Backpacking

Think you might want to go on a solo backpacking trip? We highly recommend it! It offers a fantastic opportunity to explore the outdoors at your own pace, listen to the sounds of nature, make new trail friends, and enjoy some quiet time with just you and your thoughts. I’m a big fan. But not everyone feels comfortable hiking or backpacking alone, especially women. But it’s not just women who are often afraid to embark upon a solo hiking adventure: people of color and LGBTQIA+ folks, even men from time to time, often feel uneasy on their own in the outdoors, too. Fortunately, there are ways to assuage that fear and go boldly into the backcountry with no company but your own. Here are a few tips on how to safely hike alone.

There are dozens of backpacking stoves to choose from these days: alcohol stoves, canister stoves, wood-burning stoves, tablet stoves, I could go on. But it can be difficult to know how to choose a backpacking stove for every adventure. After all, they all have their own sets of pros, cons, and best-use-case scenarios. So what’s the best backpacking stove and which one is right for you? We’ll break down the 5 main types, what they’re each good for, and when you might want to choose one over another right here, right now. Read or watch to learn more!

We’re big fans of backpacking here at Terradrift. You probably know this. We’re especially big fans of ultralight backpacking. Especially me. That’s partially due to necessity (I’m a tiny human person so the weight of my pack can get out of hand quickly) and partially due to the fact that we like to tackle longer distances in less time with less pain. Ultralight gear makes that more feasible. So we’ve taken to testing out some ultralight backpacks recently (maybe you saw our review of the Gossamer Gear Gorilla?). Our most recent: the MILE 28 backpack from cottage brand Waymark Gear Co. Learn all about this 16 oz pack right here, right now.

Planning your first backpacking trip? I bet you’re stoked. You should be. Backpacking is the best. But chances are, you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the gear lists and packing tips and you may be worried about forgetting something… But don’t worry. That’s what we’re here for: To help you prep and pack a backpack for your first backpacking trip like a pro. From what to bring to what NOT to bring, what to put where and how to carry it all more comfortably, this post will have you feeling more confident and ready to hit the trail in no time!

Backpacking in Guadalupe Mountains National Park offers a unique wilderness experience in the desert peaks of West Texas. You should go. Here’s how and what to expect.

Ultralighters rejoice, ‘cause have we got a tent for you: The One from Gossamer Gear. And it. Is. Lit. So read (or watch) to find out all about this ultralight tent from an Austin-based small business.

Looking for a baller winter backpacking tent for all manner of cold-weather camping and backpacking adventures? We’ve got you covered with the Mountain Hardwear Outpost 2 tent, a rugged and spacious 4-season tent designed specifically for snowy adventures, but just as suitable for milder seasons. Don’t believe one tent can do it all? Read on to learn more.

Like to backpack? Prefer to pack light? Then allow us to introduce you to the Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 liter backpack, a pack for all you ultralighters out there. But …

Looking for a backpack for extended trips in the backcountry that can handle loads of just about any weight AND keep all your gear organized? The Deuter Futura Air Trek 50+10 liter backpack is for you. Read (or watch) to see all the bells and whistles, how it performed, and what we thought of this very handy load-hauler.

Hiking boots don’t get much more comfortable or sustainable than the On Cloudrock Edge Raw. So we tested a pair out to see if something so sustainable required any sacrifice in performance. Spoilers: it doesn’t. So read or watch to learn more about these boots and how they performed on the trail.