For the last couple of seasons I have mainly been reviewing luxury, high-comfort trekking bags. So even though the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 3400 is a tried-and-true thru-hiker's backpack, I thought it was high time that I shared my full breakdown of it.
Selecting your water treatment method can be one of the most crucial decisions you make in regards to your backpacking gear. It's tough to think of a higher priority for a safe and fun hiking experience than clean drinking water. Thankfully, these methods/gadgets don't cost an arm and a leg, and most of them are exceptionally packable.
There are a few pieces of backpacking gear that I take with me no matter where I go (well, in the backcountry that is). Now, this isn't the obvious stuff like a tent/backpack/sleeping bag, etc. This is a list of things that I think are a bit overlooked, and yet, in my opinion, essential to have with you on every trip.
The other day I was sitting in my car, in the parking lot of an REI, reviewing the receipt from my purchases. I bought 5 items, including hiking shorts and a water filter. The grand total…$349 USD. Now, this is not a knock on REI. They are a specialty retailer and so those high-end prices are to be expected. You'll always get great gear with exceptional warranty.
There are several pieces of gear that I rely on for every backpacking trip. Many of these are underrated and often completely overlooked by my peers. But given how useful and inexpensive they are, I think everyone should take another look at these 8 items. Let's get into it!
Ladies and Gentlemen, the fair-weather is upon us, and therefore, the 2022 hiking season is in full swing. This means that it's time to sift through the closet or garage and put together your arsenal. Plenty of your equipment may be ready to rock, others things may be in need of repair, and there may be some gaps in your gear-list that require a shopping spree.
Astral is a brand that has been making excellent water shoes for a long time. So if you're a guy like Ken over at PaddleTV, or just someone familiar with watersports gear, then you're probably already aware of their reputation. But just because a manufacturer can make great gear for one sport, doesn't guarantee that proficiency will transfer over to others. So gather 'round my backpacking brethren, and I'll tell if the TR1 Mesh can go toe-to-toe with other dry-land trainers.
Good gear makes such a difference in the backcountry. I'm always amazed at how my arsenal keeps progressing. Every year there are technological developments, and every year I get new tips that help me hone the backpacking craft. Today I'm going to tell you about the 8 items I bought this year that were such standouts, they made me wish I found them sooner. I'll give you my top picks (in no particular order) and then try to answer some common technical questions about each piece. Let's break it down!
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