Nathan Pipenberg

Boise

Freelance Writer at Freelance

freelance journalist covering environment/outdoors/travel/etc

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Articles

Why a Hammock Is the Best Ultralight Camp Chair

1 week ago | backpacker.com | Nathan Pipenberg

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app. As Backpacker's ultralight columnist, I've never been one to carry a camp chair. It's the quintessential luxury item: very comfy, but very heavy. Any self-respecting ultralighter sits on the ground instead. But as I've gotten older (and busier), I've found myself straying away from my ultralight foam sitpad in search of comfort.
Trail Crews Nationwide Relied on AmeriCorps Funding. Here's How They're Faring Without It.

3 weeks ago | backpacker.com | Nathan Pipenberg

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app. "Hard work, low pay, miserable conditions, and more."The official motto of the California Conservation Corps won't appeal to most job seekers. But to the thousands of conservation corps service members that work in every state across the country, those conditions are what make the job fulfilling.
Does Toaks' New Canister Stove Hit the Ultralight Sweet Spot?

4 weeks ago | backpacker.com | Nathan Pipenberg

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app. Toaks is known for its affordable titanium cookware, like pots, spoons, and wood-burning stoves. Now, the brand is releasing a gas canister stove, designed to combine the ultralight sensibilities of the lightest burners with the fuel-savings of larger models.
In the Wake of Delayed Trail Maintenance, PCT Hikers Face Difficult Conditions

1 month ago | backpacker.com | Nathan Pipenberg

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app. At Mission Creek, just over 200 miles from the southern terminus of the PCT, the trail disappears under a jumble of sand and boulders. The section has been a headache for Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers since flooding washed away swaths of tread in 2023, and it's proving especially difficult this year.
Hate Hiking in Hot Weather? Wear Linen.

1 month ago | backpacker.com | Nathan Pipenberg

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app. When it comes to fabrics fit for the outdoors, hikers have two options: merino or synthetics. We've all been told time and time again that any fabric that can't dry out quickly or keep you warm when you're wet isn't worth considering. As summer hits, I've been questioning this dogma.
Best Ultralight Bag

1 month ago | backpacker.com | Nathan Pipenberg

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app. Every year, more and more hikers embrace an ultralight kit in order to cover more ground, travel more efficiently, and give their shoulders and hips a break during long days on the trail. When it comes to lightening the load, big-ticket items like sleeping bags are among the most important to upgrade.
Can Sleeping Pad Inflators Really Be Ultralight?

1 month ago | backpacker.com | Nathan Pipenberg

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app. As a fairly dedicated ultralight hiker, pad inflators haven't historically made it into my backpacking kit. The smallest pumps and inflators only weigh a few ounces, but that doesn't tell the whole story. Ultralight hiking isn't just about your baseweight, but minimalism as a concept: only carry what you need.
REI's Traverse is the First Modular Bear Canister

2 months ago | backpacker.com | Nathan Pipenberg

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app. Bear canisters are an absolute necessity when they're required on a trip, but options are few and far between. In general, BearVault canisters are the go-to choice for a reliable, inexpensive option, while Bearikade canisters shave off a few ounces with carbon fiber construction and a big increase in price. That's why REI's new bear canister, the Traverse, is so intriguing.
Nitecore's Latest Power Bank is One of the Lightest Ever Made

2 months ago | backpacker.com | Nathan Pipenberg

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app. Whether you're sweating over ounces in a headlamp or hauling your e-reader and DSLR into the backcountry, electronics can add a chunk of weight to your load. That's one reason we've always been interested in Nitecore's line of ultralight power banks. With so many electronics to keep topped up, a reliable power source that also saves some weight is a hot ticket for many hikers.
For Ultralight Hikers, Water Bladders Are Better Than Bottles. Here's Why.

Mar 13, 2025 | backpacker.com | Nathan Pipenberg

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app. The Smartwater bottle and Sawyer Squeeze filter combo is a mainstay of the ultralight hiking kit. The bottles are cheap, replaceable, and lightweight. The screw-on filter means you can collect water and filter on the move. In comparison, my preferred water-carrying system, the once-ubiquitous water bladder and hose, is now considered tedious, fragile, and-worst of all-heavy.