Backpacking Gear Archives - Page 3 of 6

Dehydrated vs. Freeze-Dried Ingredients

The starting point for any DIY dehydrated backpacking meal is a selection of dehydrated or freeze-dried ingredients. Both of these methods remove the water weight from your food supply, helping ensure the lightest weight in your pack, and transforming perishable ingredients into a long-lasting food supply. But what is the difference between dehydrated vs freeze-dried ingredients, and how does it affect your meal plan? Read on to find out!

Cooking Time

The cooking time varies significantly for dehydrated vs. freeze-dried ingredients. Freeze-dried ingredients are actually much easier to rehydrate than dehydrated ingredients.

While the method is generally the same (just add boiling water), the time to cook varies between the two. If you’re planning to combine freeze-dried and dehydrated ingredients, keep in mind that freeze-dried ingredients will rehydrate pretty quickly, taking an average of 5 minutes or less.

On the other hand, dehydrated ingredients can take closer to 10-20 minutes to fully rehydrate.

Shelf Life

The shelf life of dehydrated vs. freeze-dried ingredients may also be a concern, especially if you plan to keep the meals as part of a survival pack in your home. If you intend to consume the food within a couple of months, dehydration should be sufficient. However, if you’re thinking much longer term, you will want to go with freeze-drying. With the right storage conditions, freeze-dried ingredients have a shelf life of up to 20 years!

Nutritional Value

The other tradeoff between dehydrated backpacking meals vs. freeze-dried food is the nutritional value. Freeze-dried ingredients retain more of the nutrition compared to DIY dehydrating. Luckily, there are plenty of options for freeze-dried food from Trader Joe’s, Amazon, and even Costco.

Cost of Dehydrated vs. Freeze-Dried Ingredients

While freeze-dried ingredients seem to have a clear advantage in the above categories, there is one area where dehydrated ingredients take the cake: cost. In the stores, dehydrated ingredients are significantly less expensive than freeze-dried ingredients. To save even more money, you could even buy your own dehydrator to DIY.

Still, if you’re set on buying freeze-dried ingredients, you can save costs by buying in bulk. Amazon has a variety of freeze-dried meat, vegetables, and fruits in bulk.

So which is better? Freeze-Dried or Dehydrated Ingredients?

DIY Backpacking Meals

As you can see, if you have the budget, freeze-dried meals are superior to dehydrated meals in terms of nutritional value, shelf life, and time needed to rehydrate (which translates into fuel and water costs). You can read more about the differences between freeze-dried and dehydrated ingredients here.

Now that you’ve earned the difference between freeze-dried and dehydrated ingredients, maybe you’re ready to start assembling your own DIY Backpacking meals or cold-soak meals for your next trip. Enjoy!

April 4, 2022

Essential Backpacking Gear – What to Take in the Wild

Backpacking Gear

Going out in the wild and isolating yourself from the city noise and your ordinary life is so freeing, but terrifying at the same time. There is so much you need to learn about backpacking outdoors, and tons of small details that can make your first time the best one ever, or the most disastrous one. The following article is made specifically for you and your needs.

In the following, you’ll find out nearly everything you need to know to experience an ultralight backpacking adventure. We say nearly, because there is so much to talk about, and we cannot possibly fit that in one article. You’ll be making small mistakes along the way, but we’ll make sure that they won’t ruin the whole experience for you.

Grab the essentials

Backpack

Investing in a comfy backpack is really important because it’s the main thing that you’ll be carrying with you all the time. The backpack should be adjustable, with foamy cushions to avoid any pressure points, and preferably a strap that will wrap around and support your torso. The material should also be high-quality, and bonus points for you if it’s waterproof.

Ideally, the backpack should have one main compartment and multiple smaller ones. This will help you organize better, and you won’t have to unpack everything just to see where the matches are. Small compartments are also important for storing snacks that you can enjoy along the way.

Tent

The tent is a long-term investment, so don’t be afraid to spend a bit over the top for it. Of course, you shouldn’t just barge in the store and purchase the most expensive one. Find a tent that will suit your needs. Do you want to share it? Are you going to hike in the winter? Do you want the light to enter it? Once you know your personal preferences, you can even pick the color.

Tents that are bigger are more expensive but they can fit you and another person or two. Smaller tents will give you more warmth, as well as enough space and comfort. The tent should also be made of waterproof material and should be thick enough not to get ripped by the tree branches surrounding it.

Sleeping bag

Sleeping bags come in a variety of shapes and sizes and they are the second important long-term investment you’ll be getting. You don’t want to spend the night sleeping on the tent’s flooring because it will be cold and you’ll feel every stone and branch under the material. Not to mention the back pain you’ll experience in the morning.

Sleeping bags vary in terms of their usage. You can opt either for a camping sleeping bag or a backpacking one. If you plan on pursuing both activities, then you should invest in the latter one. It’s a lot lighter and you can fold it to better fit in your backpack. The second major difference is in the filling. You can choose between down-filled or synthetic sleeping bags, depending on your preferences. Also, it’s up to you what shape of sleeping bag will you take, but we suggest you the mummy one for the snuggling feeling.

The right clothes

Don’t underestimate the importance of having the right clothes on your backpacking adventure

Forget all about denim and your favorite cotton tee with a cute application in the front. You should also avoid no-show socks, dark colors, and silky outfits. Opt for breathable materials such as merino wool, nylon, polyester. Light colors will absorb less heat, and especially during the summertime, that’s exactly what you want. No matter the weather, it’s a great idea to wear a waterproof jacket with you. An extra set of clothes in your backpack is mandatory, especially if you sweat a lot.

In terms of shoes, hiking sandals or boots that cover your ankles work the best. Depending on the terrain, you can also choose to wear comfortable walking shoes. The shoes should be comfortable, and the right size for you. During your walk, your feet will swell, and you don’t want your boots rubbing your feet and forming blisters and wounds.

Don’t forget the details

Small details can make it or break it for you. Apart from enough food and water, you need to pay close attention to small things that should find their way in your backpack. On your list, you must have a power bank for your phone. Matcher or lighter should always be stored in your smaller compartments unless you feel super confident about starting a campfire without them. A pocket knife can find many uses out in the wild as well.

Bringing a basic first aid kit and knowing emergency first aid can be of great use, no matter if you’re backpacking alone or with friends. There are articles online, and your local hospital would gladly walk you through a quick course of first aid. You may not need it at the moment but might find yourself in a situation where somebody needs help.

March 23, 2022

What to Pack for Your Upcoming Beach Vacation

Backpacking Gear

In life, there is nothing more pleasing than hopping on a plane and jetting off somewhere exotic. If a beach vacation is on the cards, creating a packing list can be difficult. You don’t want to bring too much, but at the same time, you don’t want to leave any essentials behind. To ensure you’re ready for the beach and the sunshine, here is everything you need to pack for your upcoming beach vacation.

Swimwear

Of course, when you’re going to the beach, you’ll need to be in the right attire. Whether you go frolicking in the sea or prefer to sunbathe close to the waves, packing a good amount of swimwear is essential. How many you pack for your beach vacation will depend on how long you’re going away for. It’s always best to bring an extra couple of pieces to ensure you’re fully covered.

Sunglasses

As you arrive at your destination and enjoy the glorious sunshine, you must protect your eyes in the process. We understand not to look directly in the sun, but if the rays are beating down and becoming a nuisance, add a pair of sunglasses to your beach vacation packing list. To make you stand out and look stylish, you may want to invest in a designer pair of shades.

Tank Tops

Even if you spend most of your vacation on the beach, you can’t exactly walk into a restaurant in your swimwear! Therefore, make sure to pack plenty of tank tops. You can wear them to and from the beach and if you’re going sightseeing.

Evening Dress

Once the sun sets, you may decide you want to head out for a bite to eat. If you’re going on a trip for a special occasion like a milestone birthday or wedding anniversary, it’s wise to pack a couple of evening dresses. That way, you will look stylish and classy, especially if all eyes are on you!

Shorts

When it comes to casual daywear on your beach vacation, you can’t go wrong with wearing a pair of shorts. However, no matter how stylish they look, a pair of jean shorts isn’t the most comfortable choice for a day at the beach. This means you’ll need to pick the right material for your getaway. It’s recommended to stick with all-cotton as they’re considered light and breathable. Make sure you pack shorts that have pockets to store your essentials too.

A Good Book

If you’re going on a beach vacation to fully relax and unwind, add a few books to your packing list. Whether you’re sitting by the pool or lounging by the sea, having a book to read can be a great way to relieve stress and get the best experience. Just ensure you have a few options to choose from. You don’t want to bring a book that you’re bored of after a few chapters.

Slides and Sandals

Your feet go through a lot during a vacation. Even if you plan to spend a lot of your time lounging around under the sun, bringing the right footwear is important. While you may think of throwing any old sandals or slides into your luggage, you may prefer to push the boat out and opt for some Gucci Sandals or Gucci Slides. You can check out www.ssense.com, which sells a plethora of stylish sandals and slides that are sure to look fabulous on your feet and keep them protected throughout your beach vacation. SSENSE also sells luxury clothing and accessories that can be teamed with your slides and sandals.

Sunscreen

Wherever you’re heading to in the world, if you’re going somewhere roasting hot, packing sunscreen is essential! You need to look after your skin during your time away, so make sure you pick a factor that is suitable for your skin. Wearing sunscreen not only lowers your risk of sunburn, but it can prevent the signs of aging too. While many of us like to get a tan while on vacation, should you not wear sunscreen, this can increase your risk of skin cancer, inflammation, and skin discoloration. While you may be able to buy sunscreen once you arrive at your destination, it’s always best to bring some with you just in case.

Hat

Understandably, the main reason to pack a hat during your beach vacation is to protect you from the sun. However, there are more benefits to wearing one than you may have first thought. For starters, the right hat can complement your overall look for all the right reasons. Secondly, a hat means you won’t have to worry about any bad hair days!

If a beach vacation is on the agenda, having all the essentials on your packing list is important. From basics to extras, toiletries to luxury relaxation, as long as you pack all the above, you can be confident you won’t leave any necessities behind.

March 11, 2022

Travel Gifts for Women: Ideas for Every Budget

Backpacking Gear

I’m sure we all have that person in our lives who is ready to hit the road now that travel is opening up again. Explore our list of travel gifts for the women in your life while they dream of future adventures.

Budget Travel Gifts for Women – Under $20

Any item from this list would make a great stand-alone gift or stocking stuffer. Or, why not create your own gift basket full of useful gadgets for the savvy traveler in your life?

1. Sleeping Bag Liner – One of our favorite travel gifts for women – washable, compact, and soft. We’ve loved having these in hostels and guest houses just to ensure hygienic peace of mind. Plus – these handy liners mean that your sleeping bag will stay clean since you can just remove the liner and throw it in the wash. This version is silky soft and stays durable after washing.

2. Portable Phone Tripod with Remote – Looking for that perfect travel gadget for the solo female traveler in your life? This tripod can be used as a mini selfie stick or to capture a solo shot in the midst of an awesome backdrop. Plus, this tripod will help them capture the perfect night shot, which requires that the camera is perfectly still. This version has adjustable legs plus a Bluetooth remote to snap pics from afar.

3. Waterproof phone case – Great for the female traveler who enjoys the great outdoors– rain or shine. Some waterproof cases are advanced enough that they allow you to take underwater pictures. This universal waterproof case fits all varieties of smartphones and keeps phones perfectly dry, even underwater.

4. Scarf with hidden zipper pocket – When we first learned about hidden pocket scarves, we were thrilled to finally leave the old-fashioned travel belt behind! A hidden pocket scarf is a stylish decoy and is even more subtle than the traditional travel belt. We love this one with two well-concealed pockets and a variety of colors and patterns to choose from.

5. Door Stop Security Alarm – Help ensure peace of mind with this doorstop alarm. If the door is opened unexpectedly, an alarm will sound. This one is an affordable and high-quality version.

6. Quick-dry Travel Towel – A quick-dry towel is an essential item on any woman’s travel packing list. Help get their travel kit started with this budget-friendly but high-quality option. This version includes 3 various sizes, perfect for camping, hiking, or long backpacking trips.
7. Portable Luggage Scale – On more than one occasion, we have been desperate to calculate our luggage weight before the airport to avoid excessive baggage fees. A portable luggage scale has solved our problems and prevented us from frantically reshuffling our luggage items in the airport departure hall! This version by etekcity has never failed us.

Travel Gifts for Women in the $20-$50 Range

8. Portable Power Bank – It’s a backpacker’s worst nightmare: scrambling to find the hostel address while your phone’s battery slowly ticks lower and lower. An external power source is one of the most useful gadgets for female travel lovers. The Anker Power Core 10000 is our favorite in terms of power capacity and compact size.

9. Scratch Off World Map – Help the world traveler in your life display their past adventures and get inspiration for where to head next. We have had this one hanging in our living room for years and love taking it down to commemorate when we travel to new places.

10. Travel Size First Aid Kit – For minor injuries, a travel-sized first aid kit is a practical and savvy choice. This one has the most bang for your buck in terms of items, affordable price, and compact size

11. Sleep Eye Mask – We wouldn’t dream of boarding an international flight without our own personal sleep mask. It makes all the difference when it comes to avoiding jet lag and adjusting to new time zones. It blocks out light and helps us achieve deep sleep – even when our airplane seat neighbor insists on staying up all night watching movies. This version comfortably wraps around your head and is contoured to the face for a comfortable fit.

12. Adjustable Travel Pillow – The next generation of airplane pillows, this one is made with memory foam and can be molded into different shapes to be used for your neck, lumbar, or leg support. The cover is removable and washable, making it one of the best backpacking gifts.

13. Outdoor Bluetooth Speaker – We love this version which has a 100-foot wireless range, and which produces crystal-clear stereo sound.

14. Books to inspire travel – While the COVID pandemic still lingers, help soothe their Wanderlust with a travel-themed book like National Geographic Destinations of a Lifetime, or 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. These also make gorgeous coffee table books to display their love for travel when the woman in your life is just relaxing at home.

15. Lifestraw Water Filters – practical for camping, hiking, or traveling in places without safe drinking water. The lifestraw is a light-weight but life-saving addition to any backpacking kit.

High-End Travel Gifts for Women

16. Apple Air Pods – definitely on the pricey side but one of the newest travel gadgets for women and digital nomads who don’t want to have to deal with a mess of cables on the road.

17. Wireless Hotspot – This 4G/LTE portable wireless hotspot is perfect for the digital nomad, travel blogger, or offroad adventurer.

18. Kindle Paperwhite – 1 Kindle can replace over 10,000 books. Your backpacker can load up thousands of titles, from casual reads to pass the long journeys, or travel guides. When space is essential, a kindle can be one of the most valuable items in their pack. This listing on amazon comes with a stylish leather cover in a variety of colors.

19. Noise-cancelling headphones – The plane, train, or bus journey is sometimes the only chance a hard-core backpacker has to relax and recharge while on the road. These high-quality noise-cancelling headphones come in handy on long journeys when you just want to zone out.

20. DSLR Camera – One of the best starter DSLR cameras, this Lumix version is the top-rated model among amateur photographers. It is compact and packs a punch in terms of features, which can help the backpacker in your life take their travel photos to the next level.

21. Beginner’s Travel Telescope – Or the best gift of all during quarantine, a telescope to explore the night sky. This highly recommended amateur star-gazer model might help soothe the earthly wanderlust by allowing your backpacker to explore the craters of the moon, the moons of Jupiter, or the rings of Saturn.

22. GoPro Camera – One of the ultimate travel gifts for women, a GoPro camera is still the preferred way to document adventures among the travel community. The durable and compact GoPro cameras produce high-quality images and videos that can capture intense activities from sky diving to deep-sea diving.

And the Best Gift Travel Gift for Women: The Gift of Future Travel!

23. Travel Gift Certificate: Give the gift of future travel to the backpacker in your life by giving them a gift card to use on Get Your Guide, a tour and activity company that offers 35,000+ different experiences around the globe. The travel gift card is valid for up to 3 years from the date of purchase and can be redeemed for any of the experiences on Get Your Guide’s site for any time in the future when travel and backpacking become possible again!

Have you Caught the Travel Bug Yet?

If just scanning this list has gotten you excited to get out there and travel yourself, browse our extensive list of country guides for ideas on where to go next. Or scan our blog for inspirational travel itineraries, budget tips, and more!

February 28, 2022

How to Choose a Backpacking Pack – The Ultimate Guide

Backpacking Gear

If you’re new to backpacking, it can be hard to know what gear you need for days on the trail. Backpacking and outdoor sports are more popular than ever, and you’ve probably seen a huge number of companies advertising their hiking backpacks and touting all the spectacular features they have. While these backpacks are great, and they are necessary for some things like backpacking, you won’t always need to choose best, shiniest product on the market.

In some cases, yes, you can use a regular hiking pack for backpacking. If you aren’t doing any serious trips, won’t be in poor weather conditions, or just need to carry some extra things on an impromptu trek in the woods, a regular backpack is more than sufficient. However, if you are going for multiple days, carrying a lot of weight, or in bad weather, you may be wondering how to choose a backpacking pack.

Like always, that answer will vary based on your plans, distance traveled, and needs on your trip. A good rule of thumb is that under 5 miles, your regular backpacks will work relatively well. Beyond that, you’ll begin to notice discomfort, and may start wishing for the features of a proper backpacking packs.

How Do I Know If I Need a Backpacking Pack?

You may want to consider upgrading from a regular backpack if you’re taking longer backpacking trips and need more capacity, or you’re noticing discomfort due to the style of backpack you have chosen. Most types of backpacking packs have extra padding, straps, and a more ergonomic construction compared to a backpack you may just use for school books.

This means you can carry your gear for longer periods, and higher amounts of weight will be more comfortable to carry. If you’re backpacking for more than a day, or your pack is getting to be on the heavier side, you should probably start looking into a more suitable option than a regular backpack.

What features are important when choosing a backpacking pack?

The most imperative thing is to simply plan for the trip you are taking. If you’re on a day hike, you need a much different pack than you would for backpacking. If you’re carrying heavy weight or traveling great distances in a day, a school backpack will likely become uncomfortable or challenging to use effectively. If your regular backpack is lacking in technical features or isn’t cutting it on your longer hikes, look out for backpacks with features like those listed below:

Top loading design
Extra pockets
Additional padding
Waist and/or sternum straps
Adjustability
Water-bladder pocket/Hydration reservoir
Sleeping bag stash
Attachment points and/or tool loops
Raincover
Ventilation features
Greater variability of sizes
More comfortable weight distribution
Removable daypack

I also recommend a waterproof option if you expect a trip in less than perfect conditions. One positive is that many backpacks made for general use have hiking features, and there’s a good chance you may have a North Face or Osprey bag you use already around the house. If that’s the case, you’ve already got a great tool that will hold up to a lot of your needs.

What are the different types of backpacking packs to choose from?

Generally, backpacking packs are defined by their size and style. The 3 different types of backpacking packs are the external frame, internal frame, and frameless backpacks. As far as size, they are measured in liters and you will often see different sizes listed as Daypacks, weekend backpacks, multi-day backpacks, and extended trip/expedition packs.

The different styles of the frame can be confusing, especially if you don’t have experience backpacking or rucking. Frameless backpacks are very light with flexible construction and are designed to carry light loads. However, choosing a frameless backpacking pack means you will not have any rods or frame sheets to distribute weight.

They generally don’t hold more than 40 liters and are not meant to carry a heavy load. Internal frame backpacks are the most popular type of backpacking pack available, and feature a more rigid construction that distributes weight more, and keeps the backpacking pack from collapsing. They’re often made with a frame-sheet on the inside. External frame packs feature a frame often made of aluminum on the outside, with a harness attached to it.

They’re used for carrying very heavy loads. They are not as commonly available in modern times, but some companies still offer this style due to their highly adjustable style, and customizable nature.

Sizes are often defined as follows: daypacks (1 day or less) are what you use for very short adventures, and often hold under 30 liters. A weekend pack (1-3 days) measures about 30-50 liters. Multi-day backpacks (3-5 days) hold 50-80 liters, and extended trip backpacks (5+ days) hold 70+ liters.

Depending on your needs and what outdoor sport you perform, you obviously may need a larger or smaller pack. For instance, if you’re a climber and need to carry ropes, shoes, harnesses, protection, and so on, a bigger backpacking pack may be necessary.

Many people also prefer small packs in which they carry very little gear so they can travel faster. You can choose a smaller backpacking pack if you’re disciplined about what you pack and comfortable with a lack of supplies. The reverse also works, if you want a more comfortable experience and you’re alright with the extra weight.

Each option has its advantages, but the average hiker will be perfectly fine with a mid-sized, internal frame backpack. This is what makes up the vast majority of the market, and most people won’t need anything beyond that.

What are the best brands of backpacking packs?

I can’t give you a fully comprehensive list of brands that will suit every need when choosing a backpacking pack, but generally, you’ll see excellent products in outdoor stores, or from the companies, you commonly associate with outdoor products. Ideally, I would recommend going to a local outdoor store and seeing what packs fit you comfortably and suit your needs, but researching products online is a great option. You should choose your backpack based on your specific needs.

With all the different types of backpacking packs, there are a massive number of brands, and I’m just going to list a few. If you choose a backpacking pack from a brand that isn’t listed, that doesn’t mean it’s a bad option. I still recommend looking for reviews online or checking forums for information. Another great method is to see what type of pack people in your area or sport use. A few brands to check out are below:

Osprey
REI
North Face
Patagonia
Hyperlite Mountain Gear
Granite Gear
Mountainsmith
Deuter
Mystery Ranch
ULA Equipment

One thing you may have noticed is that many of these companies make “regular” backpacks that you may see daily. For me, seeing North Face, Osprey, Patagonia, and REI packs on a school campus was never uncommon. I even use a North Face backpack when going on short hikes or to carry gear when bouldering. My North Face pack is just a mid-sized backpack with hiking features, and it works great if I’m not on a longer trip.

A “regular” backpack from an outdoor gear company generally has several hiking features like waist straps, extra pockets, and so on. If you’re just going on some moderate hikes where you need to carry a bit of gear, you probably already have a backpack in this style that you can use.

Should I choose an internal or external frame pack?

Generally, most hiking backpacks these days are internal frames, but there are still some models featuring an external frame. If you aren’t aware, external frame packs are a style of backpack that feature a frame on the outside of the pack, generally constructed out of aluminum or composite material.

There’s also often space on the frame above or below the pack itself so you can attach larger gear like backpacking tents or sleeping bags. They were once the standard for backpacking, and they’re generally meant to be used for heavier loads. You can sometimes find external frame packs for a cheaper price compared to internal frame packs, but since internal frames are so common now that isn’t as true as it once was.

If you’re wondering how to choose a backpacking pack and aren’t sure if you should get an external frame model, just consider what activities you will be performing, and how much weight you will carry. This type of backpacking pack is spectacular for long trips and heavy loads, but for an average hike, they are completely unnecessary.

There’s a good chance you’ve never even seen an external frame backpacking pack in a store. If you happen to try one and find it comfortable, there’s no problem using it, just keep in mind they’re generally for more serious adventures. Another thing to note, there are frameless backpacks as well, but they are generally designed for very light loads.

Are there any alternatives to backpacking packs?

If you’re on a short trip but you don’t want to carry a traditional backpack, you may be wondering what alternatives are available. While backpacks are the best option for most scenarios, there are some alternatives. Shoulder/sling bags are a smaller option that can be easier to carry than a two-strap backpack, and they’re excellent if you don’t have much you want to carry.

Lumbar packs are another alternative. They sit in the lumbar area of the back and are smaller capacity options that may be more comfortable for you. Fanny packs are another good choice if you don’t have many pockets but you want to carry some essentials on the trail. Each of these options comes in several sizes from reputable outdoor companies, but it’s important to note that most of these products hold under 20 liters.

Conclusion

It can be difficult to know if your backpack will work on the trail, or if you need to invest in a new type of backpacking pack to hike in. With outdoor sports being so popular, and more options available than ever, it may be tempting to choose a fancy hiking backpack for your next trek in the woods. Personally, I think that you’ll know when your pack isn’t working. For most of my days outside, a simple North Face backpack with fairly basic features is more than sufficient.

I can fit most of my hiking gear on or in it, and it’s comfortable for day hikes. Once you get into the range of multi-day trips, backpacking adventures, or have a lot of gear, it becomes apparent that a hiking backpack is necessary. Without the extra features, you’ll likely become uncomfortable, or leave out a necessary piece of gear. I always recommend further research, and it’s imperative to choose a backpack that is comfortable for you. If your bag isn’t comfortable, then there’s little chance you’re going to enjoy a great day in nature.

January 28, 2022