38 Tips for Staying Warm While Backpacking
It’s hard to enjoy the backcountry when you’re freezing your buns off. Here are all my best tips for staying warm while backpacking, even if you get cold as easily as I do.
Hiking and Backpacking Gear
From The Gear Closet: My Favorite Lightweight Backpacking Gear
After years of trial and error, here is the backpacking gear and hiking clothing that I return to over and over again.
Bearikade Expedition Bear Canister – Gear Review
If you need a really big bear canister, the Bearikade Expedition should be at the top of your list. Here’s a review to help you decide if all the fancy carbon fiber is worth your money.
Borah Gear Cuben Bivy – Gear Review
The Borah Gear Cuben bivy is an ultralight, ultra-packable, water resistant bivy with bug netting top. It’s not right for every adventure, but here’s where it shines.
CNOC Vecto as Alternative to Sawyer Squeeze Bags – Gear Review
Love your Sawyer water filter but hate those darn dirty bag pouches? Me too! Here’s a Sawyer squeeze pouch alternative for less squeezing and more gravity filtering.
Enlightened Equipment Convert Hybrid Sleeping Quilt – Gear Review
The Enlightened Equipment Convert is a flexible, lightweight hybrid sleeping quilt great for, well, pretty much anything. Here’s what I love about it, and one little thing that I don’t.
How to Choose (And Use) A Bear Canister for Backpacking
Bear canisters keep you, your food, and the bears safe. Here’s a deep-dive guide to choosing, using, carrying, and packing your bear canister for backpacking trips.
How To Use Hiking Poles (+ Buying Guide)
Hiking pole deep dive: how to use hiking poles, do they really help anyway, and how to choose the best hiking poles for your needs.
Water Purification For Hiking and Backpacking: Here’s What You Need to Know
Everything you need to know about water filtration for hiking and backpacking: why and how to filter, what the risks are, and choosing a water filter, and more.
Best Trail Running Shoes for Hiking: Top Picks From Long-Distance Thru Hikers
Five of the best trail running shoes for hiking in 2019-2020, plus what to look for when trying and buying.
Gear Review: Big Sky Soul 1P Solo Tent
Detailed review of the Big Sky Soul 1P, an affordable, lightweight, versatile freestanding solo tent. Here’s why I love it for backpacking, bikepacking, and travel.
Hiking Gift Ideas Your Favorite Hiker Will Actually Use
Finding the perfect gift for a hiker in your life, something they’ll actually use, can be a challenge. Fear not! These hiking gifts are universally useful.
Three Top Rain Jackets Reviewed and Compared
How do the Marmot PreCip, OR Helium II, and Arc’teryx Beta AR compare? Learn how I rank these popular rain jackets for hiking and backpacking.
The Most Popular Sleeping Pads for Backpacking: Lessons from the JMT
Choosing a backpacking sleeping pad? Learn from the thru-hikers. Here’s how to select the best sleeping pad for your next night in the backcountry.
The Most Popular Backpacking Packs: Lessons from the John Muir Trail
Finding the best pack for the JMT is no easy task. To help, here’s an analysis of the most common packs from JMT gear lists, and what they have in common.
Clothing For Lightweight Backpacking: A Minimalist Full-Comfort Packing List
Choosing your hiking clothes wisely can shave pounds off your pack weight. Here’s an overview of what to wear backpacking when you’re trying to keep your backpack light.
The Case For Hiking in Trail Running Shoes (Plus Transition Guide and Popular Shoe Models)
Tired of big heavy boots? Here’s how to decide if hiking in trail running shoes is right for you, plus how to transition safely and which shoe models are best.
Menstrual Cups for Travel and Backpacking: Honest Answers From An Adventurous Lady
Thinking about making the switch to a menstrual cup? I outline the pros and cons of the Diva Cup and answer some awkward personal questions about how to use it.