Backpacker Magazine – August 2008

3 Ways To Save: Ultralight Dayhiking

Save weight, your feet, and money with these three pieces of ultralight gear

by: Kristin Hostetter

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GoLite Wisp (Courtesy Photo)

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Hi-Tec V-Lite Trail Eruption (Courtesy Photo)

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Outdoor Research Dry Peak Bagger (Julia Vandenoever)

Weight & Space
The hoodless GoLite Wisp pullover weighs about the same as a large Snickers–only three ounces–and packs almost as small, making it the perfect ultralight shell on days when you'd rather not pack a coat at all. It's made of a silky 22-denier polyester taffeta with a DWR coating; the fabric cuts wind, breathes adequately, and sheds light precip (perfect for afternoon bursts, not all-day downpours). A nine-inch chest zip offers a bit of ventilation on hard climbs, a bottom drawcord seals out gusts, and a tiny hip pocket doubles as a stuff sack. The Wisp isn't as abrasion-resistant as a soft shell, but it's also not as heavy. $50; men's S-XL. (888) 546-5483; golite.com. Reader service #118