Backpacking

Backpacking involves tons of waste. Just think about when you come home from a trip and dump a giant bag of messy trash right in the garbage, appalled by the amount of waste you created over the course of a single weekend. There are the single-serve meals, dozens of individually wrapped snacks, tiny packets of electrolytes…And almost none of it is recyclable, reusable or compostable. That’s a lot of waste.

So I wanted to see if I could do better. Iike, a lot better. And find out if I could spend three days in the backcountry and create absolutely zero waste. Want to see how I managed? Whether it’s even possible? If I’d do it again and what products exist to make it easier? Read on.

Down is often considered the superior insulator when it comes to sleeping bags for backpacking or camping. But it’s not the best choice for every adventure or every adventurer. If you’re vegan, down isn’t since it’s harvested from dead animals. If you’re on a budget, down is prohibitively expensive. Or if you want a versatile bag that’s suitable for all types of weather, down doesn’t insulate at all when it’s wet. The alternative? Synthetic insulation. But synthetic ultralight sleeping bags are often few and far between since the material is a bit heavier than down. So what’s an ultralighter to do? Try one of these synthetic ultralight bags on for size, of course!

New to the outdoors? Or just new to pooping in it? We’ve all been there. But don’t be nervous! There’s a first time for everything, as they say! But don’t worry; we’re here to help you loosen up and make pooping in the woods less taboo, less scary, and–dare I say it–more fun. So find yourself a bush, prepare to leave no trace, and learn how to poop in the woods the right way (yes, there’s definitely a wrong way)!

Tents are one of the four heaviest items you take backpacking (along with your backpack, sleeping bag and sleeping pad). And many backpacking tents out there claim to be lightweight, but weigh up to four pounds! Not these superstars. These five ultralight tents are not only some of our favorites (we’ve tested them all and have been packing UL for years), but help keep your pack light so you can go farther, faster. Take a look to see which one might be right for you.

There are plenty of ultralight tents available these days, and all of them claim to be the best. So we tested the iconic Zpacks Duplex two-person tent to see if it stands up to the other UL backpacking tent options available (and whether we’ll pack it in our UL setup again and again). Here’s what makes it unique and what we thought of it and its functionality.

A reliable pair of trekking poles is a beautiful thing. They make uphill hikes seem less strenuous, ease pressure on your knees on the downhill, and are a beautifully multi-functional piece of gear. What’s more, a good pair from a sustainably-minded brand will also be repairable. That means you can invest in a quality pair, fix them if small parts or pieces like clips or sections break, and keep using them for years to come (compared to cheap poles that break and you’ll probably have to replace in a few seasons if you’re an avid hiker). So if you’re in the market for an ultralight pair of trekking poles you’re ready to love for the foreseeable future, try one of these on for size and hike happy.

Can a backpack make hiking and backpacking with moderately heavy loads more comfortable, help you move more freely, maintain good posture and keep you balanced? Aarn Packs thinks they can. So we tested an Aarn Featherlite Freedom 50L backpack from this new-to-the-USA brand that offers truly original backpacks that challenge conventional backpack design. It is, without question, one of the quirkiest—and most highly engineered—backpacks we’ve ever tested with its intriguing “balance pockets,” web of cords and toggles, and highly adjustable suspension system. ut did all this radical pack engineering and design live up to the claims? Read on.

Love ultralight backpacking? If you’re looking for the best ultralight backpack, one of these might be your perfect match!

We love ultralight backpacking here at Terradrift. In fact, it’s the only backpacking we ever want to do. But finding the perfect ultralight backpack can be tricky. So we tested out the new Gossamer Gear Skala 38 to see how it performed, what features were valuable (or not) and whether we’d carry it again. Let’s dive in.

Women/femme/petite folks: You don’t have to “make do” with a pack not designed for your body anymore! Allow us to introduce you to the Symbiosis Gear Aspen Backpack: a 38L ultralight backpacking pack designed by women, for women.