing, and an overall lightweight feeling as I moved along this flat and flowy section of the PCT. I only experienced noticeable back and neck tension on day three and minimal chafing from the shoulder straps; until that point, my 30-pound load was a breeze to carry. On subsequent treks in New Hampshire鈥檚 White Mountains, the belt kept my pack鈥檚 weight manageable during rocky scrambles over car-sized boulders.

By the end of my trip, I didn鈥檛 feel the need to hastily remove my pack to relieve my tired back and shoulders. On the contrary, I found myself wishing for one more day on the trail. This pack was durable and versatile and it kept me organized and pain-free, but, most of all, it freed up my mind to simply enjoy my time outside.

The post I Tested Mountain Hardwear鈥檚 New PCT Pack on Its Namesake Trail appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Osprey UL Dry Stuff ($60)

For Soggy Treks

Sometimes the simplest setup听is the most effective. When packed into its front pocket, this seam-sealed waterproof bag fits into the palm of your hand, and at just 6.9 ounces it feels like a whisper. Adjustable mesh shoulder and sternum straps make it a comfortable carry despite its lack of frame, while external water-颅bottle compartments, compression webbing, and gear-颅attachment loops keep you organized. Whip it out of your full-size hauler for a summit push, or throw it听on for a rainy day hike.

CamelBak Octane 25 70-oz Hydration ($145)

For Quick 国产吃瓜黑料s

Our key pack criteria are accessibility, capacity, comfort, and organization. The Octane scored perfect tens across the board. It combines the body-cradling support and minimal bounce of a running vest with enough volume to store snacks and layers for long days and variable conditions. Throw in an integrated rain cover, an extended U-shaped zippered front panel for excellent accessibility, and 16 pockets and you have one dreamy daypack.

Timbuk2 Parker Commuter ($219)

For Workday Shuttles

Aside from a jet pack to cut听your travel time in half, there鈥檚 virtually nothing Timbuk2 hasn鈥檛 thought of with this city-friendly sidekick. In addition to the standard requirement for an everyday urban bag鈥攏umerous pockets, including one for a laptop鈥攖he Parker Commuter expands from 26 to 35 liters when you need additional space, it has a zip-away rain cover, and it includes magnetic buckles that open and close easily, even with gloved fingers. Bonus: a large reflective patch keeps you visible.

Fj盲llr盲ven High Coast 颅Totepack ($70)

For Low-Key Rambles

This fully recycled nylon bag 颅preserves the Swedish brand鈥檚 iconic styling and durable construction while adding functionality. Along with handles and pack straps, the High Coast has a removable over-the-颅shoulder sling for truly customizable carrying whether you鈥檙e hitting the road or the shops. Features like extra padding at the base of the laptop sleeve and a front pocket that can stow the whole bag make it a great choice for tossing in your suitcase and then unfurling for your around-town agenda.

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Granite Gear Perimeter 50 ($220)

The Perimeter was one of the most versatile packs in our test: equal parts big-load mule and gram-counter鈥檚 dream, and suited to a huge spectrum of body types. With a quick flick of two buckle latches, you can adjust the shoulder width and torso length to your frame. The pivoting waist belt also expands from 26 to 42 inches on the unisex version and 24 to 40 inches on the women鈥檚 version. (You can also opt for a larger belt that goes up to 52 inches.) Granite Gear is one of the few packmakers to deliver such a wide fit range while preserving comfort and capacity. On paper, the Perimeter is a 50-liter pack, but the top-loading, potato-sack-shaped hull simply devours cargo. Partial thanks goes to the frame, which is just curved enough to enhance fit without getting in the way. Compression straps, four stretch-woven pockets, and extendable top and bottom flaps for securing bulky items further broaden its capability. We easily stuffed in 40 pounds of gear, and the lightweight back panel still held its shape. That鈥檚 impressive for a pack that weighs almost half of some others in our test. Don鈥檛 expect luxuries, like extra cushioning or even a key clip. But if you鈥檙e looking for a pack that can fit both Mom and Dad and pivot from through-hiker to family wagon, the Perimeter is hard to beat. 3.1 lbs

Gregory Kalmia 50 ($260)

Best for Hiking in the Heat

The Kalmia 50 (and men鈥檚 Katmai 55) utilizes the same trampoline-style mesh back panel that helped Gregory鈥檚 Deva/Baltoro, nab Gear of the Year honors in 2018. That breezy suspension does push the load a bit farther from your center of gravity, but its form-hugging shape and superior ventilation yield blissful comfort on the trail. This pack combines all of that with a host of niceties, like rugged 210- and 420-denier fabrics, six zippered compartments, a stashable water-bottle hip holster, extendable tongues that pad the waist buckle, and pivoting shoulder straps. Still, the pack somehow weighs in below the magic five-pound mark that so many other feature-rich models exceed. Polygiene anti-odor treatment quells stink on long trips. 4.7 lbs (men鈥檚) / 4.4 lbs (women鈥檚)

REI Traverse 60 ($229)

Best for Backpacking on a Budget

The Traverse proves that fancy technology is never a substitute for smart design. This dual-compartment utilitarian workhorse may not have the high-tech fabrics or cutting-edge suspension of its competitors, but it excels in what matters most: carrying heavy loads comfortably, without fuss. A deep air channel bisects the back panel, which is made of thick mesh-covered foam and contoured to keep loads close to your spine. That and a meaty waist belt lend stability, which was handy on gear-intensive family outings in Colorado鈥檚 Elk Mountains. Still, the Traverse has plenty of extras, like a lid that doubles as a daypack (with padded straps) and forward-leaning water bottle pockets you can actually reach while hiking. 4.4 lbs (men鈥檚) / 4.3 lbs (women鈥檚)

Osprey Aether Plus 60 ($340)

Best for Bringing the Kitchen Sink

Meet the everything bagel of backpacks. The new Plus generation of Osprey鈥檚 Aether (and women鈥檚 Ariel) line is so bedecked with features, pockets, and external storage mechanisms that you need GPS just to navigate them all. With thickly padded straps and a stout suspension system, this multi-day rig easily handled loads over 50 pounds. You can even shorten or lengthen the suspension on the fly, with a drawcord located near your kidneys. At camp, ditch your heavy gear and explore with the breakaway lid, which doubles as a 17-liter summit pack complete with a sternum strap and hydration sleeve. Accordingly, the Plus weighs almost six pounds, but for those who prize comfort under oxen loads, it鈥檚 pure decadence. 5.8 lbs (men鈥檚) / 5.5 lbs (women鈥檚)

Gossamer Gear G4-20 42 ($180)

Best for Ultralight Backpacking

When it launched over two decades ago, Gossamer Gear鈥檚 G4 set a standard for shedding base weight while still fitting a full-size backpacking kit. That tradition continues with the new G4-20, an ultralight bag built with through-hikers in mind. The roll-top closure expands to fit gargantuan loads, then cinches down with side compression straps when you want to minimize your setup for lighter trips. We like the front stretch pouch and asymmetrical side pockets for water bottles and layers; but the left one is deep enough for a rolled tarp or sleeping pad. While the pack is frameless, with a removable closed-cell foam back panel that doubles as a seat pad, we comfortably carried up to 30 pounds. One downside: the unisex design offers little fit adjustability. 1.6 lbs

Arc鈥檛eryx Aerios 30 ($190)

Best for Going Far Fast

Whether you鈥檙e loading up for a long day out in the mountains or stripping down your gear for a fast-and-light overnighter, the Aerios delivers big on technical details. The body fabric, a ripstop Cordura grid impregnated with liquid-crystal polymer, is supremely durable. In testing, it held up against snagging tree branches and even the occasional squeeze through a sandstone slot canyon. A heat-molded back panel breathes well, even on steep climbs in hot weather. Meanwhile, two zippered shoulder pockets and two padded pouches on the waist belt (one zippered and one stretch) hold on-the-go sundries like energy bars and sunscreen. Stretchy loops on each shoulder keep folded trekking poles at the ready. 2 lbs (men鈥檚) / 1.9 lbs (women鈥檚)

Patagonia Altvia 22 ($119)

Best for Day Hiking

Our ideal go-to daypack is just technical and featured enough to handle a big mission without needing an instruction manual to operate. The Altvia fits the bill. It鈥檚 simple yet covers all the most elemental needs, with a padded waist belt and shoulder straps, included rain cover, and stretch-mesh pockets on either side of the body. Aside from the main compartment, it has just one small zippered pocket that鈥檚 big enough to fit a trail map but not so big that you鈥檒l need to mount a search and rescue mission to find your keys. Stretchy compression cords on the back are perfect for quickly stashing a spare jacket, while the main zippered interior area swallows more layers and a sizable lunch. We also love that the polyester-nylon body fabric is entirely recycled. 1.5 lbs

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Gregory 颅颅颅Maven 65 ($250)

Built for comfort-minded backpackers who carry heaps of gear, the women鈥檚 Maven 65 (and men鈥檚 Paragon 68) has one of the most effective trampoline-style suspension systems we鈥檝e ever seen. Wings of stretchy nylon at the lumbar produce a snug, wraparound fit for superior weight distribution and allow the sturdy, padded mesh hipbelt to pivot with each stride, keeping the pack blissfully stable under oxen-grade loads. 鈥淚t feels like a bear hug on your back,鈥� a tester said. Gregory goes full bore on the feature set, with side- and bottom-access zippers, a floating lid, phone-size pockets on the hipbelt, an adjustable back panel, and an integrated rain cover. But because it鈥檚 built on a flexible aluminum frame, the pack remains feather颅light. 3.7 lbs (men鈥檚) / 3.5 lbs (women鈥檚)

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Fj盲llr盲ven Bergtagen 30 ($200)

Best from Trail to Tavern

Short on gear-storage space? Simplify your pack lineup with the Bergtagen, which is equally suited to the mountains and a trip to the pub. The minimalist design fits most essentials in a roomy main compartment that also includes a hydration-bladder sleeve. The zippered 颅pocket on the floating top lid stashes small items like batteries, headphones, and gloves. For big missions, carry your skis A-frame and attach ice tools using the daisy-chain webbing down the front panel. The padded back plate helps you shoulder it all with ease. 2.3 lbs

Osprey Archeon 70 ($340)

Best for Travel

Basics like a rain cover, sleeping-bag divider, and compression straps make the Archeon trail capable. But it鈥檚 equally suited to urban adventure, with stylish metal buckles (they require some fiddling) and a body made of burly 1,880-denier recycled-nylon canvas that can withstand careless baggage handlers. The back panel鈥攏arrow strips of foam behind mesh鈥攌ept us dry on blistering days, and dual zippers on the front open wide for easy access. The price for these features is weight, but a massive waist belt offloads that from your shoulders. 5.5 lbs

Granite Gear Dagger 22 ($100)

Best for Day Hiking

Most ultralight designs necessitate essentials-only packing. Not this featherweight daypack, which sheds ounces via a thin yet durable 颅100-denier nylon shell while still delivering on features. Luxuries we love include a stretchy exterior pocket that keeps snacks or a headlamp within easy reach and zigzag elastic on the front panel to quickly stow layers. A removable framesheet helps the Dagger 22 hold its shape even when not fully loaded, and an 颅arch-like zipper makes it easy to dig out those stray energy bars that inevitably sift to the bottom. 1.5 lbs

Jack Wolfskin Kalari Trail 36 Recco ($130)

Best for Overnight Missions

If your hiking partner has search and rescue on speed dial, this is your pack. A Recco reflector on the Kalari鈥檚 lid makes you easier to locate by helicopter. The 颅dual-compartment cargo hold and trekking-pole attachments give it the functionality of a much larger pack. A 300-颅denier recycled-nylon body and steel frame add brawn. On the downside: the nonfloating top lid and integrated rain cover pilfer room from the lower compartment. But we liked the 颅close-fitting, vented back panel and PFC-free construction. 2.4 lbs

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It was July in upstate New York, and the forecast called for a hell of a day: unusually hot and humid. I听planned to start my summit hike at dawn and left my farm while it was still dark. My border collie rode shotgun as my truck鈥檚 headlights illuminated the way up mountain roads听to听the trailhead. We would only be out for the day, but with my busy schedule as a farmer, recreational time outside is precious. I had flagged the date on my calendar weeks in advance and planned the route to a T. The night before, I prepared my daypack with all the things I鈥檇 bring to get the most out of my time outdoors. If all went according to plan, by 11 a.m.听we鈥檇 be taking in a view of the Adirondacks while sharing bites of mochi.

I hike because it鈥檚 a chance to experience primal pleasures. For me, that means a hard walk uphill in miserable heat to what feels like the one cool breeze in the entire county. When I find it,听I am staying put for a good while鈥攕ometimes until dusk, finding my truck by headlamp. That is why I carry a heavy pack. It has the magical ability to alchemize sore muscles and sweat into gratitude and instant nostalgia.

I love the weight. For a day hike,听I find the novelty of discomfort that goes along with it appealing. I am only out for a matter of hours, and I know full well that I鈥檒l return home to a hot shower and my comfortable bed. The burden of distance isn鈥檛 mine to carry, so instead I carry books and stoves and sometimes even a shelter. I鈥檓 not looking to cheat hardship.听I鈥檓 actively embracing it.

My heavy pack, dog, and I would cover just seven听miles of trail that day, but mileage wasn鈥檛 the point. We hiked together all morning, feeling the day turn uncomfortably warm. This meant a lot of water breaks. We rested near some puffball mushrooms.听In fall, the听foam balls turn into听husks with spores that, when听flicked, explode like puffs of smoke鈥攚hich is why their Latin name,听Lycoperdon,听literally translates to . But right now they remained intact as my dog finished her water and we continued on.

When we finally arrived at a well-earned听view, I was coated in sweat and my heart was pounding. I flung off my 20-some-pound pack and soaked in the bliss of being weightless again among rolling mountains and puffy clouds before sitting down to split a sandwich with my dog, something we鈥檇 both looked forward to since dawn.

While she听napped in the shade, I dug into my pack. This was the best part of the day. Out came a hammock, a travel pillow, and a beloved hardcover novel. I set up the hammock before making a cup of coffee on my stove and pulling听out the thermos听of crushed ice听to chill my fresh brew. For the next few hours鈥攖he hottest part of the day鈥擨 swung in听my mountain paradise, sipped iced coffee, and read a book about a lute player.

If you鈥檙e an ultralight hiker who made it this far into this essay, I am frankly shocked. I was certain I lost you somewhere around pillow and hardcover book. But I wasn鈥檛 exaggerating. I carry at least 20 pounds of gear for a day hike, and I do it with gusto. Sure, I like backpacks, headlamps, and boots听as much as the next hiker with an internet connection, but I am a little weary of the ultralight trend. It鈥檚 borderline gear worship seemingly targeted at people more excited about purchasing outdoor equipment than actually being outdoors.

Making your pack as light as possible seems to be the new goal, even for people just heading out for a day. So many gear reviews focus only on this quality, suggesting the value of Dyneema听over nylon, paring down first-aid kits, and forgoing cooking altogether in lieu of cold-soaking mush. When I watch a 22-year-old video host who could pass as a linebacker warn his viewers to be wary of the hidden weight of tortillas,听I can鈥檛 help but laugh.

Listen, if consuming expensive thru-hiking gear gets you excited about being outside, enjoy your dopamine where you can get it. It鈥檚 your money and your hike. But I urge you, at least every once in a while, to be a draft pony instead of a race horse on the trail. Be gloriously selfish in your carried treasures! Bring everything you need to bake a pizza on a flat stone by a sunset campfire. Pack your tent just to take a nap in the shade. Tote around guidebooks and learn how to tell an elm from an ash. Bring a suit and towel to swim in a river. Or perhaps start by changing your online views to听 instead of听titanium spoons.

For most of us, hiking isn鈥檛 a race you can win.听If ultralight is your thing, enjoy it, but make sure your entire reason for being outside isn鈥檛 to justify a purchase or test gear. Take time to savor the fresh air, the sunshine, and some sweat. Throw in all the creature comforts, regardless of how many ounces they weigh, to make the effort worth it. And for the love of Sisyphus, take some time to stop and smell the wolf farts.

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Adjusting your backpack seems like it should be simple, that is until you’re struggling down the trail under an awkward load, ruing the day you didn’t spend the time correctly dialing in the fit. Here are our tips for getting off on the right foot, and check out the full article here.

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Backpacks today听look nothing like the metal and canvas contraptions of the 1970s. Removable internal supports made of plastic have replaced external frames, and ripstop nylon now reigns supreme. No doubt, packs are pounds lighter and significantly more comfortable thanks to these innovations. But classic designs are classic for a reason: they work.

That鈥檚 the logic behind Kelty鈥檚 new Zyp and Zyro, a line of modernized external-frame packs on shelves this month that combine the weight savings and user-friendliness of 21st-century materials with a compact steel skeleton. The Zyro comes in 58- and 68-liter versions鈥�54 and 64 liters for women鈥攁nd is more backpacking oriented,听while the Zyp comes in 28, 38, and 48 liters and is designed for听fast听and light pursuits.

Both packs grew out of a quest to find a way to prevent sweat buildup along the back panels in hot weather. Plenty of brands utilize taut mesh backings to push their packs away from your skin and provide an air channel through which sweat can evaporate and escape, but Kelty鈥檚 designers wanted something better. Ultimately, inspiration came from the external-frame packs that the company launched in 1952 at its outset. The metal bars naturally held the pack body at length.

The Zyp and Zyro sport a refined version of that age-old design. A lightweight steel skeleton adds听structure around the perimeter of the pack, with parallel mesh-and-nylon rails strung top to bottom. A padded upper-back panel and hipbelt rest on these rails. Air passes between the metal frame and the rails听so your midback can breathe,听free of fabric and foam. (The Zyro skips the rails, and places the hip and back panels right on the metal frame.) Quick-release buckles allow you to raise or lower the upper back support听for easy torso-length adjustment without having to take off the pack.

I鈥檝e used the 38-liter Zyp fully loaded鈥攁lbeit in winter, with temperatures听too cold to induce serious back sweat鈥攁nd found it light and incredibly comfortable despite the water, camera, and food I was carrying. The cavernous main compartment opens via a basic cinch听top and a vertical side zipper. A large brain pocket, two stretchy mesh pockets, and a water-bottle pocket on each side offer ample exterior storage. (The Zyro, which comes in bigger sizes, has听additional bells and whistles like a curved top-zipper opening, a bottom sleeping-bag compartment, and a removable lid.)

At 国产吃瓜黑料, we spend a lot of time highlighting the newest, most innovative gear, as well as write the occasional ode to some of our favorite, unchanged classics. Rarely do we get to do both at once. And in our opinion, the return of the external-frame pack is worth getting excited about.

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Earlier this fall, I was selected as Lowell Thomas Travel Journalist of the Year by the . I鈥檝e logged quite a few miles for this magazine, the ,听and others鈥攎ountain biking, skiing, climbing, but also writing about travel to cities, the environment, and climate change. Whether I鈥檓 on the trail or the streets of the 11th arrondissement in Paris, several items make it into my bag time and again.

Good Starbucks Instant Coffee

I can鈥檛 count the number of times I鈥檝e had to wake up in a city before dawn and catch a train or meet a guide before the caf茅 opened. I鈥檝e probably tried every instant coffee on the market, but for price, ease of purchase, and taste, I always carry a handful of instant brews (Italian roast, per favore; about $7 for eight). Sure, it鈥檚 corporate coffee. It鈥檚 also not freeze-dried crap, but actual micro-ground beans that dissolve in hot tap water.

A Lightweight Patagonia Jacket

I adore the minimalist ($99). Whether I鈥檓 ridge running or cruising around Seattle, I often find myself needing a simple layer to knock back the wind and add a touch of warmth. While it鈥檚 not a waterproof shell for torrents, the bargain Houdini does have a DWR coating to brush away raindrops. It鈥檚 super lightweight (not even four ounces) and balls down to the size of a fist, so I never care if it stays stashed in my bag the entire trip.

My Suunto Watch

Over the past two decades, my Suunto watches and I have scrambled up and down mountains all over the world. My latest is the ($328). Other, pricier timepieces come with more bell and whistles, but the Ambit has what I need鈥擥PS, altimeter, vertical gain tracker鈥攑lus a heart rate monitor for those miserable times I find myself indoors on some hotel鈥檚 stationary bike.

Rite in the Rain Notebooks

I鈥檓 hard on notebooks when I travel. But I can鈥檛 be without something to write on鈥攆or work, but also for random thoughts and my abysmal attempts at poetry. So I always carry a ($12 for three). It has tough, waxed pages that don鈥檛 tear when crammed in a pack, and the writing doesn鈥檛 run if the paper gets wet. And forget buying one of those $12 鈥渁stronaut pens鈥� that write anywhere. Just bring two pencils鈥攖hey work in any weather and never run out of ink.

CamelBak Water Purification

Clean water is top of mind, whether I鈥檓 traveling in the backcountry or in a developing country. For places where the water is clear, not turbid, I鈥檝e been a big fan of the CamelBak All Clear UV filter ($73). It鈥檚 been discontinued, but you can still find it online. (A is also available for $6 and added peace of mind.) It filters 99.99 percent of viruses and bacteria and is incredibly useful on backpacking trips. One charge (via a USB cable) is enough to purify 15 gallons of water.

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Costa Sunglasses

I burn through sunglasses: I sit on them. I scratch them. I lose them. I smash them. But the one pair that has endured and that I cherish is the ($259). I鈥檓 a big fisherman, and Costa鈥檚 lenses offer the best sun protection without distorting reality. They鈥檙e also fashionable enough that I鈥檒l keep them on once I step off the river.

A Do-It-All Eddie Bauer Shirt

You can鈥檛 carry much when you鈥檙e traveling, so you need clothes that can serve double-duty, or even triple-duty. I鈥檝e had good luck with Eddie Bauer鈥檚 travel collection, including the ($33). The super-stretchy fabric is comfortable on red-eye flights, and its moisture-wicking properties mean you can wear this shirt all day during a sunny city walking tour. The reasonably fashionable, wrinkle-free appearance easily transitions to dinner.

The Cavernous Fishpond Bag

A confession: This travel writer loathes packing. The patience and discipline required to pack tidily bore me. On those occasions when less isn鈥檛 more, out comes the Fishpond duffel. I have an earlier version of Fishpond鈥檚 world-swallowing ($300). Made from recycled nylon, the 6,100-cubic-inch duffel is completely waterproof, so it can be lashed to the deck of a dory during river trips. The padded backpack straps are hugely useful on such a big bag鈥攋ust sling this beast onto your back at the baggage carousel and walk to your adventure.

A Map App

I try not to carry much tech when I travel; I find it intrudes upon the experience. But I was recently turned on to . It鈥檚 a free download (pay $2 to scotch the ads) with offline maps for all over the world. No more burning international data. You can drop pins to bookmark where you鈥檝e been so you can find your way back to that guesthouse along a twisty Beijing hutong.

Express VPN鈥檚 Private Connection

I like to travel pretty simply. Sometimes, though, I need to be connected. A VPN, or virtual private network, is a 鈥渟ecure tunnel鈥� that lets you access the internet while avoiding censors or snoopers. (about $7 per month and up) allows you to view blocked websites from anywhere鈥攕o you can check your Gmail while you鈥檙e in China, for instance, or feel secure doing online banking from the road. (And as travel writer extraordinaire Tim Neville taught me, if you set your location as Switzerland, you can watch ski races!)

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