Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re researching double-wall backpacking tents, you’re likely to see the terms “semi freestanding tent” and “freestanding tent.” These describe the architecture of a tent and how the poles are configured to set it up. A semi-freestanding tent has one or more …

Morton’s Neuroma is an inflammation of the nerves leading to your small toes and presents itself as a burning or tingling sensation or the feeling that your sock is bunched up in the front of your shoes, even when it isn’t. Once …

How many pairs of underwear do you take when backpacking? While some people (like myself) only bring one pair, no matter the length of the trip, most SectionHiker readers bring two pairs on multi-day trips, one to wear, and one to wash …

While ultralight tents are easier to carry because they weigh less, you usually have to sacrifice something in terms of comfort, ease of use, or weather protection to use one. The weight reduction doesn’t come for free, even if the tent is …

Many backpackers carry closed-cell foam sleeping pads because they’re lightweight and don’t fail like air mattresses. If you want to carry multi-purpose gear to save weight, you’re hard on gear or want to save money, closed-cell sleeping pads provide many advantages over …

There are three kinds of winter boots: insulated winter hiking boots, mountaineering boots, and pac boots. Which kind of winter hiking boot is right for you? Here’s a detailed guide that explains the differences between these so you can pick the right …

If you plan on winter camping or backpacking in temperatures below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, you should consider getting a liquid fuel stove that burns petroleum distillates like white gas or kerosene instead of a canister-based stove that burns isobutane fuel. Canister gas …

Do you want to know how to sleep warm on a backpacking trip? Have you ever spent a cold night shivering in your sleeping bag under a backpacking quilt because the temperature dropped lower than you expected? Here are a few tips …

Hard shell jackets are a burly type of rain jacket, usually made with waterproof/breathable fabric, that is used for cold weather hiking as a windproof and waterproof clothing layer. They have a richer set of temperature regulation features and pockets than warm …

DEET is still the most widely used insect repellent in use today. It is available in multiple concentrations ranging from 10 percent up to 100 percent. The main difference between the different concentrations is how long they remain effective. For example, a …

How does synthetic insulation compare to down insulation in terms of warmth? You might be surprised how lackluster it is in comparison, even with recent advances in the types of synthetic insulation available. Fill power is used to measure the warmth of …

There’s a simple rule of thumb for figuring out how many days of food you can fit into a given bear canister volume. First find out the capacity of your bear canister in cubic inches and divide by 100. That will give …

I consider myself a pretty good trip planner, but I’ve still made many comical or embarrassing backpacking trip-planning mistakes or omissions over the years. Here are a few select nuggets: The time I parked my car seven miles farther down the Appalachian …

Bear canisters are pretty awkward to carry with a backpack. Do you put it inside your pack, outside, on top, or underneath? Are some backpacks better for carrying a canister than others? What’s the best way to carry a canister with a …