The 2007 Gear Guide Issue of Backpacker Magazine arrived in my apartment last night. It’s 144 pages of gear-testing goodness, with detailed reviews and comparisons of almost 500 backpacks, 600 boots, and over 400 tents. It’s also got a great collection of reader-written reviews and the usual helpful mini-guides, like how to properly hoist a heavy backpack on and the best way to stuff your tent on the trail.

In other words, it’s exquisite Gear Porn.

Either that, or a way for you to look into the future and see where your next three paychecks are going.