2011 Backpacking Light Staff Picks at Backpacking Light

06 05 2013
2011 Backpacking Ligh S aff Pick @ Backpacking Ligh
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2011 Backpacking Light Staff Picks

Backpacking Light staff pick their favorite gear/cool dealio/thing -ding of 2011.
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by BackpackingLight.com Staff | 2011-12-27 00:10:00-07 Getting ready for this year's Staff Picks was entertaining. One editor suggested all photo thumbnails should, Previous Years when clicked, jump to a full-size photo to better display the gear. When asked precisely how much work he intended for me (Addie), another editor jumped in and requested that each photo hyperlink to a professionally 2010 Backpacking Light Staff Picks produced HD video of me using the actual product. Challenge. Accepted.
2009 Backpacking Light Staff Picks 2008 Backpacking Light Staff Picks
It didn't work out, mostly because my videographer husband had other things to do and because we Bedfords were busily moving from tiny condo to roomy home right before Christmas. WHAT were we thinking?! Next 2007 Backpacking Light Staff Picks year, faithful readers. Next year... Then I passed off the initial editing and loading to my trusty intern. Our actual chat transcript: D: Feminine products will be big on the list this ear... A: There will be TWO, which is more than in ears past, es, but still not ver representative of the ladies. Men are so weird about that stuff.
So don't be weird, enjoy the fun. Some contributors went with straight gear, others, well... not so much. Most folks provided me with a bigger photo, so click on the thumbnails and see who coughed up and kept me hopping in between wrapping gifts, unpacking boxes, and hosting family. This isn't an "Editor's Choice" or formal endorsement, just a list of stuff we like. Don't forget to add our own favorites in the forum below!
BPL Staff Member R an Jordan Chris Wallace Will Rietveld Janet Reichl Roger Caffin Mike Martin Damien Tougas Dave Chenault Dann Milks Kristin Tennessen Ra Estrella Doug
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Favorites Bivy Sacks HMG Porter Backpack Outdoor Research Versaliner Boilerwerks Backcountry Boiler The Stateless Society Custom Quilt Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter TroutSticks Max MontBell Versalite Pant
EZ Reacher
Rain Skirt
Goat Poles, Fixed Length
Canon Powershot G11 Camera Pramo Waterproof Cap Patagonia Houdini The Flathead River Watershed CAMP G-Comp Wind Aclima Sports Top Therm-a-Rest NeoAir All Season
Poncho Patagonia Nine Trails Jacket Arc'Teryx Gamma LT Pant Werner Shuna Paddle Rab MeCo Baselayers Diva Cup KookaBay GoosePad
Victorinox Knives Mountain Laurel Designs Solomid Downsizing 2000 Nissan Xterra SE 4x4 Couchsurfing Cuisinart DLC7 Pro 14-cup Food Processor (from 1983) Camp-Tek Microburst
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John on Daniel Paladino Addie Bedfo d
Boilerwerks Backcountry Boiler MontBell UL Comfort System Pad 120 + UL Comfort System Pillow Eddie Bauer First Ascent Downlight Sweater
EnLIGHTened Equipment Protege Quilt Tip 116: Liberate yourself from toilet paper from Mike Clelland s Ultralight Backpackin Tips NPR Podcasts
Geocaching.com iPhone app Scarpa Maestrale Alpine Touring Ski Boots e.p.t.
R an Jo dan - Bo eman, Mon ana

I'm not recommending or endorsing any particular model over others here, because the bivy sack experience can be replicated with just about any decent waterproof bivy on the market today from Mountain Laurel Designs, Integral Designs, Outdoor Research, and others. I will say that I'm partial to three-layer eVENT bivy sacks, because I get less condensation in them when temperatures are below freezing. The one in the photo is the Integral Designs Micro Bivy, and currently, it's my "favorite," and I've been using it for a few years on a consistent basis now. Bivy sack camping - whether under a starry sky or in a snow shelter (pictured) - is still my favorite way to enjoy a night in the Wilds. Weigh : Varies by brand MSRP: Varies by brand Take an entrepreneur that has no idea what he's getting himself into and mix it with innovative thinking, support from the fantastic community at Backpacking Light, and creative crowdsourcing for funding, and you end up with the Backcountry Boiler. In spite of it being one of the most beautiful new products on the market, and refreshingly tactile and joyful to use, it's one of the neatest success stories of 2011. Kudos, Devin. Weigh : (Ryan didn't mention his iteration) MSRP: (so ^ab has no idea what he paid)
Bi
Sack
Boile e k Backco n Boile
T o S ick
Daniel Galhardo (pictured in the photo) of Tenkara USA joined me for a weekend of fishing in Montana this spring, and he introduced me to one of the most fantastic inventions I've ever seen: TroutSticks. TroutSticks allow you to grill fish over an open fire in a way that minimizes gear, thus maintaining a light pack, while still affording you the luxury of wonderfully flavored wild trout. TroutSticks are available almost anywhere trout are found, and only require an ultralight pocketknife, sea salt, and sake to round out the complete system. Weigh : Varies by length MSRP: Freebie!
Ch i Wallace - A he ille, No h Ca olina

The Porter has become my go-to pack. The body is large enough to use when guiding, but compresses well enough for a quick weekend out. The construction is almost completely waterproof, and the latest harness is all I could ask for. One of my favorite features, though, is its modular capability. I currently have a front mesh pocket, two water bottle pockets, and two hip belt pockets to choose from and will take only what I need for a specific trip. Weigh : 32 oz / 907 g MSRP: $275 The S a ele Socie C om Q il I've had my TSS quilt for a couple of years now and have used it on every trip I've taken when it wasn't frigid. It's been in multiple states in the southeast, as well as several areas of the northern Rockies. My version is a custom taper specifically made for my size and shape and designed to be good to around 30 degrees. The quilt has kept me warm to around the mid-20s with additional clothing and compresses very well due to the top notch materials. Weigh : 16 oz / 454 g MSRP: Varies My wife, Robin, and I rescued Max around the first of this year. We were still in Georgia, and a local lady had found him wandering her neighborhood during the winter storms we experienced. Our decision to take him was almost instant, but our first trip to the vet was as bad as our worst fears. Max had heartworm disease. After a lot of money, some trying times with his mood adjustments, and a successful treatment, everything is wonderful. These days Max keeps us both busy with twice daily walks of 1-5 miles each, which he needs because of his Border Collie background, so we
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have all become quite fit. Thanks to Max, I walk an average of 40-50 miles a week, which keeps me ready for that next big trip. Weight: About 45 lbs / 20 kg MSRP: $$$ (a lot)
Will Rietveld - Durango, Colorado

My previous favorite gear picks are still favorites, but I like to feature something new each time. I have been testing gear that is really lightweight and functional for an upcoming article on "Mountain Super-Ultralight Backpacking," and here are some favorites that have really performed well for me.
This is a shell and liner combo that weighs just 3.1 ounces per pair in men's size XL. The inside liner gloves are plenty warm for summer backpacking or active cool weather pursuits, and they re water-resistant and fairly durable. They are smooth on the outside, fleecy on the inside, and have silicone gripper dots on the palm side. The shells weigh just 0.8 Outdoor ounce per pair in size XL, which makes them the lightest currently available. The Versaliner is worth the price just to Research get the waterproof/breathable shell gloves, and the bonus is a pair of high quality lightweight liner gloves. The liners Versaliner have a zippered pocket on the topside to stash the shell, or use it for a heat pack. Men's and women's sizes available. Weight: 3.1 oz / 88 g per pair MSRP: $45 I have tried a lot of different water treatment systems, and this is my current favorite in terms of light weight, simplicity, and efficiency. The Squeeze filter comes with three lightweight flasks that the filter will attach to, but I personally prefer to attach it to a disposable beverage bottle. It will fit any threaded beverage bottle it is available in a range of sizes but it does not fit a Platypus flask which has a different type of thread. For mountain backpacking, I use a 1-liter Coke bottle because it is easy to fill from a stream and easy to reach and replace in a pack side pocket. To drink, simply squeeze the bottle and suck at the same time. The filter removes organisms down to 0.1 micron (which catches most everything), has a good flow rate, and is claimed to be back-flushable forever. The filter itself weighs just 2.4 ounces and a 1-liter Coke bottle weighs just 1.2 ounces. Admittedly, it is not as light as a chemical treatment, but it s a lot simpler and faster no mixing and waiting, just fill and drink. (Watch a video on the process here.) Weight: Filter only is 2.4 oz / 68 g MSRP: $60 Remember the original GoLite Reed Pant? It weighed just 4 ounces, but people gifted with big feet (like me) couldn t get their boots through the cuffs. Then GoLite added ankle zips, which bumped the weight up. Then GoLite discontinued them. The new MontBell Versalite Pant for spring 2012 weighs the same, fits well, and I can get my size 12s through the ankle openings. They don t have ankle zips, rather they are sized just large enough to get hiking boots MontBell through (a size 12 or 12.5 is about the limit). They have an elastic band and tie cord at the waist and an elastic cord in Versalite the cuffs. Removing the waist cord will get the weight of men's size Large down to 3.95 ounces. I find rain pants to be Pant very versatile because they can be used as rainwear, windwear, campwear, and sleepwear I even wear them in my sleeping bag when it gets really cold. Weight: 4.2 oz / 119 g for men's L MSRP: $109
Saw er Squee e Water Filter
Janet Reichl - Durango, Colorado

This resides in our vehicle, along with a plethora of plastic bags, and is used whenever I have a few moments to spare, like when dropping Will off or picking him up at a trailhead. When car camping, it s great for leaving one s campsite cleaner than how one found it (like any well-trained former Girl Scout would). It is also my constant companion whenever I go on a walk around town. Having used mine for 12 years, it has paid for itself many times over. For my 5 2 height, the EZ 20" length ($13 for Outdoor Standard) is perfect. I just need to squat slightly, and no arm contortion is needed to drop an Reacher item in a bag. Weight: 11 oz / 312 g for 32" length MSRP: $15 for 32" length I started off using the Etowah Rain Wrap, but I wanted one that overlapped at an angle and would lie flat for use as a ground cloth. Since making it, I rarely wear a rain pant. The skirt is quick and easy to put on, moisture from sweat doesn t build up inside, and it seems to provide a little extra warmth when left on after a rain on a chilly evening. Mine is a rectangle that measures 31 x 60 in and weighs 3 oz. Etowahs come in 30- and 33-inch lengths. Weight: 2.5 oz (71 g) MSRP: $24 These aren t available in fixed length anymore, so I better not break one. They ve gone with me on nearly every hike since 2006. Each 41" poleaff_pick weighs 3 backpackingligh .com/cgi-bin/backpackingligh /2011_bpl_ .hoz. ml Without any wrist straps, I can easily adjust where and how I place my hands,
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since 2006. Each 41" pole weighs 3 oz. Without any wrist straps, I can easily adjust where and how I place my hands, Goat Poles, sometimes just cupping my hands over the top, sometimes holding the poles below the handle. The strapless version Fixed also gives me greater confidence that I won t break a wrist in a fall, like a friend did this past summer. The current Length version adjusts from 30" to 51". Weight: 3.5 oz / 99 g per pole, current version without basket MSRP: $145
Roger Caffin - Berrilee, NSW, Australia

Some years ago I listed my Canon A95 as one of my Staff Picks. Well, I am going to list my Canon G11 camera this time. Why? For three main reasons. The first is technical: the G11 sits in between the typical point-and-shoot (P&S) and the DSLR. It gives far better image quality than a P&S because the sensor is larger, the optics are better, and, starting with the G11, Canon switched from competing in the MegaPixel race to improving the noise levels in the sensor. Other camera companies are starting to follow suit. As for phone cameras - yuk! The second reason is because the G11 offers me every one of the typical SLR features - except for interchangable lenses. But for ergonomic reasons I don't want interchangable lenses as I explain below. If I want to do an SLR-type thing with this Canon camera, I can, and easily: the Canon User Interface is very good. (Actually, the camera has far more minor "fancyPowershot that" features than I could ever want, but they do not get in the way. I guess some programmer had memory space to G11 spare.) The third reason is more ergonomic, and is the reason why I don't go for a DSLR. This camera rides in a Camera small waterproof pouch mounted on the shoulder strap of my pack. I can get it out with one hand, turn it on, and take a good photo in seconds. The lens has adequate zoom and Macro, down to a few centimetres. Compared to how long it takes to get a DSLR out of its larger carry-case, using the G11 is fast. It is also fairly splash-proof, so I can use it in bad weather without worrying. The credo here is that the only bad photos are the ones you don' take. Weight: 12.5 oz / 354 g (camera body only) MSRP: ~$600 This design was the subject of an MYOG article some years ago. They have been with both my wife Sue and I for many years now, in sometimes very severe weather. Photos in my article on the GR5 show our ponchos being worn in really bad rain and snow conditions, and yet we were warm enough inside them. To be sure, one gets damp inside them, from condensation, but what do you expect from any gear under those conditions? The photo here shows Sue heading down the hill from Bokkarschart Pass on the Via Alpina in Europe, in some nasty weather. Just above us it was snowing, wiping out the track, plus thick fog and wind. It was bad enough that the local farmer (in front of Sue) offered to drive us down to the town (quite some distance away) rather than see us go up in that weather. Sue accepted his kind offer with alacrity - I wasn't even consulted! The ponchos were quite adequate even under these conditions - and were not our main concern right then! Two days later the sun was out and the snow had melted away. We had a pleasant crossing of the Pass. Weight: 6.7 oz / 190 g MSRP: ~$30 Forgive me if I soapbox slightly. I know many people love their great big knives, citing survival needs and so on. I've got a stack of such knives as well, but I never use them. The reality is that all we really need is a knife to cut food and spread butter and jam. Crocodile Dundee knives need not apply - we prefer to stay out of trouble in the first place. But we do like our knives to be sharp. You will see two knives in the photo. The red one (16 g) started life with a point as well, but I carefully ground it off to make the current rounded shape. This knife is for spreading butter and jam, and scraping it out of containers. A sharp point is seriously obstructive here, even damaging to the Nalgene bottles we use. The black one (27 g) is shared between the two of us. It is for cutting up bread, sausage, cheese and so on food preparation. I could use the red one for that, except that its tip is blunt, and the blade is now a bit short. Since we Victorinox do a lot of walking in Europe, buying fresh bread every few days for lunch, having a knife long enough to cut slices off Knives a loaf is worth the extra weight. The grey thing below the two knives is a sheath for the sharp black knife - or at least for its point. Cut out a rectangle of plastic from the side of a PET juice bottle, fold twice into a flat sheath, and wrap a couple of turns of stout packaging tape around. The tape is much lighter than 'duct' tape, but that hardly matters. The entry is angled to match the handle. The steel on these knives is excellent. They stay sharp for a long time and don't rust. I could lighten the handles a bit more maybe - but why bother? Weight: .6 & 1.0 oz / 16 & 27 g MSRP: $8-$15
Poncho
Mike Martin - Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Backpacking Light contributor, Chris Townsend, introduced me to this cap during a 2008 winter trek in Yellowstone National Park. It's been my favorite cold-weather headwear ever since. If I keep the DWR refreshed, it is functionally waterproof while being much more breathable than membrane-based wp/b alternatives. I can even dry out wet hair while wearing it. The generous brim keeps the sun off my nose and snow off my glasses. The ear flaps can be raised P ramo for ventilation or lowered for wind Its chinstrap has held it secure on my head in winds above 50 mph. The backpackingligh .com/cgi-bin/backpackingligh /2011_bpl_ aff_pick .hprotection. ml
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2011 Backpacking Ligh S aff Pick @ Backpacking Ligh Pramo for ventilation or lowered for wind protection. Its chinstrap has held it secure on my head in winds above 50 mph. The Waterproof smooth shell sheds snow, while the hydrophobic directional microfleece liner provides just the right amount of Cap warmth for moderate exertion activities. For extreme cold, I just layer a balaclava under it. If it has a drawback, it is that I have yet to convince my wife how stylish it truly is.
Weight: 2.8 oz / 79 g (size L/XL) MSRP: 32 GBP As a trail runner, cyclist, skier, and Backpacking Light staffer, I've had occasion to use an embarrassing number of windshirts over the years. The Patagonia Nine Trails Jacket is by far my favorite for high exertion activities. For backpacking, there are certainly lighter alternatives with hoods and better weather protection. But for trail running, the Nine Trails jacket is hard to beat. It uses Patagonia's particularly long-lasting Deluge DWR. It compacts down small enough to stuff into a fanny or hydration pack. Its trim cut minimizes flapping in the wind. 1.1-oz 15-denier ripstop nylon fabric on the front and arms perfectly balances wind protection with air permeability, while highly permeable Patagonia 3.5-oz 75-denier stretch woven polyester panels on the back and armpits really move moisture when you are working Nine Trails hard. When you are trail running or cycling, your movement creates an apparent wind that is disproportionately at Jacket your chest rather than at your back. The dual-fabric design of the Nine Trails Jacket provides wind protection where it is most effective, and high air permeability elsewhere to achieve outstanding breathability. It's also available in nonpurple colors so as not to clash aesthetically with your choice of cap. Weight: 4.8 oz / 136 g (size Large) MSRP: $99 Maybe it's a sign of... ahem... maturity, or maybe it's my personal penchant for camping in cold, windy, snowy locations. But for the past few seasons, I've found myself stepping away from the SUL edge and enjoying more substantial shelters. My Mountain Laurel Designs Solomid just plain sees more use than the other options in the Martin gear closet. I like the sturdy A-frame trekking pole setup. I like the 360-degree weather protection. I like being able secure it with deadmen and seal the edges to the ground in snow. I like the fact that it is long enough so that my head and feet don't collect condensation in the middle of the night. I like that the floorless design allows me to cook (with due care) inside during harsh weather. Yes, there is weight to be saved with a non-woven laminate micro tarp. But, except in very mild summer or very harsh winter conditions, I've found my Solomid to be the perfect balance of size, weight, design features, and weather protection. For the ultralight adventurers among us, a 9-oz Cuben Fiber version is also available at a premium price. Weight: 14 oz / 397 g (Silnylon version) MSRP: $170
Mountain Laurel Designs Solomid
Damien Tougas - Gasp Peninsula, Quebec, Canada

For combating sun, wind, bugs, or a light shower in three-season conditions, this is probably my single most versatile and loved piece of clothing. It weighs almost nothing and squeezes into the tiniest of spaces, making it a no brainer decision to bring on virtually any outing. Weight: 3.3 oz / 94 g MSRP: $125 Arc'Teryx has really nailed the fit on these pants. Although they are billed as a soft-shell pant, they are basically a lightweight stretch nylon. Not too heavy for summer and not too light for winter, they make for an incredibly versatile Arc'Teryx piece of kit. They are durable, comfortable, breathable and work equally as well around town as they do in the Gamma LT backcountry. Pant Weight: 10.9 oz / 309 g MSRP: $170 This past year has been a huge transition for our family. We have simplified and downsized considerably - we are not just going light with our packs, but striving to go light with the rest of our life as well. The end result is that we are a family of five living in 750 sq.ft. cabin near the mountains of the Gasp Peninsula in Quebec. It has been hard work learning what is most important and figuring out how to make due with less, but the benefits have been well worth it. Downsizing Having less clutter means we can spend more time, energy, and resources on the things that really matter. Weight: Varies MSRP: Priceless!
Patagonia Houdini
Dave Chenault - Kalispell, Montana

It is not a coincidence nor a matter of luck that I live two miles from the Flathead River, whose three headwater streams (the North, Middle, and South Forks) drain one of the greatest backcountries on the planet. The human side of the Flathead is peculiar, it's a rather isolated place, fairly far from almost everything else, and people need a purposive reason to end up living here. For me, that reason is the Flathead. It drains half of Glacier National Park, backpackingligh .com/cgi-bin/backpackingligh /2011_bpl_ aff_pick .h ml
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2011 Backpacking Ligh S aff Pick @ Backpacking Ligh purposive reason to end up living here. For me, that reason is the Flathead. It drains half of Glacier National Park, most of the Bob Marshall Wilderness complex, and has some of the best hiking, fly fishing, and wilderness packrafting available anywhere. Living with such a vast and nuanced ecosystem within an easy after-work drive has allowed me to get to know it in a leisurely fashion across the seasons, and I'm beginning to appreciate flower blooms, The river levels, and the placements of game trails in the macro context of annual variance, something which takes years Flathead to see and lifetimes to understand. There are downsides. Winters are long and, on the Pacific side of the rain River shadow, tend to be rather grey. Any change of scenery takes quite a bit of driving. I'd make 30-40% more doing the Watershed same day job in a more populous part of the country. But the payback of living where others go to vacation is as vast as it is inexpressible. Flying back from my summer holiday, to Alaska, I sat next to the father of a very boisterous family flying in from (where else?) California. His default question, making conversation, was where was I from? The assumption was that no one actually lives here. It was fulfilling to give him my answer.
Weight: Incalculable MSRP: Priceless All my best trips in 2011 involved packrafting; not a coincidence, given the unrivaled way a packraft opens up the landscape to human experience. I like my Alpacka Yukon Yak, but it still has refinements to undergo before it earns this sort of endorsement. My Werner Shuna (210 cm, four-piece, fiberglass blades and carbon shaft) on the other hand is one of those transcendent pieces of gear which unites lighter and better into one inextricable whole. This paddle gets me excited to go paddling, just and simply paddling, because it does what it does so well. It's a pure tool with seeming 100% efficiency; all my effort goes into paddling the water, not paddling the paddle. The lighter touring blade won't stand up to the gorilla treatment a nylon blade will, but the quantum leap in performance and pleasure is worth it. We may be the tool-making ape, but few of our creations unite form and function so seamlessly, and towards such a profitable end. Weight: 32 oz / 907 g MSRP: $310 Horrid indictment of our car culture though it is, a capable automobile is essential for just about any American adventurer. Our country is big, one of the reasons our backcountry is so good, but also the reason it's so hard to get to and around without a car. Public transit is effectively non-existent in many places, and hitchhiking increasingly difficult. We bought our Xterra used in 2004, with 90,000 miles on it. It now has 270,000 (and on the original automatic transmission), and while the number of broken things is too extensive to list, it is still going strong. More importantly, the memories and experiences in which our Xterra has been a prime mover are innumerable and priceless. We've 2000 lived out of it for extended stretches (the back seats are long gone, in favor of a plywood sleeping platform), gone on Nissan Xterra SE trips summer and winter, hauled all manner of gear, driven down some truly appalling roads, and only gotten it stuck three times (two of them involving snow, ice, and stupidity, the third pictured here). Yes, it only gets 21 mpg under the 4 4 best of circumstances, yes, it is underpowered, and yes, it's ugly, but my wife and I have quite the attachment to our Xterra. Its time is running out, but the memories and gratitude for a great tool aren't going anywhere. Weight: 2 tons MSRP: $24,560 for the 2012 version
Werner Shuna Paddle
Dann Milks - Davis, California

These are my go-to gloves for all but the coldest conditions. They are light and thin enough to use during most high-intensity backcountry winter activities. Breathability is about as good as fleece liners, but the synthetic leather is tough enough for several years of use without being so heavy-duty as to inhibit dexterity. A wind-proof mitten shell is permanently attached, tucked away in a little buttoned pocket on each wrist. When the temps drop, like on a windy summit or a speedy descent, I pull the mitten shell over my gloves for extra protection without losing my stride. The only flaw I ve found is the Grip r strips on the palm and fingers fall off too easily, but the gloves work nearly as well without the strips. Weight: 3.2 oz / 92 g MSRP: $80 I m a big fan of merino wool for numerous reasons, but given the high price of wool and the relatively low durability (as compared with synthetic), it is not pure love. In my experience, a 150 g/m 2 wool t-shirt falls apart after around 150 days of use, with laundering after ten days of use. Enter Rab MeCo Baselayers. These garments are made of 65% merino and 35% Cocona, which is a yarn recycled from used coconut fibers. MeCo is made with 100% natural fibers, has all of the odor-fighting properties of pure wool, and can be made thinner yet more durable. It wicks well, dries fast, and is comfortable against my skin. It s a win-win-win. My favorite product is the MeCo 120 g/m 2 Long Sleeve Tee. This shirt is good for everyday travel, running, backpacking and spring skiing. I appreciate the ability to wear a thin shirt but also protect my forearms from sun exposure. This shirt shows no signs of wear after months and months of use.
CAMP GComp Wind
Rab MeCo Basela ers
Weight: 4.9 oz / 140 g for Long Sleeve Tee backpackingligh .com/cgi-bin/backpackingligh /2011_bpl_ aff_pick .h ml
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2011 Backpacking Ligh S aff Pick @ Backpacking Ligh Weight: 4.9 oz / 140 g for Long Sleeve Tee MSRP: $80 Couchsurfing.org formalizes the process of meeting other like-minded folks - those who value traveling. You can find a place to sleep for a few nights or a local to have tea with or walk around town. I used this site extensively in fifteen countries over the last two years. I found places to stay where there were no hotels and met locals who taught about their heritage and region. I learned more, laughed more, lived more, and spent less. Now that I have a Couchsurfing permanent residence, my couch is open to other travelers, helping them along their way. The enjoyment of other cultures, the value of learning, and the pay-it-forward mentality is alive and well through Couchsurfing.org.
Weight: 0 oz / g MSRP: Freebie! (donations accepted)
Kristin Tennessen - Davis, California

When your tent is too small to change clothes while inside, it is too cold to strip down, and you'd rather not expose your best parts to your ski companions, the perfect solution is the Aclima Sports Top. The fleece pile lining wicks sweat away from my skin while the exterior merino layer insulates my core. I wore this bra comfortably for eight days ithout taking it off. Until my skin started to itch a little on day seven, I didn't even notice it was there. I was warm, dry, odor-free, and appropriately clothed while skinning uphill, skiing downhill, bootpacking, making dinner, reading in the tent, and sleeping during the coldest hours of the night. After almost a year of heavy use, it is a bit stretched out, but there is no visible wear. With the Aclima Sports Top, there is no reason to pack, or even own, a second bra. Weight: 2.8 oz / 79 g MSRP: 55 GBP The Diva Cup has allowed me to minimize the time and cost needed to manage that once-a-month special event. It is especially useful while backpacking, because no waste needs to be packed out. Because the Diva Cup only needs to be changed every 12 hours, I can hike all day long without having to stop. I am most grateful for the Diva Cup on alpine Diva Cup start mornings, when the exposure makes even a quick pee break uncomfortable. Weight: 0.5 oz / 14 g MSRP: $38 Cuisinart DLC7 Pro 14-cup Food Processor (from 1983) My favorite backpacking food is made in my own kitchen. With the Cuisinart, I can quickly slice whole apples for the food dehydrator, make my own nut butters and chocolate-hazelnut spreads, and mix up a quick batch of cookies or oatmeal bars. I can eat healthier on the trail, reduce packaging, better control calorie intake, and all at a lower cost. Does anyone want my Raw Date Ball cookie recipe? Weight: More than your entire backpacking kit MSRP: $40 at garage sale
Aclima Sports Top
Ra Estrella - Moorhead, Minnesota

This fall and into the start of winter, I have been very happy with my new NeoAir All Season. While the Large weighs 6 oz more than my traditional NeoAir (Large also), it has much more robust material and almost twice the R-value at RTherm-a- 4.9. I have been able to go as low as -1 F (-18 C) with a quilt, but did get chilly that night. While I will switch to an R-9 Rest pad as we continue dropping in temperature here in northern Minnesota, for many areas the NeoAir All Season may NeoAir All truly be a pad for all seasons. Season Weight: 25 oz / 710 g MSRP: $170 All last winter I used a GoosePad from Kooka Bay and was very happy with it. As I plan even colder trips this winter, I upgraded to a warmer one. A large pad at 24.5 x 74.5 in (61 x 191 cm) when inflated, it is 3.5 in (9 cm) thick and has 900-fill power goose down to achieve a stated R-value of 9. The pad has a new style of valve that is easier to use and a new baffle system to keep the down in place. It also comes with a Millair Company Instaflator with a Kooka BayKooka Ba specific adaptor to make inflation easier. As the pads are made to order, prices and weights vary, but mine is listed GoosePad below. Weight: 31.3 oz / 887 g MSRP: $269 One of the biggest pains about backpacking in extreme cold is inflating pads without introducing moisture to the interior, which will freeze inside. I have used many forms of inflation devices over the years and have to say that the Microburst is hands down the easiest. With most pads that have a standard size valve, it is literally a set-and-forget Camp-Tek process. For my Kooka Bay pad and down pillow, I do have to hold it in place to use. About the size of two golf balls, Microburst the tiny unit inflates my Large NeoAir or All Season in around three minutes time.
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Weight: (w/2 AAA batteries): 2.3 oz / 65 g MSRP: $30
Doug Johnson - Redmond, Washington

I love exclusive items. Getting a first generation Backcountry Boiler from Boilerwerks was the ultimate version of this experience. From prototypes and all the way through the manufacturing process, my son Henry and I witnessed Devin Montgomery creating our new stove. With each video and detailed update, we grew more excited; we saw how it was turned in a lathe, the laser etching process, and even the final packaging - it was all there, and all done in Devin's home town of Pittsburgh! But the final product far exceeded my expectations - it is highly refined, beautifully manufactured, and very practical. It is lightweight, durable, packs small, and boils in about 5 minutes. It is now my favorite stove. Knowing how it was built and the process it took to create it - and feeling it was built by a friend - well, that only adds to the experience. Weight: 9.7 oz / 275 g with full sleeve and second generation stopper MSRP: $60-$125, depending on accessories (and availability) My custom EnLIGHTened baby and toddler bags were one of my Staff Picks back in 2009. Here we go again! As my kids have grown, this year we picked up a pair of larger Protege quilts from Tim Marshall - and these will last my kids for years. He made them for us in custom colors with rainbow for my daughter and bumblebee for my son. Tim even added a stinger to my son's bag- his favorite part! The craftsmanship is outstanding and the price is very reasonable. The bags use synthetic Climasheild APEX insulation, which can handle moisture, and at 12.3 ounces, they are far lighter than any other kid option on the market. The bags feature a foot drawcord for ventilation, a footbox zipper to create a blanket if needed, snaps all the way up, and no cords anywhere except the feet to ensure safety. These bags are brilliant - all parents take note! Weight: 12.3 oz / 349 g MSRP: $75 (base price) These days, many of our trips include a geocache at some point and this adds a great deal of fun. Geocaching is basically a GPS-enabled treasure hunt, but it's not just for kids: geocaching is an activity that can bring you to incredible places, and the challenge can range from a simple suburban walk to elaborate puzzle-based multicaches. While we love geocaching near home, we also love backcountry geocaching, and it adds a lot of fun to our family trips. The Geocaching.com app allows me to save caches in advance, making descriptions, maps, Geocaching.com pictures, and hints available even when a cell signal is not. It's quick and easy for the me and has made mapiPhone App usage and trip planning a huge draw for my son. We love geocaching, and this app is the easiest way to add this to your next trip! Weight: 0 oz / g (just add smartphone) MSRP: $10 (available for iPhone, Android, or Windows Phone)
Boilerwerks Backcountry Boiler
EnLIGHTened Equipment Protege Quilt
Daniel Paladino - Bozeman, Montana

One frigid night in the Crazies, I awoke to the grunting of a grizzly bear in close proximity to my face. As the beast sniffed my forehead and I struggled to remain completely still, I thought, At least I ll die in comfort, as I MontBell UL lay on my MontBell UL Comfort System Pad and Pillow. The pillow and pad attach together using MontBell's Comfort System Quick Connect system, ensuring that you don't wake up with your head on a rock. This combination comes in Pad 120 + UL at 17 oz and is, by far, the most comfortable setup I ve owned. It's quite warm and the price isn t too bad either! Comfort System Pillow Weight: 17 oz / 482 g MSRP: $69 for the pad, $29 for the pillow Tip 116: Liberate yourself from toilet paper from Mike Clelland s Ultralight Backpackin Tips As a recently 'liberated' backpacker, this tip will always hold a special place in my heart. From the cherished Mule s Ear that is plentiful around Lake Tahoe and the Sierra to the uncomfortable but effective grass brush, I shall never bring TP into the wilderness again. The one landscape I found myself regretting leaving the TP at home was in Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni. With crusty salt flats as far as the eye can see in every direction, the landscape is not conducive to 'liberated' backpackers. Aside from Salars, the need for TP is negated by plentiful resources provided by mother nature. Weight: 0 oz / g MSRP: Freebie! After suffering through the foot torture of skinning in stiff, heavy downhill boots, the Scarpa Maestrales, my first pair of touring boots, made climbing a comfortable and enjoyable experience. With rugged soles and a huge range of motion in walk mode, these boots have carried me up some very sketchy surfaces with confidence. Best of all, the Maestrales have four buckles and are still stiff enough to make the descent enjoyable. Scarpa claims that they are the world's lightest four-buckle AT boot.
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Scarpa Maestrale Alpine Touring
Ski Boots backpackingligh .com/cgi-bin/backpackingligh /2011_bpl_ aff_pick .h ml
06 05 2013
Ski Boots Weight: 3 lbs 6 oz / 1.5 kg MSRP: $600
Addie Bedford - Bo eman, Montana

I love all the head knowledge I get from my job. After editing and publishing Will's 2010 UL Three-Season Down Jacket SOTM , I was painfully aware of my lack of a down jacket (lost to an alteration gone terribly wrong a few years Eddie earlier). I don't care how nice they are, wool coats do not cut the mustard when it's sub-zero at the Christmas Stroll. In Bauer my budget with a rating I trusted from someone who would put it through tougher paces than I, I ordered my down First sweater with my 2010 Christmas money. It's thin and light enough to layer over wool and under further hard- or Ascent softshells, extending my comfort as far as I need it in my dangerous, icy treks from the car to the store. Or from the Downlight woodpile to the back porch. Yeah. I'm pretty hard core. Sweater Weight: 13.4 oz / 380 g MSRP: $179 It's amazing how quickly a few hours of chores or a long drive pass by when you're listening to something engaging, entertaining, even funny. From NPR! Who knew? I subscribe to six podcasts that each make my heart beat faster for various reasons. The Sunda Pu le , which I like to save to listen to with Rob and flex my wordy/nerdy muscles by coming to the answer faster. It sometimes even works (he's awfully clever). Planet Mone keeps me advised of financial news in a format that doesn't make me want to shoot myself in fear or extreme boredom. Selected Shorts makes me feel all literary without having to build my own library or visit the public one more frequently (my business degree was obtained largely because I wanted to own a bookstore). This American Life tells often interesting stories, NPR though it can take itself far too seriously at times (skip!). Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! is a weekly news quiz that Podcasts invariably makes the whole family laugh (and is my favorite). Finally, Radiolab takes on intriguing scientific questions and addresses them in either a regular podcast (one hour) or shorts (~20 minutes). It's fascinating, often funny, and their sound engineers do a fantastic job at bringing what could be dry content to life, also known as "making the hippo dance." Weight: Depends on your player MSRP: Freebie! I'd like to simply say I chose this for telling me what I needed to know, when I needed to know it, but the first test this fall turned out to be a false negative. Second one was a winner, and, God willing, baby Bedford numero dos will be making their appearance in early June, 2012! Weight: Before, or after use? Never mind, I didn't weigh it. MSRP: $10 for three
Citation "2011 Backpacking Light Staff Picks," by BackpackingLight.com Staff. Back pack ingLigh .com (ISSN 1537-0364). http://backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/2011_bpl_staff_picks.html, 2011-12-27 00:10:00-07.
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Editor's Roundtable
2011 Backpacking Light Staff Picks (1)(2)(3)(Show All) Sort By:
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Addie Bedford
(addiebedford) - BPL S aff - MLIFE Locale: Montana
2011 Backpacking Light Staff Picks on 12/27/2011 15:45:24 MST Companion forum thread to: 2011 Backpacking Light Staff Picks
Mary D
(hikinggranny) - MLIFE Locale: Gateway to Columbia River Gorge
2011 Backpacking Light Staff Picks on 12/27/2011 16:19:30 MST Addie, congratulations!!! Next year's pick will be a baby carrier, no doubt! Re: 2011 Backpacking Light Staff Picks on 12/27/2011 17:51:57 MST Loved the picks this year, because the reasons for the choices were not merely an exercise in tech specs and gram counting. Instead, it reflected a greater appreciation of simplicity and making use out of things already owned. And if there is a silver lining in this long recession it is the realization that things rarely make us happy - but experiences do. So go out there with your friends, your family and enjoy the outdoors. Enjoying it lighter usually helps, but the gear is just a conduit to the experience.
Dirk Rabdau
(dirk9827) - F Locale: Pacific Northwest
James Schipper
(monospot) - MLIFE
Arc'Ter
Gamma LT Pant on 12/28/2011 00:08:07 MST
Are the Arc'Teryx Gamma LT Pant really 5.7 oz? Seems a bit light.
Davey Jones
(FamilyGuy) - F Locale: Where there is snow
Re: Arc'Ter
Yeah - that is a misprint.
Hendrik Morkel
(skullmonkey) - MLIFE
Bab Bedford on 12/28/2011 03:47:58 MST
Congratulations to you and your husband, Addie!
10/13
06 05 2013
Locale: Finland
Congratulations to you and your husband, Addie!
James Marco
(jamesdmarco) - MLIFE Locale: Finger Lakes
Staff Picks on 12/28/2011 05:19:09 MST Congrats on the new hiker, Addie! Yeah, a strange mix of choices, as always. I really like the Backcountry Boiler. This is the esscence of what cottage industry in a niche market should be. Slow to order, slow to deliver, but a singularly GREAT product. So good it makes you forget the wait.
Damien Tougas
(dtougas) - BPL S aff - F Locale: Gasp Peninsula
Re: Re: Arc'Ter
Yes, that is a misprint, they are actually 11 oz in a men's small. I will make sure that gets fixed.
Luke Schmidt
(Cameron) - MLIFE Locale: The WOODS
A esome on 12/28/2011 08:37:02 MST Congrats Addie!
Konrad .
(Konrad1013) - MLIFE
misprint on 12/28/2011 09:21:46 MST Is the Houdini's weight off too? I would love a full zip hooded windshirt for 2oz
John Shannon
(jshann) - F Locale: Texas
Re: misprint on 12/28/2011 09:24:25 MST Yes on the houdini weight being inaccurate.
Eugene Smith
(Eugeneius) - MLIFE
"2011 Backpacking Light Staff Picks" on 12/28/2011 09:28:02 MST
Houdini comes in around 4oz. . 2oz is more in line with the Montbell Tachyon windshell.
11/13
06 05 2013
Locale: Nuevo Mexico
Houdini comes in around 4oz. . 2oz is more in line with the Montbell Tachyon windshell. Either way, you'll notice neither of them in your pack.
Dan Durston
(dandydan) - M Locale: Cascadia
2010 Picks on 12/28/2011 09:36:38 MST For reference, here are the BPL communities 2010 picks: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=40800 I'm mulling over my 2011 picks now.... Those OR Versaliner gloves looks awesome Will.
Konrad .
(Konrad1013) - MLIFE
ersaliners on 12/28/2011 09:41:18 MST I've been eyeballing the Versaliners for a few months now myself. Those shell's look stellar. I was able to confirm with Heath Pitts on these forums, who recently got a pair for x-mas, that the shells are not seam taped. So, not 100% waterproof if you're wondering.
Addie Bedford
(addiebedford) - BPL S aff - MLIFE Locale: Montana
Weight mistakes on 12/28/2011 10:34:48 MST The two mentioned mistakes have been fixed. Thanks all!
Jonathan Ryan
(Jkrew81) - F - M Locale: White Mtns
Re: 2011 Backpacking Light Staff Picks on 12/28/2011 11:07:02 MST Interestingly enough 2011 has seen my favorite gear picks move away from pure BPL standard stuff we see here all the time. My wife and I had a son this year so my attention has moved from spreadsheets and hypothetical trips to what gear works the best with the time I have to use it so here are my top four (could not decide on three). Saucony 4MM drop shoes: The Kinvara s and the Peregrines have changed my outdoor experience. I have learned I am not meant to be a super minimalist runner but a low drop shoe with cushion is where it is at for me. Can't wait for the 4mm drop Exodus 3.0 Osprey Talon 22 with Osprey Hydration bladder: Don't even care that it is not UL b/c it just works. I have never owned a pack that carried 100oz against my back so comfortably. Was able to complete a 1 day 26 mile half Pemi loop this year and did not have to waste time planning water stops. Rechargable LED's: My daily outdoor life now takes place in the dark before and after the little guy goes to bed. Be it a 5:30am run or an 8pm cyclocross trail ride the Petzl Core Tikka and the Niterider MiNewt 600 keep me going. Honorable Mention Patagonia 9 Trails Jacket: I agree with Mike, for the last 3 years this has been my go to softshell for running/biking/XC skiing and even backpacking. The super breathable back panel is awesome and the hoodless design is great for layering under a hardshell. Glad I have the old model with the softshell cuffs.
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under a hardshell. Glad I have the old model with the softshell cuffs. Backcountry Boiler on 12/28/2011 11:23:37 MST This is the first I've heard of the Backcountry Boiler. What's the scoop? What is it and when might it become available? - Elizabeth
Elizabeth Tracy
(mariposa) Locale: Outside
Carol Crooker
(cmcrooker) - MLIFE Locale: Desert Southwest, USA
Congratulations Addie and Rob! on 12/28/2011 11:50:51 MST What great timing. You'll be playing with the baby by the time it gets really hot (living in AZ I'm always thinking about the heat factor):)
jeffrey armbruster
(book) -
rab latok gloves vs. versaliners on 12/28/2011 13:32:46 MST so I just received the rab latok gloves--event outer, "waterproof", fleecy lining, excellent dexterity, grippy palm. Sized tight. Haven't been able to try them yet in the snow. Now I see these Versaliners...hmmm. I'm sure that I'm going to love the Latoks. Maybe too warm while Nordic skiing? Probably not. Anybody have experience? Sorry if this is drifting...These gloves may be on my top three list.
Kathy A Handyside
(earlymusicus) Locale: Southeastern Michigan
Camp-Tek Microburst Inflator on 12/28/2011 13:38:07 MST This is the first I've heard of this. I've been steering clear of pads that are not self-inflating because after an experience with one of those pads going flat halfway through the night because the warm breath I introduced into it when inflating it cooled off. I just went to Camp-Tek's website and I'm sold! I'm definitely going to order one of these. This means I can go to a lighter-weight non-self-inflating pad! Thanks Ray!
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