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.

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Select Here! -------- GEAR STORE HOME -------- OUTDOOR GEAR BRANDS -------- Arc'Teryx Packs & Clothing Bibler Tents Black Diamond Tents, Lights Deuter Backpacks & Kids Equinox Ultralite Gear GoLite Gear Granite Gear Packs Gregory Packs Hennessy Hammocks Hilleberg Tent Maker Integral Designs Tents, Bags Kelty Tents & Packs Leki Hiking Poles Life link Poles & Shovels Marmot Gear Moonstone Gear Montane Lite Clothes MontBell Outdoor Gear Moss Tents Mountain Hardwear Mountainsmith Packs MSR Stoves,Tarps,Tents Osprey Backpacks Outdoor Research PHOTON Micro Lights Petzl Headlamps Primus Stoves Princeton Tec Lights Sherpani Womens Packs Sierra Designs Tents & Gear Smartwool Clothing Snowpeak Stoves/Pots Thermarest Mattresses The North Face Walrus Tents & Tarps Western Mountaineering Bags -------- LIGHTWEIGHT ZONE! -------- LIGHTWEIGHT ESSENTIALS! -------- Ultralight Backpacks -------- Ultralight Shelters -------- Ultralight Tents -------- Ultralight Down Bags -------- Ultralight Synthetic Bags -------- Ultralight Kitchen -------- Ultralight Raingear -------- Ultralight Apparel -------- HIKING POLES -------- SLEEPING BAGS -------- SHELTERS -------- BACKPACKS -------- CLOTHES -------- Footwear -------- COOKING -------- FOOD -------- OTHER STUFF -------- PHOTO/ELECTRONICS -------- SNOWSHOES -------- K I D S -------- TRAVEL GEAR -------- OUTDOOR GEAR SUGGESTIONS ! GoLite has completely redesigned their backpacks. Golite's new packs drive home the "lighter and faster" philosophy, while keeping packing comfortable and affordable. All Golite packs are in stock and shipping.   TARPTENT !, by Henry Shires    Lightweight 3-Season Shelters Product Info & Sales!!   ULTRALITE SUPER !, by Western Mountaineering For the nth year running, this is by far our favorite 3-season, ultralight sleeping bag - at only 1 lb, 10 oz. ( More Info or Purchase HERE ! ) - Western Mountaineering Bags -   KINDLE: Amazon's New Wireless Reading Device			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 Publish your experience with hiking & backpacking equipment for the use and enjoyment of other backcountry travelers.    We Publish Your Hiking &   Backcountry Experience   CLICK HERE to Contribute 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 NATURAL HIGH GOURMET MEALS			Free "MS Word" Downloads: ( click title, to download ) The Philosophy & Practice of Traveling Light in the Backcountry Winter Camping Tips Sherlock Holmes goes Camping Backpacking 14 Essentials Backpacking Gear Checklist Make Your Own Gear Your newest projects published at the Make Your Own Outdoor Gear website: the FireLight Stove - a soda can stove - by Ray Prince (3/29/07) Instructions for Making Your Own Backpack - by DJ (1/27/07 Update) Instructions for Making Your Own Bike Panniers - by Scott Shurlow THE KD5IVP Backpacker Yagi - by Paul Dryer, KD5IVP Jones Tent II - Two Person, Two Pound Tent - by Phil Jones Submit YOUR Projects !!   Lightweight Hiker Dude! Follow the Lightweight Hiking Dude to: WINTER SURVIVAL TIPS ! 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