Clickbait is a pejorative term describing web content that is aimed at generating online advertising revenue, especially at the expense of quality or accuracy, relying on sensationalist headlines or eye-catching thumbnail pictures to attract click-throughs. Backpackers, it appears, are susceptible to it …
Read More »Raffles and Polls
Reader Poll: Who Makes the Best Freeze-Dried or Pre-Packaged Backpacking Meals?
If you were to look into the foodbags of most hikers, you’d be horrified or amazed, or maybe both. I know a few hikers who only eat pre-processed, pre-packaged meals for months at a time on thru-hikes, others who carefully pre-bag freezer bag …
Read More »Myth or Fact: Do Hiking Boots Prevent Sprained Ankles?
A lot of hikers believe that you need to wear leather hiking boots when you carry a heavy backpack because they provide more support for your ankles and help prevent ankle sprains. But I’ve never found any research or scientific studies that …
Read More »Reader Poll: Do You Wear Special Insoles for Hiking or Backpacking?
Do you replace the factory insoles in hiking boots or shoes with better ones that are more supportive or comfortable? Example Comments I use Green Superfeet insoles in my Asolo TPS 520 boots because my arches need more support. If I don’t use them I …
Read More »Reader Poll: What’s in Your Fire Making Kit?
I always carry a small fire-making kit when I go hiking. It contains a Light My Fire firesteel that can generate sparks and a small sandwich bag with vaseline smeared cotton balls as tinder that light easily and will burn for a few minutes, …
Read More »Reader Poll: Do You Carry an Emergency Blanket When Hiking?
I know a lot of hikers who carry an emergency blanket or some kind of heat-reflective bivy sack with them on long day hikes just in case they need to unexpectedly spend the night out or to stay warm if they’re injured. …
Read More »Reader Poll: Is One of Your Feet Bigger Than the Other?
My right foot is about a half size larger than my left foot. This occasionally causes me problems when sizing winter hiking boots or trail shoes, so I go to great lengths to find shoes that fit right and stockpile multiple pairs, …
Read More »Reader Poll: Does your Compass have a Declination Adjustment?
If you take a compass navigation class, the instructor is likely to teach you how to translate between magnetic bearings and “true” bearings, despite the fact that the grid lines on almost every map printed today are based on true north. One of …
Read More »Reader Poll: What Makes a Great Hiking Dog?
I’ve had the pleasure of hiking with some great trail dogs in my time, including my friend PedXing’s dog Loki. Dogs that stay with us and don’t go running off after every chipmunk or moose, dogs that don’t bark or jump on …
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