Whether hiking, backpacking or traveling, water filtration and purification is important. But not all portable water filters do both. So we’re gonna compare three portable water purifiers and filters in one and explain why it’s important to do both (and simultaneously avoid dysentery and giardia…)
Camping just isn’t camping without a comfy place to park your tush around the campfire (also, it’s a heckuva lot better than sitting in the dirt). But not all camp chairs are created equal. So here are the best of the best, including camp chairs for every type of outdoorist, from lakeside loungers to backcountry explorers.
Snow, wind, sub-freezing temperatures…it’s enough to turn most people off to winter camping. Add to that the high prices of 4-season tents (also called expedition tents), and a whole new group of potential campers fall out of the running. But if you want to go camping or backpacking in the colder months and reap all the benefits of recreating during the fourth season (empty trails, peace and quiet, animal encounters…), we’ve got good news: there are plenty of tents for winter camping out there with price tags that don’t include commas.
The number one reason people don’t want to go camping in the winter? The cold. But don’t let the thermometer dictate when you get outside and play; learn about R-values and how to sleep warmer while winter backpacking with these insulated sleeping pads designed for the fourth season (and to keep your butt from freezing).
Winter is coming. And yeah, that oft-quoted phrase carries extra negative connotations this year (thanks, COVID). But the one thing it’s always mean: it’s gonna get cold. Even down here in Texas where, I kid you not, the high today is 44º. (Don’t laugh! That’s cold for those of us who can’t run far enough south to escape cold weather!) And though winter means more people will likely be hiding indoors this season, that’s certainly not necessary. In fact, for quiet, secluded trails and lots of vacancies at campgrounds, winter is a great time to get outside and beat the crowds. But the key to keeping the cold at bay during outdoor activities this season: our outdoor guide to layering.
I’m a sucker for a good outdoor blanket. A soft, cozy, durable blanket that can accompany me on all of my adventures. Fortunately, there are several brands making not only high quality outdoor blankets, but sustainable ones, too. And since so many of the are so much more than basic rectangles of fabric, you better believe they’ll be perfect for everything from backpacking in the mountains to weekend camping trips to picnics in the park and outdoor movies on the lawn. So if you’ll be adventuring outdoors this season (or any season), check out these sweet sustainable outdoor blankets designed with adventure in mind.
We love to eat. That includes on the trail. In fact, that’s how you know it’s a good hike: when you’re working so hard you can’t wait to get to camp to set up and make dinner. And while we tend to take charge and prepare our own backpacking meals when we’re out in the wilderness (find a whole cookbook full of our plant-based backpacking recipes here), sometimes you just want to grab-and-go. By which we mean grab a pre-packaged meal off the shelf and hit the trail without all the measuring and prepping and bagging. So if that’s you, here are 7 pre-packaged vegan backpacking meals so you can fuel up without all the forethought.
We love being outside. We love it when others love being outside. We don’t love it when others don’t respect outside. So with more and more people heading outdoors these days, we thought it was high time that we discussed a few rules for the outdoors so all of us can enjoy the outdoors together. Some of these are suggestions that merely make the whole outdoor experience more pleasant for everyone involved, and some are hard and fast rules that can destroy delicate ecosystems (or your life) if not followed. So read up, then get outside and wander on!
We reserve special snacks for trail days. Snacks like vegan jerky and stroop waffles. But if you’re looking to eat less meat and dairy on the trail, searching for ideas for vegan hiking snacks, or just looking to mix up your munchie game, here’s a list of some of the packable, un-crushable, calorie-dense things that fuel us on our adventures.
It’s still summer. In fact, we’re sliding into August, which is typically the hottest month of the year in most places in the Northern Hemisphere. Which means if you’re playing/hiking/cycling/backpacking outside, you’re probably sweating. A lot. And a lot of sweat means your body is losing a lot of H20 (and other stuff). Which means your risk of dehydration is higher. So you need to drink more water. But here’s the thing: if you’re out working hard and sweating for over an hour at a time, your body needs more than water to keep itself functioning properly. It needs salt and minerals like potassium. It needs electrolytes. But not all electrolytes are created equal. So if you’re looking for better electrolyte drink mixes without all the artificial color, flavor, additives or sweeteners, we’ve got you covered. Here are 5 sports hydration mixes that aren’t Gatorade so you can hydrate and keep wandering on.