The Backpacking Gear I Actually Use as a Professional Gear Tester

For the past three years, I’ve been working as a gear reviewer — taking ultralight backpacking gear on long trips, evaluating the usability of it, and consolidating all my notes into a format that you hopefully can find useful when deciding what to buy. I love my job, with my favorite perk being the ability to test all kinds of gear on the trail and really narrow in on what works for me.

My policy when it comes to gear is this: No gear is universal, and all gear has a target audience. If you’re terrified of mosquitoes, you’ll probably never like a tarp, no matter how well-designed and lightweight it is. If you’re concerned with weight on your back above all else, no one will ever be able to talk you into carrying a heavy camp chair for the luxury of it all. The shoes that work for my feet may not work for yours!

Continue reading to learn more about backpacking gear, written by Katie Jackson.