Ultralight backpacking tarps are a great camping option if you want to significantly reduce your backpacking gear weight while experiencing a deeper connection to the outdoors, by sleeping under a shelter without walls. Ultralight backpacking tarps come in two basic flavors: shaped, catenary cut tarps that have curved sides to reduce weight and flapping in … The post 10 Best Ultralight Backpacking Tarps of 2024 appeared first on SectionHiker.com ..read more

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Shoulder Pocket is the most popular accessory pocket used by backpackers and for good reason. I’ve been using them for years and attach one to all of my backpacks so I can use my phone to take photos. The Shoulder Pocket is effectively waterproof since it’s made with Dyneema DCF, seam-taped, … The post Raffle: Enter to Win a Hyperlite Mountain Gear Shoulder Pocket appeared first on SectionHiker.com ..read more

J-shaped shoulder straps and S-shaped Shoulder Straps are two different styles of shoulder straps found on backpacks for hiking and backpacking. They differ in their shape, how they conform to the body, and in the placement of the sternum strap affecting comfort and fit. In the past, most backpacks had J-shaped shoulder straps which are … The post Backpacks: J-Shaped vs S-Shaped Shoulder Straps – Which is Right for You? appeared first on SectionHiker.com ..read more

Pyramid tarps often called “mids”, short for pyramids, are available in multiple forms ranging from one-person ultralight monopole tarps to multi-person winter tipis, complete with inner tents, stove jacks, and wood stoves. Despite their differences, all pyramid shelters share a few common properties.  They are exceptionally wind and weather resistant, they have a single peak, … The post 10 Best Ultralight Pyramid Backpacking Tarps of 2024 appeared first on SectionHiker.com ..read more

The Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Ultralight Backpack (updated in 2024) is a multi-day internal frame backpack that’s optimized for ultralight backpacking and thru-hiking. Now in its fifth generation, it’s a great backpack for people who want to transition from carrying a much heavier back to a lighter-weight one, without having to replace all of their … The post Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Backpack: A Comprehensive Review appeared first on SectionHiker.com ..read more

Buying a kid’s backpack is very different from buying an adult backpack because kids have smaller physical proportions. They also grow very quickly so you want to make sure that you purchase a backpack that can be adjusted over time. In addition to bringing them close to nature, the accomplishment they feel at being able … The post 10 Best Kids Backpacking Packs for 2024 appeared first on SectionHiker.com ..read more

Backpacks with vest-style shoulder straps, inspired by the trail running community, are increasingly popular. Vest-style backpack straps work best on lower-volume backpacks with a maximum of 40L of volume and maximum recommended loads under 25 pounds. This is because the pack weight sits higher up on your torso – your chest, shoulders, and upper back … The post Vest Style Backpack Straps vs Conventional Backpack Shoulder Straps appeared first on SectionHiker.com ..read more

April is the hardest month to climb 4000 footers in the White Mountains because winter conditions often prevail past the end of calendar winter. More often than not, there’s at least one major winter storm that hits the region in late March or early April to add to the snowpack and prolong the winter hiking … The post Hiking Carter Dome: Overcoming Challenges in April appeared first on SectionHiker.com ..read more

Google Maps announced today that it will add a new mud-mode to its industry-leading navigation app so that drivers can bypass muddy unpaved roads when navigating through rural areas. With this new feature, drivers will be able to filter out driving directions that route them down the soft and muddy unpaved roads that occur when … The post Google Maps Announces “Mud Mode” for Mud Season Driving Navigation appeared first on SectionHiker.com ..read more

Trail runners and hiking shoes have become increasingly popular with hikers and backpackers because they’re lighter weight than hiking boots and dry faster. The biggest difference between trail runners and hiking shoes is that (low) hiking shoes, which tend to be heavier and more durable, can only be used for walking while trail runners can … The post 10 Best Trail Runners and Hiking Shoes of 2024 appeared first on SectionHiker.com ..read more