Backpacking

I’ve been backpacking for over two decades now. And over that time, I’ve become more and more of an ultralight Backpacker. Meaning, I prefer to carry as a little weight as possible, no matter how long of an excursion I am embarking upon. So I decided to go all in. I upgraded my entire backpacking kit to include only the most ultralight gear I could find to test it out and see if it was worth the weight savings, the cost, and the lack of feature-rich gear. So I took it all out on a recent weekend trip, and will break it all down for you right here, right now, and let you know if some of the most ultralight backpacking gear in existence today makes for a better backpacking experience or a more miserable one.

Is there an ultralight backpacker in your life? One of those people who cuts their toothbrush in half or sleeps without a sleeping pad to save a few ounces (or grams)? Want to really wow them with the perfect gift that shows you understand their plight to have the lightest kit in town? These ultralight gifts for backpackers are guaranteed to impress. How do we know? Because we’ve either tested it or it’s on our own wishlist. Sustainability bonus: less weight means less fuel required for shipping! Huzzah! So shop happy (and ultralight)!

There are a pair of shiny new hiking pants for women on the market and they. Are. Legit. Why? They are designed to finally give anyone who has to pee sitting down the chance to laugh directly in the face of the patriarchy. Why? How? They allow women to pee in the outdoors with their pants still 100% on and their privacy protected. Got your attention? We thought so. Well, buckle up, because we’re gonna talk about these new SheFly Go Anywhere Pants, what we thought of them, and whether they’re worth the price right here, right now.

Winter is coming. (Sorry, I had to…) And that means it will soon be time to gird your feet in more insulated, protective shoes. (Permit me a moment of mourning as I put away my hiking sandals…) And that means it’s time to break out the winter hiking boots! But if you’re concerned with sustainability and/or are searching for warm vegan hiking boots, the pickings are slim to say the least. So we did some digging to find the best sustainable and vegan winter hiking boots on the market this season. These three are tops in our book!

Tired of piecemealing info together from across the web to educate yourself and learn the ropes when it comes to backpacking? Wish you had a guide to, well, guide you as you plan your first backpacking trip? Or a community of other backpackers to connect with? Dude! We read your mind! And we created the most baller backpacking 101 course ever so you can connect, get educated, and build the confidence you need to plan your very first backpacking trip (or your first one without your buddy with all the gear). Amazing, right? Honestly? We’re totally stoked about it. Wanna know more? Sure ya do. Read on and sign up now!

My good friend Sibley (“Possibly”) and I hit the Trans Catalina Trail this March to hike 37.5 miles in three days on stunning Catalina Island off the coast of L.A. Check out the stunning scenery, the windy campgrounds, and the local wildlife in this here video!

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!