ULA Circuit Backpack: Female Hiker’s Review After 1300 Miles
Detailed review and description of the ULA Circuit 68 liter pack, the lightweight backpack I used on the Arizona and Colorado Trails.
Hiking Gear
Arizona Trail Thru Hike Gear List: What Worked and What Didn’t
My complete Arizona Trail thru hike gear list, including what worked well and what could have been better.
How to Use Your Garmin InReach Mini (Without Driving Loved Ones Crazy)
How messaging works on the Garmin InReach Mini, and how to use it effectively without driving yourself and your contacts nuts.
Best Lightweight Solo Tents by Price, Weight, and Style (Visual Guide)
Sorting through the options for the best lightweight solo tent? This visual chart organized by price and weight will help you see which tents stand out for their weight, value, and design.
Review: BigBlue 28W Solar Charger After 90 Days on the Trail
Here’s why we chose the BigBlue Solar Charger, how it held up on our thru hike, and why we think it’s the best solar panel charger for backpacking.
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.
From The Gear Closet: My Favorite 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 After 100+ Nights
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.
How to Choose (And Use) A Bear Canister for Backpacking in 2021
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.
Trekking Poles: How to Choose and Use Them Like a Pro
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.
A Backpacker’s Guide to Water Filtration
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.
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.
PreCip vs. Helium II vs. Arc’teryx Beta AR: What’s the Best Rain Jacket for Outdoor Adventure?
How do the Marmot PreCip, OR Helium II, and Arc’teryx Beta AR compare? Learn what type of hiking and outdoor adventure each is ideal for.
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.
Why and How to Swap Your Hiking Boots for Trail Running Shoes
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 to consider.
Lightweight Backpacking: Easy Tips to Lighten Your Pack (and a few hard ones too)
Say goodbye to sore shoulders and cranky knees. These lightweight backpacking tips will cut pounds from your pack weight so you can hike farther, faster, or just more comfortably.
