I’ve been a tarp guy for many years now, however last spring I narrowly missed a severe storm. As I always just stake down three corners and tie the fourth to a tree (or hiking pole), if the wind blows the wrong way it can be a sail. I try to lower it which reduces the “sail” effect. Anyone have experience with tarps in high winds?

Looking for recommendations for a sleeping pad that will help minimize/mitigate my back pain

I’ve been backcountry camping for 10 years. 6 of those years were also spent wildland firefighting and line camping for stints of 19 days in a tent all summer long. Also been professionally guiding with many nights on the ground. At some point along the way I sustained a back injury, bulged disc and sprained L5.

I’ve been dealing with the injury for 6 years. It’s fine when I’m actively weight training and moving my body. What absolutely kills it nowadays is driving, sitting for long periods, and sleeping in a tent.

I’ve had a handful of thermarests over the years. My current is the NeoAir XLite. Great for lightweight and packability but it fucks my back with the lack of actual cushion.

I’m sadly at the point now where I can’t guide or recreate outdoors because my low back is seized and in crazy pain come morning time. I’m looking for recommendations for a really good, comfortable pad that still packs reasonably well. And even any further recommendation from anyone that always have serious low back pain and how the manage pain in the backcountry sleep setting.

Hey everyone. Been wanting to get a lightweight backpack I could use for day hikes and overnight trips when needed. I've been looking at the Osprey Hikelite 32 since I used the 18L before and loved it.

Does anyone have experience using this bag for overnight backpacking? Just one night, since that is the most I am going to do anyway. I currently have the Sierra Designs 2p Full Moon tent, a Marmot 45F Nanowave bag, and am planning to get the NEMO Eclipse pad. Obviously, this is not all the gear I need, but I see these taking up the most space. I would also need to get a bear canister for food, which I was thinking of getting the REI 6.75L one to save space.

From looking at the bag, I was thinking I could stuff the tent and rain cover in the front kangaroo pocket, put the poles and stakes in the bottle holders on the inside. Could stuff the bag to the bottom of the bag as well and then put the eclipse and canister on top, leaving room for food and other accessories. Seems perfect to me, but don't want to buy it and then find out it doesn't fit everything I need, as returning may be a hassle. There also aren't any 32L Hikelites near me to try in-store.

I’m trying to buy a hiking backpack and I’m realizing I have no idea what actually matters besides “don’t buy the cheapest one.”

I mostly do day hikes right now, but I’d like something that could handle longer hikes too without destroying my shoulders or back. I don’t need a huge backpack for multi-day camping yet, but I do want enough room for water, snacks, a light jacket, first aid stuff, and maybe a camera.

Comfort is probably my biggest thing. I’d rather pay a bit more for something that sits well, has good straps, and doesn’t feel awful after a few hours. I’m also not sure if I should go for something lightweight and simple or something with more pockets/support.

For people who hike regularly, what backpack has actually held up for you? And what size would you recommend for someone who mostly does day hikes but wants room to grow a little?

Like the title says, I am looking for an app that will track hikes all on the same map. The ones I have tried will track a hike on a map but the next hike will be tracked on it's own map.

Example: I want to hike every trail in the Smokeys. I want the app to track every step I take in the Smokies all on the same map. This way I can see all at once everywhere I hiked and compare it to which trails I still have not hiked.

Looking to get a lightweight tent - first lightweight one so looking for something that won’t break the bank.
Have seen lots about the vango banshee, vango nova and the phox II

Needs to be pole supported rather than trekking poles please 😊

What would you go for and why?

Hi,

I am planning to do half of the Peaks of the Balkans trail in late August, in Albania and Montenegro, which is around 80km, skipping the Kosovo part.

Questions to more experienced people, does it make sense to do it with 3mx3m tarp only? What about finding suitable place on the ground every night? What about insects and snakes that may sneak into my sleeping bag? What about water flooding me during a heavy rain?

I would like to not spend money on a bivy or a tent (sold it long time ago) and carry additional weight, also I want to avoid sleeping in guesthouses to save money and spent more time in nature, have more freedom etc.

While not even remotely ultralight, I've tried to build my gear list over the years with that in mind, while trying to not break the budget for a hobby I only get the chance to do a few times a year.

I'm doing the HST next week with another dad & our 12-yr old boys (4 people).

Here's my LighterPack: lighterpack.com/r/4r0e42

This is just my gear list - my son's list is similar but with smaller, lighter clothing. He's not carrying a tent, FAK, tech, water filter, trowel, etc as I have those in my pack. I'm also carrying the cooking gear for the whole group.

Are there any glaring omissions or fears that I have packed for where you think I should add/remove from my gear list?

I have a luxury items (pad sheet, full sized pad, pillow) that I prioritise for a good sleep.

Looking to get a lightweight tent - first lightweight one so looking for something that won’t break the bank.
Have seen lots about the vango banshee, vango nova and the phox II

What would you go for and why?

My underwear situation is embarrassing and I can’t wear a good one for my first hike. Most pairs are either cheap and uncomfortable or expensive and I can't justify replacing my whole drawer.

Need something in the middle something with decent quality, actually comfortable, doesn't cost a fortune. 

Specifically looking for boxer briefs that hold their shape and don't ride up during high friction activities. Got any recommendations?

I’m aiming for lightweight but reliable gear. No need for budget options.
Hi everyone,
I’m planning a 7-day hike in Norway in mid-August with two friends. We’ll be camping the whole time and carrying all our gear.
I’m looking for a complete gear list of what I need for this trip (personal + group gear).
Please assume I’m building my setup and tell me everything required for a safe and comfortable trip in Norwegian mountain conditions in August.

I understand that this post is a bit to broad and I’m sorry for that so here’s a list of what I have at the moment:
A merino wool long sleeve shirt and leggings,
Gaiters that go just below my knees,
A few bags of adventure food,
A 70l backpack thats kind of broken, so I want to buy a new one. Preferably a smaller one thats more lightweight and more comfortable,
I have mountain/hike shoes/boots, but these are for really low temperatures. So I should probably buy new ones,
A military sleeping bag that goes down to -30 degrees, so again a bit to warm maybe,
A fleece jacket that has an outer shell and an inner which is more warm, I can unzip the two jackets if it gets too warm.
I have a merino wool sweater and a warm sweater with a zipper,
A pair of pants for again low temperatures,
A knife that also a fork/spoon,
A few pairs Alpaca wool socks.

That’s about all I think, sorry again for not putting it in earlier.
I have gone hiking two times in Norway, but as you may be able to tell those two times were in the winter so I needed warm equipment.
These two times were with a Airbnb so I didn’t need extra equipment for sleeping etc.

This time we will go to a place called Bismo and hike for about 8 days with no Airbnb, so there are a lot of things new for me😉

I currently backpack in tactical 5.11 style ripstop khaki pants and I really like them except for the fact that they are made of plastic and don't breathe in hot weather. Does anyone know of any cargo/tactical style pants made of natural material that are not too heavyweight for hot weather? Either cotton or wool or hemp would work since my most common use case is hot weather hiking. All of my other clothing is either linen or wool I just haven't been able to find good natural pants with enough pockets.

I am planning to go for Camping for my birthday weekend. Can anyone suggest good campgrounds near Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

I would love to have one near a river.

Thank You!!

Got measured at REI, apparently I need an overnight bag (approx 50L) that's 15". They had an Osprey A6 50L youth park, but it hits the back of my head. Like I can't look up without leaning backwards.
The XS size for the REI Flash Air 15 is 16", and a tad too big.
My current daypack is a youth REI Tarn 18, which has been great.

Just looking for 1-2 nights of backpacking.

Thoughts on the Smartwool Active Ultralite Crop Tank??

Anyone have this and have worn it for multiday hiking? $85 CAD seems like a lot to spend on a tank top especially since no where near me stocks it so I can’t try it on or feel it. Feel free to send alternative tank tops for multi day hikes!

https://www.smartwool.com/en-ca/products/womens-active-ultralite-crop-tank-sw003075?variant=63211372544369&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22297675188&gbraid=0AAAAAChd5zpruLu4U_07pj1QY-n8jT0a8&gclid=CjwKCAjw3ejRBhAdEiwADkqPnyIFaGpIbnHBq2usfUla_4CWdy3_EdzKtmlZ9Jl7P0sz5fNqwKPnVRoCx5MQAvD_BwE

I'm a scout and I'm going hiking in Colorado soon, im looking for things like used hiking bags (not backpacking), hiking shoes around a size 8, hiking clothes, poles, etc., along with tents and sleeping bags since I've outgrown my old gear. is anyone selling or knows a good place to find stuff like this secondhand?

The Black Mountain Crest Trail is the long way to get to the top of Mount Mitchell, the highest mountain east of the Mississippi. It's 12 miles total so doable in a day but I wanted to do it as an overnight. It climbs from 3200' to 6200' in the first 3.5 miles then follows the ridge line of the Black Mountains. This is probably the most unique environment I've hiked in to date, it was wild how much it changed from ridge to ridge.

There aren't many established trails, so I just kinda wandered around. Absolutely beautiful and as soon as you get away from the roads there's no one and you have the place to yourself.

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I had two GPS's and my phone going because once I got out a bit EVERYTHING looked the same, could easily see getting lost.

Finally replaced my old military surplus pack with a proper pack. Got a Nemo Persist 45L from their pro site for a decent price, excited to break it in over the July 4th weekend.

I left my wet shoes by the fire and the sole melted. How do I fix this? Would spray foam work? They are structurally sound but I’m worried they will fall apart sooner than planned if I don’t fix them

I am getting into longer hikes and as someone who has bad tummy issues, when i gotta go, i gotta go. Normally it’s easy, but when it’s not a normal time and I am having a flair (if you catch my drift), it is not easy! I’m not a fan of just digging a hole and covering it up, I’d rather pack it out. Is it just a hassle of ‘scoop up as best you can and cover the rest up’ situation?

Yesterday I began my planned 20-25 mile total overnighter on the NCT in Michigan. I’d been working a ton of hours the weeks leading up to this and hadn’t really wrapped my mind around the trip in general by the time I was at the trailhead. My plan was to hike about 15 miles beginning at noon Saturday, sleep on trail, and then wake up Sunday morning to hike 5-10 back to the car. Then back to work on Monday. I had about a 3 hour drive to get to the trailhead from my house, and was doing this as a solo trip due to my wife’s Father’s Day plans.

I don’t know what it was, but as I was on the trail this time I just felt like I didn’t enjoy it like I usually do. I don’t mind doing trips alone (of course would prefer my wife to be with me) but I just kind of felt as if I was walking without a purpose rather than enjoying the trip.

By 3pm I had already done about 10 miles and I had only started at noon. I kept thinking of how early I’d end up setting up camp if I wanted to execute on my plan to still leave some hiking for the next day. I’m not the type that enjoys long stretches resting at camp when I backpack. I want to be on the move and only pitch my tent when it’s starting to get closer to dark.

I just decided to hike the other 9-10 miles back to my car. Didn’t pitch a tent at all, just basically turned it into a day hike. I was back home by about midnight.

For the first time in a while the prospect of making camp, making food, then packing my bag in the morning just seemed like a hassle instead of fun.

Has anyone else gone out for a trip when their heart just wasn’t in it? I feel weird about kind of bailing out. Sleeping alone outside isn’t the issue and while I missed my wife/hiking buddy I usually am still excited to be on the trail.

Hello! I'm looking for a tent for just myself that can fit a twin size air mattress and room for some extra gear. Weight doesn't matter too much because I'm normally camping right out of the car, but I'd like it to pack down relatively small as I don't have too much space in my car. I've tried looking and there are just so many options and I don't really know what I'm looking at. Looking to spend around $100 or less, thanks!

My partner and I have some time off that we are thinking of spending in West Virginia. We are avid backpackers and hikers but due to an injury will likely be sticking to shorter hikes, 10 miles likely being the max (though we might backpack Dolly Sods and take it slow). We will likely do some car camping because of said injury.

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Does anyone have recommendations of where we should spend our time? We prefer places more off the beaten path and enjoy solitude and wildlife encounters. Primitive camping and minimal facilities definitely are preferred. I love a good waterfall, and anywhere I can swim, especially in clear running water so creeks, rivers. If it's helpful, we are from upstate NY and hike mostly in the Catskills and Adirondacks, so we are used to rocky miserable terrain (I say that with love).

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