Frequently Asked Questions

Hiking and backpacking rain pants are designed to protect you from the chilling effects of rain or wind. If you plan to hike in a climate where it rains frequently, carrying and wearing rain pants or a rain kilt is probably advisable. …

Trail weight is the weight of a tent with just the fly, the inner tent, pre-attached guylines, and the tent poles minus the tent stakes, stuff sacks, extra guylines, and repair kit if one is included with your tent. Packaged weight is …

Floorless tents and shelters provide an ultralightweight option for backpackers who want to significantly reduce their backpacking gear weight. While that weight reduction might sound quite attractive, in most cases you’ll still want some form of insect protection like a bivy sack …

If you hike in the mountains or above the treeline, you’ll find frequent mention of the term “diurnal heating” in mountain weather forecasts, often accompanied by thunderstorms, hail, and high wind. What is diurnal heating, and why should you be cautious when …

Sleeping outdoors on camping and backpacking trips is a skill just like navigating, camping, packing, layering, trip planning, and all the other skills that backpackers need to learn to enjoy backcountry trips. While sleeping outdoors is not a skill that’s taught in …

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes inflammation in your stomach and intestines, also known as gastroenteritis. The most common symptoms of norovirus are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach cramps. There are periodic Norovirus outbreaks on long-distance hiking trails, at shelters, …

It’s important to bring water with you when you go day hiking to replace the fluid you lose to perspiration, help keep you more alert, and flush waste products out of your body.  Not bringing enough water can lead to discomfort, while …

Winter boots are usually insulated with 200g or 400g synthetic insulation which is very thin but warm. The insulation varies but is usually Thinsulate, Primaloft, or a comparable synthetic fill or fiber. In addition, winter boots are almost always waterproof with waterproof/breathable …

Most of the insoles included in hiking boots, mids, trail shoes, and trail runners are crappy foam inserts that offer little to no support or protection for your feet. If you suffer from heel pain, arch pain, pain in the ball of …

Many people like to carry a hydration system (reservoir and hose) on day hikes and backpacking trips, but others prefer carrying water bottles. While you can chalk up the difference to personal preference, there are definite pros and cons to hiking with …

J-shaped shoulder straps and S-shaped Shoulder Straps are two different styles of shoulder straps found on backpacks for hiking and backpacking. They differ in their shape, how they conform to the body, and in the placement of the sternum strap affecting comfort …

Wouldn’t it be great if you could cook in a Jetboil and not just boil water? Most backpackers who buy Jetboil stoves buy the Jetboil Flash or Jetboil Zip models without realizing that they’re designed for boiling water to rehydrate freeze-dried or …

Hiking is a fantastic way to get outdoors, enjoy nature, and get some exercise. But there’s more to hiking than just hitting the trails. There are many different types of hiking, each with its unique challenges and rewards. Here are some of …

Backpacks with vest-style shoulder straps, inspired by the trail running community, are increasingly popular. Vest-style backpack straps work best on lower-volume backpacks with a maximum of 40L of volume and maximum recommended loads under 25 pounds. This is because the pack weight …