I pack a second headlamp in my day hiking backpack when the days get shorter in Autumn and Winter. That might sound like unnecessary gear weight to some, but I feel it’s worth having a second headlamp handy if a hike lasts longer than expected or a hiker gets injured. I have helped injured hikers … The post How Many Hiking Headlamps Should You Carry? appeared first on SectionHiker.com ..read more

Mendon Peak is #85 on the New England 100 Highest List. Located adjacent to Mt Killington in Vermont, it’s an 8-mile out-and-back hike along old logging roads with a 2-mile bushwhack at the end. I snowshoed it last weekend with four other hikers on a trip run by the Killington Section of the Green Mountain … The post Winter Bushwhack Up Mendon Peak (VT) appeared first on SectionHiker.com ..read more

The Six Moon Designs Lunar Orbiter is a one-person single-wall freestanding tent with two tent vestibules. With a minimum weight of 40 oz, it comes with two aluminum tent poles, short aluminum stakes, and a gear loft. It is made with siliconize polyester (silpoly) and must be seam-sealed before use. With two vestibules and a … The post Six Moon Designs Lunar Orbiter Tent Review appeared first on SectionHiker.com ..read more

I have a hard time keeping my backpacking spoon or spork clean between meals because I store it in my Ursack or bear canister, which contains all my food and garbage, as well as the dirt and duff that clings to my cooking gear and other smellables. While I use plastic bags to keep the … The post AardWolf Ultralight Dyneema Spoon and Spork Covers appeared first on SectionHiker.com ..read more

The SlingFin Cinder Cone 4P Pyramid is a large pyramid tarp suitable for four-season camping with advanced ventilation capabilities to increase livability and let you cook under cover with less risk of suffocation. Weighing just 27 oz (765g), it’s an excellent shelter for windy and exposed terrain because it’s strong and sheds wind well. It … The post SlingFin Cinder Cone 4P Pyramid Tent Review appeared first on SectionHiker.com ..read more

A backpacking or camping sleeping pad’s R-value measures its resistance to heat loss to the ground when you lie on it at night. Pads with higher R-values do this more effectively than pads with lower R-values. R-value isn’t a measure of warmth per se, but of a pad’s ability to prevent the loss of the … The post Sleeping Pad R-Values of 2025 appeared first on SectionHiker.com ..read more

The Catamount Trail is a 300-mile-long trail that runs south-to-north through Vermont, stretching from Massachusetts to Quebec. Unlike other long distance trails, the Catamount is a winter trail that is primarily skied or snowshoed (non-winter use is discouraged to prevent trail erosion). Managed by the Catamount Trail Association, it is broken down into 31 trail … The post The Catamount Trail in Vermont appeared first on SectionHiker.com ..read more

A cottage industry backpacking gear company is one that designs and manufactures its own products. They’ll often customize them for a fee, as well. Cottage gear companies often make backpacking gear that can’t be obtained from mainstream manufacturers because it’s very specialized and relatively few people need it. They’re often at the forefront of many … The post Cottage Industry Backpacking Gear Company Directory (2025) appeared first on SectionHiker.com ..read more

Grid fleece has become a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts and everyday wearers alike. Its unique structure offers a balance of warmth, breathability, and durability, making it a versatile option for a variety of activities and conditions. What is Grid Fleece? Grid fleece is a type of synthetic fleece fabric characterized by its distinctive grid-like … The post Grid Fleece: A Deep Dive into Its Pros and Cons appeared first on SectionHiker.com ..read more

The Durston X-Dome 1+ is a freestanding double-wall tent suitable for 4-season use. Weighing just over 2 lbs 3 oz, it has an exoskeleton pole set with a rectangular footprint that allows it to be set up fly-first in bad weather so that the inner tent stays dry. Despite only having one side door, the … The post Durston X-Dome 1+ Tent Review appeared first on SectionHiker.com ..read more