Frequently Asked Questions

Have you ever been on a backpacking trip and not had an appetite? Even if you’re hiking 15 to 20 miles a day? It’s frustrating because you know you should be hungry, and you know need energy to hike the next day, …

Freestanding tents are tents that can stand up by themselves (the poles slot into the four corners) making them easy to set up in different types of terrain from desert sands and snow-covered peaks to wooden tent platforms. Most freestanding tents are …

If you carry a water filter on day hikes, you can significantly reduce the weight and amount of water you must carry. This is particularly useful if you want to tackle longer routes that require more water than you can comfortably carry. …

When preparing to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail or Pacific Crest Trails (AT & PCT), people tend to wonder just how much navigation skill is actually needed to stay on the right path and not get lost. I’m often asked how I found …

How much backpack volume do you need for hikes or backpacking trips that last a day, a weekend, a week, or even longer? daypack (1/2-1 day) weekend backpacks (1-3 days) weeklong backpacks (3-7 days), expedition backpacks (more than a week) Here are …

Trekking pole tents use hiking poles for setup instead of tent poles as a weight-saving measure for backpackers. They’re also a good example of how to use the same backpacking gear in multiple ways, one of the core principles of gear weight …

Trail runners are becoming increasingly popular in the hiking community because they’re lightweight, their soles provide good traction, and they’re less likely to cause blisters because their uppers are much softer than the rigid leather of old-school hiking boots. Trail runners differ …

Hoodless ultralight sleeping bags, also called rectangular sleeping bags, share some of the same advantages as backpacking quilts and are a great alternative if you want to switch from a mummy bag to something less confining, but you’re not that enthused about …

Most people pack way too much food when they go backpacking, especially for shorter trips lasting 1 to 2 nights in duration. While the rule of thumb is 2 lbs of food per day or 4000 calories, that number is based on …

Tarps are a great ultralight backpacking shelter option, provided they’re used in a climate where there’s no rain or occasional rain. To clarify, I’m talking about square or rectangular tarps with or without catenary cut ridgelines and sides, and not single wall …

Gaiters are an essential clothing and footwear item for hikers and backpackers that provide moisture protection, extra insulation, and protection for your ankles and lower legs. They’re available in a wide variety of heights and fabrics, with a multitude of different attachment …

When choosing between hiking boots and trail runners, consider your ankle mobility and whether you want hiking footwear that can enhance it with time or whether you need more support because your ankle mobility is compromised. Ankle mobility is a valuable asset …

Female backpacking hygiene is important to stay healthy and comfortable on trips in the backcountry. But good trail hygiene isn’t just a woman thing; it’s essential to anyone who wants to be comfortable on the trail. We may have particular concerns that …

Thermoregulation is a fancy word for an essential hiking and backpacking skill, namely keeping a healthy body temperature even when the surrounding temperature is too cold or too hot. It goes hand-in-hand with layering your clothes to maintain a comfortable body temperature …