Every traveler fears being robbed, especially when traveling abroad. As a backpacker, this fear is intensified. You’re not just carrying money and credit cards, carrying around everything else you could possibly need on the trip. Obviously, losing money, credit cards, tent, sleep system, etc is a pain. But how will… Read More »How to Lock Your Pack on a Backpacking Trip (Preventing Theft)
Every beginner backpacker starts their journey by purchasing a pack. Choosing and sizing a pack can be challenging for experienced backpackers, it’s downright overwhelming for a beginner. You have to deal with capacity, features, comfort, fit, etc. It seems like you need a Ph.D. in backpacking before you can even… Read More »Top-Loading Packs vs Front-Loading Packs(aka Panel Loaders) For Backpacking
Picking out winter backpacking gear is always tricky. You can’t just rush into it half-cocked expecting everything to be alright. Dealing with cold weather brings along a long list of challenges. Having to deal with a frozen water bottle shouldn’t be one of them. With a little planning and the… Read More »Winter Backpacking Water Bottles and Hydration Systems Explained
Everybody knows that cold temperatures keep harmful bacteria from growing. So wouldn’t that mean you don’t have to purify water in the winter? That’s one of those myths that just won’t go away. Do You Need to Purify Water in The Winter? Water treatment and purification methods are just as… Read More »Ultimate Guide to Winter Water Purification on Backpacking Trips
During the summer, water purification is fairly straightforward. If you have a water filter or purifier tablets you’re basically good to go. Once the weather turns, purifying water is a whole new ball game. You not only have to deal with bacteria and protozoa, but you also have to battle… Read More »How To: Stop a Backpacking Water Filter From Freezing in Cold Weather
I’ve been dealing with chafing my entire life. Throughout the years I’ve tried every anti-chafing product I could find. Some of these products worked while others left me in extreme pain. I thought I had tried every anti-chafing treatment on the market, but boy was I wrong. I had never… Read More »Chamois Cream Prevents Chafing on Hikes Without Staining
You’ve been hiking for hours in blazing heat. Sweats dripping down your back and running down your legs. There’s nothing you can do to cool off. All of a sudden, out of nowhere you feel the telltale signs of chafing between your thighs. Thigh chafing has to be one of… Read More »Does BodyGlide Reduce Chafing on a Hike?
Every backpacker has their own idea on how to effectively keep gear dry inside a pack. There are a number of options available on the market and they all have their own set of drawbacks. Pack covers definitely get the worst wrap since they tend to leak and don’t keep… Read More »Backpacking Pack Liners vs Stuff Sacks (Should I Use Both?)
Everybody agrees that there are two main ways to keep your backpacking gear dry on the trail. It seems like a 50/50 split between rain cover and liner. Both these options work well, but there’s no general consensus. That being said there’s a time and place for both rain covers… Read More »Backpacking Pack Liners vs Pack Raincovers (Should I Use Both?)
This past spring, I did a 3-day hike where it rained continuously. The rain didn’t stop me, but it wasn’t fun. Trudging through fog, mud and freezing mist that just doesn’t want to stop isn’t my idea of a fun time. Almost everything inside my pack was soaked except for… Read More »Using Backpack Liners When Hiking in The Rain
