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 …
Read More »Frequently Asked Questions
What is Diurnal Heating?
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 …
Read More »Tips for Getting a Good Night’s Sleep When Backpacking
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 …
Read More »What is Fastpacking?
Fastpacking is a hybrid form of backcountry travel—think of it like a combination between trail running and backpacking—which means there’s no simple, satisfying answer to this question. Fastpacking means the athlete can cover big miles in the backcountry with a combination of …
Read More »Avoid Norovirus while Backpacking: Tips and Precautions
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, …
Read More »Water Needed for Hiking: How Much Should You Bring?
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 …
Read More »Prevent Plantar Fasciitis With Insoles for Hiking Boots and Trail Runners
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 …
Read More »Pros and Cons of Hiking Hydration Systems
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 …
Read More »Backpacks: J-Shaped vs S-Shaped Shoulder Straps – Which is Right for You?
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 …
Read More »Can You Cook Food in a Jetboil?
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 …
Read More »Choosing Your Adventure: Different Styles of Hiking
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 …
Read More »Vest Style Backpack Straps vs Conventional Backpack Shoulder Straps
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 …
Read More »Demystifying DWR on Rain Jackets: How Does it Work?
Waterproof/breathable rain jackets are coated with a polymer called DWR (Durable Water Repellency) that makes rain bead up and roll off the exterior surface of the jacket. Many, but not all, DWR coatings are based on fluoropolymers that have a fluorine atom …
Read More »Spring Hiking Preparation: Backpacking Gear Maintenance in April
With spring hiking and backpacking season on the horizon, here are some important gear maintenance tasks for you to perform to prepare for your next trip. If you have other spring gear maintenance tips you’d like to share, please leave a comment …
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