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![Colorful down and synthetic jackets hanging, down vs. sysnthetic]()
Synthetic vs. Down: Which is Best for Your Thru-Hike?
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.
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![an assortment of blade sharpeners]()
How to Keep Your Knife Sharp
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.
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![insect repellent being sprayed onto clothing]()
How to Use Permethrin Insect Repellent on Clothing
The insect repellant, Permethrin, is designed for clothing and is effective against mosquitoes, ticks, spiders, chiggers, and mites.
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![4 different common tent stakes]()
Holding Strength of 4 Common Tent Stakes
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…
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![Spray Painting Tent Stakes]()
Why You May Want to Paint Your Tent Stakes
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!
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![multiple different kinds of tent stakes laid out in a pile]()
4 Types of Common Tent Stakes
There are four basic types of commonly used tent stakes: the Y-stake, V-stake, Shepherd’s Hook stake, and the nail stake.
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![knives laying on scale]()
What Type of Knife Should I Carry?
Every thru-hiker and backpacker should carry a knife. The best knife is one that can carry out multiple functions and remain lightweight.
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![A Smartwater bottle, Hydro Flask, Platypus Water Bag, and Nalgene bottle next to each other on a table.]()
The Best and Worst Backpacking Water Bottles
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.
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![shovel being measured]()
Should I carry a shovel on my 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.
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![A backpack with an ice axe and hiking poles on the snow]()
How to Attach an Ice Axe to a Backpack
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.
