For Beginners

You’re hiking along a trail and you suddenly realize you’ve lost it. Stop where you are and try to remember how you got where you are. Can you remember any landmarks that you passed that you know were on the trail? When was the last time you saw a trail …

Permethrin is a pesticide that you spray on clothing to kill black flies, ticks, and mosquitoes but has no harmful side effects on humans if used properly. It is the active ingredient used in Insect Shield and Buzz Off clothing and kills bugs when they land on your clothing. You …

There are basically 3 ways to protect your food from bears and other animals in the backcountry: bear bags, bear canisters, and Ursacks. They all have their advantages and disadvantages, so let’s review each. Bear Bags On the east coast of the US, we have black bears, and hanging your …

Buying a rain jacket has got to be one of the most confusing purchases a new backpacker can make. With dozens of manufacturers and rain jackets to choose from at all levels of the pricing spectrum, inflated expectations about the effectiveness of waterproof/breathable fabrics in real world conditions, and a constant flow …

I carry a variety of navigation tools and devices on my hikes and backpacking trips because I’ve never found once that’s perfectly reliable or easy to use in all situations. Every tool and device has different strengths and weakness, as I describe below. Maps, often more than one Compass, declination adjustable Suunto …

It’s amazing how some backpacking gear myths persist, even when there’s ample evidence to the contrary. Here are my favorites.  1. Two people can fit in a 2 person tent. Most two person tents are too small to actually fit two people unless they’re 8 years old. If you want …

Many backpackers carry camp shoes or water shoes with them on backpacking trips for relaxing and for stream crossings to keep their boots dry. But how do you choose between the most popular camp shoes available like Crocs, Sockwas, Vivobarefoot Ultras, or flip flops? Here are the most important features to consider. light …

I use 9 clothing items (not including hats, socks, or gloves) for three season hiking and backpacking. It’s amazing how many different scenarios they are sufficient for. Environmental Needs Most of the hiking and backpacking I do is in New Hampshire and Maine, up and down the East Coast on …

A GPS receiver is a powerful hiking and backpacking navigation device, but it must be configured properly for use and it has important limitations that trip up most beginner GPS users who may put undue trust in its ability to guide them in the backcountry. Here are the most frequent …

When I started getting into lightweight backpacking, I spent a lot of time staring at my gear list to make sure I squeezed every ounce of weight out of it. That’s ok. It’s part of the process that every lightweight or ultralight backpacker goes through when they realize that they …