From their external-frame origins, modern hiking backpacks have branched out into forms multitudinous. Today, you can tote anything from gossamer frameless sacks to heavily-padded beasts with pivoting hipbelts and airy trampoline backpanels. But just as pack designs today vary, so do their load capacities: While some backpacks may tap out at anything above an ultralight load, others can carry your gear, your pets, and, probably, your partners without so much as leaving your shoulders sore. When you鈥檙e picking a pack, that鈥檚 essential information.

Every year, our testers put dozens of packs through their paces, carrying them with different loads and across a wide variety of terrain to figure out how they perform. But no two hikes are the same, and making apples-to-apples comparisons between how packs carry is difficult with just field testing. To get more information about how different popular backpacks transfer load between the hips and shoulders, we asked to devise a lab test to measure them directly. In this video, he walks you through how we got the data in this year鈥檚 pack test.

Transcript

Hey there, I鈥檓 Adam Trenkamp, the lab test editor here at the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab in CU Denver. Today we鈥檙e going to talk to you about backpacking packs and specifically the load capacity of packs.

So in the lab, we like to look at everything with our gear, and one of the things we鈥檙e going to look at with packs is load capacity and effective load. So, when you wear a pack and you have a whole bunch of weight to keep you out in the backcountry for one night or 15 nights or, you know, six months if you鈥檙e doing a thru-hike, the hip belt is meant to carry a part of that weight. A lot of times what you鈥檒l hear is the 80/20 rule. So 80 percent of the weight in your pack should be on your hips, 20 percent on your shoulders. That鈥檚 going to shift as you walk throughout the day and you hike, or even as you load your pack a little bit differently. But the theory stands: you should have more weight being held on your hips than on your shoulders.

So when we test for effective load, what we look for is when does too much of the weight slip past the hip belt and start to go on the shoulders, and that鈥檚 the effective load for each pack. Some packs are designed to carry more weight than others, and we want to find out which ones those are and how much weight each pack can carry appropriately.

Alright, let鈥檚 see how effectively Steve carries some weight here. We鈥檙e going to call him Steve. That鈥檚 his name for today.

That wasn鈥檛 very effective.

So to test the effective load of the packs, we use these flexible force sensors that plug into the computer via some USB cables here. So they read the force as it pushes down through the pack. To make sure we get the force around the whole pad when the backpack pushes down, we 3D printed some little knobs you can see stuck on top of the pad. That lets us read all four corners of the force sensor and make sure we鈥檙e getting a good representation of the weight through the shoulder pad.

So once we get our force sensor set up on our mannequin, we grab a pack and we get set up. You can see with some lines we鈥檝e marked out where the top of the hip bones are for our mannequin. We use that to get our hip belt aligned with every pack.

Hip belt set. Alright, now we tighten our shoulder straps.

Once our backpack is fit, we go ahead and hook our force sensors up. Once we鈥檙e plugged in, we make sure our forces seem accurate, which is basically we shouldn鈥檛 be reading much force at all with just the pack because we have an empty pack. And then we zero out our load and start from there.

So we use some sleeping pads to stuff at the bottom of the pack. Typically this is where you鈥檙e going to pack your sleeping bag or your low-weight, bulky items to help push any heavyweight to the middle of your pack. Sleeping pads give us a little extra weight at the bottom of the pack, but still allow us to stack truly heavyweight on top. So, since we鈥檙e trying to test the actual effective load of the pack, if we just stuck some really low-weight, bulky items at the bottom of the pack, we鈥檙e going to have a harder time fitting a ton of weight in here. So by using these sleeping pads, each of these are about a pound and a half, we鈥檙e able to add three pounds to the bottom of the pack to start. And now we have some support for our heavyweight.

To do the test for all these packs, we start with a 13-pound weight. We record how much is being shown on the shoulders, and then we slowly add five pounds at a time after this.

So we keep adding weight to the packs until the force sensors on our shoulders tell us that more of the weight is actually being carried on the shoulders than the hips. So once that 50 percent mark shifts鈥攅ven though we want to hold the 80/20 rule with only 20 percent on the weight of the shoulders as long as we can鈥攚e keep adding weight to the test until that 50 percent mark shifts and a majority of the weight is now on the shoulders. And then that鈥檚 our effective load point. So we can look at it as, what鈥檚 the best weight, but then what鈥檚 the true effective load of where does the hip belt fail and now a majority of the weight is on your shoulders.

So me and Steve here, we鈥檙e going to keep testing, but first I think he needs a little bit of a break and I鈥檓 going to help him get out of here. So we鈥檙e going to unhook Steve from science.

And we鈥檒l see you鈥攐h god, Steve, that鈥檚 so much weight. We鈥檒l see you later.

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Welcome to The Drop Zone, where we highlight the best new gear in and around the outdoor world.聽

This week, we have Noah Kahan’s new Northern Attitude collection with L.L. Bean, Black Diamond’s Piton Purple collection, a new sneaker collab from Veja and Finisterre, a stunning NYC Marathon capsule from Bandit Running, and a vintage sportswear-inspired link up between Puma and Madhappy.

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Welcome to The Drop Zone, where we highlight the best new gear in and around the outdoor world.聽

For this week鈥檚 edition, we鈥檙e highlighting 120 years of , a new perfect for outdoor lovers living in the city, a collection of from Ciele, new , and a new pair of .

Red Wing 120 Year Capsule

In celebration of their 120th anniversary, Red Wing has reintroduced a trio of rugged boots that were originally released in the 1930s, 1950s, and 1960s: the Pecos, the Logger, and the Engineer. Each pair is made in the USA with leather tanned at SB Foot in Red Wing, Minnesota. The is a stitch-for-stitch re-issue of the original Logger from 1961, which was the first Red Wing boot to be sold in the USA with a Swiss-made Vibram sole. The is a western boot originally launched in the 1950s to meet the demands of workers in the thriving Texas oil industry. The third boot is the , a 1930s silhouette that was originally developed as a riding boot and later adapted to suit the many workers, like engineers, who adopted the boot as their go-to for their trade.

Greats Ravine Sneakers

A modern light hiker, the Greats Ravine immediately caught our eye for its good looks and gorp-y details. The shoe is made with a weather-resistant suede and nylon upper and a lugged rubber outsole, protecting your feet from the elements whether you鈥檙e walking through downtown Manhattan or heading on a quick hike. The shoe is handcrafted in Portugal and comes with an extra set of reflective laces that will come in handy during the winter. It comes in three colors and is priced at $189.

Ciele NiteRite Collection

If you鈥檙e a runner, you know there are certain times of year where it鈥檚 impossible to avoid running in the dark. One of the biggest concerns of a runner heading out in the dark isn鈥檛 whether they鈥檒l be able to see, but if they鈥檒l be able to be seen. Ciele has made the perfect lineup for these moments, the . Each piece of the collection, which includes shorts, a half-zip fleece, a long sleeve tee, and a trio of hats, is outfitted with reflective detailing that allows the wearer to be seen from any angle, even when the night gets dark.

Superfeet Run Pacer Elite

Superfeet wants runners to be able to give any running shoe a carbon-plated boost. The all-new has a built-in Carbitex carbon fiber plate that provides extra propulsion and stability for a smooth toe-off that saves energy with each step. The split-toe design of the Carbitex plate allows your foot to move naturally, resulting in a powerful and efficient stride. The insoles are also dotted with Superfeet’s SuperRev foam, which provides energy return across the entire foot by adding a bit of bounce to every step. At $95, the insoles aren’t cheap, but they give every runner the opportunity to experience the power and propulsion of a carbon-plated speed shoe without fully committing to a shoe that has a carbon fiber plate built-in.

Roka Vapor Sunglasses

Roka has dropped their lightest frames yet, the . At just 13 grams, the minimalist metal frames are designed for performance first and foremost, but we’d be remiss to not mention that they look pretty dang cool, too. The contoured temples are bendable, allowing the wearer to dial in the perfect fit, and the nose pads were designed to be comfortable during high-output workouts. The are also made to actually stay on during these intense workouts, utilizing a GEKO grip along the temples to prevent slippage. And, perhaps most importantly, the lenses use Roka’s C3 tech (C3 stands for color, contrast, and clarity) to provide excellent UV protection plus anti-scratch, anti-reflectance, and hydrophobic properties, all of which work together to help you keep your mind on the task at hand and not on your shades.

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Founded in 2001, Evo has spent the last 24 years outfitting skiers, snowboarders, mountain bikers, skaters, surfers, and wakeboarders with the best gear for all of their pursuits. Right now, the retailer is running its annual Evo Anniversary Sale, where you can save up to 50 percent on everything from mountain bike shoes and helmets to skis, bindings, and snowboards. We sent our editors into the sale to pick out some of the best picks, including Salomon skis, Arc鈥檛eryx jackets, Smith sunglasses, and more. Read on to find our favorites or head to to shop the entire sale yourself.

Evo Anniversary Sale Top Picks

• (40% off)
• (11% off)
• (40% off)
• (30% off)
• (31% off)

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While technically ended earlier this week, we did some investigative journalism and realized that eight of our best Prime Day deals were still on super-sale. We wouldn’t be doing our editorial duty if we kept that nugget of information to ourselves鈥攕o scroll down to see which of our editor-recommended buys are still priced lower than ever.

And pro tip: Lots of other retailers are matching Amazon Prime Big Deal Days with big sales of their own. Scroll to the bottom for the best non-Amazon deals on outdoor gear from other retailers.

Best Prime Day Deals Still on Secret Sale:

• ($45 $32)
• ($599 $540)
• ($2,399 $1,900)
• ($500 $400)
• ($155 $116)

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Welcome to The Drop Zone, where we highlight the best new gear in and around the outdoor world.聽

This week we have a new trail carry system for runners, an apparel drop from REI that begs you to curl up around the campfire, a Brooks Hyperion Max collab centered around run culture, orthopedic hikers that are actually stylish, and an update to one of the industry鈥檚 favorite down jackets.

REI Co-op Campwell Collection

REI knows that an outdoor life is about more than just performance鈥攊t鈥檚 about the in-between moments as well. This is why it launched the , a lineup of apparel designed for fireside chats, post-ride visits to the brewery, or moments huddled around the kitchen table planning the next adventure. Alongside a head-to-toe apparel collection, Campwell also includes camping chairs, cots, and folding coolers.

Brooks x PYNRs Hyperion Max 3

PYNRS knows that run clubs (and the individuals therein) are the foundation of running culture and what is considered 鈥渃ool鈥� within the running space. Many brands try to manufacture culture after their inception, but Black-owned is one of the few brands that started with culture and blossomed into a brand as a result. Their is a landmark moment, giving PYNRS the opportunity to amplify the voices of the diverse runners and local crews that shape running culture. They teamed up with Daughters & Sons鈥擝oston鈥檚 premier performance design studio鈥攖o develop a collection that fuses technical precision with cultural expression.

Raide Research TrailTech System

Raide Research, an up-and-coming brand in the snow and trail running space, has expanded its trail running line with what it鈥檚 calling the . Unsatisfied by the current offerings when it comes to running belts and running vests, the brand set out to design a system that will allow runners to carry everything they need for long trail missions without wearing a bulky hydration vest. The system includes shorts (that come in men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 sizing), a 1L belt, and the brand鈥檚 cult-favorite 2L belt. Each piece has meticulously-designed pocketing that eliminates bounce and maximizes space and efficiency when fully loaded.

Tread Labs Dover

Tread Labs has been making exceptional insoles for years, and now they鈥檙e getting into the footwear game with their first ever hiking shoe, . Designed to work in tandem with the brand鈥檚 podiatrist-approved, biomechanically-engineered Pace insole, the Dover offers firm support that is designed to reduce foot fatigue and help prevent chronic injury. The suede upper will get better and more comfortable with each wear, and the Vibram sole is designed for traction across a multitude of trail conditions.

Cotopaxi Fuego 2.0

The cozy, colorful has built a name in the outdoor space thanks to its versatility and unique color-blocked designs. Nearly a decade after the release of the OG Fuego, the B-corp brand has given it an upgrade, redesigning the jacket with a thoughtfully sourced 100% recycled material that is even softer and stronger than its predecessor. But modern fabrics aren鈥檛 the only upgrade: Cotopaxi has improved the fit, giving it more length and more room for layering, and eliminated all intentionally-added PFAS.

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Whether you鈥檙e interested in picking up your first Garmin device or you鈥檙e already a die-hard Garmin enthusiast, now is one of the best times to pick one up. The brand is back with its annual Garmin Birthday Sale, dishing out deals on its popular running watches, activity trackers, cycling computers, and other GPS-equipped devices. Someone should let them know that you鈥檙e supposed to receive gifts on your birthday, not give them鈥攂ut we鈥檙e not complaining. Let鈥檚 get into some of the best Garmin deals you can shop during , which ends October 5 at 11:59pm.

Smartwatches and Fitness Trackers

Garmin is probably known best for its top-tier adventure devices packed with features tailored to the outdoors. But for folks who just want to stay active and have a better understanding of their body and their fitness, there are some excellent options that are even more affordable during the sale.

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Take it from me, buying an is hands-down one of the best decisions you can make as an outdoor enthusiast and gear nerd. A one-time fee of $30 gets you member benefits for life, and if you use your membership correctly, you鈥檒l easily make your initial investment back (and then some). Every year, you get 10 percent of what you spend back as REI credit. Spend $300 at REI in a year and that鈥檚 your $30 back in your pocket. Granted, you do have to spend the credit at REI, but you were going to do that anyway, weren鈥檛 you? I know that鈥檚 where I was going to spend that cash, whether I’m restocking my running gear drawer or outfitting myself for a new hobby.

Beyond that scintillating 10 percent back, you get exclusive coupons and deals all throughout the year. Right now, in fact, is one of the best times to flex your REI membership. The retailer is currently putting on its Member Days event, where you can get $20 off when you spend over $100 in the REI Outlet, the retailer鈥檚 treasure-trove of past-season outdoor goods that are marked down in a big way. That鈥檚 savings on savings. To get the discount, just sign into your REI member account, drop $100 (or more) of gear into your cart and plug in code OUTFALL25 at checkout.

To get you started on some pre-fall gear shopping, we entered our credentials and fired up the REI outlet to do some shopping of our own, hunting down some of our favorite editor-approved gear that鈥檚 currently on sale. I found savings on headlamps, snow packs, camping gear, Arc鈥檛eryx apparel, and more 鈥� all with a healthy discount. Read on to shop some of the top picks our team found or to get shopping yourself.

A Few Top Picks from the REI Outlet

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When it comes to running shoes, I have an ongoing case of choice paralysis. There are just too many to choose from. We鈥檝e got shoes for everyday runs, shoes for racing, shoes for speed work, shoes for long runs 鈥� and that鈥檚 just for the road. Head to the trail side and you鈥檒l see shoes for every type of off-road path, from endless gravel roads covered in pine straw to near-vertical mountain trails that are way more sharp rock than dirt. It can be difficult to figure out exactly what you need.

Don鈥檛 get me wrong, I鈥檓 not complaining. Having a multitude of options for hitting the trail is good for everyone. But sometimes I just want a shoe that can do a little bit of everything. I don鈥檛 want a dozen specialized pairs of running shoes in my closet, I want a couple options that can take me from the mountains to the local park and maybe even be laced up on race day. But luckily, just as my brain was about to explode with indecision, I found a cure for my overly-stimulated prefrontal cortex: the .

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Labor Day marks the traditional end of summer, but for most of us, the summer adventures can keep rolling all the way through September. And if you live somewhere that does actually cool off already, well, lucky you, it’s time for fall exploration to get underway. Regardless of the weather where you live, you need the right gear to get the job done, from late summer camping in the high alpine to beach days, lake days, park days, and everything in between. One of our favorite outfitters for all adventures is REI, and from today through Labor Day (September 1), they’re having , the REI Labor Day Sale.

The sale has thousands of items marked down, including camping gear, hiking gear, running shoes and apparel, cycling gear, and more. No matter where the next few months (or years) are taking you, REI has some sweet gear marked down up to 30 percent (and in a few cases, even more). Read on for our top picks or right now to shop the whole sale yourself.

Shop the REI Labor Day Sale by Category

Shop Our Favorite REI Labor Day Deals

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