popular science

16 POPULAR SCIENCE

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WHEN YOU’RE CLIMBING A STEEP, ROCKY TRAIL ON

the side of a mountain, a bulky pack catching on branches

or scraping against boulders will slow your ascent.

Lightweight, space-saving camping essentials can provide

warmth, shelter, and comfort out on the trail without

making you feel like a pack mule. In addition to staples like

food, water, a first-aid kit, and a multitool, these super-

squishable items—which total just 3.9 kilos—will get you

through your next night in the woods.

2/Tent

Shelter typically adds the

most bulk to a hiking load.

The REI Co-op Quarter

Dome 1 tent has about

the same sleeping space

as a twin mattress, but

it packs down to 15-by-

45 cm—about the size of

a house cat. Its alumin-

ium poles support a nylon

structure with a mesh top

that lets you glimpse the

stars. A removable water-

proof cover repels rain.

1/Backpack

The Osprey Levity 45’s

main compartment holds

45 litres of gear, which

easily accommodates

everything on these

pages— with room for

trail mix. The steel frame

at the rear of the pack

suspends nylon netting,

a design that evenly

distributes weight across

your back. It also provides

breathing room so your

sweat can evaporate.

3/Sleeping bag

Fall nights are crisp, but

the Marmot Phase 30

cocoon will keep you

toasty in temperatures

as low as -2 degrees

Celsius. The bag’s fill is

mostly soft down, which

creates millions of

microscopic air pockets

that trap warmth.

Squeezing the air back

out compresses the sack

down to about the size

of a football.

State

of the

Art by ROB VERGER

Compressed

Camp