A solar charger is a very useful gadget for long backpacking trips because it allows you to easily recharge your electronic devices such as a handheld GPS device, hiking watch or a smartphone. Since many backpackers rely on these devices for navigation along the trails, solar chargers have become very popular. Especially those who use…
Backpacking, camping and scouting are great outdoor activities for children and adolescents, but they do require some proper equipment such as a good backpack, sleeping pad, sleeping bag etc. A good sleeping bag keeps your child comfortable and warm while he/she is camping out in nature. The offer of high-quality sleeping bags for kids is,…
For aerobic activities such as mountaineering and alpine climbing you need highly breathable rainwear so you don’t soak in your own sweat during exhausting ascents. Polartec NeoShell is by all accounts the most breathable waterproof fabric currently available. Polartec launched the NeoShell fabric in 2011 and soon it became clear that it offers better air…
Regular hiking pants might not provide sufficient warmth for your legs in cold weather. To keep your legs warm you can use either softshell pants or long johns. However, long johns are not the best option for hiking (except in super cold weather) as they restrict your movement and rub against your pants. Furthermore, they…
Here we selected the best backpacking hammocks. A hammock is a great alternative to a tent in warm and relatively dry weather because hammocks are typically lighter and pack smaller than tents. Furthermore, hammocks also provide a very comfortable sleeping position and are not prone to condensation issues like completely sealed shelters (tents, bivy sacks…
Here we selected and reviewed the best expedition backpacks with a capacity of 70 liters or more. Such backpacks offer enough storage space for expeditions lasting more than five days. However, be aware that the required capacity of a backpack greatly depends on the equipment and supplies that you need/want to carry with you. For…
Quilts are becoming increasingly popular among hikers, backpackers and mountaineers because they are lighter, less bulky and more adaptable than mummy sleeping bags. Unlike a sleeping bag, a quilt leaves your back in direct contact with the sleeping pad (the bottom of the quilt is open) and doesn’t have any zipper. However, it is typically…
A pair of high-quality shorts is very useful for hiking in warm weather because it provides better ventilation, comfort and freedom of movement than regular pants. However, shorts should be worn only for hiking on well-groomed and technically undemanding trails where protection against vegetation and terrain (rocks, cliffs etc.) is not required. In this review…
When trails and mountains are covered with snow, hiking becomes more challenging and requires additional gear and skills. Trudging through soft knee-deep snow is very exhausting, but you can make it less exhausting by wearing snowshoes. Snowshoes allow you to walk on snowy terrain without sinking in too deep. A snowshoe consists of a rigid…
A tarp is basically a sheet of waterproof fabric which can be attached with guylines to trees, trekking poles, rocks and other stabile things to form a shelter. Tarps are by far the lightest portable shelters; a high-quality tarp which accommodates two persons can weigh as little as 10 ounces (300 grams). Different modular components…
