Partner: Hiking

Today is a tale of my personal woes in hopes that my mistakes can be your guide. Whether you're a beginner backpacker or someone who has been doing it your whole life, things get overlooked in our excitement, or delirious fatigue, or in the cases I'll tell you about today, excessive confidence. I've spent many years backpacking advanced trails and even 3 years as a guide. Though these experiences are largely an asset, my successes have also contributed to some boneheaded moves. I now humble myself before you, dear reader. Let's all take note and avoid these mistakes going forward. 

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!

The Grand Staircase Escalante region is one of the most beautiful areas in the country. It’s so rugged and remote that was the last area in the lower 48 to be mapped. It also happens to be a stone’s throw from my home.

I'm going to be pitting the three most badass backpacks (in my opinion) against each other in order to help you make the right decision for your upcoming adventures.

South Dakota might just be one of the most surprising states in the country. Bring up South Dakota and you might think of rolling grasslands and farmland as far as the eye can see, but that does the state little justice. It’s probably not regarded as one of the top adventure destinations. But it should be!

I was excited to see what innovations were included in the Bridger 65L backpack by Mystery Ranch.

A hiker's attire can make or break any adventure. So today, I'm going to be talking about something very near and dear to my butt…I mean heart! Pants. I'm going to be discussing pants - 3 of my favorite pants, to be specific. By taking a closer look at various styles (i.e. the Rab Radius, the Coalatree Trailhead, and the Outdoor Research Ferrosi), I'll be able to highlight the pros and cons of different materials, fits, and features. All three pants are similarly priced, and so the right pair(s) for you will really come down to your own preferences and needs. But here's what I can tell you. 

The Jetboil has become the go-to stove for many backpackers. It boils water incredibly fast and has highly efficient heat transfer, which therefore saves on fuel. These selling features are no doubt what captures the attention of the camping community, myself included. For the last several years I shifted almost exclusively to using the Jetboil.

The Gregory Baltoro is one of the classic backpacks for backcountry adventuring. I used an older, slightly larger version (the Baltoro 75) while on a 7-month trek through the Andes of South America. Recently, I got a chance to test out the revamped design in advance of its spring 2022 release. I loaded up a good 35lbs in the 65-L pack and took to the red cliffs of Sedona, Arizona, to hike several miles over mixed terrain. How do the latest upgrades compare to the tried-and-true predecessor? Here's what I can tell you. 

Backpacking with someone new can be an eye opening experience. They come from different backgrounds and learned skills and techniques that may vary wildly...

The Wind River Range is nestled southeast of the Grand Tetons. The mountain drama, the sheer rock rising vertically out of the plains that is so dramatic in the Tetons, is also gloriously present in the Wind Rivers as well. But the Wind River Range requires more effort to get to, and thus, doesn’t have the crowds of its big brother in the National Park.

With a unique angle on my normal adventures, I set off for California to explore the wild and adventurous side of their big cities. I’m not normally a city guy, so this would be a bit of a stretch for me. But I’m passionate about getting people outside and exploring their backyards, and as so many people live in the city and can’t feasibly travel long distances to wild places, I welcomed the chance to get a little more creative and see what could be explored and enjoyed close to some major urban areas.

An avid hiker, knowledgeable wilderness explorer and passionate adventurer, Eric Hanson is the face of the Epic Trails – Hiking project. Eric has a strong presence in the online hiking community and shares his adventures in an approachable and inspirational way.