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?
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
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
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
A sleep system – the items you use for sleeping on a backpacking trip – is one of the “Big Three” pieces of backpacking gear you need, alongside your backpack and shelter. Because it’s so important, and because you need… Read More »Backpacking: How heavy should your sleep system be?
You hear this term all the time – but what does base weight actually mean? And, why does it matter in the first place? This guide will give you the answers you need to set a goal for your backpacking… Read More »Backpacking base weight: what it is, and what you should aim for
If you’re planning a hike in any sort of winter conditions, you need a good traction device. Knowing when to use microspikes, crampons, or snowshoes is a crucial task, as is choosing the right products. Yaktrax, makers of some of… Read More »Yaktrax Diamond Grip Review: Medium Price, High Performance