Discover the best deals at the REI Anniversary Sale 2024 from May 17th to May 27th! Save up to 30% on hiking, camping, and backpacking gear during REI Co-op’s biggest sale of the year. Whether you're a beginner or upgrading your equipment, this sale is the perfect time to invest in top-quality outdoor gear. Explore amazing discounts on your favorite items in this blog post. Don’t miss out on these limited-time offers during the REI Anniversary Sale 2024!

In this sleeping 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.

In the world of ultralight backpacking, the philosophy is to carry only what you need and nothing more. In this blog post, I'll explore the various options for ultralight backpacking gear available at REI Co-op, a trusted retailer for outdoor lovers. For those new to ultralight backpacking or transitioning from a traditional heavier setup, REI is a great starting point due to its wide selection of quality gear, customer-friendly return policies, and knowledgeable staff. Whether you’re a seasoned ultralight backpacker or just starting to lighten your load, this guide will help you navigate the essentials for a more enjoyable and efficient hiking experience.

In this post, learn about all the ultralight backpacking gear I used on my southbound thru-hike of the Continental Divide Trail in 2023.

In this post, learn about all the ultralight backpacking gear I’m taking with me on my southbound SOBO thru-hike of the 3,000-mile Continental Divide Trail in 2023.

In 2022 alone, I backpacked over 3,450 miles between hiking the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, the 800-mile Arizona Trail, and several backpacking trips in my current home state of Washington. I’ve put a lot of time (and I mean a lot) into finding the best backpacking gear that is durable, quality, and ultralight. Here, I hope to share some of my knowledge with you so you can create your own backpacking gear setup. I provide an overview of both ultralight and lightweight options of backpacking gear, along with some budget-friendly options and some higher-priced items.

Are you interested in hiking, but not sure what to bring with you? This guide goes through everything I bring with me on a day hike, from the gear I bring to my favorite backpack to what I wear and more! The key to being a happy hiker is having gear that is comfortable and being prepared for any situation or weather. Safety and comfort are my top priorities when choosing what to pack. Keep reading to learn about everything I wear and bring on a day hike!

Learn about everything I ate and put in my resupply boxes on my Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike. I break down all the food I ate by breakfast, lunch/snacks, and dinner, along with the total calories of each item.

In this post, learn about all the ultralight backpacking gear I took with me on the Arizona Trail in fall 2022.

In this post, learn about all the ultralight backpacking gear I finished my Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike with in 2022.

In this post, learn about all the backpacking gear I’ll be starting my Pacific Crest Trail thru-hike with.

In this post, learn about all the backpacking gear I took with me on my thru-hike of the John Muir Trail.