Aerogel vs Down: Is this the Jacket of the Future?
When choosing between jackets, you typically have two options: down, or synthetic. There are pros and cons to both. Down jackets are well-known for being the most lightweight, warm, and highly compressible layers you can buy, but they do have an Achilles heel: once they’re wet, they’re difficult to dry and lose their insulating power. Synthetic jackets are water-resistant and in some cases, can insulate even when wet. But, this comes at a cost: they aren’t as lightweight, and they often
A Complete Review of the Best and Worst Ultralight Packs
Let’s face it: ultralight packs have a pretty bad reputation. Many people have described them as trash back with straps, and often, ultralight packs seem to sacrifice comfort first in order to shave down weight. But, those downsides aren’t always the case, and to prove it, I’m comparing 6 ultralight packs that are almost too good to be true. What Exactly is an Ultralight Pack? To fall into the “ultralight” category, a pack needs to weigh 2lbs or less. Most traditionally-framed packs weigh
The Best Semi-Freestanding, Hybrid Tents
What’s better–a trekking pole-supported tent, or a freestanding tent? What if the answer might be… neither? In my experience, the best gear out there is often an even mix of the best of both worlds. Freestanding tents can often be heavy, since they feature their own internal support system. Even collapsed, this internal frame can be tricky to pack, with many backpackers opting to strap them to the outside of their packs. Trekking pole-supported tents are lightweight, but can be tedious to
The Official MyLifeOutdoors Guide for Treating Water in the Backcountry
Water filters: if you’re new to backpacking, or even going on longer day hikes, choosing the right one for you can seem daunting. There’s a lot of risks involved in making sure you have the right system to filter your water: if you don’t do it right, it’s easy to get sick, and no one wants to cut a trip short because of water-borne illness. Now, there are many different ways to treat water: from boiling it to filtering it,
Discovering Solitude: 7 Practical Tips for Finding Tranquility in the Backcountry
In my decade of backpacking experience, the outdoors have only become increasingly more crowded. This is a good thing in a lot of ways: more people are appreciating all that the backcountry has to offer. But for many of us, who first ventured into the outdoors to find a measure of solitude and silence, full parking at trailheads and crowded mountain summits aren’t exactly our vision of a fun retreat into the wilderness. So today, I’m sharing seven of my best
The Key To Warm Winter Camping
Winter camping: it's intimidating for one very crucial reason: The fear of being cold. You can buy all the nicest gear and a sleeping bag with a negative-billion-degree temperature rating. But even then, in my experience, you're still missing something that can make a big difference in your winter camping comfort. I believe that this one simple trick is the key to safe, warm winter camping - and you probably already can do it with the gear you already have. Check