Backpacking

Let’s talk about periods! And I’m not talking about punctuation! Yep, this guide to backpacking or camping during your period goes out to all the people out there who menstruate! Because we want to help you get outside to play even when you’re menstruating. Because being on your period while camping or hiking or kayaking or backpacking shouldn’t be scary and it shouldn’t keep you from recreating if you don’t want it to. So here are a few tips, tools, and advice for better (and more sustainable) periods outdoors.

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.

The mountains are an amazing place to be. I love frolicking among wildflowers and alpine lakes surrounded by epic views, and I enjoy them more knowing these magical places were only accessible via my own two feet (and a whole lotta grit and determination). But if there’s one thing that can ruin a hiking or backpacking trip, it’s altitude sickness. Think you might have it? Wanna avoid it? Not even sure what the symptoms are? We’ve got you. Read on to find out how to identify, treat, and prevent altitude sickness.

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.

Anyone who’s been hangin’ around Terradrift for more than about 10 minutes is likely aware that I’m a big fan of barefoot shoes. I’ve reviewed lots of them, from sandals to boots to trail runners. And at this point, it’s safe to say I’m all in on barefoot hiking boots. So I thought it was high time we compared the Vivobarfoot Magna Lite SG with the Xero Shoes Scrambler Mid. I tested them both out, so let’s dish about how they differ and who’s gonna wanna check out which one.

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.

We’ve used a lot of water reservoirs over the years, but almost always find something to complain about with all of them. However, we may have just found the perfect reservoir for hiking and backpacking: The HydraPak Contour. We dish about what makes an excellent bladder and how HydraPak fits the bill.

We planned a pack and paddle and kayaked down a chunk of the Buffalo River and then backpacked back up. It wasn’t easy to plan, but it was a ridiculous amount of fun, especially given how few people complete such a trip every year. Fortunately, we’re gonna lay the whole thing out for you here and now so if you get the crazy itch to pack and paddle the Buffalo River Trail, you’re already one step ahead.

Backpacking doesn’t have to be stupid expensive. And you don’t necessarily need a bunch of specialized, single-use gear. In fact, you can save a ton of money with some of our favorite money-saving gear hacks. Here are eight to get you started.