The KEY to Great Sleep Outdoors
What is the worst part about backpacking? I think most people would say it’s the sleep. I don’t know what it is, but I can hike all day long, be utterly exhausted from a hike
High-Quality and AFFORDABLE Ultralight Loadout
One of the most common misconceptions about ultralight (UL) is that it’s expensive. But in reality, UL isn’t any more expensive than traditional backpacking gear, if you know where to look. To prove it, I set out to put together a UL loadout that is high-quality, from well recognized brands, but still comes in under $850. For everything. Watch this video as I take you through the whole experience, or keep scrolling to read. https://youtu.be/POfHzNiWczU Okay, I’ve been working on this list for a while. As
5 BAD Habits that are DESTROYING Your Gear
Backpacking gear isn’t cheap. But if you treat it right, it will last you a long time. Like this sleeping pad I bought way back in 2009. You probably know it’s not good to leave your sleeping bag in its stuff sack. As I have talked about many times, sleeping bags keep you warm by creating loft. The beauty of down is how compressible it is. But leave it compressed too long, and it has a tendency to want to stay
Only ONE Good Reason to Use This Hammock—Haven Lay Flat Hammock Tent Review
I really wanted to like this thing! Its one of the only true lay-flat hammocks in existence. A hammock that even side and stomach sleepers can use. But to be honest, it seems like more like a gimmick than anything else. A little while back I was sent this Haven tent to try out. And I was intrigued because I’ve never been a big fan of hammocks, mainly because I’m a side sleeper, and hammocks just aren't good for side sleepers. But Haven tents
PRICE vs. WEIGHT—You Can’t Have Both! ZPacks Plex Solo vs. SMD Lunar Solo
So you don’t have $600 to drop on the lightest tent in the world. Well, the Lunar Solo is a very similar tent that is half the price (but also twice the weight). But it's still really light at just 26 ounces. How else do these tents compare? Left: Zpacks Plex Solo, Right: SMD Lunar Solo Zpacks Plex Solo vs. the SMD Lunar Solo You may have seen my blog post or YouTube video from a few weeks back where I took my first look at
$12 Hack Beats Expensive Down Jacket—Nikwax Down Proof Test and Review
Why am soaking my down jacket in a near freezing stream AGAIN? Because this time I want to see if the jacket I spent $12 on can perform as well as a $270 jacket. You may remember my post from a few weeks ago where I took this expensive jacket with specialty treated down and soaked it in near-freezing water to see if it could still keep me warm. Well, I did it again, but this time instead of relying on expensive factory-treated
Ultralight vs. Traditional Backpacking—Pros and Cons of Ultralight Backpacking
Do you remember that movie, Twins, from the 80s staring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny Devito? The two were twins born as part of a genetic experiment, but separated at birth. That’s what I think about when I think of ultralight versus traditional backpacking; these two things that are very closely related but drastically different. So, let's talk about the pros and cons of both, but we'll look at it primarily through the lens of ultralight backpacking. And I feel like I need to
You’ve NEVER Seen a Backpack Like This – Six Moon Designs Minimalist V2 Review
I’ve have owned A LOT of packs over the years: Gregory, Arctyex, REI, Dueter, Osprey, Gosomer Gear, Hyperlight Mountain Gear, Lowe Alpine
ONE BAG to Rule Them All—The North Face One Bag Review
So you know how in The Lord of the Rings, 19 rings of power are given to the elves, the dwarves and the race of men, giving them the strength and will to govern each race? “But they were all of them deceived, for another ring was made
Big 3 ULTRALIGHT MAKEOVER—Three Options to Cut Serious Weight!
By far, the heaviest things you carry into the backcountry are your tent, backpack, and sleep system. Depending on your setup, these Big 3 pieces of gear could weigh a combined 10 to 15 pounds on their own. But what if you're tired of carrying all that weight and have decided you want to go ultralight or even just shed a few pounds off your pack? This is the list for you. I have not just one, but three setups that will