For many of us hiking backpacks are expensive and a big purchase, regardless of the company being REI or some small cottage company. My goals in 2021 were to start supporting small businesses including people who open their shops on Etsy and US based cottage companies like Enlightened Equipment. Etsy has some nice options for … Read more
As a hiker on a limited budget I always am looking for a good deal and good value, when I heard about the Ice Flame from AliExpress it sounded like a absolutely perfect match for me and my needs as well as being the best backpacking quilt for the money. This quilt is made in … Read more
When you are starting out and don’t have a gigantic budget you want to look at how to assemble a set of gear at the lowest price possible without endangering your safety. For each section below I tired to provide you multiple choices within the gear to let you find what fits your personal needs … Read more
One thing you want to pay some good money for to have an enjoyable outdoor trip is on your sleeping gear, as part of the big four for thru-hikes I definitely would agree! The Sea to Summit Spark is a perfect bag for those who need cold defense but also would like to cut back … Read more
I LOVE my quilt, just to put that out there first and foremost. The reason I prefer my quilt over a sleeping bag really comes down to my inability to stay in one position while sleeping, I toss and turn like nobodies business! The only issue with loving quilts is they are much more interesting … Read more
So today we are going to talk about the Nemo Tensor ultralight sleeping pad, one of the strongest competitors to the Therm-A-Rest ownership for inflatable sleeping pads. The Nemo Tensor is available in multiple forms which allows you to match it up against your needed use. Whether your trip is in Spring, Summer, Fall or … Read more
Anyone who is looking to accomplish long-distance hikes, like the triple crown big three, needs to have a nice and roomy tent. Preferably one which doesn’t also break the bank and cost a large sum as it will be roughed up and abused over the months. This is when I came across the 3F UL … Read more
This is the tent most thru-hikers and ultralight backpackers look for when trying to get their base weight down into the sub 7-8 pound range. The Big Agnes Fly Creek HV2 tent is an amazing construction using Dyneema to drastically lower the weight. This loss in weight doesn’t adversely impact the durability though on this … Read more
Choosing your jacket can be a personal choice and for most this will be split between a down puffy jacket or a synthetic based jacket. For years the Torrid Apex Jacket from Enlightened Equipment has been a favorite for most hikers, backpackers, and thru-hikers to keep warm while being super lightweight. Let’s face it, no … Read more
