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Episode 75 | Winter Layering for the Legs

Much attention is paid to layering for the torso, head, hands, and feet - but the legs are often ignored. However, during winter conditions, an intentional layering strategy for the legs can make the difference between comfort and misery. For mild winter conditions, a layering strategy may look similar to a 3-season lower body layering system. However, when temperatures drop below freezing, and snow and wind increase, the strategy needs to change a bit. Listen to this episode to explore some of these strategies so you can stay warm and comfortable when the mercury drops.

Home Freeze-Drying vs. Other Trail Food Preparation Strategies

Drew Smith talks about the place of home freeze-drying in the wider context of trail food strategies, and attempts freeze dried french toast!

Lessons from Moving Fast

Ben Kilbourne explores the experience of moving fast through a vast mountain landscape and what you can learn from the experience.

Episode 74 | Shelter Stakes for Winter Camping
Listen Summary In this episode, we address winter shelter stakes for frozen ground, hard snow, and unconsolidated snow. In this Episode: News: Avalanche Awareness and Safety Live Stream Q&A – January...
Superior Wilderness Designs Movement 40L Backpack Review

This review focuses on the modularity of the Superior Wilderness Designs Movement 40L backpack. In particular, the Movement has the ability to morph from a frameless to a framed pack with a suspension capable of carrying 35 pounds (15.9 kg) or so.

Episode 73 | Avalanche Awareness for Backpackers

In this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, you're going to learn about avalanche awareness in the context of winter hiking, snowshoeing, and ski touring.

The Best of Backpacking Light: 2022 Highlights

Highlights of 2022 - the most popular, most engaging content and featured highlights, forums, education, and more.

Winter Hiking & Backpacking Gear – Part 2

Interested in winter hiking and backpacking? In this webinar, learn how to use your existing kit, plus a few extra strategic items, to be safe and comfortable in the winter. Part 2 of 2.

Tenkara Fishing Rods and Gear for Backpacking – Hane, Rhodo, Ito, Satoki, TF39TA

In this video overview, I present the five rods that I've been using over the past few years for most of my backcountry tenkara fishing. They include four models from Tenkara USA (including the new Satoki) and one model from Tenryu (the TF39TA) that remains the staple of my kit. In addition, I'll walk through the basic gear I use and take while tenkara fishing on hiking and backpacking trips.

MYOG Tunnel Tent (The Frankenstein Tent: Old Materials Come Alive Again)

An MYOG tunnel tent project using re-purposed fabrics from used gear.

Winter Hiking & Backpacking Gear – Part 1

Interested in winter hiking and backpacking? In this webinar, learn how to use your existing kit, plus a few extra strategic items, to be safe and comfortable in the winter. Part 1 of 2.

Falling Stones at Two Goat Camp

Andrew Marshall's account of a Wonderland Trail thru-hike at the intersection of permits, wildfires, the birth of his son, and trauma.

Episode 72 | The Cottage Industry

In this episode we talk to Garage Grown Gear CEO and co-founder Lloyd Vogel where we’ll be diving into the outdoor gear cottage industry.

Staff Picks 2022

Updated: Click here for 2023 Staff Picks. Each year, our staff selects their favorite backcountry gear from the past year, and we look forward to you sharing your favorite gear of the year as well in the forum comments below!

Episode 71 | Sleeping Bag Layering Systems

In today's episode of the Backpacking Light podcast, we're going to talk about how to use multi-layered sleep systems to stay warmer on multi-day trips in cold weather.

2022 Backpacking Light Members Choice Awards

First annual Members Choice Awards - what gear do our members use and love as we near the end of 2022?

BPL Live! Tour, News, and Q&A

Join us for BPL Live! and take a tour of Backpacking Light, find out what's new, and get answers to your questions about Backpacking Light, using the website, getting the most out of your membership, and more!

Episode 70 | Fall Backpacking & Cold Feet

In this episode of the Backpacking Light podcast, we talk about how to mitigate cold feet during fall-season backpacking conditions.

Hiking and Backpacking Injuries and Other Medical Issues Dominant inReach SOS Incidents

Data from 10,000 inReach SOS incidents show that hikers and backpackers needing emergency assistance for injuries and other medical issues is the predominant inReach use case.

By The Numbers: What’s the Best Base Layer Fabric? Wool vs. Alpaca vs. Polyester

In this paper, I subject base layers in various weights made from merino, merino blends, and alpaca to the suite of tests I have developed to evaluate base layer performance. I then compare the performance of these base layers with those of the polyester base layers I have recently reviewed. We also see if my preconceived notions about merino hold water. Finally, we will see how to choose the fiber for our base layers.

Alpacka Refuge Review

The Alpacka Raft Refuge Packraft weighs less than six pounds but includes a cargo fly and whitewater deck.

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