Carrying a day pack for side trips while backpacking is another area where for a long time I fought even the slightest bit of extra weight. We would empty out our backpacks and carry one of those for any day hiking adventures when base camping in the backcountry. But, having a small day pack is…
Tag: Sleep system
Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads – How to Choose
Having one of the best backpacking sleeping pads is crucial to getting a good night’s rest after a long day of beautiful backcountry exploration. The idea of a sleeping pad seems very simple. The goal is to lift the body evenly off the ground, making a hard, rough, and uneven surface soft and comfortable enough…
Best Backpacking Pillow – How to Choose
The best backpacking pillow is constructed with durable materials and designed to keep your head elevated and centered throughout the night. They are lightweight, pack down small and most are surprisingly expensive. Some utilize down for warmth and have different methods of preventing the pillow from sliding during the night. Classification and Rating We classify…
Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags – How to Choose
The best backpacking sleeping bags are rated by temperature, material, weight, and how well they pack down. Quality manufacturing is also of the utmost importance as cheap zippers and poor stitching can allow cold air to seep into a sleeping bag. If you aren’t planning on backpacking in cold environments, you can get by with…
Best Backpacking Tent – How to Choose
Tents come in all shapes and sizes. If you are wanting to do any series backpacking your Walmart special isn’t the right tent. This isn’t to say there aren’t affordable ways to backpack with a tent but typically you will get what you pay for. There are trade-offs when you decide to go cheap on…
Best Backpacking Gear – What’s In Our Packs
In many ways, our love of backpacking is why we are nomads. Certainly, it is an extension of our passion for exploration. While YOLOM (our truck camper) takes us to many beautiful places, some of the most beautiful can only be accessed on foot. Backpacking isn’t just about the destination though. It is about returning…