Backpacking Light

1 week ago | backpackinglight.com | Ryan Jordan

Introduction: The Structural Burden of Fabrics for Shelters and BackpacksBackpacks and shelters aren’t just simple fabric sacks and flat panel tarps. They are load-bearing structures engineered to transfer forces under complex stress regimes, e.g., tensile stress from guyline anchors, cyclical flex from wind loads, cyclical fatigue from roll-top closures, abrasion from rocky surfaces, seam stress from overstuffed backpacks, and degradation from solar radiation and moisture exposure.

1 month ago | backpackinglight.com | Ryan Jordan

“Walking is good for your emotional and mental health.” – says everyone now. Psychologists, wellness writers, and public health pundits agree: walking is good for your mental health. Sure, walking helps. But the reasons most people give for why it helps often miss the mark. The prevailing narrative is shallow. Walking is framed as a kind of aerobic panacea – mild cardio with mental health side benefits. It’s accessible, it’s low-cost, and it’s non-threatening.

1 month ago | backpackinglight.com | Ryan Jordan

Backpacking Light purchased the products featured in this review at MSRP. Black Diamond, Biolite, Fenix, and Nitecore occasionally provide complimentary samples (including lighting and other types of products) to Backpacking Light, but Backpacking Light has no obligation to review or mention them in any editorial coverage. This review was produced with complete editorial independence and without any involvement from any brand featured in this review.

1 month ago | backpackinglight.com | Ryan Jordan

Funding Disclosure: Arc’teryx provided financial support and product samples for the development of this report. Editorial Independence: Backpacking Light and the author retained full editorial control over this content, including all ideation, research, analysis and conclusions with no influence from Arc’teryx. Affiliate Links: This article contains affiliate links to Arc’teryx.

1 month ago | backpackinglight.com | Ryan Jordan

IntroductionProtecting my hands from inclement conditions and injury – and maintaining the grip and dexterity required for tool use and fine motor function – is one of my critical priorities in the backcountry. Grip, dexterity, warmth, moisture management – everything depends on keeping them functional. I learned this the hard way during a circumnavigation of the Wind River Range in the early 1990s. Wanting to save a few ounces, I left gloves at home.