I’m afraid of bears. There are a lot of people who would thoroughly enjoy a far-off bear encounter, but I’m not one of those people. When I’m backpacking, I carry bear spray, because I am 0% interested in making either… Read More »The Best Bear Spray for Backpackers, Hunters, and More [2023]
Perhaps the most important part of your sleep system is your sleeping pad. Sleeping bags are crucial, yes, but they do very little in terms of padding or comfort against the ground. They will also fail to keep you warm… Read More »Backpackers, get a second sleeping pad -you won’t regret it
Base weight, a term that describes the total weight of your backpacking gear, minus food and water, is an important measurement. It can tell you whether or not you’ve packed too much, and it can help you avoid injuries or… Read More »How to measure base weight for backpacking
Bear spray is carried by thousands of hikers, hunters, and outdoor lovers each year. It’s a cost-effective way to protect yourself against bears that doesn’t require a firearm license or any sharpshooting skills. It also happens to be an extremely… Read More »Does Bear Spray Actually Work?
One of the biggest challenges before a backpacking trip is selecting a backpack that actually works for you. Planning a trip longer than 3 days means you’re going to need more than just the bare essentials- plus lots of extra… Read More »Backpacking Basics: What Size Pack for a 5-Day Trip?
Buying a sleeping bag is, for some reason, harder than it should be. There are dozens of sleeping bags at any one outdoor store, and they all seem simultaneously different and the same. One of the main ways you’ll eventually… Read More »Sleeping bag temperature ratings, explained
When you look up “camping” on Pinterest, you typically see a bunch of aesthetically pleasing domed tents and sleeping bags, with a campfire nearby. But camping in a tent is not the only way to camp, and it might not… Read More »Hammock Camping: Everything You Need to Know
Backpackers, guides, and websites like this one like to make a big stink about all the different terms and concepts invented to describe what we do. Base weight, worn weight, sleep system, the list goes on… all terms invented to… Read More »What are the Big 3 items in backpacking? What to know
Spend any time looking at backpacking gear, forums, or social media accounts, and you’re bound to run into that term at least a few times. But, what is ultralight backpacking, and is it worth achieving? That’s what this article aims… Read More »Is Ultralight Backpacking Worth It?
Yes. Just to avoid any ambiguity, the answer is yes – backpacking is very safe, and, in many ways, it’s safer than living in a big city. While there are still a bunch of different ways to get yourself injured… Read More »Is Backpacking Safe? What the Numbers Say
