The Joys of Shoulder-Season Backpacking (and the Gear to Make it Work)
Shoulder season can be the best time for backpacking as summer crowds disperse, but the weather is still moderate.
US-Made and Cottage-Industry Backpacking Gear Companies
A list of our favorite made-in-the-US backpacking gear from cottage companies and brands who got big but still make their gear right here in the US
Our Favorite (BEST??) Backcountry Coffee
We aren’t one of those places that tout “The Top 10 Best.” What we will say is that these are Katie’s *favorite* backcountry coffee brands, and she thinks they’re the best.
Zpacks Free Duo Tent Review
Final Verdict: The Free Duo Tent by Zpacks Exceeds Expectations The Overview The Free Duo is a two-person freestanding tent—one that can be further secured with four stakes to spread the bathtub floor most efficiently. Eight stakes can be used in very windy weather to offer the most secure pitch. Read more
Coros Vertix 2 – A Watch Review
The Coros Vertix 2 is the second edition of the most robust watch in the Coros lineup. This new iteration has longer battery life, added features, and an improved screen.
The Best Time to Fine-Tune Your Backpacking Gear is During a Backpacking Trip
Next time you’re out on the trail, take note of what’s working and what isn’t in your backpacking gear. Then, work on fine-tuning it.
Gear List for Fall Backpacking
Fall backpacking means warm days, cold nights, and major temperature swings. Here’s the gear we recommend for trips this season.
Melanzana Grid Hoodie vs Appalachian Gear Company All-Paca Hoodie
In the world of popular (but impossible to find) mid-layers, is the Melanzana Grid Hoodie or Appalachian Gear Company All-Paca Wool Fleece a better option? Over the past few years, these companies have risen to the top of the backpacking fashion world. Both are recognizable, sought after, and often out of stock. Is one a better layer than the other?
Gear for a Local Overnight Backpacking Trip
Whenever I have two days off in a row, I try to squeeze in a quick backcountry trip. Here’s the gear I take for these trips.
Uinta Highline Out and Back Gear
This is the gear Backpacking Routes co-founder Jeff Garmire took on his out-and-back hike of the Uinta Highline Trail.