Section Hikers Backpacking Blog Hiking and Backpacking for Beginners and Experts

A New Outdoor Industry Standard ASTM International passed a new R-Value Sleeping Pad Standard (FF3340-18) last month that will be rolled out to consumers in 2020. It defines a rigorous and reliable methodology for measuring the R-Value of all sleeping pads, including air mattresses, self-inflating pads, and foam pads. I …

Winter backpacking tents need to be a good deal stronger than regular three season tents if you are camping in exposed windy terrain that is subject to heavy snow loads. The strongest and most wind resistant tents are wedge or dome-shaped and freestanding, so they are completely sell supporting. You still …

The Hults Bruk Bjork Splitting Axe is a lightweight axe with a 30″ long handle that’s good for splitting soft woods or dry wood with a straight grain. It’s perfectly good for around the house and splitting seasoned wood, but doesn’t cut it for splitting freshly cut green wood or …

The CAMP Corsa Ice Axe (8.8 oz) is the lightest weight walking ice axe available today, which explains its popularity with thru-hikers, ultralight backpackers, and ski mountaineers. It’s a straight-shafted walking axe designed to stop uncontrolled slides down snow and ice covered slopes, as opposed to a curved and shorter …

I’ve never met Cam Honan in person, but I think we’d hit it off if our paths ever do cross. He’s an exceptionally well-travelled backpacker who’s walked across 56 countries and 6 continents, he can write well, and he visits a lot of off the beaten track places, which is probably …