The biggest dirty little secret in the outdoor industry is that waterproof/breathable rain jackets won’t keep you dry and will wet out. It doesn’t matter if you buy a high-end $450 Arcteryx Gore-tex Parka or wear your bathrobe, they’ll both Wet Out …
Read More »Frequently Asked Questions
Backpacking Sleep Systems for Tents, Tarps, and Hammocks
A backpacking sleep system refers to the collection of gear and clothing used for sleeping in camp. It’s called a system because the items have to work together and complement one another to perform a common function. For example, a sleeping pad, …
Read More »How Much Should Your Backpack Weigh?
Backpack weight is a frequent area of concern for many day hikers and backpackers, especially for beginners who tend to overpack out of caution. But there’s no right or wrong answer in terms of the ideal pack weight because it depends a …
Read More »What is the Best Tent for Backpacking in the White Mountain National Forest?
When you backpack in New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest, there are two types of backcountry campsites. The first are designated backcountry tent sites managed by the US Forest Service or local trail organizations, and the second are dispersed campsites that you …
Read More »Should You Carry Hand Sanitizer When Backpacking?
When I started backpacking I always carried a small bottle of hand sanitizer to use on my hands after filtering water and using the bathroom. I’d repackage it from a big bottle of Purell into 1 or 2 oz polyethylene squeeze bottles …
Read More »Hiking Blister Prevention: Leukotape P vs Leukotape K
Leukotape is a sticky medical tape used by hikers and backpackers to prevent blisters before they occur. It is breathable and will stay on even if it gets wet, so it can stay on your feet for up to a week at …
Read More »No Cook Backpacking 101
Backpackers are always looking for ways to save pack weight. Some continuously upgrade to the latest lightweight gear, while others remain solely focused on eliminating all but the necessities. Regardless of the motivation, the objective is the same – to lessen the …
Read More »Hiking Sun Protection Head to Toe
Sun protection is always an important consideration when hiking or for any outdoor activity where there’s the potential to get a sunburn. Thankfully, there are many good options when it comes to covering up and taking care of your skin. How Much …
Read More »Female Hygiene While Backpacking: Myths and Advice
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 …
Read More »Hiking Thermoregulation in Cold Rain
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 …
Read More »How to Find Dispersed Campsites for Backpacking
A lot of backpackers get really stressed out when planning trips because they can’t find any information about pre-existing campsites along their route. While campgrounds, lean-tos, and signed designated campsites are usually easy to find out about, that’s often not the case …
Read More »Ultralight Bivy Sacks 101
Ultralight bivy sacks are used by backpackers for cowboy camping or under floorless shelters, such as tarps or pyramids, to protect their sleeping bags/quilts and sleeping pads from wind, insects, mice, and other creepy crawlers. Most are not waterproof and function more …
Read More »Safety Tips for Fording Rivers and Streams
When you are really out in the wilderness, it’s likely that you’ll need to ford a river or stream where you need to wade across it to get to the other side. Depending on the temperature and water levels, fording rivers and …
Read More »Why do I get wet inside my rain jacket?
The leading causes of wetness inside your rain jacket are condensation and perspiration. Condensation occurs water vapor encounters a colder surface and changes from a gaseous form into a liquid one. When the air is humid it has a lot of water …
Read More »