We're gonna wrap up the year with a survey of gear we loved using in 2021. We polled the Backpacking Light staff and contributors and asked them to talk about the gear they couldn't live without in 2021 - and why. Make sure and check out the related Staff Picks 2021 article for more. Enjoy, and we'll see you next year!

• click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-52-gear-2021

This is the first installment of the Backpacking Light Podcast's new series of cottage industry interviews - where Andrew and Ryan chat with some of the small business owners who make up the ultralight cottage industry world.

In this episode, the guys interview Livio Melo, the founder of allmansright.

• click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/podcast-51-cottage-short-allmans-right

It's our 50th episode! To celebrate, we reached out to listeners and asked them to submit their big backpacking questions. We received fantastic questions about gear, philosophy, and skills and enjoyed chatting about the answers.

Also in this episode, an interview with Backpacking Light grant recipient Narinda Heng and some upcoming educational opportunities at Backpacking Light. Enjoy!

• click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-50-qa

In this SKILLS SHORT, Andrew and Ryan chat about layers that don't quite fit into the traditional three-layer system.

• Click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-49-untraditional-layers

In this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, Ryan and Andrew chat with Backpacking Light author and materials tester Stephen Seeber about layering, waterproof-breathable fabrics, and new GORE-TEX technology. Also in this episode, we discuss a new pack from Arc'teryx, updates to the popular NEMO Tensor line of sleeping pads, and a follow-up conversation about water-resistant down.

• click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-048-waterproof-breathable

In this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, longtime Backpacking Light contributor Mark Wetherington reads his essay The Backpacking Tithe Project. In it, he considers the implications of intentionally focusing on frequent, short trips over long thru-hikes.

• Click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-47-mark-wetherington-reads-the-backpacking-tithe-project

In today's podcast, Andrew chats with some of the folks from IDFL Laboratory and Institute (originally known as the International Down and Feather Testing Laboratory) about water-resistant down. Also in this episode, Andrew shares some of the creative things listeners are doing in the backcountry and gives his final thoughts on the Nunatak Gear Bears Ears 50 pack.

• Click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-46-down

In this SKILLS SHORT EPISODE, Ryan and Andrew talk about strategies and techniques for creative pursuits in the backcountry: painting, writing, composing, photography, journaling, and more!

• Click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-45-backcountry-creativity

In this episode, Andrew chats with Jadon Bales (Communications Director, Wyoming Wildlife Federation) about the new reality of wildfire behavior in the west. Ryan gives some actionable advice on planning for worst-case wildfire scenarios and highlights some new discussions going on at Backpacking Light. Also in this episode - Platypus' new water filter could be a game-changer.

• Click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-44-wildfires/

In this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, author Ben Kilbourne uses the writing of Aldo Leopold to examine his motivations when exploring the backcountry. It's a thought-provoking essay that may just have you reconsidering why you are out there.

Would you like to read the written version of this podcast? Check it out here.

• Click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-043-observing-transition