We looked at how the 10K mAh battery bank technology has changed in the last 8 years. In 2013 battery banks were bulky, heavy, and only provided a rough estimate of the charge level. By 2018 battery banks were less bulky, lighter, and provided a better estimate of the charge level.
Solar panels are now lighter than ever. You can now purchase a 10-Watt solar panel for $22 that weighs less than 4 ounces. A lightweight solar panel might be a better option than carrying a heavy 20,000 mAh external battery.
When considering a solar panel it is important to understand your power needs in the wilderness. By understanding your power needs you will be able to address the best battery bank and solar panel solution.
I learn something new every time I adventure out into the wild. Here are some of the mistakes I made. Read on to make sure you don’t do what I did!
It can be hard to find a good gift for a backpacker. We worked hard to find affordable gifts that any backpacker would like to get.
Ramen noodles is a classic among long-distance hikers because it is affordable and easy to make. But eating packaged ramen can get boring. This simple Thai peanut ramen recipe is a great way to spice up your ramen.
There is no way around it – when you get off trail you stink. Follow these tips so that you do not annoy other people while traveling.
Before heading out on a long bikepacking trip, we recommend you really get to know your bike. Here are some of our top tips.
Three of the most popular long trails in the US are the PCT, CDT, & AT. Upon completion, ALDHA-West recognizes those as Triple Crown hikers.
Planning a day ride can be fun if you know how to prepare, what to bring with you, and where you want to go.
Before you set off on your first bikepacking or cycling trip, here are some things you should do to prepare.
It’s important to always be prepared while traveling by bike especially for long distances. Here are some of the tools and recommendations for your next bikepacking trip.
Mailing packages to yourself on the trail can be confusing. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Follow along for these tips & tricks!
When using the trail with others it is best to know the rules of the trail. Find out who has the right away before you head out on your trek!
Follow along for the best tips and tricks on machine washing your sleeping bag after your hike!
If you are going to spend anytime in the wilderness you will need to dig a cathole. Catholes are required for disposing of human waste.
I learn something new every time I adventure out into the wild. Check out these 5 hiking tips before your next hike!
Vacuum sealers are great for preparing backpacking meals for on trail, as well as preserving food you have at home.
If you are experiencing pain while you hike, using the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) may help.
Sending out resupply packages before your hike can be tricky. Follow these easy tips to have a stress free day when picking up your package.
A ground cloth or footprint is used to protect your tent floor from sharp objects that can easily puncture the bottom of your shelter.
If you’re going on a thru-hike, you should try to keep your pack weight low. Here are different types of scales that could help prepare you!
The majority of people don’t apply enough sunscreen when they adventure outdoors. Here are 7 tips to stay protected while on trail!
Plastic sealable bags are a great way to organize your food and gear without adding a lot of weight. Find out which bag is best for you!
Before you head out for your thru-hike or backpacking trip, it’s important to ensure your tent seams are adequately sealed.
A sewing kit is one of the most underrated hiking necessities. Here is what should be included in your sewing kit to be most prepared.
If you’re not careful, you may end up carrying an unnecessary heavy case while backpacking. Find out which cases you should leave at home!
Reducing your pack weight is very important for thru-hikers and long-distance backpackers. To help reduce the total pack weight it’s important to focus on the pack’s base weight.
Lightweight backpacking or thru-hiking doesn’t need to be expensive. Following these ten tips will help you along the way to packing a lighter pack.
The head represents about 10% of the body’s total surface area and leaving this exposed to the cold can rapidly reduce your body temperature. Here are three different types of hoods you can wear in the outdoors to keep you warm.
Having a few purification tablets in your pack provides a great backup in case you need to purify water while you are hiking.
Tent stakes should be placed all the way into the ground with no angle. Here we show you how to properly place a tent stake while camping.
The two most popular insulators are made from synthetic fibers or down. When preparing for your thru-hike or backpacking trip, you should know which type of insulation is best for your needs.
A dull knife can become more dangerous than a sharp knife so it’s important to know how to keep your knife sharp to maintain its full utility.
It’s always important to check the most current TSA rules before traveling to your thru-hiking or backpacking destination by plane.
The insect repellant, Permethrin, is designed for clothing and is effective against mosquitoes, ticks, spiders, chiggers, and mites.
We tested the holding power of four of the most popular and commonly used tent stakes to see how they performed. Here is what we found…
If you have tent stakes that are silver and are not colored at the top, they will likely be hard to see when you put them in the ground. Try this easy hack!
There are four basic types of commonly used tent stakes: the Y-stake, V-stake, Shepherd’s Hook stake, and the nail stake.
Every thru-hiker and backpacker should carry a knife. The best knife is one that can carry out multiple functions and remain lightweight.
We have identified two types of water containers you should avoid and two types you should consider using for your next thru-hike or backpacking trip.
If you are going on an overnight backpacking trip or a thru-hike, you should really carry a shovel with you to dig your cat holes.
Before every hike you should carefully inspect all your backpacking equipment to make sure everything is in good working order. For thru-hikers, gear should be thoroughly inspected and maintained at every town stop along their hike.
If you are hiking the entire PCT or CDT, you will likely need an ice axe at some point. Learn how to securely attach one to your backpack.
In this experiment we tested out the maximum amount of fluid a WAG (Waste Alleviation and Gelling) bag could absorb.
A hiker box is a box or area where hikers, trail angels, or others leave items for other hikers. They can be filled with all types of things.
In some hiking areas, people are leaving a negative impact by littering toilet paper. The outdoor bidet can help alleviate this problem.
Certain equipment is so important it deserves to be carried on every hike. This list of essential hiking items can be a lifesaver if you’re ever in an emergency.
The ability to find the North Star (Polaris) in the night sky is a very important navigational skill. Here is how to find it…
Like the Earth, the Moon is always half illuminated by the Sun. Here are the eight phases of the Moon and what they look like…
Some trails you can hike all year round, but other trails are best hiked during specific seasons. See when the best time to hike each of our trails is, and start planning your next hike today!
It’s important to know how to safely do laundry in the outdoors. If you’re a thru-hiker keeping your socks clean should be a top priority.
We compared four headlamps so you can see the advantages and disadvantages of the different types. The ideal headlamp for your hike will depend on your individual needs.
In a pinch, you can use duct tape to repair a tear, but for a more permanent repair I recommend using repair tape.
It’s super important to keep your water bottles clean on your thru-hike. Using bleach crystals is an easy, lightweight solution.
If backwashing your Sawyer water filter doesn’t help clear it, you might have calcium deposits. Try this easy trick to fix it.
You know that feeling when you have to go, but can’t find a good place to drop a load off? Using a WAG bag is the perfect solution!
There are now hundreds of different types of backpacking headlamps. By following these five basic steps you should be able to find a headlamp that works for you.
We reviewed the PETZL e+LITE emergency headlamp and found it is incredibly light and puts out a minimum amount illumination.
The PETZL Tactikka 300 lumen headlamp puts out enough illumination for night hiking the less groomed trails.
A lumen is a measure of the total quantity of visible light emitted by a light source. Generally the higher lumens the better illumination.
We reviewed the Princeton Tec Byte 200 lumen headlamp and found it is lightweight & puts out a good amount of illumination for night hiking.
We reviewed the Princeton Tec Byte 100 lumen headlamp and found it is lightweight and puts out just enough illumination for night hiking.
We tested five of the most popular lightweight backpacking stoves in various controlled wind conditions to see which stove performed the best in fuel efficiency and boil times.
We tested the newly released Jetboil Stash backpacking stove and this is what we found.
We tested three of the most popular disposable lighters based on cost, weight, packed dimensions, and number of lights. Find out which one was rated the best.
The BIC full sized lighter is the most common disposable lighter in the United States. We ran some tests to see how long it would last.
The Clipper Mini lighter is a compact, refillable lighter popular in Europe and the UK. We ran some tests to see how long the Clipper Mini lighter would last.
Coming from people who know everything there is to know about thru-hiking and long-distance backpacking, we decided to give you our top 6 lightweight and practical tips to consider on your next big hike.
We know that in order to use our app out on the trail, you have to keep your phone battery alive! Here are some tips to try and keep your phone from dying quickly while you’re out hiking off the grid.
A luxury item can make a huge difference on your thru-hike. Here are some items you may want to consider bringing with you on your next thru-hike or backpacking trip.
Preparing for a thru-hike can be overwhelming if you don’t have a plan. Here are 8 steps to get you started on your incredible journey.
We tested the difference between five different diameter pots to see if one size performed better than another. This is what we learned…
I always wondered whether I should leave my stove connected to my fuel canister or if it was better to take it off. Here’s what I found…
We talked to some of our favorite thru-hikers about their experiences and advice for newer hikers. Here is what we learned.
Regular glasses cases are heavy. We came up with a better, more ultralight idea for you to consider on your thru-hiking or backpacking trip.
As one of the most popular lighters for thru-hiking and backpacking, we decided to conduct a test and see how long a BIC Mini lighter would last.
What are the highest and lowest points on the Triple Crown Trails (Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, and Continental Divide Trail)? Find out by taking a look at our elevation profile data.
Are you going to bring a bear canister on your next thru-hike or backpacking trip? Here are some helpful tips to consider!
Snickers bars are a very popular thru-hiking and backpacking food because of the high-calorie density they have. We decided to test it out and see how many Snickers we could fit into the average bear canister.
Calculate how many calories you’ll burn while hiking and plan how much food you’ll need to bring on your trip using our Calorie & Food Weight Calculator.
We tested five of the most popular lightweight backpacking stoves to see which performed the best and which is the most affordable.
The Soto WindMaster was the overall best ultralight stove tested. Here is what we tested and why it ranked #1.
The Snow Peak LiteMax was the lightest stove tested and the easiest to assemble and disassemble but had long boil times compared to the other stoves tested.
The Soto Amicus performed well at an affordable price while being one of the lightest stoves tested. It also compacts up nicely and is easy to assemble.
The MSR PocketRocket 2 is probably one of the most used stoves for long distance backpacking. It has a reputation for being durable and getting the job done.
Should you carry the cap that comes with your fuel canister? We describe the reasons you should.
I analyzed the differences between the MSR IsoPro, Snow Peak Giga Power, OLicamp and the Jet Boil Jetpower fuel canisters to see which performed the best.
How much does a thru-hike cost? We put together a thru-hike cost calculator so you can estimate the cost of your next long-distance hike based on your own hiking style.
The best way to make your fuel last is to follow these five simple stove tips. Doing so can potentially double the life of your fuel canister.
One of the most important knots a hiker can learn is called the “Sheet Bend.” This knot is great for joining two lines together and can be very useful while out on the trail.
The best way to determine how much fuel you will need while hiking is to test your stove at home before your hike. Here are some equations to help you out.
Leave No Trace is a broad set of principles that we should all use to guide our outdoor behavior. Here is our take on the Seven Principles as they apply to no-impact hiking.
Cooking a meal on the trail can be more difficult than cooking meals at home. Here are some tips and hacks to convert your cooking pot into a measuring cup.
A backpacking spoon is one of the most cherished pieces of gear a hiker carries. We tested seven different spoons for performance, price, and weight to help you make your utensil decision!
When it comes to purchasing backpacking food, taking advantage of warehouse stores like Costco or Sams Club can save time and money. Here are some tips to help you shop smart for your hike.
When hiking or backpacking, it’s very important to understand more about lightning and thunder to help keep you and your trail family safe.
Town food can be one of the most expensive parts of long-distance hiking. Here are some tips on where to eat and how to best spend your money when in town.
This post covers one of the most expensive things you can do in town: stay the night. Here are options from camping outside of town to staying in a motel.
We’ve collected permit information for nearly all of the trails we offer guides to. Permits can be complicated, and we aim to make it simpler for you!
Preparing food for a long backpacking trip can be overwhelming. We provide some tips on how to choose the right food for you!
This blog post considers different body weights and hiking styles to provide a better estimate of the number of calories you will burn while backpacking.
Paul conducted an experiment to set out and see if he can provide scientific evidence that a lighter shoe is better for long-distance hiking.
What is the optimal break time when you want to hike big miles?
We taste-tested 10 different instant coffees and a few mocha mixes. Find out how they taste, how much they cost, and whether this is a good choice for your backpacking trip.
We tested eight different methods for making coffee in the outdoors, each with varying taste, cost, and weight.
Have you ever wondered how long a travel-size tube of toothpaste should last? We did the research so you will know.
We disassembled a Sawyer Squeeze filter to show you how it filters water and why you should backflush it to keep it clean.
New to the thru-hiking world? Don’t worry! Check out these terms to learn the “thru-hiking lingo” and you’ll be a part of the hiker trash fam in no time.
The Bowline knot creates a secure loop that can be very useful while hiking.
The round turn and two half hitches is a useful knot for backpackers.
Your battery indicator doesn’t always tell you the truth. When hiking, here is what you should do if your phone battery gets too cold…
I wrap up my series of Sawyer filter reviews by testing the flow rate of the Sawyer Mini against the Squeeze and Micro.
It is more effective to use the Sawyer coupler or a Smartwater bottle nozzle to backflush your Sawyer Squeeze filter than to use the Sawyer syringe that comes packaged with the Sawyer Squeeze filter.
Poodle dog bush is a plant along the Pacific Crest Trail in Southern California that causes severe, long-lasting irritation, worse than poison oak.
We continue our review of the Sawyer Micro Squeeze and Sawyer Squeeze, this time with different squeeze containers, including the Vecto, Evernew, Smartwater Bottle, and Sawyer Squeeze Pouch.
Would you like to hike for 5-6 months? A few weeks? A few days? We’ve got you covered. See how long each of our trails are by time and length.
Whether you’re stuffing stockings or looking for affordable hiking gifts, you’re sure to find something on this list.
We review Sawyer’s new Micro Squeeze water filtration system.
The definition of “thru-hiking” cannot be found in a dictionary. That’s why I asked these thru-hikers to share what thru-hiking means to them.
Ten affordable lightweight backpacking items that are a must for any trip.
How much food do you take backpacking? How much SHOULD you pack? Read how Guthook plans the right amount.
Since many hikers carry phones and portable batteries, we evaluated a variety of battery chargers and have some to recommend for long-distance hikers.
This set of maintenance tools is great and it fits easily in the side pocket of my pack.
You’re ready to hit the trail, your fully-loaded smartphone in hand. But how long will it last when you’re not near an outlet?
If you’ve been on the Appalachian or Pacific Crest Trail and thought, “there are a lot of people out here,” you’re not wrong.
I analyzed elevation data to come up with an estimate of the steepest climbs.
