Camp Gear Experts started because David Ortega, a longtime backpacker who’s spent countless nights under the stars carrying more than he needed, wanted something different. He found that a lot of gear reviews out there felt more like sales pitches or were written without much real use behind them. So he decided to create a place where feedback on ultralight backpacking gear would come first—based on actual trips and an ongoing process of testing and learning.
Here, you’ll find reviews and how-to guides that come from packing up a pack, hitting the trail, and refining what works and what doesn’t. The goal has always been simple: help you make gear choices that actually improve your time outside, not just add to your pile of “maybe someday” equipment. Everything shared on Camp Gear Experts reflects gear David has carried over miles, in all kinds of weather, because if it’s not useful or reliable out there, it doesn’t get recommended.
This site exists because the trail has a way of teaching you to keep things light—both in your pack and your mindset—and David wanted to pass on what he’s learned in a way that’s easy to understand and genuinely helpful.