Protein is important. Especially for those of us who are active outdoorists, whether that means we’re into hiking, climbing, backpacking, kayaking, mountain biking or anything in between. Because getting optimal …
Break out the insulated jackets because winter is here! At least here in Utah. But we’re OK with that, because winter and snow means we have the opportunity to play outside in ways we can’t the rest of the year: skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, all that good stuff. But winter also means it’s time to break out the layers, especially if you plan to go hiking, cross country skiing, or any other activity where you’ll be working hard in the cold but also need to stay warm when you stop for a snack break. Here are some of our newest faves for all your winter pursuits.
We a good ultralight backpacking tent here at Terradrift. Any ultralight backpacking gear, really. So we couldn’t have been more stoked to get our hands on the Durston X-Mid 2. We put it to the test recently to see if it was impressive enough to replace our beloved UL Big Agnes Tiger Wall. Spoilers: It sure the heck is. Read or watch to find out how and why.
If you’re new to backpacking–or ultralight backpacking–there’s probably A LOT you’re doing wrong that could potentially ruin your trip. I’m talking sore shoulders, sleepless nights, non-functional gear, you name it. So let’s talk about the biggest ultralight mistakes beginners make when it comes to ultralight backpacking and how to fix them.
I first learned about the Fjallraven Classic USA a few years ago. One day, I opened up my shiny new issue of Outside or Backpacker magazine (publications I now write for on a regular basis) and nestled inside was a small passport book with routes and info about the backpacking event in Colorado. Wow, I thought, this looks rad! And last month Fjallraven invited me to participate in the annual trip. I was excited and curious. What was this shindig all about? Who signed up for these sorts of things? Would I get to test any of Fjallraven’s vegan gear or clothing? What should I expect? Since I never turn down an invite to go backpacking, I obviously accepted and headed to Colorado to find out for myself. Curious? Read on.
In July, we headed to the mountains. The Tetons, to be precise. We loaded up the car, hit the road, and adventured our way all the way to Wyoming where we met up with my parents for our annual family backpacking trip, somehow managed to cram all of our stuff AND their stuff into our overloaded car, and prepared for some epic backpacking in Grand Teton National Park. Wanna go, too? Here’s our trip report, with deets, route info, and, of course, gear recommendations, to help you plan and pack for your own mountain adventure!
There’s a new ultralight backpack in town and it’s kicking it’s predecessor to the curb: the Ultralight Osprey Eja 55 Pro, also available as a men’s version, called the Exos, and it’s not only the newest Osprey ultralight backpack, it’s replacing their old one: the Levity (for men) and Lumina (for women). But is that a good thing? We tested them both to find out.
Spring has has officially sprung! And we couldn’t be more excited about it here at Terradrift (if it would only stop raining for more than five minutes so the mountain bike trails could dry out…)! Because spring backpacking might be the best backpacking. And we do love some early season backpacking gear (think insulated sleeping pads, cozy but lightweight insulated jackets, and lighter packs). So I hit the trail in Big Bend National Park this month with a handful of other rad, outdoorsy journalists to enjoy the season and test some fresh new gear. Miles were logged, elevation gained, views enjoyed, company appreciated, and a lot of good gear got the opportunity to shine. Here’s the spring backpacking gear we put to the test and what we thought of it.
We travel a lot here at Terradrift. Frequently with all our outdoor gear in tow. And occasionally, that travel is via airplane. But we hate checking luggage. It costs too much, there’s a chance it gets lost or delayed, and then we have to wait for it once we reach our destination. So if we can, we prefer to carry on our luggage. But is a backpack a carry on? Can full on backpacking backpacks be carried on instead of checked? Will a backpack fit in the overhead bin? Short answer: Sometimes. Read on to learn more.
Winter backpacking is the bomb Trails are empty, campgrounds aren’t crowded, you don’t have to fight for backcountry permits, there are no bugs or snakes or bears or other things that you have to watch out for in warmer months, and you definitely don’t have to plan months in advance to make park or camping reservations. But it does require a bit more gear and preparation. So if you’re gonna hike, camp, or backpack in the winter, you definitely need to be ultra prepared. Fortunately, we gathered up a bunch of great winter-specific gear, took it into the backcountry, and put it to the test to see what worked and what didn’t. Here’s what we thought of ALL OF IT!