Hiking

Sometimes you have no choice but to hike in the rain. Maybe you got caught in an unexpected storm or maybe you live in a wet climate. If you’re not prepared, hiking in the rain can be miserable. If you prepare properly, hiking in the rain can actually be pretty fun. Rainy days can offer …

Hiking the Wonderland Trail hike can seem overwhelming at first. You must consider permits, the weather, trail conditions, campsites, your route, transportation, gear, food, resupplies, and more. With a bit of knowledge and preparation, this is all manageable. This guide is designed to give you an overview of what to expect and an outline to …

One of the most important decisions you’ll have to make when planning your next hike is whether to wear waterproof or non-waterproof hiking shoes or boots. Your choice of footwear plays a major role in your comfort as well as your hiking performance. To help you decide, this guide explains the difference and outlines the …

These days, the trend in hiking footwear is minimalism. Lightweight and breathable options are preferred. Many hikers have switched from heavy hiking boots to lightweight trail runners over the past few years. A new trend that is quickly growing in popularity is hiking in sandals. Understandably, some hikers are skeptical about hiking with exposed feet. …

Some hikers can’t do without trekking poles and others couldn’t care less for them. This guide answers the question, are trekking poles worth it? To answer this question, we’ll outline the pros and cons of trekking poles. We’ll cover stability, safety, traction, knee strain, cost, efficiency, and more. I’ll also outline some of the different …

These days, many hikers are making the switch from sturdy and heavy hiking boots to lightweight and breathable trail runners. The best footwear for your hike depends on the terrain you hike on, the distances you hike, and the amount of weight you carry in your backpack. To help you decide, this guide outlines the …

When choosing a hiking backpack, one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is whether to go with a framed or frameless model. The backpack you choose determines how much gear you can carry, your comfort, and your hiking speed. The best hiking backpack for you depends on several factors including the weight …

In the past, external framed backpacks were the standard. These days, spotting one on the trail is a rare occurrence. Over the past 30 years, sleek, lightweight, and modern internal framed backpacks have taken over the trails. For most hikers, an internal framed pack is the best choice. That said, external framed packs still have …

When dressing for cold weather, you have a number of insulating fabrics to choose from. Two of the most popular materials are fleece and wool. The best fabric for winter clothing depends on the weather conditions you expect, the activities you do, and your personal preference. This guide outlines the differences between fleece vs wool …

It’s important to always prepare for poor weather. You never know when it’s going to rain. The ideal rain gear depends on the activity you’re doing, the weather you expect, how much gear you want to carry, as well as personal preference. When choosing rain gear for your trip, you have two options. This guide …