The great debate, trail runners or hiking boots? Let’s take a look at both and figure out what’s right for you. Carrying less weight on your feet can have significant benefits, including reduced fatigue and improved agility. The principle that weight on your feet is more taxing than weight on your back is widely recognized among hikers and backpackers.  Here's a breakdown of the key points: Weight Difference The weight difference between trail runners and hiking boots can be substantial, especially when comparing lightweight trail runners to mid-cut or full-grain leather boots. This princ ..read more

Understanding Base Weight A pack base weight refers to the weight of all the gear and equipment you carry in your backpack for an outdoor adventure, excluding consumables. Consumables typically include items like food, water, and fuel, which will decrease in weight as you consume them during your trip. These consumables vary throughout your trip, so the base weight provides a consistent reference point for evaluating the load you carry. Items included are Shelter: This includes your tent, tarp, or hammock system along with the necessary stakes and guylines. Sleeping System: Your sleeping b ..read more

Measuring backpack torso size correctly is one of the most critical items on your pre-trip checklist. If you do it right, your pack will be significantly more comfortable. Your packs shoulder straps should rest comfortably on your shoulders. The hip belt should rest on your hips. To measure your torso size for a backpack, you'll need a flexible measuring tape or a string that you can measure later with a ruler. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you measure your torso accurately: 1. While standing upright with your chin touching your chest, have a friend locate your C7 vertebra. This is ..read more

We’re probably all aware that we just “feel better” when we head out into nature for a hike, but it’s no longer just anecdotal. An ever-increasing body of scientific studies is demonstrating the multitude of ways in which walking in nature is indeed awesome for our heads. Years ago, I did my own ‘research’, embarking (with full blown anxiety and depression) on the Te Araroa Trail, a 3,000km hike down the length of New Zealand. Within a few weeks my long-suffered symptoms began to melt away. By the time the 5-month adventure came to an end, I had, to some extent, rewired my brain. I felt calmer ..read more

These are excellent tips to help reduce condensation issues in single-wall tents or shelters. Condensation is a common challenge in single-wall designs due to the lack of a separate inner layer for moisture control. To reduce tent condensation, it's essential to manage the humidity inside the tent and control factors that contribute to moisture build up. By following these steps, you can minimize the chances of condensation building up inside your shelter: Avoid low, open, grassy areas: These places are more likely to trap cold, moist air, which can lead to condensation inside the tent. By ..read more

What Even Is Cold Soaking? Cold soaking is a no-cook food preparation method where dehydrated foods are soaked in cold water until they are rehydrated. Cold soaking your food is far from glamorous, but it is convenient.  Instead of relying on the heat of your stove, you can rehydrate a variety of foods in unheated water for 20 to 30 minutes, resulting in a cold-but-edible meal. A traditional meal may take 5 to 10 minutes to cook, but backpackers should expect a cold-soak meal to take at least 30 minutes to rehydrate. This means you have to prepare your food earlier than you ..read more

How the Vesica and the Buc Can Help You Ditch Single Use Plastics Got a single use plastic problem in your backpacking kit? We strongly recommend taking a closer look at the Vesica and the Buc. The Vesica was designed to replace the beloved smart water bottle.  Like a plastic water bottle, it is compatible with a Sawyer filter, tall and thin to fit in pack side pockets, and lightweight. But it has a few pros smart plastic bottles don’t have: Can squish down when not in use so it takes up less space in your pack. Can use it to squeeze filter without the bottle breaking down over time. Ca ..read more

This spectacular hike has been on my To-Do-List for a very long time. Described as “a spectacular labyrinth of alpine lakes and tarns, dolerite peaks, ancient but fragile forests of Pencil Pines and unique alpine vegetation”. The Walls of Jerusalem is said to be one of Tasmania’s “Great Walks” - which some would say surpasses the Overland Track in magnificence and beauty. It's a great balance of a challenging but manageable climb at the start and stunningly spectacular landscapes throughout. Day 1     -   Mersey Forest Rd to Dixons Kingdom CampgroundDistance ..read more

Water is life. When you’re out hiking, it’s imperative your body is getting enough of it so it can function properly and do things like lubricate your joints and eyes, flush out waste and toxins, help with digestion, and keep your skin healthy. It’s all about taking in enough to replace what we lose, and hiking is often sweaty and puffy work. Being dehydrated is not only super uncomfortable, it can also lead to a multitude of problems including headaches, dizziness, fatigue, muscle cramps, confusion and impaired judgement – none of which are ideal when you’re out in the wilds. At its worst, it ..read more

7 Principles of Leave No Trace By Laura Waters We hikers love nature. In the wilds is where we can enjoy the bliss of roaming far from civilisation and its noise, where we can watch wildlife do their thing. To keep enjoying these places as they are, and to avoid any detriment to the plants and creatures that live there, we need to tread lightly and leave the place as we found it. An internationally recognised code offers guidelines to help us achieve it.  Plan ahead and prepare If you’re wondering how good planning affects your ability to leave no trace, consider how lost hikers might b ..read more