Backpackinglight is THE cutting edge of backpacking when it comes to gear and technique. It's not the end all be all, but if you have questions that reference only their products why not inquire from the folks who design and make them <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Folks here use and make their own gear, as well as buy commercially made stuff. But BPL gear is very technical in nature and not considered gear for novices, ahem, not that you are, ahem <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />