Advanced Bivy Sack 
"This marvelous Bivy Sack kept me dry during rainy nights in New Zealand, Washington, Oregon and Colorado," says our Northwest Editor. "I nearly cried when it fell into a river on Canada's Baffin Island, never to be seen again." Two tiny hoop poles provide just enough interior space to read, change a shirt, and stretch your elbows, while bug netting keeps the bad guys out.
Backpacker Magazine 2001
Customer Rating * * * * *

Solitaire Tent
Annette McGivney, our 6'-tall-tall Southwest editor, says the Solitaire is ideal for "anyone who's a little too claustrophobic for a bivy but doesn't want the burden of a full-blown tent".
Backpacker Magazine 2000
Customer Rating * * * * 

COOK GEAR

Pyromid Stove
"Easily folds up and stores nicely". The Pyromid stove is a "quality-of-life enhancement" which makes both basic cooking and gourmet cooking possible and enjoyable while camping. 
BMW Owners Magazine 2000
Customer Rating * * * *

Turbo Stove
An editor, who regularly teaches beginner-backpacking courses, calls this low maintenance stove an ideal cooker for new hikers because it lights fast, burns clean, and boils water rapidly.
Backpacker Magazine March 2001
Customer Rating * * * * *

Xtreme Stove
The Xtreme earned top honors when we matched it against other canister stoves. This quality stove earned an Editor's choice award (April 1997). Easy to set up and light, clean burning and more reliable by far than other canister stoves in cold weather. This stove also boasts excellent flame control and a wide range of cooking temperatures. We also applauded the X series recyclable canisters.
Backpacker Magazine March 2001
Customer Rating * * * * *

Xpedition Stove
When cooking for four or more hungry hikers, this double-burner stove is a godsend (Editor's Choice Award 1997). You can simmer the sauce on one burner and cook the noodles on the other, or get two big pots of glop going at once! Plus it burns hot in any weather and packs surprisingly small.
Backpacker Magazine March 2001
Customer Rating * * * * *

Sleep Gear

Skin-Mat
Skin-Mat will keep your bag from sliding around during nocturnal contortions. Testers raved about the Skin-Mats tiny dimensions when rolled tight. "The Skin-Mat boasts the best non-slip cover in the test, plus it packs up as small as a gallon jug."
"Sleeping Beauties" Backpacker Magazine October 1996
Customer Rating * * * * *

Nite Baggs™
We sent a "dyed-in-the-duck" down bag diehard into the wilderness with the synthetic Northtwin. After spending a few tentless nights in Canyonlands National Park, Utah, when the wet snow kept on coming, he found he could sleep peacefully in the 20º F Northtwin even when the bag was soaked. "Iwas warm. I became a covert," he said. Aside from the Primaloft 2 insulation, which he thought felt like down but was amazingly water repellent he also liked the draft protection and outward-slanting, double insulated toebox that conforms to the natural position of your feet.
"Outfitting", Backpacker Magazine October 1995
Customer Rating * * * * *

H2O Gear

Safewater Anywhere
Toting the 1 Liter Expedition on several long hikes last summer eased Equipment Editor Jon Dorn's skepticism about bottle filters. "I didn't get sick, and I didn't have to hassle with hoses or tiny pills…
Backpacker Magazine March 2001
Customer Rating * * * * *