This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. This section is about the gear you’ll need to hike during the day. Many of these will cross over with day hiking so if you plan to do some of that, then you can… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Hiking Gear
This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. Why do you need camp shoes? Camp shoes are lightweight shoes like Crocs or flipflops that you can wear around camp. Taking off hot, heavy hiking boots at camp and putting on fresh socks… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Camp Shoes
This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. Why do you need a GPS or a GPS phone app? Some trails are marked clearly with signs and trail markers but many are not. GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a system of… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: GPS and Phone Apps
This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. Why do you need a First Aid Kit? When you’re out hiking, you might be hours away from help. You are your own first aid when you’re in the backcountry. Small cuts and sprains… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: First Aid Kit
This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. Why do you need a coffee maker? I don’t go far without my Aeropress coffee maker but it’s big to bring on the trail. I like the Starbucks instant coffee packets the best. Easy and fast… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Coffee Maker
This post is part of the Backpacking Gear for Beginners course. Every time we head out for a hike (even just for a few hours) we need to do a few things first. Make a plan Asking a few questions every time you go hiking… Read More »Backpacking Gear for Beginners: Hiking Safety
The last thing I want to do when I get into camp is spend more time in my boots. They’re hot, moist with sweat and heavy to lug around past the hours I’ve already been hiking. Camp and hut shoes aren’t absolutely necessary but it’s… Read More »EXPED Camp Slippers Review: Lightweight and Comfy
We can’t all be out out in the woods running and hiking every single day. Some kind of strength and cardio setup at home is nice for those other days. We recently looked at a Bowflex treadmill as a way to get some kilometres in… Read More »Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells Review
Insoles that come in hiking boots and trail runners are pretty basic. They don’t offer a lot of support and only a bit of cushion. Swapping out the stock insoles for something better is an easy way to get a better fitting and more supportive… Read More »Review: SOLE Performance Medium Carbon Negative Insoles
Some hiking boots are waterproof and some are not. If a boot has a waterproof membrane inside then it should be waterproof for a long time. If a boot is some kind of leather without a waterproof membrane then it will very water resistant. If… Read More »Wet Feet or Not: Are Hiking Boots Waterproof?