Stop obsessing over the perfectly planned adventure. Discover why letting go of expectations can lead to your best backpacking adventures yet.

Alex Rich from Mystery Ranch reveals the thought process behind designing packs built for extreme conditions. From the groundbreaking overload system to the meticulous choice of materials, we explore how the company merges innovation with practicality. Whether for hunting or hiking, discover what makes Mystery Ranch packs stand out in the world of outdoor gear.

Finding the right lightweight mid-layer for outdoor adventures can be challenging. After nearly two years of using the Outdoor Vitals Ventus Active Hoodie, I’m convinced it’s one of the best lightweight, versatile, and warm mid-layers available.

I thought the perfect family backpacking tent didn’t exist until I found the Argali Absoroka 4P. It’s now my shelter of choice for the foreseeable future. Find out why.

Are you planning a long-distance hike but unsure whether to thru-hike or section hike? This post breaks down the pros and cons of each, from gear to time commitment, helping you decide which approach is right for you.

Andrew Cottrell of Mystery Ranch shares the design secrets behind the Radix Series, a lightweight yet durable backpack built for serious hikers seeking comfort and versatility.

Explore the transformative power of barefoot running and the three pillars of well-being with Barefoot Ted, founder of Luna Sandals, as he shares insights on minimalism, autonomy, and achieving flow state for a balanced life.

In an inspiring adventure, Jack McClure and his wife Alana thru-hiked the Pacific Crest Trail with their nine-month-old daughter. From managing gear and handling medical emergencies to overcoming emotional challenges, their journey was filled with valuable lessons. Jack’s story offers practical tips and inspiration for families looking to embrace the outdoors together.

Everest has long been a symbol of human challenge and adventure, but the story behind its guiding industry is often misunderstood. Dive into the evolution of Everest guiding, the rise of Sherpa leaders, myths that surround the world's tallest peak, and discover how Everest continues to inspire adventurers while balancing accessibility and preservation.

Brad Brooks of Argali Outdoors joins the podcast to talk about backpacking with kids, his new lineup of tents, and the benefits of using polyester instead of nylon in backpacking tents.

Aaron Owens, founder of Backcountry Foodie, shares how a midlife crisis turned into a journey of redefining trail nutrition. Learn the importance of consistent, nutrient-dense meals for backpacking, balancing comfort foods with nutrition, and her passion for helping hikers through personalized meal planning and resupply services.

Robbie Kroger of Blood Origins joins the podcast to explore the complexities of wildlife conservation—from wolf reintroduction and wetland preservation to the ethics of hunting and cougar management in California. This episode offers a fresh, nuanced perspective on sustainable wildlife management.

Steve Speck and Mark Huelsing of Exo Mountain Gear join me for a behind-the-scenes look at their newest pack design; the K4. After over three years in development and a decade of pack-building experience, the K4 is a finely tuned design and the best pack Exo has designed.

Shelter size is a big deal for backpack hunters. Go too small and waiting out a storm for a few days will drive you crazy, but go too big and you might not find a suitable place to pitch it. Choosing the right sized shelter for your hunt will impact your overall comfort and capability so let’s get it sorted out!

Floorless vs. floored shelters; the new “age old question” that has floored backpack hunters since the beginning of time. Depending on where you live, where you’re hunting, what your willing to sleep with or not sleep with, and what weather is headed your way, you’re going to find yourself considering which type of shelter to haul with you into the backcountry. In recent years, floorless has become a staple in the backcountry for a number of reasons, yet traditional floored shelters still have their place in the backcountry. If you’re caught trying to decide which is right for you, this article is going to help you out.

We’ve all seen those pictures floating around the internet of toes and heels blistered so bad it turns your stomach inside out. Blisters happen to the best of us, but they are preventable and treatable if you know what you’re doing. There’s no perfect solution to blister prevention because each boot, foot, and skin type is different. It’s an exercise in finding the right combination of treatment and prevention to make your life on the mountain enjoyable for your feet.

There are two main types of backpack hunting camps; a base camp where you return to each evening and a mobile (or spike) camp which requires you to pack up each morning and make camp each night. It’s up to you as the hunter to determine which camp is best suited for your situation and to plan your gear accordingly.

Learn how to use a successful military planning framework to enhance your backpacking plans to ensure success, enjoyment, and safety.

You’ve probably prepared your gear, your meals, your weapon of choice, and your body for your upcoming backpack hunt, but are you prepared for the trash you’re going to create while you’re out there? All those meals and snacks come with a wrapper of some sort so have you thought about what you’re going to do once you’re done with them?

We all need water. It’s the one thing that you’ll want after a long climb up a rugged landscape and it’s the one thing that can become scarce if not managed properly. It’s important to not only know where you’re going to get your water during your hunt but also how you’re going to manage it and store it once you have it. It’s not a complicated process, but it’s one worth thinking through so you can make sure you have enough available for the duration of your hunt.