Backpacking throughout spring, summer, and fall really isn’t all that difficult. You just need to buy the right gear and learn a couple of skills and you’re good to go. Beginners always seem to get hung up on water purification. On the surface, water purification is fairly straightforward, but once… Read More »Backpacking Water Filter vs Water Purifier: What’s The Difference?
If you’ve checked out camping stoves you’ve probably seen the term BTU (British Thermal Unit) tossed around. When I first started camping I looked at those terms and had no idea what they meant. Does the BTU output of a camp stove actually matter? How many BTUs do I need… Read More »How Many BTU’s Do I Need For My Camping Stove?
Once upon a time, every backpacker cooked right on an open fire. Everybody just used campfires to cook and stoves were just a modern convenience. Throughout the years things have changed, stoves are lighter and fuels more efficient. For some reason, backpacking stoves have always confused first-time backpackers. There are… Read More »Backpacking Stove Fuel Types Explained
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?
