The Speed 2 are high-drop, high-cushion trail runners that are at home on moderate trails, good for running, day hiking, or backpacking. Their extreme padding ensures all-day comfort for any of those activities.

Moab Speed 2 Specs

MSRP: $140

Weight: 12.34 ounces per shoe

Outsole: Vibram LTC5+

Drop: 10 mm

About the Moab Speed 2

The Speed 2 are highly cushioned trail runners that absorb a pounding whether I’m running or backpacking. The 34mm-to-24mm stack height is an outlier in a world of low-drop shoes, but I appreciate the extra comfort and support for my flat feet that let me bounce from rock to rock without losing a feel for the trail.

Performance

Trail Ready: The Speed 2 are comfortable out of the box, at home on rocky trails, wet trails, and dry dirt trails. Merrell rates them good for moderate trails, which leaves out bushwhacking or steep rock scrambling.

GORE-TEX Lining: The Speed 2 have an optional GORE-TEX lining in the low-cut shoes, while the mid-cut shoes only come with a GORE-TEX lining. I prefer a low-cut without GORE-TEX because although they get wet quicker, they also dry faster. The Speed 2 stayed dry for me while hiking on wet and muddy trails. When the going got really wet through standing water the Speed 2 did a good job of shedding inside water and staying comfortable.

Outsoles: The Vibram TC5+ soles with 4mm lugs grip the trail, and I rock-hopped without fear of slipping on wet surfaces. The lugs are widely space to shed trail debris.

Midsole: My feet appreciate the thickly cushioned FloatPro midsole, with a stack height of 34mm to 24mm. The Speed 2 are stable through a variety of terrain, keeping my feet solidly planted on the trail.

Comfort

Mesh Uppers: Comfortable, breathable, and flexible. I like the padding that surrounds my ankles and keeps my feet firmly attached inside the shoes. The nylon ripstop and TPU uppers repel some water but aren’t waterproof. On the plus side, water that might get inside the shoes drains well through the mesh fabric.

Fit and Width: The size 12 Speed 2 are a spot on fit for my size 12 feet, with extra room in the toe box. The Speed 2 are available in medium width and wide width. The medium width Speed 2 are comfortable for my narrow feet, and my feet don’t slip around in the shoes.

Stack Height: The 34mm stack height with a drop of 10 mm provides a lot of cushion for my feet, and despite the thick cushion the shoes are stable on trail. I bounced along rocky trails without feeling a thud in my feet. And with flat feet and my heels striking first as I walk, I wear shoes with a high drop because low-drop shoes don’t provide enough support for me.

Good to Know

Sustainability: Merrell uses recycled material for the breathable mesh lining, the mesh footbed cover, and the EVA foam that cushions the midsole.

Warranty: Merrell’s warranty promises that footwear will be free of defects in materials and workmanship for one year from the verified date of purchase or delivery (if later than the date of purchase) by the original end-user purchaser.

Moab Speed 2 Pros

Grip: Solid traction through rocks, mud, and dry trail. Stable on trail despite the high stack height.

Comfort: Plenty of cushion and support for long trail days.

Stack Height: The 34mm stack height is a lot of padding under my feet, but I didn’t feel disconnected from the trail. And because I walk with my heel striking first I appreciate the thick cushion in the heel.

Moab Speed 2 Cons

Trail Limits: The Speed 2 are for moderate trail hiking, and aren’t intended for technical terrain.

Weight: Middle of the pack for weight, but still light.

Overall Value

I like that the Speed 2 have plenty of cushion for my feet, especially on long hikes with a ~20-pound backpack. The grip and stability are solid on muddy and rocky trails, and the 34mm stack height cushions my feet from the pounding of rocks without disconnecting me from the trail. The price is comparable to other trail runners in the Speed 2’s category. These have become my go-to shoes for all my hikes and running.

Similar Hiking Shoes

Brooks Cascadia 17

MSRP: $140

Drop: 8mm

Weight: 11 ounces per shoe

Salomon Speedcross 6

MSRP: $145

Drop: 10mm

Weight: 10.5 ounces

La Sportiva Wildcat

MSRP: $145

Drop: 12mm

Weight: 13.4 ounces

This product was donated for purpose of review.

The post Merrell Moab Speed 2 Review appeared first on Backpacking Routes.

The updated Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 continues to be a solid, lightweight backpack that combines lots of space and plenty of features at an affordable price.

Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Specs

MSRP: $275

Weight: 31.9 ounces for a medium with a medium straight hipbelt

Capacity: 50 liters total; 32 liters for the main pack body, 18 liters for the outside pockets

Fabric: PFAS-free recycled Robic nylon

About the Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50

The Gorilla 50 was already a standout among lightweight backpacks, and Gossamer Gear took that reputation further with a redesign focused on function, durability, and light weight. The Gorilla 50 frame has been redesigned and load lifters have been added to increase carrying comfort. The hipbelt comes straight or curved, and in multiple sizes. Through all the changes Gossamer Gear has stuck with one hallmark of its packs: strong Robic fabric that’s durable and much less expensive than the new ultralight fabrics that push backpack prices higher and higher.

Carrying Capacity

Main Compartment: The 32-liter, top-loading main compartment holds all my gear for a five-day hike: tent, sleeping bag, clothes, accessories, and bear canister with food. If I need more space the extension collar adds 2 to 3 liters more.

The external pockets add 18 liters of storage:

Front Mesh Pocket: This is a large pocket where I stash gear that I want to get at without digging through my pack. I put a rain jacket and rain pants in the expandable pocket, along with my water filter, lunch, extra warm clothes, and cat hole trowel. The pocket has a solid fabric bottom with a drain hole.

Side Pockets: One shallow, solid fabric pocket on each side of the pack, and each pocket is capable of carrying two one-liter Smartwater bottles or a Nalgene bottle. It’s also possible to put tent poles in the pockets and snug them against the pack with the side compression straps. These pockets also have drain holes for water.

Hipbelt Pockets: These pockets are big, and hold snacks, my phone, a small container of hand sanitizer, just about anything I want to get at quickly without taking off my pack. I like that the cords attached to the pockets’ zipper pulls let me me open or close the zippers while wearing gloves.

Top Flap: The over-the-top closure is a cross between a standard pack brain and a roll-top pack. It has a large side zipper that makes it easy to stuff maps, a phone, glasses, car key, and driver’s license inside the pouch. And there’s a small gap at the bottom of the pouch for a headphone cord to run from your phone inside the pouch to your ears.

The top flap snugs down with easy-to-connect green straps, making it simple to avoid trying to connect a green closure flap strap to one of the black compression straps. (Surely someone at Gossamer Gear has done they same thing as me on other packs: trying to connect a black side compression strap with a black top closure strap.) Gossamer Gear’s theme of different-colored straps shows me the company pays attention to small details.

Water Bladder: New in the redesign is a loop inside the pack’s main compartment that can hold a water bladder, replacing a bladder pouch. The bladder tube can run through the same hole in the top pouch that the headphone cord runs through. The tube and bite valve are held in place by cross-webbing on the strap, and an elastic part of the sternum strap can hold the bite valve.

Bear Canister: My BearVault 450 fits horizontally or vertically inside the main body of the pack, with clothing tucked between the canister and the frame pad for extra cushion against my back. A bear canister can also be strapped to the top of the pack.

Comfort

New PVT Frame: Gossamer Gear’s redesign includes the PVT (short for pivot) closed-loop frame that fits into a pocket on the hipbelt and pivots as you move. The new frame is comfortable and lightweight. The PVT frame and PVT hipbelt cannot be used on pre-redesign Gorilla 50 and Mariposa models that use a U-shaped frame. Gossamer Gear has a deeper dive into the pivot frame here.

Hipbelt: The hipbelt is available in straight or S-shaped configurations, depending on the pack’s size. The size small pack comes with a curved belt, and the medium and large packs have a straight belt. I have a straight hipbelt and it’s comfortable for my slim build. To get a different size hipbelt Gossamer Gear recommends including the belt you want in your order, swapping it out at home, and returning the belt that came with the pack for a $25 refund.

Shoulder Straps: The curved shoulder straps wrap around the chest and breasts, making them comfortable for men and women, unlike straight shoulder straps that are more comfortable for men with slim bodies.

Shoulder Strap Cords: Thumb loops at the end of the cords let you rest your arms with a bend at the elbows, avoiding so-called sausage fingers caused by arms hanging loose at your sides. The loops are new with the pack update and I’m not sold on them yet.

External Essentials

Side Compression Cords: These cords do double duty to compress the pack and hold equipment such as trekking poles to the side of the pack. The straps are long enough to lash bulky gear to the sides of the pack, and though the buckles are small and the straps thin, the buckles are easy to connect and disconnect, and the straps slide easily and don’t slip loose.

Shoulder Strap Rings: Two rings on each shoulder strap can hold Gossamer Gear accessories: a shoulder strap pocket, bottle holder, and umbrella clamp. The shoulder straps do not have daisy chains.

Emergency Whistle: The sternum-strap emergency whistle has become ubiquitous on most packs.

Additional Attachment Loops: Small loops on the sides and back of the pack can be used to add cords to hang gear. The loops are orange, making it easy to see them against my pack’s gray fabric. Gossamer Gear sells shock cords to attach to the loops.

Trekking Pole Cords: Slip the pole tips into a bungee cord—new with the redesign—at the bottom of the pack and tighten the cord to hold the poles in place.

Ice Axe Loop: Learn how to attach an ice axe to your pack here.

Other Features: Gossamer Gear has more information on the Gorilla 50’s other features here.

Weight and Fit

My Take: The Gorilla 50 rides comfortably on my hips, held securely by the straight hipbelt. The padded shoulder straps, with breathable mesh, hold the pack loosely to my back, and the back pad provides plenty of cushion. The load lifters keep the pack from pulling back on my shoulders.

Going Ultralight: The medium pack’s body weighs 16.3 ounces, and the frame (4.3 ounces) and back pad (2.3 ounces) can be removed to shed a few ounces. The medium pack and back pad, with the frame and hipbelt removed, weigh 18.6 ounces, compared with 31.9 ounces for the pack with frame, pad, and hipbelt. If you want a lighter hipbelt than the one that came with the pack, Gossamer Gear has a Fastbelt (3.3 ounces) that attaches to loops on each side of the pack’s bottom.

Removable Back Pad: The back pad can be removed to use as a sit pad during breaks.

How Much Weight: The Gorilla 50 is extremely comfortable at about 20 pounds, the weight that I usually carry. Gossamer Gear recommends a maximum load of 30 pounds, and 25 pounds for a comfort weight.

Fit: I’m 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weigh 160ish, and the medium Gorilla 50 is a good fit for me. Five feet, 10 inches tall is on the dividing line between wearing a medium or large pack for most brands, and it took wearing several large packs before realizing that a medium is a better fit for me. Gossamer Gear has a guide to finding the right size for you.

Pack Material

Fabric: Gossamer Gear uses recycled Robic nylon. The 70 denier main pack material and 100 denier bottom material are thick, and can be expected to handle heavy use.

Rainy Days: Robic nylon is not waterproof, but the DWR coating helps shed some moisture. Small holes in the bottom of the outside pockets let out water that might get inside and I line the main pack compartment with a trash bag.

Robic vs. Dyneema vs Ultra: Gossamer Gear stayed with Robic nylon for its updated backpacks because of its proven strength, weight, and cost. The Gorilla costs about $100 less than comparable backpacks made from Dyneema and Ultra.

Recycled Robic: The Gorilla 50 is made from recycled Robic nylon.

Pack Colors: Gray and yellow.

Warranty: Gossamer Gears warranties its gear to be free from manufacturing defects within one year of the purchase date, for the purchaser only.

Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Pros

Lightweight, But Not Skimpy: The Gorilla 50 rides lightly on my back but doesn’t scrimp on what I want: useful outer pockets, padded shoulder straps and hipbelt, and the right number of straps to hold it all together.

Comfort: The padded shoulder straps and hipbelt don’t bite into my shoulders and hips, while the cushioned back pad fits the contour of my back.

Pockets: Handy storage for lightweight gear I want easy access to.

Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Cons

Not Waterproof: If there’s one knock against the Gorilla 50 it’s that the Robic fabric isn’t waterproof. But spending pennies for a plastic trash bag to line the inside of the pack seems like a much better move than spending hundreds more for a pack with waterproof fabric.

Overall Value

The Gorilla 50 is an excellent value for a pack that’s comfortable and feature-rich, and won’t empty your bank account. I like Gossamer Gear’s attention to the small details: color-coded straps so I’m not trying to connect the wrong straps; orange cord loops that are easy to see; and a headphone cord portal in the back of the pack. And then there are the big details: comfortable S-curve shoulder straps; an improved pack frame; and lightweight and comfortable.

Similar Backpacks

Granite Gear Crown3 60

MSRP: $239.95

Weight: 2 pounds, 4 ounces for a regular size

Capacity: 60 liters

Material: Robic

Gregory Focal 48

MSRP: $229.95

Weight: 2.8 pounds

Capacity: 48 liters

Material: Nylon

REI Flash 55

MSRP: $199

Weight: 2 pounds, 13 ounces, medium

Capacity: 55 liters

Material: Robic

This product was donated for purpose of review.

The post Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Backpack Review appeared first on Backpacking Routes.

Jack Wolfskin’s Highest Peak 3L Jacket is a full-featured raincoat with pit zips, Velcro cuffs, a high collar, taped seams, and hood adjustments. And by using its proprietary fabric recycling process Jack Wolfskin has created a water resistant, windproof, and breathable coat made from 100% recycled and PFAS-free fabric.

Jack Wolfskin Highest Peak 3L Specs

MSRP: $239.95

Weight: 13 ounces for a women’s medium; 15 ounces for a men’s medium

Fabric: Texapore Ecosphere Pro Stretch 3L, Jack Wolfskin’s proprietary three-layer fabric that’s waterproof, windproof, and breathable.

About the Highest Peak 3L

The Highest Peak 3L jacket is a solid three-season rain and wind outer layer that doesn’t skimp on features. The two hip pockets are large enough to hold a phone and gloves, and have a solid inside lining. The hood has an easy-to-adjust tightening cord in the back of the hood, and two draw cords adjust the hood’s front opening. All the zippers have pull cords, making them easy to use while wearing lightweight gloves. The coat kept me dry and warm during hikes on several rainy, windy, and cold March hikes.

Highest Peak 3L Features

Weather Resistance: The Highest Peak 3L uses Jack Wolfskin’s Texapore technology to create a waterproof, windproof, and breathable rain jacket. All of the coat’s outer layer, membrane, and inner layer are made from recycled fabric without creating any waste, and are free from PFAS (so-called forever chemicals).

Why Three Layers?: Three-layer rain jackets provide the highest level of protection again rain and wind, and are more durable than two- or 2.5-layer coats. They also tend to be stiffer, heavier, and more expensive than two- and 2.5-layer coats.

Zippers: Robust zippers with pulls that can be grabbed while wearing lightweight gloves. The main zipper has an inner storm flop, and the pit zippers and outer pocket zippers have overlapping storm flaps.

Pit Zips: The 10-inch-long openings provide good ventilation, and the cord on the zipper pulls makes them easy to open and close.

Cuffs: A three-inch strip of Velcro gives the cuffs a wide range of adjustability.

Hem: Drawstrings inside the coat’s hem seal the bottom of the jacket against my hips.

Pockets: The two hip pockets are big enough to hold a phone, lightweight gloves, or trail snacks. The inside chest pocket can hold a car key, lip balm, or ID card, but not much else.

Hood: The cord at the back of the hood is easy to tighten and release, and when combined with the collar pull cords at the front of the coat, I can seal the hood around my head to keep out rain and wind.

Layers, Layers, Layers: What do the numbers used to designate coat layers mean?

• Two Layer: Typically an outer fabric that’s paired with an inner water resistant, breathable membrane. A hanging mesh liner is often added to protect the membrane against wear and tear. The two-layer design is mostly used for lower-priced coats, with limited water resistance and breathability.
• 2.5 Layer: Similar to two-layer coats, a water resistant, breathable membrane is bonded to the inside of the outer fabric. Then a printed or sprayed-on layer is applied over the membrane. These coats are lightweight, packable, and have a wide price range.
• Three Layer: Again, the membrane is attached to the inside of the coat’s face fabric. Then a full inside liner is attached to the membrane. Three-layer coats provide premium weather performance and durability, with a stiff feel.

Sustainability: Jack Wolfskin takes its commitment to the environment up a notch with the Highest Peaks 3L, the company’s first jacket sold in the U.S that is made from recycled fabrics.

Instead of recycling single-use plastics such as water bottles for fabric, Jack Wolfskin takes used polyester textiles and factory scraps, removes non-textile material such as zippers and Velcro, and spins the discarded textiles into new fabric.

The result is what Jack Wolfskin calls a Textile to Textile recycled jacket.

Warranty: Jack Wolfskin’s clothing comes with a limited lifetime warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship; equipment has a limited two-year guarantee; and footwear carries a limited, one-year guarantee.

Highest Peak 3L Pros

Weather Protection: The three-layer configuration of the Highest Peak 3L is top of the line for durability, and rain and wind protection.

Pit Zips: 10-inch-long ventilation zips that are easy to open and close.

Hood: The drawcord at the back of the hood is easy to grasp in order to tighten or loosen the hood.

Pockets: The two side pockets are deep and hold an array of gloves, snacks, or a phone.

Taped Seams: Extra protection against rain and snow.

Highest Peak 3L Cons

Inner Chest Pocket: Good size for a car key or ID card, but too small for gear accessories I would like to stow there. A larger inner pocket would make up for lack of an outside chest pocket.

Overall Value

The Highest Peaks 3L is a robust hardshell jacket for three-season use, possibly crossing over into winter adventures in moderate conditions. Everything about the coat speaks to its versatility, from rainy days to wind-swept summits. And the price is low compared with many similar coats.

Similar Rain Jackets

Arc’teryx Beta LT

MSRP: $450

Weight: 13.9 ounces

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L

MSRP: $179

Weight: 12.4 ounces

Outdoor Research Helium AscentShell

MSRP: $449

Weight: 10.8 ounces

The North Face Terrain Vista 3L Pro

MSRP: $270

Weight: Not available

Mountain Research Premonition UL

MSRP: $430

Weight: 11.2 ounces

This product was donated for purpose of review.

The post Jack Wolfskin Highest Peak 3L Jacket Review appeared first on Backpacking Routes.

The wood-fired Titan stove cooks hot backcountry meals for two to four people using thumb-sized wood collected at campsites.

Titan Stove Specs

MSRP:

• Just the Stove and Stuff Sack: $89.99 (on sale for $79.99)
• Stove, Cook Pot, Windscreen, and Tripod Kit: $194.99 (on sale for $179.99)

Weight: 16.5 ounces for the stove alone

Measurements: 5.1-inch diameter, 7.9 inches tall

Materials: Stainless steel

About the Titan Wood Stove

I tested the Titan Gear Kit, which includes the stove, cook pot, windscreen, and pot-hanging tripod. The windscreen and tripod are nice accessories, but not essential for cooking. Lighting the stove is easy using thumb-sized dry wood. I put finger-thick wood at the bottom of the fuel box, fire starter on top of that, and twigs on top. The fire starts quickly using dry wood and burns down to the thicker wood at the bottom, where it creates a bed of coals. I feed the stove as the flames lessen and have an 8-cup pot of water boiling in 9 minutes. I continue adding small amounts of fuel if I am simmering food that needs time to cook.

Titan Solo Stove Features

How It Works: The Titan and other Solo stoves are known as gasifier stoves because they have secondary combustion. The stoves’ base is a double-wall stainless steel cylinder with air holes around the botom and smaller holes at the top. Air sucked in through the bottom holes fuels the fire while heated air rising between the double walls causes a secondary combustion so the fire burns without smoke. Once a hot fire is going I see little smoke, but if the fire is struggling to burn wet wood there is a lot of smoke.

Two-Part Design: Build a fire in the base, then place the cooking ring on the lip of the base. The cook pot sits on top of the ring’s legs, and a gap in the legs allows wood to be fed into the fire. When I’m ready to pack up the ring flips over to fit into the stove base and they both fit into the pot.

Best Pot Size: The 1800 (1800ml/60 ounces) pot is plenty big enough to cook meals for two to four people. The pot can be purchased alone without having to buy the gear kit.

Storing the Titan: The stove and inverted cooking ring fit inside the 1800 pot, and together they fit inside the stuff sack that comes with the stove.

Best Use: Gathering wood and lighting the stove fire is easy in dry weather, a challenge when the woods are wet. This is definitely a stove for thick woods, not meadows or high elevations with scrub trees.

Stock Up on Wood: I collect enough dry wood to cook a meal before lighting the stove. That way I’m not searching for more wood while my meal cooks. And it’s a good idea to collect enough wood at night and store it in a dry spot so it’s ready for breakfast. Two to three handfuls of wood is enough for cooking.

Rainy Days: I spent about 30 minutes getting a fire going after a day of rain. Once I had a bed of coals built up the fire was easy to maintain.

Practice, Practice, Practice: It’s a good idea to light the stove before taking it into the backcountry. I lit the stove on a dry day and after a day of rain to hone my fire-lighting skills.

Fire Starters: A commercial or homemade fire starter makes lighting the wood much easier.

Cold Weather: I had a liter of water boiling in 9 minutes when the temperature was 34F.

Other Fuel: An alcohol burner is available for the Titan and Lite stoves.

Cleaning the Pot: I put the pot inside the stuff sack so soot doesn’t get on gear in my pack, and clean the pot when I get home.

Flexibility: The Solo stoves can be purchased as a kit with accessories included, or the stove alone with a pot, tripod, or windscreen added. Solo also sells fire starters, roasting sticks, a pellet adapter, and replacement parts.

Other Solo Stoves: The Lite weighs 9 ounces, fits in the 900 pot in the Lite Gear Kit ($154.99 MSRP), and is probably the best choice for backpacking. The Lite Gear Kit comes with a windscreen, an alcohol burner for an alternative fuel source, and a fire striker. The Campfire is more of a car camping stove, and weighs 2.2 pounds. The Campfire Gear Kit comes with 1.5 and 3 liter pots, and a tripod ($204.99 MSRP). Pots can be bought separately if you’re buying only the stove.

Windscreen: Because air drawn in through holes in the bottom of the stove feeds the flames, I wait until I’ve built a hot bed of coals before using the windscreen. The windscreen holds in the stove’s heat so if my bed of coals is large enough food in the pot continues cooking without having to add wood.

Environmental Considerations: Using a woodburning stove means no metal fuel tank that may or may not get recycled when it’s empty. Woodburning stoves are banned in some areas because of fire concerns, and campsites already stripped of wood can be harmed even more by collecting wood for the Titan.

Titan Pros

Easy to Use: Lighting the Titan and keeping the fire going require minimal attention as long as you have enough dry wood gathered.

Free Fuel: I live in the heavily forested Northeast and finding wood near my campsite is not a problem.

No Fuel Anxiety: I don’t worry whether my stove canister has enough fuel to cook supper, nor do I have to carry two partially filled canisters to ensure I have enough fuel.

Titan Cons

Weather Dependent: Finding dry wood in rain-drenched woods and starting the fire is difficult.

Limited to Forest Campsites: The Titan isn’t good at campsites with no trees or scrub trees. And some heavily used forest campsites may be stripped nearly bare of dead wood, making it difficult to find fuel for the Titan.

Overall Value

The Titan’s $89.99 price is on the high side when compared with other stoves, but it accommodates a pot that can cook meals for up to four people. The smaller Lite stove is a better choice for a backpacking trip with one or two people, and costs $69.99. Unlike folding stoves, the double-wall design in Solo Stoves is fuel efficient and good at keeping the fire and heat inside the stove, not spilling over onto the ground. And if the weather is wet the alcohol burner is a good option to ensure you’ll be able to cook a meal.

Other Woodburning Stoves

Toaks Titanium Stove

MSRP: $59.99

Material: Titanium

Vargo Hexagon Stove

MSRP: $59.99

Material: Available in titanium and steel

Emberlit Original Stove

MSRP: $44.99

Material: Stainless steel

This product was donated for purpose of review.

The post Titan Woodburning Solo Stove Review appeared first on Backpacking Routes.

The Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20 hits a sweet spot for a three-season sleeping bag, combining a nearly unbeatable light weight with warm 900 fill down.

Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20 Specs

MSRP:

• Small: $469.95
• Regular: $549.95
• Long: $579.95

Weight:

• Small: 1 pound, 3 ounces
• Regular: 1 pound, 4 ounces
• Long: 1 pound, 6 ounces

Shell: 10 denier nylon ripstop with a durable water repellent (DWR) coating.

Temperature Rating: Comfortable for sleeping to 32F; the lower limit is 20F; the extreme limit is -9F.

Insulation: The Hyperion is packed with 900 fill Nikwax hydrophobic goose down, water resistant down that follows the Responsible Down Standard certifying that waterfowl in the food supply chain are treated humanely.

About the Hyperion 20

The Hyperion 20 is a stripped down, ultralight sleeping bag good for three-season backpacking. Therm-a-Rest achieves ultralight status with the Hyperion by giving it high warmth-to-weight 900 fill down, a small half-zip, a slimmer width, and a small hood. Even with the smaller dimensions I find that the bag is comfortable. And the smaller size leaves less dead air to warm with body heat.

Hyperion 20 Features

Shell: Lightweight and thin 10-denier nylon ripstop with a durable water repellent coating. Ten denier is a thin fabric shell, but I have found that it holds up if given care and attention.

Insulation: The Hyperion uses 900 fill Nikwax hydrophobic goose down that Therm-a-Rest says dries three times faster than untreated down, absorbs 90% less water, and maintains loft 60 times longer than untreated down.

Box Baffles: The Hyperion uses box baffles—lightweight material placed between the shell and liner to form a box—that eliminate gaps that could create cold spots.

Draft Collar, Draft Tube: The draft collar snugged tight across my forehead and neck prevent cold air from getting inside the bag, and a draft tube runs the length of the side zipper.

Hood: Small. I can’t fit my inflatable pillow inside the hood, and use my backpack laid flat under the bag as a pillow. A drawcord on the right side (when lying on my back in the bag) tightens the hood around my face and shoulders. A snap keeps the hood closed and the zipper from sliding down.

Warmth: I slept comfortably while wearing lightweight thermal pants and shirt when the temperature was about 30, and began feeling the cold when the temperature dropped to 25F. Any lower and I would have put on a midweight shirt. That jibes with the Hyperion’s EN lower temperature limit of 20F, the temperature at which a warm sleeper (though not me) might still sleep comfortably. The comfort level is 32F, and the EN extreme limit is -9F.

SynergyLink Connectors: I am sold on these straps that hold the Hyperion flat to my air pad. And they are important to use because 70% of the Hyperion’s insulation is on the top and sides, while 30% is on the bottom. Does this mean you have to be a back sleeper to use the Hyperion and the straps? Not in my experience. I still toss and turn inside the Hyperion while the straps keep the bag stable and flat on my air pad.

Stuff Pocket: There’s no pocket in the bag to hold a phone or other temperature-sensitive gear, presumably to save weight. I put my phone and headlamp inside the bag when it’s cold at night.

Zipper: The half zip changes the way I get in and out of the bag. I slide in from the top, rather than rolling in as I do with a three-quarter-length zipper. The zipper is small and has inner and outer string pulls, and slides easily without snagging. The two-way zipper provides ventilation at the midpoint of the bag.

Fit: The unisex Hyperion cuts ounces with a slimmer profile, which also means there’s less empty space for your body to heat. I’m 5 feet, 10 inches, and weigh 160 pounds, and find that the 57-inch shoulder girth is good for me, but if you’re about my height and much heavier, you might consider a long bag with a wider 58-inch girth. The bag is very slim from the knees down, but with enough room that my legs and feet aren’t pinched. The Hyperion’s slim fit does not leave room for storing clothes inside at night.

Stuff Sacks: The storage stuff sack is large enough to hold the Hyperion without compressing it, and the bag has a hang loop, which is my preferred way of storing sleeping bags. The compression sack gets the Hyperion down to a small size.

Warranty: Therm-a-Rest will repair or replace gear found to be defective within the first two years of purchase. Sleeping bags are covered under the Better Sleep Guarantee, which means that if you are not completely satisfied with your bag, return it within three months with the original receipt of purchase for a full refund. No questions asked.

Hyperion 20 Pros

Weight: 1 pound, 4 ounces for a regular length. It’s hard to find another 20F down bag at this weight. The 900 fill down is warmer per square ounce than 800 or 700 down down fill, which is one of the factors in the Hyperion’s low weight.

Warmth: I’m warm sleeping to about 30F in the Hyperion, but begin to chill at 25F unless I put on extra clothing.

Zipper: Although the zipper is small, it slides easily without snagging.

Sleeping Pad Straps: I’m sold on the removable straps that connect the sleeping bag to the pad, ending my sometimes nightlong struggles to stay on the pad. Plus they keep the underside of the bag, which has less insulation, flat against my insulated air pad.

Easy Hood Drawcord: I like the single cord that draws the hood and neck draft tube close to my head, rather than struggling with one cord for the neck draft tube and another for the hood.

Hyperion 20 Cons

Small Hood: This is my biggest con. I can’t fit my inflatable pillow inside the hood, so I use my backpack as an outside pillow, stuffing my inflatable pillow inside the front mesh pocket.

No Stuff Pocket: I usually keep my phone within reach inside my sleeping bag, so the lack of a stuff pocket doesn’t bother me. But it’s a feature some people might miss.

Zipper: I’ve had to adjust to sliding in and out from the top of the bag because of the half zip, rather than rolling out with a three-quarter zip. But it’s an adjustment I’ve easily made.

Rough for Side Sleepers: Less insulation on the bottom of the Hyperion means that side sleepers expose their backs to cold air. I attach the Synergy Link Connectors to my air pad and toss from side to side inside the bag while it stays flat on the pad.

Overall Value

At $549.95 for the regular size, the Hyperion’s price is on the higher end for a three-season sleeping bag. It’s a comfortable, well-made sleeping bag that has ultralighters in mind: weight-saving 900 fill down, a slim cut, a half zip, and no stuff pocket. So if shedding weight without giving up comfort is your goal, the Hyperion is a good choice for a sleeping bag.

Similar 20F Sleeping Bags

Western Mountaineering AlpinLite

MSRP: $695, regular

Insulation: 850 fill down

Weight: 1 pound, 15 ounces

The North Face Trail Lite

MSRP: $250

Insulation: 600 fill down

Weight: 2 pounds, 4.2 ounces, regular

Big Agnes Torchlight 20F

MSRP: $329.95

Insulation: 600 fill down

Weight: 2 pounds, 11 ounces

Rab Neutrino 400 20F

MSRP: $435

Insulation: 800 fill down

Weight: 1 pound, 11 ounces

This product was donated for purpose of review.

The post Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20 Sleeping Bag Review appeared first on Backpacking Routes.

The Deckers X Lab Enduro Max Mid GTX are a new entrant among mid-height shoes that combine the high ankle support of boots with the low weight and flexibility of trail runners. The carbon fiber plates embedded in the midsoles give the Enduro Max a bounce on rocks and hard trails.

Mid Enduro Max Specs

MSRP: $249

Lining: GORE-TEX

Outsole: Vibram Litebase

Stack Height: 32 mm

About the Enduro Max

The Enduro Max combine a thick midsole cushion with a lightweight GORE-TEX upper that’s water resistant and supportive. The Vibram Litebase provides good traction on rocks, mud, and dry trail while cutting the weight of the outsole by 30 percent.

Enduro Max Features

Performance: The mid-height Enduro Max combine the support of trail boots with the lightweight and springy feel of trail runners.

Plush Out of the Box: The Enduro Max are super cushy, with a PORON Pad and carbon fiber plates in the midsole that together give the shoes their thick padding and bounce. I found the thick cushion comfortable while still giving me a feel for the trail.

PORON Technology: PORON is known for its shock absorption, durability, and flexibility. It’s also used for moisture absorption, helping to keep sweaty feet dry.

Carbon Fiber Plates: The technology was first use in racing shoes, and has increasingly shown up in trail runners. The plates produce a spring-like effect, which means less energy to push off from the ground, but on the downside the technology is costly and raises the price of shoes. Shoes with carbon fiber plates also can be less durable than traditional shoes.

Good Grip: The Vibram Litebase technology is lighter while maintaining Vibram’s solid grip, traction, and durability. The outsole has 3mm lugs that rest on larger individual raised sections to provide a solid grip on rocks and deep penetration in mud. It’s like having lugs on lugs.

Moisture Management: The E-TPEE sock liners wicked sweat away from my feet and the Gore-Tex lining helped keep water out. The sock liners are crucial because Gore-Tex mid-height trail runners can get hot inside on warm days.

Standout Colors: The bright colors ensure the Enduro Max stand out on the trail.

A Big Legacy: The Enduro Max draw inspiration from Jean-Luc Diard, who helped design the shoe at Deckers X-Lab, and who is a co-founder of HOKA. So it’s no surprise that the Enduro Max have the look and feel of HOKA shoes.

Fit: The size 12 Enduro Max are a spot on fit for my size 12 feet. The toe box has extra room and the width was generous for my narrow feet, but didn’t feel sloppy.

Stack Height: The 32mm stack height provides a lot of cushion for my feet. I bounced along rocky trails without feeling a thud in my feet.

GORE-TEX Lining: A GORE-TEX inner lining is good at keeping water out of shoes, but the inner sheath takes longer to dry when water gets in over the tops.

Low-Cut Enduro Max: The Enduro Max also come in a low-cut trail runner without a GORE-TEX lining. The stack height is the same, but at $199 the low cuts are less expensive.

Manufactured: China.

Warranty: Deckers X Lab’s one-year warranty applies to defective materials and workmanship. After one year problems will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Enduro Max Pros

Grip: Solid traction through rocks, mud, and dry trail.

Weight: Lightweight for a mid-cut shoe.

Stack Height: The 32mm stack height is a lot of padding under my feet, but I didn’t feel disconnected from the trail. And because I walk with with my heel striking first I appreciate the thick cushion in the heel.

GORE-TEX: My feet stayed dry through mud and water.

Big Heel Loop: I like the large loop at the back end of the shoe that makes it easy to pull the Enduro onto my feet.

Enduro Max Cons

The Downside of GORE-TEX: GORE-TEX is good for keeping water out, which it did in the Enduro Max. But once water gets inside the inner boot takes longer to dry than a trail runner without GORE-TEX.

Overall Value

The Enduro Max are a solid mid-height trail runner that provides good grip, high ankle support, and thick cushion under my feet. But the Enduro Max price is steep: $249 compared with a sub-$200 price for comparable shoes. The higher price may be due to the added cost of the carbon fiber plates. I do know the Enduro Max feel bouncier and cushier than the similar mid-height HOKA Anacapa and Salomon Cross Hike 2, both of which I’ve worn and reviewed.

Similar Hiking Shoes

HOKA ONE ONE Anacapa Mid GTX

MSRP: $195
Waterproof: Yes; GORE-TEX lining
Outsole: Vibram

Read a review here

Salomon Cross Hike 2 Mid Gore-Tex

MSRP: $190
Waterproof: Yes; Gore-Tex lining
Outsole: Rubber

Read a review here

This product was donated for purpose of review.

The post Deckers X Lab Enduro Max Mid GTX Review appeared first on Backpacking Routes.

The Jack Wolfskin Activate Thermic Pants are warm pants for cold-weather adventures, whether it’s hiking or snowshoeing. They’re wind and water repellent, and multiple zippered pockets are large enough to hold a phone, snacks, and lightweight gloves.

Activate Thermic Pants Specs

MSRP: $129.95 (on sale for $90.99)

Fabric: Flex Shield Thermic, a warm, breathable, and stretchy softshell fabric created by Jack Wolfskin that’s wind resistant and water repellent.

About the Activate Thermic Pants 

The insulated Activate Thermic pants keep my legs warm and dry when I’m hiking or backpacking, and the fabric breathes so my legs don’t overheat. The snug fit holds my body heat close to my legs and means less dead air to heat. I like the multiple pockets for stashing a phone and snacks. The pants are available in men’s and women’s sizes.

Activate Thermic Features

Comfort: Although the pants are snug they don’t restrict my movement, helped by the articulated knees. The thermal lining is soft against my skin.

Fit: I wear 36-inch waist pants, and the large Thermic are a good fit. I like that the pant legs, stretchy at the bottom, stay pulled down over my 9-inch winter boots, keeping snow that kicks up when I’m snowshoeing or hiking from getting inside my boots.

Water, Wind Resistance: The Flex Shield fabric used in the Activate Thermic pants is a softshell fabric that’s breathable, water resistant, and wind repellent. External moisture didn’t get in while I was outdoors in a snowstorm, and sweat didn’t build up inside.

Pockets: Two front, one rear, and one leg pockets, all with zippers, and all protected by insulation so gear, such as a phone, doesn’t get cold. I use the side hip pockets to stash my phone, while snacks go in the leg pocket

Warmth: I hiked in temperatures down to the mid-20s and my legs stayed warm without adding an insulated layer underneath.

Room for a Belt: Four belt loops hold up the pants if needed. The two front loops are near the zipper, keeping the pants from sagging in the front. The same goes for the two loops in the back that are close together. A metal hook and snap keep the pants fastened in front.

Sustainability: The Activate Thermic get the environmentally friendly Bluesign certification. All Jack Wolfskin clothing is free from PFCs and PVCs, and the company does not use nanotechnology that could produce controversial nanoparticles.

Color: Black

Activate Thermic Pros

Comfort: The Thermic pants hug my legs and waist without restricting movement. The close fit means less dead air that needs to be heated.

Warmth: Plenty warm in the 20s and above.

Four Pockets: All the pockets are insulated, and where you stash gear is personal preference. I put my phone in a side hip pocket because it flopped around in the leg pocket. Snacks go in the leg pocket, and I don’t like carrying anything in the rear pocket.

Activate Thermic Cons

None: I couldn’t find anything I dislike about the pants.

Overall Value

The Activate Thermic pants have what I want in winter pants: they’re soft and warm, wind- and water-resistant, and breathe to lessen sweat buildup. They have four pockets with zippers, all protected by insulation, that hold everything from a phone to snacks to lip balm. And the $129.95 price is on the lower end for comparable insulated pants. I have tested several Jack Wolfskin coats and have found the company’s gear to be high quality for a competitive price.

Similar Insulated Pants

Arc’teryx Gamma Pants

MSRP: $200

Mountain Hardwear Yumalino Pants

MSRP: $89 ($52.98 on sale)

North Face Freedom Insulated Pants

MSRP: $220 (on sale for $154)

This product was donated for purpose of review.

The post Jack Wolfskin Activate Thermic Pants Review appeared first on Backpacking Routes.

The Paka Breathe Zip Hoodie is a comfortably soft and warm midweight layer for all seasons and activities. It’s made of Peruvian alpaca fiber handwoven by women artisans in Peru.

Breathe Zip Hoodie Specs

MSRP: $139

Fabric: Alpaca fiber

Intended Use: Good for a midweight inner layer or as an outer layer worn over a lightweight layer.

About the Paka Breathe Zip Hoodie

I wear the Breathe Zip Hoodie for running and hiking, and depending on the temperature and activity I wear it as an outer layer with a base layer underneath or as a next-to-skin layer underneath a down coat. The Hoodie’s thumb holes make it easy to slip on an outer layer, and the zippered side pockets hold snacks and my phone. The Hoodie has become my favorite winter layer because of its versatility and soft feel against my skin.

Breathe Zip Hoodie Features

Materials: 100% natural fabrics: breathable exterior alpaca fiber and organic Pima cotton lining. Pima cotton, native to Peru, adds to the Breathe Hoodie’s soft and smooth feel.

Comfort: The Breathe Hoodie, with flatlock seams, rests comfortably against my skin, with no itch or chafe. The hoodie is available in men’s and women’s sizes.

Moisture Management: Alpaca fiber is naturally water-resistant and highly breathable. But water resistant doesn’t mean waterproof. The hoodie soaked through in spots while I was wearing it as an outer layer in a snowstorm and was slow to dry, presumably because of the cotton lining. I’ll be putting a raincoat over the hoodie now when it rains or snow.

Odor Resistance: Because of alpaca fiber’s breathability, sweat passes through the material and away from my body. I’ve worn it over and over for outdoor activities without washing and have yet to notice a dirtbag smell.

Wind Resistance: The Hoodie blocked the wind when I wore it with a lightweight layer underneath on several windy-day hikes.

Warmth: I wore the Hoodie as a base layer under a down puffy while hiking with the temperature in the teens. I also wore it as an outer layer over a lightweight shirt while running when the temperature was in the 20s and 30s.

Thumb Holes: A generous, almost invisible thumb hole on each sleeve makes it easy to pull on an outer layer.

Zipper: The wide zipper guard keeps out the wind and a chin guard seals in the zipper pull so that it doesn’t scrape my neck and chin.

High Collar: The Hoodie zips up to the bottom of my chin, providing protection from cold air and wind.

The Hood: Wraps loosely around my head. Wearing a hat anchors the hood to my head, and pulls the collar up enough to cover my chin.

Two Side Pockets: I can fit a cellphone, snacks, and lightweight gloves inside the two zippered pockets.

Fit: I’m 5 feet, 10 inches, 160ish, and a size large is loose on me, which I like because it lets me wear layers underneath. Paka’s fit guide suggests a medium hoodie for me.

Cleaning: Paka says hand washing with cold water is best, but if washing in a machine set it at delicate with cold water. Lay the Hoodie flat to dry.

Colors: Black, Andean moss, timber, and charcoal blue.

About Paka: The company sells a wide range of clothing made sustainably and ethically, woven by Peruvian artisans using Peruvian alpaca fur. 1% of sales supports regenerative agriculture and farming families and another 1% funds the education of young Peruvian women. Read here for more about Paka’s story.

Paka Breeze Zip Hoodie Pros

Simple and Light: The Breathe Zip Hoodie is a warm, versatile coat that that isn’t weighed down by extras.

Comfort: The lining is soft against my skin and doesn’t itch or chafe.

Warmth: Good for a base layer in low temperatures and as an outer layer when the temperature climbs.

High Collar: I like that the collar reaches to my chin, keeping cold air and wind from slicing into my neck.

Locally Sourced and Made: OK, Paka clothing isn’t made in the U.S. But it is sourced and woven in Peru, and Paka’s sales help support Peruvian families.

Breathe Zip Hoodie Cons

Small Things: The hood and hem aren’t adjustable to seal in heat and keep out the wind and cold, but I prefer the Hoodie’s simple design to those features.

Slow to Dry: The cotton lining is slow to dry when it gets wet.

Overall Value

The Breathe Zip Hoodie has become my layer of choice because of its soft feel, warmth, and versatility for a range of temperatures. And the price is lower than similar alpaca and merino wool hoodies, making the Breathe Zip Hoodie a good outdoor layer that won’t break your budget.

Similar Hoodies

All-Paca Fleece Hoodie

MSRP: $165

Material: Alpaca fiber

Melanzana Micro Grid Hoodie V2

MSRP: $86

Material: Micro Grid fleece

Ibex Shak Hoodoo Hoodie

MSRP: $280

Material: Merino wool

This product was donated for purpose of review.

The post Paka Breathe Zip Hoodie Review appeared first on Backpacking Routes.

The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer UL Hoody packs a lot of warmth into an ultralight coat with minimal features, making it a solid choice for backcountry travel.

Ghost Whisperer UL Hoody Specs

MSRP: $420

Weight: 6.7 ounces

Insulation: 1,000-fill goose down

Shell Fabric: 5D x7D ripstop nylon with a DWR finish

About the Ghost Whisperer UL Hoody

Mountain Hardwear’s Ghost Whisperer down coat has built trail cred over the years for its light weight and warmth. And with the UL Hoody the Ghost Whisperer adds to its reputation by dropping 2 ounces of weight without sacrificing warmth and comfort. The result? A 6.7-ounce coat that packs small and light, and wears warm for outdoor adventures.

Ghost Whisperer UL Hoody Features

Insulation: The 1,000-fill goose down is at the high end for coat insulation, and provides warmth with less weight. The key to understanding fill is that a 1,000-fill down coat isn’t necessarily warmer than an 850-fill or 650-fill down coat. It just takes less down, and therefore less weight, to provide warmth. And it’s good to know that Mountain Hardwear uses high quality goose down that is collected using the Responsible Down Standard.

Ultralight: Everything about the UL Hoody screams ultralight, from its minimal features to the 1,000-fill down. It’s so light that it feels like a puff of wind could blow it away if I don’t hold tight when I’m putting it on.

Temperature Range: I was comfortable while hiking in the mid-20s with a light long-sleeve base layer on underneath the UL Hoody. The coat alone without a warm layer underneath is good at temperatures above the high 30s.

Pockets: Two large outer pockets with zippers that can hold a phone, lightweight gloves, or a snack. No inside or chest pockets in order to cut weight.

Zipper: Small-toothed zipper with a wind baffle on the coat’s inside. The zipper pull has a large enough cord attached so I can wear lightweight gloves while zipping the coat, but because the zipper is so small getting it started can be difficult.

Shell Fabric: 5D x7D 100% ripstop nylon. The shell fabric is thin and lightweight, making the coat best for non-contact activities, and has a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish. I don’t wear the UL Hoody—or any down coat—on wet days.

Good Wind Resistance: I was pleasantly surprised by how well the UL Hoody cut the wind on cold, blustery days.

Hood: The hood doesn’t have drawstrings, but still clings loosely to my head. Wearing a hat underneath helps tighten the hood’s grip on my head.

Wrist Cuffs: The cuffs have an elastic binding, but I find they hang loosely on my wrists. Lightweight gloves help close the gap. The first baffle at both cuffs is filled with synthetic insulation to prevent the cuffs from wetting out.

Hem: The hem has stretch fabric, instead of a drawstring, around about three-quarters of the coat. Like the wrist cuffs, the hem fits loosely around my waist.

Fit: I’m 5 feet, 10 inches tall, and weigh 160ish. A large is a good fit for me, with room for a layer or two underneath.

Packability: The UL Hoody doesn’t have an inside pocket that it can pack into, but it is possible to stuff it into one of the outer pockets. Or I stuff it into a dry sack with the rest of my trail clothes.

Manufactured: Imported.

UL Hoody Pros

Ultralight: The 1,000-fill down and minimal features combine for an ultralight coat.

Best Use: The UL Hoody is a good coat for backpackers who want an ultralight coat to fight the morning chill or stay warm in camp at night.

Warmth: Good as a single layer in the upper 30s to warmer, best with inner layers when the temperature drops below freezing.

UL Hoody Cons

Few Features: The UL Hoody provides warmth and light weight, but that’s about it. If you’re looking for a coat with more features this isn’t the one for you.

Limited Versatility: Because of its thin outer shell the UL Hoody isn’t good for bushwhacking, rock climbing, or any activity that might rip the shell. I would not use the UL Hoody as an outer layer in extreme cold.

Overall Value

The UL Hoody is expensive, but falls in line with other 1,000-fill down coats. The question is whether the weight savings is worth the extra price. The UL Hoody weighs 6.7 ounces and costs $420; the Ghost Whisperer/2 Hoody with 800-fill down costs $360 and weighs 8.8 ounces. If a few extra ounces aren’t important to you, the Ghost Whisperer/2 might be the coat for you. For ounce counters like me, I’ll go with the UL Hoody. Either way, the Ghost Whisperer is a trail-tested coat that should last years.

Similar 1,000-Fill Coats

Montbell Plasma 1,000 Alpine Down Park

MSRP: $479

Weight: 8.4 ounces

Shell Fabric: DWR-treated 7D ripstop nylon

Rab Mythic G

MSRP: $525

Weight: 9.8 ounces

Shell Fabric: DWR-treated 7D ripstop nylon

Eddie Bauer Microtherm 1,000 Down Hoodie

MSRP: $399 (on sale for $229.25)

Weight: 10 ounces

Shell Fabric: 10D ripstop nylon

This product was donated for purpose of review.

The post Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer UL Hoody Review appeared first on Backpacking Routes.

The Charge 80 is a dependable power bank that has days of power to charge cell phones and other battery-powered devices that backcountry hikers increasingly rely on.

Charge 80 PD Specs

MSRP: $79.95

Weight: 16.4 ounces (465 grams)

Battery: 20,000 mAh

Charge Time: Five to 10 hours

Charge Capacity: Five phone charges

Input: USB-C port

Output: One USB-C, two USB-A ports

About the BioLite Charge 80

The Charge 80 PD is powerful enough to keep my cell phone, satellite communicator, and headlamp charged on multiday trips into the backcountry. The power bank handles three electronic devices at a time, and lighted bars on the battery case let me know how much power is left.

Charge 80 Features

Battery Storage Capacity: 20,000 mAh (milliamp hours) is more than enough power to keep electronic devices charged for multiple days. I frequently backpack on four- to five-day trips, taking trip notes, snapping lots of photos, and tracking my route, so I appreciate that the Charge 80 will power everything I need to do that.

Weight: 16.4 ounces, 465 grams. Carrying a nearly pound-and-a-half power bank breaks with my ultralight mantra, but not having to be miserly about my cell phone usage justifies the extra weight.

Charging Ports:

• Two USB-A ports. These are the common charging hookups for cell phone, satellite communicator, and headlamp cords. A standard cell phone charging cord has a small connector on the phone end and a rectangular USB-A plug for connecting to a charging block.
• One USB-C port. This is the newest technology for USB cords, and provides faster charging for electronic devices. The cord included with the Charge 80 has a USB-C plug on one end and a USB-A plug on the other end for charging the power bank. The USB-A plug can be inserted into a laptop, but cannot connect to cell phones unless an adapter is used. Or a cell phone charging cord with a USB-C plug can be connected to the Charge 80, and provides the fastest charge.

Charging Time: It took me about 10 hours to fully power the Charge 80 using the included USB-C/USB-A cord connected to a 5-watt charging block. I bought a USB-C to USB-C cord and a USB-C compatible 20-watt charging block for about $20 and dropped the time for a full charge to about 5 hours. The USB-C input is a maximum of 18 watts, so a charging block higher than 20 watts won’t lower the charging time.

Charging Inlet: The Charge 80 comes with a short USB-C/USB-A cord to charge the battery. You can use your phone’s charging brick with a USB-A port to plug the cord into an outlet. Most cell phones come with a USB-A compatible 5-watt charging block that takes almost 10 hours to fully power the Charge 80. (See Charging Time above for how to lower the charge time to 5 hours.)

Charge Indicator: Lighted bars near the charging ports indicate battery life. Four bars means fully charged, one means it’s time to recharge the power bank. It took me two days of charging my cell phone and other electronics to reach three bars, four days to reach two bars, and five to deplete the battery. The bars light up when a device is inserted for charging, or pressing a button above the bars indicates battery level when a device isn’t charging. The low-battery light flashes when the power bank needs recharging.

Durability: The Charge 80 feels solid and has a protective cover. It’s not waterproof.

Total Power Output: 18 watts

Other Biolite Power Bank Sizes:

Charge 40 PD: 10,000 mAh, 9.3 ounces, $59.95. Provides nearly three cell phone charges, so good for an overnight hike or a hike of four to five days with careful electronics use.

Charge 20: 6,000 mAh, 5.8 ounces, $39.95. Provides nearly two cell phone charges, so good for day hikes or an overnight hike.

Dimensions: 6.7 x 3.2 x 1.0 inches (170 x 82 x 25 mm), about the size of my iPhone 11.

Temperature Limit: The approved operating temperature of the Charge PD series is -4F to 104F (-20C to 40C).

In the Box: Power bank charging cord and instructions. The instructions are minimal, and there’s little more in the way of guidance online. But the Charge 80 is easy to use, so it’s not a big deal. Charge the battery with the included cord and your own charging brick until all four bars are lighted.

Charge 80 Pros

Quick Charging: It takes two hours to charge my nearly depleted phone battery using a USB-C charging cord, and I can use the phone while it’s charging.

Multiple Ports: I can charge three devices at the same time, such as my phone, headlamp, and satellite communicator.

Battery Indicator: Lighted bars indicate the device is hooked up and charging, and the bars range from four (full) to one (time to recharge the power bank).

Small: The Charge 80 is about the size of my iPhone 11.

Charge 80 Cons

Weight: At nearly a pound and a half, the Charge 80 is at the high end of weight for power banks.

Long Charging Time: The Charge 80 takes a minimum of five hours to charge, so it might not be the best choice for long-distance hikers hoping for a quick charge during a short town stop.

Overall Value

The Charge 80 strikes a good balance for price, weight, and charging capacity. It’s not the least expensive or lightest 20,000 mAh charging block. But I like that it has enough power to keep all my electronic devices going for four to five days, and I can charge three devices at once. Less expensive power banks have two charging ports or do not allow charging using a fast USB-C port. For someone like me who uses multiple devices during extended backpacking trips the BioLite Charge 80 is a good choice.

Similar Power Banks

OtterBox Fast Charge

MSRP: $54.95

Battery: 20,000 mAh

Anker 325

MSRP: $49.99

Battery: 20,000 mAh

Nitecore NB20000

MSRP: $99.95

Battery: 20,000 mAh

This product was donated for purpose of review.

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