Best Outdoor Gear for 2014 Fall/Winter Selected by Backpacker Magazine (Backpack Edition)

Backpacker magazine, one of America's most influential outdoor media outlets, announces its best outdoor gear of the season. Twice a year, more than 50 testers field-test a wide range of hiking and backpacking gear, from clothing to accessories and smartphone apps, to determine the best for that season. The EDITOR'S CHOICE award is given to only one item in each category, and it seems to be highly trusted worldwide as the most talked-about item of the season (although there may be multiple items, and the evaluation method is slightly different each time). I used to check it every time when I lived in America

However, because the review methodology is only loosely explained, it seems that the test and review policy is slightly different from that of our website, and because the products featured are inevitably focused on the American market, the results would likely be completely different if the products available in Europe or Japan were evaluated. For this reason, it is only a reference, but even taking that into account, there is no doubt that it is an award that attracts attention every year

So, over the next few posts, I would like to introduce some of the noteworthy items featured in the magazine

Backpacker magazine's 2014 Fall/Winter picks:

Editors' Choice: JanSport Klamath 55, 65, 75

Surprisingly, this time the award went to a JanSport backpack. In Japan, they're only known for their daypacks for city walks, so I had no idea they were making such a full-fledged backpack. Reviews suggest that they're highly praised for achieving "comfort," "high functionality," and "low price" all at the same time, but I'm a little skeptical about whether that's really true... I'll have to try it out myself, but it's definitely something I'd like to test out sometime

Read the original Backpacker magazine review here

Extremely stable: Arc'teryx Chilcotin 20

Mountain skier's favorite: Mammut Spindrift Light 30

All the winter essentials in one compact package: the Dakine Blade 38L

The ultimate in versatility: Osprey Variant 52

For larger capacity: Gregory Denali 100

*Photos and links are for 75L

   

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