When long-distance hiker Kurt Russell started looking for a shelter to carry on his Appalachian Trail thru-hike, he didn't intend to become an inventor. But when he began to examine the available methods of sheltering himself on the 2,160-mile-long trail, he found a small problem. "I wasn't truly happy with any alternative I saw anywhere—from any of the four tents I already owned, to the tents/shelters in use by others, to the catalogues and gear guides that I studied over and over again, looking for the best solution. I was asking a lot, but I figured that someone, somewhere, had what I needed."

What he needed was something lightweight, inexpensive, and roomy. Mountaineering tents were too expensive and their design wasn't appropriate for the humid AT. Standard backpacking tents seemed both too heavy and expensive. Bivvies were cramped; tarps didn't offer bug protection. After two months of searching and learning, he was back to square one—and decided to build his trailside "house" himself. After several trials (and errors) he came up with the Nomad Lite, a single-walled tent that uses hiking poles as its main supports. It weighs in at under two pounds, is roomy and well-ventilated, and offers protection against wind, rain, and insects. A two-person model is also available. Cost ranges from $175 to $350. Visit the website for more information.

Back to Part I—Lightweight Hiking: Shedding Weight

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