Explore the Blog

Best Women’s Hiking Shoes and Boots

Looking for the best women’s hiking shoes or boots? After thousands of miles of hiking, I'm sharing my favorite hiking shoes, hiking boots, and trail runners for day hikes, backpacking, and thru-hiking.

Read More

Best Hiking Shorts for Women

In search of the best hiking shorts for women? After thousands of miles of hiking, I'm sharing my favorite shorts for day hikes, backpacking, trail running, and more – including the best lined, unlined, and biker shorts for hiking.

Read More

Kari Traa Base Layer Review: Best Women's Wool Base Layers for Winter Adventures

In this Kari Traa base layer review, I go into detail about the best women’s merino wool base layers for winter activities, from skiing to hiking and more. From comfort to style, I break down the features of Kari Traa's base layer tops, pants, and accessories.

Read More

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Camera Pod Review: My Experience with the HMG Camera Bag for Hiking, Backpacking, and Thru-Hiking

Looking for the perfect camera bag for your hiking adventures? Here is my comprehensive review of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear (HMG) Camera Pod, which is an ultralight and weatherproof camera bag. I go over its specs, features, and how it performed on my thru-hike of the Wonderland Trail.

Read More

Ultimate Backpacking Quilt Guide: Why I Use a Quilt Instead of a Sleeping Bag for 3-Season Backpacking

In this backpacking quilt guide, discover what quilts are, learn about quilts vs. traditional sleeping bags, and explore the advantages of quilts for backpacking and thru-hiking. I go over technical aspects like footboxes and fill power, and also provide my top recommendations for backpacking quilts.

Read More

The Best Ultralight Backpacking Gear Available at REI Co-op

In this blog post, I'll explore the various options for ultralight backpacking gear available at REI Co-op. REI has a wide selection of quality gear, customer-friendly return policies, and knowledgeable staff. This guide will help you navigate the essentials for a more enjoyable and efficient hiking experience.

Read More

Nashville Pack Cutaway 30L Backpack: 3,000 Mile Review

When I set out to thruhike the 3,000-mile-long Continental Divide Trail, I knew I needed just the right pack for this adventure, and for that, I chose the Nashville Pack Cutaway 30L Backpack. This review goes over the Nashville Pack Cutaway specs and how it performed throughout my thruhike.

Read More

Backpacking Gear Guide: What to Pack for a Backpacking Trip

Wondering what to pack for a backpacking trip? This post has you covered. I’ve backpacked over 7,000 miles and put a lot of time into finding the best backpacking gear that is durable, quality, and ultralight. In this post, I provide an overview of both ultralight and lightweight backpacking gear, along with budget-friendly options and some higher-priced items.

Read More