Staying warm in a sleeping bag is more of an art than a science. Optimizing gear will take you a long way, but it’s the little tricks that get you to your goal. Of course, you should pay attention to your sleeping bags temperature rating, decide between down and synthetic… Read More »Using Hot Water Bottles In Your Sleeping Bag to Warm You Up

With snow everywhere how hard could it be to find water? Unfortunately getting water from snow is easier in theory than reality. Without a stove, you’re relying on mother nature to melt snow for you, but is it safe to drink? Is snow melt safe to drink? Do you need… Read More »Is Snow Melt Safe to Drink? Do You Need to Boil It?

I think it’s safe to say that every child has eaten icicles and snow at some point in their lives. Most people have fond memories of licking icicles hanging off their gutters as a child. Are children putting their lives at risk without knowledge of the dangers of bacteria and… Read More »Are Icicles Safe to Eat and Drink? It Depends!

Hydrophobic down hasn’t been around for long, but it is quickly taking over the outdoor industry. It seems like almost every major manufacturer is jumping on the hydrophobic down bandwagon. Is hydrophobic down all that it’s cracked up to be, or simply another gimmick? What is Hydrophobic Down? Hydrophobic down… Read More »How Good is Hydrophobic Down and Should I Use It?

When it comes to cold weather jackets insulation is crucial. Without proper insulation, your jacket won’t be able to protect you from the cold. Regardless of the cold weather activity, insulated jackets are a must if you want to remain warm when temperatures drop. Finding a warm jacket is easier… Read More »Primaloft Insulation vs Down Which is Better?

Whether you’re backpacking through the backcountry or skiing down a mountainside, it’s always important to protect yourself from the cold. When it comes to warmth there’s nothing quite like down filling. A jacket or sleeping bag filled with high quality down will keep you warm in even the coldest temperatures.… Read More »What is Down Fill Power? How Much Fill Power Do I Need?

Water isn’t the only thing you need out on the trail. If you’re not careful you’ll sweat out your body’s electrolyte stores causing muscle cramps, intestinal distress, headaches and nausea. You can’t just drink water; you need to get in some carbs and electrolytes. How can you replenish electrolytes on… Read More »How to Replenish Sodium and Electrolytes on a Hike

Sleeping bag manufacturers fill up their bags to the optimum fill point. This is the point where additional filling starts to add less warmth relative to its weight. It’s both lighter and cheaper to increase the size of the fabric baffles. The baffles should be just barely filled up with… Read More »Should You Overstuff a Down Sleeping Bag?

As the temperatures start to drop down into the teens I’m starting to rethink some of my camping gear. My old 0 Degree sleeping bag is starting to feel more like a 30-degree bag as down feathers start to leak out the seams. Unable to spend money on a brand… Read More »Can You Add Filling to A Down Sleeping Bag?

As a teenager, I never took wool baselayers seriously. I was used to the old dingy wool sweaters my grandparents gave me over the holidays. Every year those ugly sweaters seemed to get itchier. Thankfully I decided to give Merino Wool a second chance after getting a little bit older.… Read More »How to Make Merino Wool Less Itchy Without Spending a Dime