Advice
8 Excellent Ultralight Backpacking Knives
I've merged my enthusiasm for knives and backpacking to bring you a list of backpacking blades that each weigh less than two ounces and are capable enough to handle trail life. Since...
How To Pick the Perfect Backpacking Knife
Almost every outdoor or survival gear list known to mankind includes one very important tool: a knife. In fact, knives are known to be one of the first tools ever...
The Best Backpacking Headlamps of 2018
Your headlamp is something you can throw in your pack (preferably in an accessible place) and forget about... then be really, really glad you have it when you need it....
5 Tips to Prepare your ENO DoubleNest Hammock for a Thru-Hike
When I first was introduced to the world of hammocks, there seemed to only be one choice: the ENO's DoubleNest (as configured with steel carabiners) weighs 1.5 pounds, or 24...
Diva Revolution: The Perks of the Diva Cup
Alright ladies (and gents who want to stay well-informed), it’s time to talk about the Diva Cup. As you gear up for a 2018 long-distance trek, it’s important to consider...
AT 2017: The Gear That Actually Worked
Narrowing down your gear and trying to trim ounces from your pack can be one of the most daunting parts of preparing for a thru-hike. You tend to get stuck...
My Top Five Pieces Of 2017 Thru-Hike Gear
It’s so fun seeing this flurry of thru-hike planning happening now on The Trek. I love to plan and to do research, so I’m having some pleasant, and not-so-pleasant, flashbacks...
Top Tents and Hammocks of 2017: Results from the Annual Hiker Survey
For the fourth year, The Trek has surveyed long-distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT) regarding the shelter systems they use - tents, hammocks, and more. Each year, we ask...
Planning Gear for your Flip-Flop AT Hike
To begin, let me emphasize that no two hikers will have the same gear. You might have some of the same items, but ultimately everyone has to figure out what...
Gear Lessons From a Hiker Who Never Learned Her Lesson
“The next time we’re in town, you’re getting a shakedown.” My concerned/exasperated hiking companions said this to me countless times throughout the spring and summer of 2017. At its heaviest,...