Get Some Fresh Air

There may not be another corner of the backpacking gear world progressing as quickly as pack fabrics. Over the past five years alone, we’ve seen a wave of new materials and technologies enter the scene, reshaping how manufacturers—and consumers—think about pack weight, durability, and weather resistance. Between these cutting-edge fabrics and traditional materials that have been used for decades, there’s a lot to sort through in this seemingly niche subject.