11 Best Backpacking Tents of 2022 [Budget, Ultralight & More]
Picking out one of 2022’s best backpacking tents for your gear list is no small task. Because, in the wild and unforgiving backcountry, your tent is the only thing protecting you from the wind, rain, and critters that await outside. That’s why we’ve carefully chosen the 11 best backpacking tents on the market and […]
15 Best Minimalist Backpacks for Modern One Bag Travel 2022
As a nomad who lives with less, few things get me fired up like simple one bag travel while donning my minimalist backpack. The feeling that overcomes me knowing everything I need is gently resting on my shoulders as I get to know a new place is simply exhilarating. But fitting my travel essentials […]
Hostel vs Hotel: Differences, Safety & What’s Right for You
If you’re a worn-out traveler, you’ll need a place to rest your weary bones at the end of the day. This biological necessity comes with a price tag and a slew of options, chief amongst which lies the decision between picking a hostel vs hotel. It seems like an easy decision, right? Not so […]
Van Life: 13 Good, Bad & Strange Realities of Living in a Van
During my six years of on-again-off-again van life in my 2005 Chevy Astro, I’ve ventured down countless roads in search of riveting and unconventional experiences. I’ve bumped down rutted-out backcountry trails, cruised across barren deserts, navigated congested city streets, flown through miles of endless plains, and hopped aboard ferries to remote islands. I’ve slept […]
Polyester vs Cotton: Which Material is Best for Traveling?
Each day we’re faced with the choice of what to wear to best suit our needs, and this decision becomes even more magnified when we’re traveling. Catching trains, navigating airports, exploring crowded city streets – the movement of life on the go requires comfort, functionality, and confidence. If you’re reading this article, then you […]
Patagonia R1 Review: Regulator Fleece Pullover Hoody
Price: $159 MSRP – Check Price on REI | Backcountry | Patagonia Connor’s Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars Pros: Comfortable, versatile, easy to layer with Cons: Not very weather-resistant, not super packable Weight: 11 oz | 312 grams Women’s Model: R1 Pullover Lighter Option: Patagonia R1 Air Crew – 9.7 oz | 275 grams […]
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 […]