Backpack Accessories

Recent Backpack Accessory Reviews

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Prism Crampon Bag

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Crampon case is, as it sounds, a case designed to protect your stuff from the numerous sharp points inherent to a piece of gear designed to stick into ice. Made from DCF fabric and lined with a rigid foam this case is light (4.0 ounces), protective...and too small (I have tried both the Grivel G12 and the Black Diamond Sabretooth Pro with it). EASE OF USE Winter gear needs to be able to work consistently and easily, and if it doesn’t then it’s frustrating, or worse. Full review

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Prism Ice Screw Case

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear (HMG) Prism Ice Screw case is as it sounds—a case designed to carry your ice screws. At 5.4 ounces it weighs half the weight, carries more screws (sleeves for 10 can carry more in the space between), and will set you back double the price of comparable carrying options. The reason the case is so light, and the price is so high, is that it is made out of HMG’s DCF (Dyneema Composite fabric). EASE OF USE There are a couple of major selling points in the design of this… Full review

LifeProof FRĒ Series Waterproof Phone Case

When new, the case offers admirable protection. Unfortunately, the case suffers from premature wear and allows debris/dust to collect between the screen and screen protector. I purchased this case at clearance for about $50 for my iPhone6+ around the time the iPhone 7 was released after previously using a LifeProof NÜD case with the same phone. The Nud did not adequately prevent bending of the phone resulting in "touch disease" (search it) and also blocked touch access to the edges of the screen. Full review

LifeProof FRĒ Series Waterproof Phone Case

This slim profile case protected my phone admirably, the waterproofing especially held up well, even while kayaking. Regrettably, after one year the case "bowed" and the control buttons for volume, on/off and Bixby no longer work as they don't match up with the phone's buttons. For this reason, I don't recommend buying this case. For the first year I've owned this case, it's performed admirably for my activities: daily work commute, hiking and kayaking. And the sound quality for the speaker and… Full review

Sea to Summit Big River Dry Sack

Quality bag and durable without too much weight. Just back from an 11-day trip into the Tundra North of Brooks Range, Alaska, and with rain days of 9 out of 11 these bags worked great. I used two 35L bags for my clothes and food and even the tents were soaked inside and we used a pan to bail them out every day; my stuff stayed dry. This size was perfect for the fly in a floatplane and even fit into the floatplane's floats. Not all gear impresses me, but these did their job well. They maybe even… Full review

Six Moon Designs Pack Pod

Six Moon Designs Pack Pods are lightweight, rectangular pouches designed to make maximum use of pack space. Zip lid allows easy access to contents for eyes and hands. Great for organizing and controlling all sorts of gear. A simple product that makes a lot of sense, the SMD Pack Pod is intended to match the shape of your pack, letting you make full use of limited space. It provides some water resistance, but isn't meant to be a dry bag. Specs: Measures 12" x 8" x 4" (30x20x10cm) Weight 1oz/28g claimed,… Full review

Big Agnes Pumphouse Ultra

A very effective inflation system for BA mattresses that doubles as a roomy dry bag. Requires good technique, especially inside a tent. Not really compatible with other mattress brands. Big Agnes’ demo video of the Pumphouse Ultra makes using it look easy-peasy, of course, and I suppose it is if you have your mattress laid out on a table with all the room in the world to do your business. Ditto any of the several friendly review videos of the Pumphouse, typically conducted with the mattress on… Full review

Nylofume Pack Liner Bags

Ultralight pack liner is just a plastic bag. What makes it special is how long it keeps being a plastic bag. Used and abused, yet still able to keep the important stuff dry, this plastic bag has replaced my old contractor bag, saving me some weight. I purchased three of these Nylofume bags from the Garage Grown Gear site over the winter to use as pack liners. They didn't make any mention of the fact that these bags are made for wrapping stuff up when having your house fumigated, but once I found… Full review

Gossamer Gear Lightrek Pack Bungee Attachment

Light little loops of stretchable cord with an easy to use, one-handed line lock with built-in hook. Made to attach hiking poles, but lots of other potential uses. Easy to use, but easy to lose if you don't keep them under control. Specs: Length = 6" unstretched Weight = 4.25g avg claimed / 4g on my scale Use: These are meant to be looped through a daisy chain or similar attachment point to hold trekking poles. As someone who never stops using his poles I looked at them and saw a lot of other potential… Full review