Essential Backpacking Gear: 15 Items I Can’t Hike Without
If you’re on a quest for essential backpacking gear — the top-notch items that’ll enrich your life on the trail — you’ve come to the right place. Why? Because I’m a hopeless ultralight backpacking junkie, and I’m itching to nerd out over my 15 all-time favorite pieces of gear. Health, happiness, and comfort in […]
Montbell Versalite Rain Jacket Review
Price: $199 MSRP – Check Price on Montbell Noel’s Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars Pros: Lightweight, packable, full-featured, great fit, breathable Cons: Wets out after long rain exposure, pricey Weight: 6.4 oz | 182 grams Women’s Model: Versalite Jacket Lighter Option: Enlightened Equipment Visp – 4.9 oz | 140 grams Budget Alternative: Outdoor Research Helium […]
Budget Backpacking Gear: Cheap 10 lb Ultralight Kit [~$500]
Quality backpacking gear has a reputation for being pricey, but I’m here to show you that it’s entirely possible to put together an affordable ultralight setup on a $500 budget. That’s right; you can get your hands on a brand-new backpacking gear kit with a 10-pound base weight without having to max out your […]
Columbine Lake Trail: Superb Hiking Near Silverton, Colorado
Columbine Lake Trail in San Juan National Forest My step-for-step route I arrived at Silverton’s Columbine Lake Trailhead on an ominously overcast afternoon with dull thunder rumbling overhead and cold rain sprinkling down. I started the high-elevation hike against my better judgment, unsure of what the weather would bring. But the dark clouds […]
Road Trip Essentials: Interactive Packing List + 55 Must-Haves
I’ve been learning the ins and outs of road trip essentials and perfecting my packing list since I was old enough to get behind the wheel. The open road had me hooked at a very young age and will continue to draw me in for the rest of my days. As an eager teenager, […]
Herman Gulch Trail: Incredible CDT Day Hiking Near Denver
Herman Gulch Trail in Arapaho National Forest The Herman Gulch Trail is undoubtedly one of the best day hikes near Denver. With its trailhead situated just an hour’s drive from the heart of Colorado’s bustling capital, this Arapaho National Forest hiking gem is as beautiful as it is easy to reach. Over its […]
The Best Gifts for Hikers & Backpackers in 2021
It’s hard to buy gifts for hikers and backpackers in 2021. I get it. We’re a gear-hungry bunch who spends an obscene amount of time searching for products that’ll take our trail game to the next level. Choosing a present for a hiker that’s both unique and worthwhile can get overwhelming because we don’t […]
Montbell Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka Review
Price: $439 MSRP – Check Price on Montbell Noel’s Rating: 4.6 of 5 stars Pros: Extremely warm and lightweight, very comfortable, full set of features Cons: Not very water-resistant, slightly delicate, expensive Weight: 8.4 oz Women’s Model: Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Parka Lighter Option: Plasma 1000 Alpine Down Jacket: 4.8 oz Budget Option: Superior Down Parka: $209 […]
How to Start a Travel Blog in 2021: Travel, Create (& Get Paid)
Back in 2017, I saved up a chunk of money, quit my job, and started traveling. I had the world at my fingertips and big, shiny plans for the future. That’s right, I was going to start a travel blog and make money while exploring the earth at my leisure! How’d that turn out, […]
Ultra-Minimalist Travel Packing List for a Week
Ultra minimalist travel — these three words sound a tad extreme, don’t they? If they conjure up images of a sunburnt drifter hobbling down the sidewalk with ragged clothes and nothing to their name, I can’t blame you. But, it’s not like that, I swear. Ultra-minimalist travel is anything but an aimless struggle. It’s […]