Backpacking Guides

BACKPACKING GUIDES AND HOW-TO'S


The 10 Backpacking Essentials: PDF Checklist

Backpacking

The 10 Backpacking Essentials: PDF Checklist

42 Ultralight Backpacking Tips: How to Shave Pack Weight

Ultralight

42 Ultralight Backpacking Tips: How to Shave Pack Weight

Hiking Clothes 101: What to Wear

Hiking, Clothing

Hiking Clothes 101 | What to Wear

Female Urination Devices 101 | How to Use

Accessories

Female Urination Devices 101 | How to Use

Permethrin Insect Spray

Animals

Permethrin Insect Spray

Guide to Tent Footprints

Ultralight

Guide to Tent Footprints

Bear Scat Identification

Animals

Bear Scat Identification

Leukotape for Blister Prevention

Accessories

Leukotape for Blister Prevention

Best Insect Repellents

How To, Animals

Understanding Types of Insect Repellents

Guide to Whoopie Slings

Accessories

Guide to Whoopie Slings

Guide to Mountain Glissading

Activities

Guide to Mountain Glissading

Backpacking First Aid Kit: Ultralight (1.5 oz) and DIY

First Aid

Backpacking First Aid Kit: Ultralight (1.5 oz) and DIY

Contour Lines and Topo Maps

How To

Contour Lines and Topo Maps

How to Setup Camp in the Wilderness

How To

How to Setup Camp in the Wilderness 101

How to Identify Animal Tracks

Animals

How to Identify Animal Tracks

How to Setup Guylines and Stake Down a Tent

How To

How to Setup Guylines and Stake Down a Tent

Backpacking with a Pee Bottle

How To

Backpacking with a Pee Bottle

How to Start a Fire | 11 Methods Without Matches

How To

How to Start a Fire | 11 Methods Without Matches

Bicycle Touring 101 | How to Start

How To

Bicycle Touring 101 | How to Start

Bear Bells 101 | Do They Really Work or Not

Accessories

Bear Bells 101 | Do They Really Work or Not?

tooth powder recipes

How To

Do Tooth Powders Really Work? | 3 Homemade Recipes

how to apply tent seam sealers

How To

Tent Seam Sealers 101 | How to Apply and Waterproof Your Tent

trail signs markers and blazes

How To

How to Read Hiking Trail Signs, Markers and Blazes

best-chamois-creams

Accessories

Chamois Cream 101 | How to Use and Apply

how to pack a backpack

How To

How to Pack a Backpack | THE Complete Thru-Hiker's Guide

best ultralight tarp tent configurations

How To, Ultralight

10 Best Ultralight Tarp Shelters and Configurations

lightning safety outdoor tips for backpacking

How To, Safety

Lightning Safety Tips for Hiking

how to identify poisonous plants

How To, Safety

Poisonous Plants Identification Guide

ursack used as a bear bag

How To, Ultralight

How to Hang a Bear Bag 101 | PCT Method Explained

how to remove a tick on human skin

How To, Safety

How to Remove a Tick Safely | With and Without Tweezers

best foot balms how to use

How To, Accessories

7 Best Foot Balms and How to Use

how to identify poison ivy

How To, Safety

How to Identify Poison Ivy (with Pictures)

guide to hammock camping

How To, Ultralight

THE Ultimate Guide to Hammock Camping

how to use a compass

How To, Accessories

How to Use a Compass | Land Navigation 101

desert clothing gear list

Clothing

Desert Clothing for Hiking | What to Wear and Why

best travel insurances

Travel, Safety

The 5 Best Travel Insurances

are snake bite kits effective

First Aid

Snake Bite Kits: Do They Really Work?

how to tie knots

How to

How to Tie Knots: 11 Essential Knots for the Outdoors

backpacking checklist

Backpacking

THE Ultimate Backpacking Checklist (PDF)

living with lyme disease

Safety

What it's Like Living with Lyme Disease

moleskin for blisters

First Aid

How to Use Moleskin for Blisters

beginner's guide to bikepacking

How To

The Beginner's Guide to Bikepacking

how to wash a sleeping bag

How To

How to Wash a Sleeping Bag | Hand Wash AND Machine Wash

average hiking speed

How To

What's the Average Hiking Speed? How to Calculate Your Pace on the Trail

national park vs national forest

Backpacking

National Park VS National Forest: What is the Difference?

winter hiking guide

How To, Guide

THE Ultimate Guide to Winter Hiking

black bears dangerous

Animals

Are Black Bears Really Dangerous?

backpacking tips

Ultralight

Backpacking Tips for Beginners

bear comparison guide

Animals, Guide

8 Types of Bears Compared (Identification Guide)

univesal edibility test

HOW TO, SAFETY

The Universal Edibility Test

ultramarathons guide

Guide, Activities

THE Complete Guide to Ultramarthons

bushwhacking guide

Guide, Activities

Guide to Bushwhacking 101

map colors 101

Guide, How to

Map Colors 101

BEST ULTRALIGHT GEAR


9 Best Backpacking Hammock Tents

Shelter

9 Best Backpacking Hammock Tents

7 Best Bear Canisters for Backpacking

Accessories

7 Best Bear Canisters for Backpacking

6 Best Hiking Gaiters: From Ultralight to Full Boot Protection

Footwear

6 Best Hiking Gaiters: From Ultralight to Full Boot Protection

Stuff Sacks and Compression Bags

Bags

Stuff Sacks and Compression Bags

7 Best Personal Locator Beacons and Satellite Messengers

Accessories

7 Best Personal Locator Beacons (and Satellite Messengers)

best backpacking sleeping pads

Accessories

11 Best Sleeping Pads

backpacking headlamps

ACCESSORIES

12 Best Ultralight Backpacking Headlamps

Sock Liners for Hiking and Backpacking

Accessories

Sock Liners for Hiking and Backpacking

5 Best Bear Sprays and How to Use

How To, Animals

5 Best Bear Sprays and How to Use

The Best Ultralight Backpacking Cookware and Titanium Pots

Cookware

The Best Ultralight Backpacking Cookware and Titanium Pots

best camp shoes

FOOTWEAR

10 Best Camp Shoes

best sleeping bag liners

Ultralight

The Best Sleeping Bag Liners

12 Best Ultralight Down Jackets for Thru-Hiking

Clothing

12 Best Ultralight Down Jackets for Thru-Hiking

Ultralight Backpacking Pillows

Accessories

Ultralight Backpacking Pillows

best packrafts

Accessories

9 Best Lightweight Packrafts

7 Best Crampons and Microspikes

Footwear

7 Best Crampons and Microspikes

7 Best Balaclavas and Ski Masks

Accessories

7 Best Balaclavas and Ski Masks

13 Best Hiking Shoes Trail Runners and Lightweight Boots

Footwear

15 Best Hiking Shoes | From Trail Runners to Lightweight Boots

14 Best Ultralight Backpacking Sleeping Bags

Accessories

14 Best Ultralight Backpacking Sleeping Bags

11 Best Ultralight Backpacking Stoves

Cookware

11 Best Ultralight Backpacking Stoves

3p tents

Shelter

10 Best 3-Person Tents

best minimalist sandals

Footwear

6 Best Minimalist Sandals: Guide to Barefoot and Running Sandals

ultralight backpacking gear list

Backpacking

Ultralight Backpacking Gear List | 8 lb Base Weight (Full Comfort)

best hiking hats

ACCESSORIES

The 12 Best Hiking Hats

11 Best Ultralight Trekking Poles

Accessories

11 Best Ultralight Trekking Poles

best ultralight hiking skirts

Clothing

8 Best Lightweight Hiking Skirts for Thru-Hiking

best ultralight hiking shorts

Clothing

8 Best Lightweight Hiking Shorts for Thru-Hiking

best ultralight smallest pocket knives

Accessories

13 Smallest Pocket Knives for Ultralight Backpacking

best ultralight backpacking chairs

Accessories

10 Best Ultralight Backpacking Chairs

best merino wool base layers

Clothing

9 Best Merino Wool Base Layers

best hammock underquilts for backpacking

Accessories

8 Best Hammock Underquilts for Backpacking

best hiking socks

Clothing

10 Best Hiking Socks for Long-Distance Backpacking

best rain jackets

Clothing

16 Best Ultralight Rain Jackets and Shells for Hiking

double sleeping bags

ACCESSORIES

The 9 Best Double Sleeping Bags

best hiking shirts

Clothing

11 Best Lightweight Hiking Shirts

best bivy sacks

Shelter

11 Best Ultralight Bivy Sacks for Backpacking

best ultralight hiking umbrellas

Accessories

7 Best Ultralight Hiking Umbrellas (and How to Use)

best hiking pants

Clothing

11 Best Hiking Pants

best water filters for backpacking

Accessories

10 Best Water Filters for Backpacking

best hiking watches

Accessories, Tech

12 Best Hiking Watches

dog backpacks

Accessories, Dogs

8 Best Dog Backpacks for Hiking

best biodegradable soap for backpacking

Hygiene

14 Best Biodegradable Soaps for Backpacking

best lightweight snowshoes

Footwear, Winter

The 10 Best Snowshoes for Winter Backpacking

best winter gloves and mittens

Clothing, Winter

10 Best Ultralight Winter Gloves and Mittens

best glove liners

Clothing, Winter

10 Best Glove Liners for Cold Weather and Winter Sports

buying and selling used backpacking gear

Clothing, Accessories

19 Best Places to Buy and Sell Used Backpacking Gear

best backpacking quilts

Accessories

10 Best Backpacking Quilts

best rain pants

Accessories

10 Best Rain Pants for Backpacking

biodegradable toilet paper

Leave No Trace, Hygiene

13 Best Biodegradable Toilet Paper Options to Use in the Woods

down pants for backpacking

Clothing

The 8 Best Ultralight Down Pants

best glacier glasses

Accessories

The 9 Best Glacier Glasses

best down booties

FOOTWEAR

11 Best Down Booties for Backpacking

external frame packs

BAGS

The 5 Best External Frame Backpacks

ultralight tents

SHELTER

15 Best Ultralight Tents

rain gear

ACCESSORIES

The Best Rain Gear for Hiking

tent stakes

ACCESSORIES

11 Best Tent Stakes

ultralight backpacks

bags

13 Best Ultralight Backpacks for Thru-Hiking

waterproofing sprays

ACCESSORIES

7 Best Waterproofing Sprays for Hiking Gear and Clothes

fire starters

ACCESSORIES

12 Best Fire Starters

hammock straps

ACCESSORIES

7 Best Hammock Straps for Backpacking

best hiking sandals

Footwear

The 11 Best Hiking Sandals

best waist packs

ACCESSORIES, BAGS

12 Best Waist Packs for Hiking

FOOD AND WATER


How to Cut Water Weight: A Backpacker's Guide to Hydration

Backpacking, Ultralight

How to Cut Water Weight: A Backpacker's Guide to Hydration

16 Best Beef Jerky Brands - The Guide to Dried Meat Snacks

Checklist

16 Best Beef Jerky Brands - The Guide to Dried Meat Snacks

Electrolyte Replacements 101

Drinks

Electrolyte Replacements 101

No-Cook Stoveless Backpacking Meals 101

Meal Plan

No-Cook Stoveless Backpacking Meals 101

15 Best Backpacking Fruits and Vegetables

Checklist

15 Best Backpacking Fruits and Vegetables

best meal replacement bars

Backpacking

The 7 Best Meal Replacement Bars

The 7 Best Homemade Trail Mixes - From Savory to Sweet

DIY Recipes

The 7 Best Homemade Trail Mixes - From Savory to Sweet

Backpacking Coffee Options

Guide

Backpacking Coffee Options

The 6 Best (Real) Meal Bars - A Complete Guide

Review

The 6 Best (Real) Meal Bars

backpacking food ideas

Tips, Meal Plan

76 Backpacking Food Ideas from the Appalachian Trail

Backpacking Food Tips and Hacks

Tips

Backpacking Food Tips and Hacks

How Many Calories Do I Burn Backpacking

Backpacking

How Many Calories Do I Burn Backpacking?

5-Day Backpacking Meal Plan: Ultralight Food Breakdown

Meal Plan

5-Day Backpacking Meal Plan: Ultralight Food Breakdown

16 Best Edible Insects

Food Ideas

16 Best Edible Insects

17 Easy Backpacking Meal Recipes

DIY Recipes

17 Easy Backpacking Meal Recipes

10 Best Dehydrated Vegetable Brands for Backpacking

Meal Plan

10 Best Dehydrated Vegetable Brands for Backpacking

alcohol stoves

Backpacking, Ultralight

10 Best Alcohol Stove for Ultralight Backpacking

meal replacement powders

Review

Meal Replacement Powders (Shakes and Drinks)

high calorie backpacking foods

Food Ideas

18 Super High Calorie Backpacking Foods

freezer bag cooking recipes

DIY Recipes

13 Yummy Freezer Bag Cooking Recipes

best instant coffee brands

Review

12 Best Instant Coffee Brands for the Outdoors

freeze dried food brands

Review

13 Best Freeze-Dried Food Brands

best cricket bars

Review

8 Best Cricket Bars for the Outdoors

best survival food brands

Review

11 Best Survival Food Brands

best water purification tablets

Review

The 5 Best Water Purification Tablets

best sporks

Backpacking, review

The Best Sporks

APPALACHIAN TRAIL


Appalachian Trail Shelters

Shelter

Appalachian Trail Shelters [Thru-Hiker's Guide]

Appalachian Trail Map

Map

Appalachian Trail Map [Interactive + Zoom] State by State

Top 10 Best Hikes on the Appalachian Trail: From GA to ME

Guide

Top 10 Best Hikes on the Appalachian Trail: From GA to ME

21 Awesome Reasons to Hike the Appalachian Trail

Guide

21 Awesome Reasons to Hike the Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail: How to Thru-Hike

How To

The Appalachian Trail: How to Thru-Hike

The Triple Crown of Hiking 101

How To

The Triple Crown of Hiking 101

appalachian trail murders

BACKPACKING

List of Appalachian Trail Murders Since 1974

TRAIL GUIDES


pacific crest trail map 101

Guide, Map

Pacific Crest Trail Map and State-by-State Breakdown 101

colorado trail and map

Guide, Map

Colorado Trail 101 | Map and Guide

pacific trail section hikes

Highlight

10 Best Pacific Trail Section Hikes

arizona trail map and guide

Guide, Map

How to Thru-Hike the Arizona Trail 101 | Guide and Map

john muir trail interactive map and guide

Guide, Map

How to Hike the John Muir Trail | Map and Planner

long trail vermont interactive map and guide

Guide, Map

The Long Trail Vermont | Map and Thru-Hike Planner

long distance hiking trails around the world

Guide, Map

22 Epic Long-Distance Hiking Trails [Around the World]

ice age trail interactive map and guide

Guide, Map

Ice Age Trail | How to Plan Your Thru-Hike 101

how to hike springer mountain

Guide, Map

How to Hike Springer Mountain (with Maps)

continental divide trail map and guide

Guide, Map

Continental Divide Trail | How to Plan Your Thru-Hike 101

pinhoti trail map and guide

Guide, Map

How to Thru-Hike the Pinhoti Trail (Guide and Map)

pacific northwest trail map and guide

Guide, Map

How to Thru-Hike the Pacific Northwest Trail (with Map)

the wave arizona map and guide

Guide, Map

How to Hike The Wave (Arizona) | Complete Hiking and Permit Guide

teton crest trail map and guide

Guide, Map

How to Thru-Hike the Teton Crest Trail 101 | Guide and Interactive Map

new england trail map and guide

Guide, Map

New England Trail | How to Plan Your Thru-Hike 101

colorado 14ers guide

Guide, Map

Colorado 14ers: The Ultimate Guide [List and Interactive Map]

sierra high route map and hiking guide

Guide, Map

Sierra High Route: THE Complete Hiking Guide

tahoe rim trail map

Guide, Map

How to Hike the Tahoe Rim Trail: The COMPLETE Guide

buckeye trail guide

Guide, Map

How to Hike the Buckeye Trail

ouachita trail guide

Guide, Map

How to Thru-Hike the Ouachita Trail

oregon coast trail guide

Guide, Map

Oregon Coast Trail | How to Plan Your Thru-Hike 101

hayduke trail guide

Guide, Map

How to Hike the Hayduke Trail

goat rocks wilderness guide

Guide, Map

Guide to Goat Rocks Wilderness

great divide trail hiking guide

Guide, Map

Great Divide Trail Hiking Guide

ozark highlands trail guide

Guide, Map

Ozark Highlands Trail

VIDEOS


backpacking food ideas and meal plan

Meal Plan, Food Ideas

Backpacking Food from the Appalachian Trail (5 Day Ultralight Meal Plan)

backpacking meal recipes

Meal Plan, Food Ideas

5 Easy Backpacking Meal Recipes [5 Ingredients or Less]

best minimalist sandals and barefoot sandals

Hiking Clothes

6 Favorite Minimalist Sandals (After 3 Years)

history of ultralight backpacking

Hiking

The History of Ultralight Backpacking [From 1880s to Present Day]

thru-hiking history

Hiking

The Rise of Thru-Hiking [History from 1920 to 2024]

thru-hiking history

Hiking, Ultralight

12 Ultralightweight Backpacking Tips and Hacks

history of ultralight backpacking

Hiking, Ultralight

16 [MORE] Ultralightweight Backpacking Tips and Hacks

MORE HIKING FUN


hiker jam podcast

Podcast, Interviews

Hiker Jam Podcast: All Episodes

41 Best Hiking Quotes of All Time

INTERESTING READ

41 Best Hiking Quotes of All Time

What is Naked Hiking

Hiking

What is Naked Hiking?

14 most famous hikers of all time

Hiking

14 Famous Long-Distance Hikers Who Made History

Epic Adventure: 5,000 Miles and 8 Months on Foot and Bicycle

Hiking

Epic Adventure: 5,000 Miles and 8 Months on Foot and Bicycle

32 Best Hiking Movies and Outdoor Documentaries

Interesting Read, Hiking

32 Best Hiking Movies and Outdoor Documentaries

60 Best Adventure Books of All Time

Interesting Read

60 Best Adventure Books of All Time

60 Best Adventure Books of All Time

Hiking, Apps

10 Best Hiking Apps for iOS and Android

backpacking dictionary

Backpacking

The Backpacker's Dictionary: Appalachian Trail Slang and Terms

Top 10 Backpacking and Camping Games

BACKPACKING

Top 10 Backpacking and Camping Games

78 best gifts for hikers

Hiking

91 Gifts for Hikers

into the wild bus

Hiking

THE Complete Guide to the Into the Wild Bus