You can travel farther and faster if you carry less gear. If you have only a weekend to get away, this strategy can increase the range of trails you can cover. The secret is to give up a few creature comforts to reduce the weight of your pack, without sacrificing anything you need or compromising […]
Sleeping bag hood: A hood offers added warmth, especially when cinched tightly around your head. Some hoods include “differentiated drawcords,” which have different thicknesses so that you can easily tell which cord adjusts the neck fit and which adjusts the hood opening. Draft-blocking features: Draft tubes run the length of the bag behind the zipper […]
Backpackers can be forgiven if they’re a little obsessive about the warmth-to-weight ratio of a sleeping bag. You can’t sleep well if you’re cold, and even an ultra-efficient ultralight bag will still be one of the heavier, bulkier items in your pack. So, time spent evaluating your backcountry sleep system is time well spent. When […]
Above all else, the best backpack for you is the one that fits your body the best. One of the keys to finding that right backpack is to get one that is the correct size (e.g., small, medium, large). Your torso length—not your height—is the key measurement. This article also covers how to adjust the fit […]
1. Simplicity: Frameless packs generally have simpler designs. Fewer zippers, fewer compartments, fewer straps, no stays – less that can break, rip, or go wrong. 2. Fit: With frameless backpacks, it’s the load itself that provides the structure. With an unrolled or folded sleeping mat (either CCF or inflatable) acting as a makeshift framesheet, ideally, a frameless […]
A combination of driving rain, high winds, and temperatures just above freezing, represents some of the most challenging weather that a hiker can face. In these conditions, hypothermia and frostbite (if the thermometer subsequently drops below 0°C / 32°F) are a very real possibility. Thankfully, cold-related maladies are far easier to prevent than they are […]
As far as how light your backpack should be before you can safely switch to running shoes, there’s really no magic number. It’s totally a personal preference thing. For me, I’d still wear running shoes even if I carried a 50-60 pound pack. The biggest negative impact of wearing lightweight shoes with a heavier load […]
Running Shoes VS Hiking Boots “If you want to forget all your other troubles, wear too tight shoes.” ~The Houghton Line I get asked about backpacking footwear all the time and the question is almost always the same. Hikers want to know if it’s really okay to backpack in running shoes and how light their […]
There are different schools of thought when it comes to ensuring your shoes and bag match. You might have heard that matching your accessories is an outdated look, but the truth is, a well-matched shoe and bag combo is a classic style that oozes class. That said, it’s important to play by the rules when […]
If you’ve been struck with a newfound yearning for a walk beyond your backyard into the backcountry, lace up your hiking boots and follow that impulse. Hiking is profoundly healthy for both your mind and body. Researchers have found that getting out and walking in nature can mitigate symptoms of depression, increase your attention span, and improve […]