stg-sectionhikercom-buttons.kinsta.cloud Backpacking Gear Reviews and FAQs

The REI Trailmade 60 is a high quality affordable and lightweight multi-day backpack that’s great for beginner backpacking or backpackers on a budget. Priced at just $149, it is a best buy with an adjustable length torso so you get a perfect fit, a well-padded pre-curved hip belt, easy-to-reach side water bottle pockets, and plenty of external compression straps. It’s …

Purifying water in the desert can be a unique challenge. Often, it’s hard to even find any water to begin with, and when you finally do, it’s opaque with silt or full of swaying algae or tiny worms. Much of it is frankly unappealing. In this article, I will discuss pathogens, purification methods, challenges unique to desert environments, and solutions. …

The QiWiz Big Dig Ultralight Titanium Trowel is an ultralight 0.5 ounce (15 grams) titanium cat hole trowel for digging holes in hard, rocky, and root-filled soil. It’s much sturdier than inexpensive plastic trowels and much lighter weight, too. Whenever I teach people how to dig a cat hole, they’re always amazed at how hard it is to dig one, especially …

Outdoor Research Ferrosi Hiking Pants are full-length soft-shell hiking pants with a lot more stretch (14% spandex) than most hiking pants. I like to wear them in warm to hot weather on and off the trail because they are comfortable and look so good. They are hipbelt and climbing harness-compatible with five pockets, including two that zipper close. Elastic drawcords …