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On a search to find the lightest backpacking setup, our tester chose the Q-Core SLX as his favorite sleeping pad. The pad packs down to the size of a Nalgene and weighs 16 ounces. Our tester especially loved the quilted top, “which you’ll gain a deep appreciation for sometime around night four on the trail,” he wrote.
Outside contributor Wes Siler loves these pants so much he wrote an in-depth piece on this year’s new design changes, showing how they’re even better than before. Siler writes: “The new Kebs are lighter, more durable, and have better freedom of movement.”
The Ghost Whisperer is our Gear Guy’s favorite lightweight down jacket. The 800-fill-power down is sure to keep you warm, and the feather treatment helps it stay dry longer, even in wet environments. If you’re concerned about weight, this is the jacket you want—it’s less than eight ounces.
For ultralight backpacking with your significant other, we found this bag—combined with the Big Agnes Q-Core SLX double—to be one of the best ultralight kits. The set weighs just under six pounds and you get an incredibly comfortable, well insulated, two-person sleep system with a temperature rating of 30 degrees.
Yeah, it’s expensive. But the Stargaze gives you La-Z-Boy comfort at any car-camping site. It swings and has a high headrest, so you can tilt back and take in the night sky or simply indulge in a quick nap. The armrests are padded, too. The aircraft-grade aluminum frame is light and easy to set up, and a cupholder and stash pocket for your phone or beef jerky round out the luxury features.
Joby revolutionized tripods with the GorillaPod, which has legs that adjust to uneven surfaces and can wrap around all kinds of objects. The 1K is small, with a ball-head attachment that works with cameras of up to 2.2 pounds. If you want something beefier, go for the 5K.
The PlatyPreserve lets you leave the glass bottle at home and is one of our favorite collapsible items. When empty, the bag rolls up and weighs under one ounce, so it doesn’t add much weight to your kit.
We featured the BioLite 330 as one of our top choice headlamps in our 2019 Summer Buyer’s Guide. Unlike other angler-fish style lamps, the 330's light lays flush across your forehead. Plus, the light includes a rechargeable battery in the back.
The Z/Cloud has all the qualities we love about Chacos: super adjustable polyester straps and a podiatrist-certified footbed for all-day comfort, burly, non-marking outsoles, and the classic Chaco style that has become a staple at campgrounds and mountain towns. Plus, the shoes have an antimicrobial application for odor control.
We love this long-sleeve shirt for its discreet sun protection (UPF 50+ rating). Thanks to the soft, quick-drying fabric, it still “manages to feel light and breezy,” according to our tester. Plus, the bright plaid colors are casual enough to wear around town as well as on the trail.
This high-neck, open-back dress is one of our favorite adventure dresses. According to our tester (who wears a C-cup), the built-in bra isn’t quite supportive enough for running, but holds up well on casual hikes and urban adventures. Throw a denim button-up over it to make the dress suitable for fall weather or business-casual settings.