A pack can be a major investment, and it’s one that needs care. Whether you’re wearing a daypack or large backpack, salts from your sweat and oil from your skin will likely seep into the shoulder straps and hipbelt. Grease spots may form from cooking splatters. All these can attract dirt over time, degrading the […]
Because almost all hiking boots are factory-treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish, new boots rarely require treatment out of the box. But that finish will eventually wear off and need replacing. You’ll know it’s time when you see that water no longer beads up and rolls off the boot’s surface and that water is […]
Backpackers who take short trips or prefer simple, no-fuss menus require only basic cookware—perhaps as little as a cup and a spork. Campers, larger groups and longer journeys usually require more pieces. This article gives you an overview of your outdoor cookware options. Cookset or Individual Pieces? You can buy a complete cookset or cookware […]
Crampons are a necessity to securely travel on snow and ice. With them, you can cross glaciers, ascend snow slopes, climb frozen waterfalls and scale ice-smeared rock. Because most alpinists and ice climbers today wear leather or synthetic-leather boots (instead of plastic mountaineering boots), semi-rigid construction with horizontal frames are the rule. And, thanks to […]
There are several things you can do to make your trip up a 14er (a mountain that meets or exceeds 14,000 feet) both successful and enjoyable. Being hydrated and fueled, pacing yourself correctly, and having proper training and equipment are essential. When preparing to tackle a 14er, the most essential training aspects to focus on […]
Who uses bivy sacks? People who: Frequently travel solo in the backcountry. Climb big-wall routes that require more than a day to complete. Camp during long-distance biking trips. Seriously desire to shed every possible ounce from their loads. Go winter camping in snow caves. Bivy Basics Bivy sack is short for “bivouac sack.” It was […]
Your goal: Be responsible, and treat the backcountry gently. You appreciate arriving at a clean campsite in a wild, beautiful setting, right? Please do your part to make sure those coming after you will enjoy the same experience. Spring Through Fall Know in advance where campsites can be found along the trail. Consult a guidebook or […]
Returning home from a getaway with a dusty, dirty tent is to be expected after a weekend spent in nature. But, if your home in the outdoors gets too grimy, you may start to notice ugly stains, funky odors or a zipper that doesn’t work as well as it once did. Cleaning a tent can […]
Whether you’re going backpacking for two nights over the weekend or two months on the Appalachian Trail, you’ll need basically the same fundamental pieces of clothing for layering, with variations to address the specific weather or environmental conditions you’re likely to encounter. Layers are key. You can stop and remove a layer when you start […]
Hammocks have become serious hangout gear for the outdoors. Sightings of these colorful slings hovering between trees are becoming more and more common. For some, a hammock is the ultimate chill-out spot. For others, it takes sleeping under the stars to a whole new level. If you’re thinking about getting a hammock, we can help. […]