Montbell Down Anorak Review, MSR Needle Stakes, Winter Hard Shells
Newsletter - September 23, 2018
The Montbell EX Light Anorak is an ultralight 900-fill power, down sweater that’s ideal for wearing around camp or paired with a top quilt in cooler weather. Weighing 7.35 oz (in a size XL), the styling is minimalist, with a half zipper, non-adjustable hood, and elastic wrist cuffs. 


MSR Needle Stakes are lightweight aluminum tent stakes with square-shaped shafts, a wedge tip, and a hook at the top. Weighing 9.6 grams each and 6 and 3/8″ long, they’re ideal for staking out tents and tarps that use cords as guy-lines. 

The Yupik 50 is a lightweight backpack that's loaded with pockets providing great organizational capabilities. An easy-to-use adjustable length torso helps ensure a great fit.

Recommended Products
I've been using the MSR Carbon Reflex 1 Tent as my goto backpacking shelter all year. Weighing just 1 lb. and 7 oz., this double wall tent has really grown on me because it's bombproof, easy to set up, and packs up so small.

This stretchy, waterproof/breathable rain jacket has a fully adjustable hood with wire brim, pit zips, velcro wrist cuffs, three pockets, a hem cinch. Despite its light weight (11 oz in a size L), it is suitable for year-round use. Now 35% off.

More News
The Paria Recharge UL Sleeping Pad is an inflatable insulated sleeping pad suitable for backpacking and camping. Weighing 20 ounces, it’s on the heavy side compared to popular three-season sleeping pads, but it is inexpensive, making it a good option for cost-minded backpackers.

Hard Shell Jackets are best used in winter conditions as a windproof clothing layer and an extension of your packing system, with lots of pockets that provide easy access to gloves, hats, snacks, and navigation instruments so you don’t have to stop and take bone chilling rest breaks. 

Sawyer Pond is a picturesque backcountry pond on the east side of the White Mountain National Forest, near Crawford Notch and Bartlett, NH. It’s easy to hike into, making it an ideal destination for families, small groups, or couples who want a quiet place to camp.

About SectionHiker
Philip Werner is the editor and chief hiking officer of SectionHiker.com, named the #1 hiking and backpacking blog in 2018 by AdventureJunkies.com. Founded in 2007, SectionHiker.com has over 2000 in-depth articles and gear reviews that cover every aspect of hiking and backpacking from ultralight backpacking and winter hiking to off-trail navigation. Not a regular reader?  Click here to subscribe to the SectionHiker.com Newsletter.