The Canadian Rockies are home to Canada’s prime mountain wilderness, so it’s not surprising that this mountain range attracts hikers from all around the world. I was lucky enough to live next to Banff National Park for about three years. During this time, I explored many of the best and most scenic hikes in the area. That being said, you could spend a lifetime here and never run out of trails to hike! The Canadian Rockies are home to multiple national parks – Yoho, Banff, Jasper and Kootenay. On top of that, the Icefields Parkway drive between Banff and Jasper is one of the most scenic routes ..read more

If you have ever felt too cold in your sleeping bag while tent camping, then you know how miserable it is to spend the night shivering and counting down the minutes until sunrise. I previously used a 30-degree car camping sleeping bag for backpacking trips, but it was bulky, heavy, and provided no warmth whatsoever. Since I didn’t have a quality sleeping bag designed for backpacking, it took up a ton of room in my pack and added unnecessary weight to my load. I had gotten used to putting on extra layers before hitting the hay, but even with these warm clothes, I would often wake up freezing th ..read more

Taking an Oregon Coast road trip is, in my opinion, one of the best ways to experience this beautiful section of the Pacific Northwest. The rugged coastline is home to everything from towering mountains to sand dunes and endless beaches. The Oregon coast is known for its moody appearance and some of the most beautiful ocean views in the Pacific Northwest. I lived in Oregon in 2022 and spent nearly every weekend either hiking the lush trails or out exploring the coast. I was able to experience so much of the area and it has become one of my favorite places that I’ve been. In this post, I’ll cov ..read more

Anyone who has visited the Pacific Northwest will probably agree that the Oregon Coast is one of the most beautiful places in North America. Stretching 363 miles from the mouth of the Columbia River to the California state line, this rugged coastline is home to many hidden gems and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. I did an Oregon Coast road trip in 2021, and I was blown away by all the amazing hidden coves, scenic overlooks, deserted beaches, and unique stops along the way. From the popular (but beautiful!) Cannon Beach to the lush forested trails at Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic ..read more

When I got pregnant in May 2022, I had been doing van life on and off for 6 years. I loved the lifestyle and was determined to continue doing van life with our baby after he was born. I even declared in this Instagram post that “Kids are adaptable, and I have the philosophy that our baby will adapt to our unconventional lifestyle. We certainly don’t have to give up everything we love just because we have a kid in tow.” Our little guy was born in February 2023 and the day he turned 4 months old in June, we hit the road in our 170″ Sprinter Van that I had designed to accommodate our growing fami ..read more

Looking for the best camp table for your outdoor pursuits? You’ve come to the right place! Here at Bearfoot Theory, we have years of experience testing out camping furniture, including tables, and we know what works and what doesn’t. While part of the appeal of heading out into nature is to leave some of our daily conveniences behind, it’s also nice to be able to relax at camp with the right gear. The best camp tables allow you to easily prep food, prevent beverages from getting spilled, and enjoy a game of cards with friends, among other uses. It can be easy to say that you’ll just ‘make do ..read more

I don’t know an outdoor enthusiast who doesn’t hate mosquitos. If you don’t repel mosquitos while hiking, they can turn an otherwise perfect adventure into a nightmare. A couple of years back, I was on a multi-day canoe trip through Labyrinth Canyon in Utah. The mosquitos were so bad that anytime we weren’t in the canoe, we had to be covered from head to toe – a tall order when it was 95 degrees out. The biggest lesson was to never go canoeing during mosquito season ever again! I’ve also been on backpacking trips where I was so damn thankful I brought my nerdy head net. Without it, I would hav ..read more

Whether you live on the road full-time or part-time, there will likely come a day when you need to conserve battery power in your camper van. This may be because you’re camping off-grid on dispersed land for days at a time, or perhaps you’re staying in a campground or going to a festival that doesn’t offer electrical hookups to plug into shore power. In my first Sprinter van, I learned about the importance of conserving my battery power the hard way after completely depleting my batteries while traveling on the Olympic Peninsula. I’ll preface this with the fact that it wasn’t all my fault. My ..read more

After exploring New Zealand in a camper van for three months, I returned to the US craving the freedom of the open road. When I decided to purchase my first Sprinter van in 2016 and start van life full-time solo at 33 years old, I shocked a lot of people close to me. Most of my friends and family were excited for me when I told them the news about my decision to live and work remotely in my home on wheels. Others thought I was crazy, expressed concern for my safety, and tried to talk me out of it – especially since I started van life as a solo female. What if I encountered weirdos? How would I ..read more

Los Angeles may be known for the Hollywood Sign hike, but the City of Angels also has a fair share of hikes that offer picturesque views of waterfalls that look straight out of a storybook. After living in the LA area for over 20 years, I’ve realized that there’s something delightful about having a waterfall as a hiking destination. The base of a cascade not only provides a wonderful spot to eat a granola bar and admire the view, but it’s also such a breath of fresh air in a busy city with incessant traffic noise. Listening to the rushing water and trickling creeks is a magical way to experien ..read more