Ultralight backpacks tend to be a lot lighter than more mainstream backpacks with internal or external frames and generally fall under 2 pounds in weight. There are exceptions to this and some UL packs are heavier than two pounds, but it’s a …
Read More »For Beginners
Lightweight Backpacking with Multi-function Gear
This article’s focus is on helping you further reduce your pack weight by selecting backpacking gear that can be used for multiple functions. If you can bring less gear, it will weigh less, and you can further cut down on pack weight …
Read More »What luxury items do you bring on backpacking trips?
Here are the 10 most popular items that Section Hiker readers bring along on trips: Zeiss Binoculars Frisbeee Hip Flask Kindle GSI Outdoors French Press Coffee Maker Helinox Camp Chair Therm-a-Rest Z Seat UCO Candle Lantern NEMO Camping Pillow Exped extra thick …
Read More »Beginner Backpacking Skills: Day-to-Day Planning and Adapting to the Unexpected
What is the most important skill that a beginner backpacker has to master? Is it pacing, packing, how to use trekking poles, proper hydration, footwork, or navigation? While those are all essential, none is as important as planning: planning before your trip …
Read More »Tips and Tricks: How to Pack a Food Bag
One of the secrets of successful backpacking is learning how to become extremely organized and to stay organized throughout your trip. That might sound obvious but it’s actually a skill that requires a lot of practice and the development of a set …
Read More »Backpacking Knives and Multi-Tools by Steve Hanlon (hikezilla)
I’m a tool guy. I always have been. When I was a kid I was notorious for taking things apart and (sometimes) getting them back together again. I was always building things with saws, hammers, drills, nails using the occasional free sheet …
Read More »Lighten Up your Backpack: Weighing your Gear
If you’re interested in reducing the weight of your backpacking gear, the most important thing you can do is to buy a digital scale. I like the model shown here, called an Ultraship Scale because it can weigh your items in ounces …
Read More »Are Ultralight Titanium Insulated Cups Worth The Premium Price?
Winter’s coming and it’s time to start thinking about gearing up your cooking system for winter backpacking and camping. One option is to go the Titanium route, and pick up a ultralight double wall insulated mug, like the Snow Peak Titanium Double …
Read More »What’s in My Gear Repair Kit?
I had a reader ask, “what’s in your gear repair kit?” after I went through all of the gear repair supplies I use to maintain and repair backpacking gear at home. Here’s what I carry in my gear repair kit on every trip in …
Read More »The Five Gallon Challenge: Can You Fit all of Your Backpacking Gear into a Five Gallon Bucket?
The majority of people who could benefit from carrying lighter weight gear balk when it comes to weighing everything in their packs and creating a spreadsheet. It’s a big time committment and it’s not clear that the results are meaningful for many …
Read More »How to Repair Hiking Pants with Tenacious Tape
How many of you have holed hiking pants laying around the house waiting for a generous sewer to repair them for you? Did you know that you can just as easily repair them with Tenacious Tape? I’m not talking about rain pants, …
Read More »Exercise Advice for Aging Hikers
What can older hikers do to help offset the stiffness, aches, and pains that come with getting older so that they can continue hiking into their late 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. That’s the question that a reader sent me last week. She …
Read More »Beginner Backpacking on The Cheap By Carey Kish
OK, so you’ve been getting out on the trail a fair amount over the past couple of summers, day hiking to all kinds of fun places. And you’ve mixed it up some with a few car camping trips to get the feel …
Read More »Backpacking Gear Recommendations for Short Women
I’m helping a small (dare I say short) 5′ 2″, 110 pound female day-hiker named Lisa gear up for backpacking. Lisa knows she has to go lightweight in order to enjoy backpacking. There’s no way she can carry anything heavier than a 25 …
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