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Cheap vs Expensive Trekking Poles: Are They Worth It?

What’s a hiker to do when shopping for trekking poles and one is twenty bucks and the other is $200? What? What they heck is the difference to require such a massive price difference? And are expensive trekking poles even worth it? We break it all down to help you decide if you should save your hard-earned cash for other gear or splurge on fancy new sticks.

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You’re Doing it wrong: Winter Hiking Tips So You Can Enjoy the Fourth Season

If you think you hate hiking in the winter, if you’re always cold or your phone battery is always dying or your drinking water freezes in your hydration reservoir tube, well then I’ve got bad news for you: You’re doing it wrong. Winter hiking, that is. Fortunately, we’ve got plenty of winter hiking tips so you can get back to a place where you enjoy spending time outdoors year-round. Yup, even when it’s cold out or–God forbid–there’s snow on the ground. Here’s how to stop doing winter hiking wrong.

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Looking for an Epic Adventure? Hiking in Austria: The Arlberg Trail

Three days, 32 miles (well, 25 if you do it right), 5 towns, 3 hotels, and a whole lotta mountains. Also ups and downs. LOTS of ups and downs. THIS is hiking in Austria: The Arlberg Trail.
We completed the shiny new trail this September (it opened in 2022) and it. Was. Magical. We’re talking wildlife, majestic landscapes as far as the eye can see, alpine lakes, mountain huts, colorful villages each night, and three days of non-stop, jaw-dropping, holy-cow-these-photos-are-gonna-be-unbelievable vistas.
We’re talking a once-in-a-lifetime experience, here (for most people anyway…we’d totally go back and do it again). Think you’re up for it? Here’s everything you need to know about hiking in Austria on the Arlberg Trail, from the route, to mileage, to booking, to where to eat, and more.

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Our Favorite Vegan Hiking Snacks

We. Love. Snacks. True story. If I could just snack all day long every single day I would be a happy camper. Fortunately, when we’re hiking and backpacking, we can snack practically all the time. And we do. Because your body needs more consistent fuel when you’re working hard. Our general rule of thumb on a hard, long hike: consume about 100 calories every hour or two. Fortunately, that’s easy to do when we’re fully stocked with our favorite hiking snacks. But if you’re in a snacking rut and tired of the same ol’ trail mix (we feel you), reach for one of these vegan, Terradrift-approved snacks for hiking and backpacking instead!

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Backpacking and Camping During Your Period: How to Have a Better Period Outdoors

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.

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Vegan Energy Gummies to Fuel Your Most Epic Adventures

Whether you’re backpacking, bikepacking, trail running, cycling, or whatever the heck else it is you do, it’s kinda important to keep your body fueled and engine running. Almost as important as staying hydrated. But a lot of easy, tasty options out there for fueling quickly on the go aren’t vegan, including some energy gummies and chews (many contain gelatin, which is made of fish or animal bones). Fortunately, there are some baller and delicious vegan energy chews out there for the plant-based crowd. Huzzah! Here are 5 that we’ve tried and why we dig ’em.

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Battle of the Barefoot Hiking Boots: Xero Shoes vs. Vivobarefoot!

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.

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