Noel Krasomil 
Thinking of hiking the Trail of Ten Falls in Silver Falls State Park, Oregon? Read on for our top-to-bottom guide with photos, maps, tips, highlights, and more. It’s ridiculous that I waited over a year after moving to Oregon to hike the Trail of Ten Falls, but I finally made it at long last. This … Read more
For many of us budget travelers, landing pet sitting jobs is a dream come true. After all, you can travel the world cheaply while caring for pets and maybe a few chores—what’s not to like? If you’re wondering how to start pet sitting and land quality jobs, we have good news: it’s easier than you … Read more
I’ve been travel hacking credit cards, stacking up airline miles, and flying (practically) for free since 2016. Tokyo, Chengdu, Buenos Aires, Las Vegas, Mexico City, Washington DC — I’ve jet-setted to these world-class destinations for next to nothing. And I kick my feet up in swanky airport lounges, enjoying free food and drinks before each … Read more
I’ve been traveling light and using packing lists for years, and I’ll never take for granted how good it feels to travel carry-on only. Because I’ve seen how exhausting traveling with excess can be. That’s why I’m going to give you an up-close look at my do-everything, all-season travel setup. I want to show you … Read more
I’ve spent several years and thousands of miles on the trail earning my stripes as a backpacker, and I’m here to share my 2026 ultralight backpacking gear list with you. Because the gear you bring along can decide the fate of your backpacking trip. Believe me, I’ve overpacked and returned home a broken man enough … Read more
I’ve spent much of the past eight years traveling the world, often staying in people’s homes and caring for their pets in exchange for free accommodation. But before all that, I was born and raised in Colorado (and I happen to know Denver like the back of my hand). And when it comes to house sitting in … Read more
Searching for your next travel backpack? Read our in-depth review of the TOM BIHN Techonaut 30, which covers its materials, design, durability, and more. I’m a bit of a backpack nerd if you haven’t figured it out by now. I’ve spent more hours (days?) of my life geeking out over bags than I’d like to … Read more
Today, we’ll take a deep dive into the different backpack fabrics and materials that make up modern-day bags. We’ll start by looking at the most popular synthetic fabrics on the market: nylon (Ripstop, Ballistic, Cordura, and Robic), polyester, neoprene, Dyneema/DCF, ULTRA, X-Pac, and ECOPAK. After that, we’ll look at tried-and-true traditional fabrics, like cotton canvas … Read more
Hiking the Colorado Trail is no easy feat, so you must assemble a lightweight and functional gear list for your 2025 thru-hike, backpacking trip, or section hike. Dialing in your ideal setup is essential, so get prepared well before arriving at the trailhead. In this post, I’ll give you an easy-to-follow checklist and share some … Read more
When I tell people I’m a backpacker, they sometimes ask, “Well, what is backpacking, exactly?” Maybe they sense a complicated lifestyle choice, so I offer a simple explanation: “Hiking or traveling for extended periods of time with everything I need packed into my backpack.” Let’s dive deeper and discuss the two distinct styles of backpacking: … Read more