Hiker's & Backpacker's Gear School

How To Choose A Sleeping Pad

Knowing how to choose the best sleeping pad possible is essential if you want to stay warm and comfortable while camping or backpacking.

Choosing the ideal pad for you will ensure that you wake up rested, refreshed, and ready for a day of adventure.

In this video we take a look at the 3 most common types of sleeping pads, as well as discuss some factors to take into account when selecting a sleeping pad that best compliments your sleep system and sleeping style.

Whether you’re car camping or even heading out on an ultralight backpacking trip, we hope that these tips help you find the perfect pad to fit your needs and allow you to get a great night’s sleep.

Packing a backpack isn't rocket science, or is it?

Well it is if you want to have an even and comfortable load that will actually allow you to move forward versus fall backwards.

A Dictionary of Common Gear Terms

Denier?
Fill power?
Midsole?

Here's your handy dictionary for deciphering commonly-used gear terms: http://www.backpacker.com/gear/a-dictionary-of-common-gear-terms/#bp=0/img3&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter02

Fix It: Repair a Zipper Slider

It only takes 2 seconds to repair a zipper slider yourself.
Here's how to do it.

Fix It: Repair a Sleeping Bag Hole

Repair a sleeping bag hole with this 5-minute fix.

Muito bom obrigado pela partilha

Fix It: Replace a Zipper

Get your zipper back on track with an easy fix:

Top 10 Things to Pack for a Day Hike



After a winter and spring of rain and cold, I can’t wait to get outdoors, and what better way than a hike?
I am lucky to have tons of options for awesome day hikes in Washington—and even luckier that the The Girl and Monkey Boy are willing to go with me.

If you plan on heading out to the great outdoors, here’s a must-have list to pack in your daypack:

1 - Camera. I’m sure it goes without saying, but chances are, you will see some pretty cool stuff out there. And, as the old adage goes: “Take a picture, it’ll last longer.”

2 - Water. If you are going all minimalist and don’t want to carry a backpack, do yourself a solid, and carry a bottle of water. You’re going to work up a sweat and you’ll need to replenish. Enough said.

3 - Sunscreen and Bug Spray. I love the summer, but the elements will turn on you. Don’t underestimate the sun’s ability to peek its way through a tree canopy. Sunscreen good, melanoma bad. Also, if you get anywhere near the water, the mosquitoes will show no mercy. Best just to lay down some cover fire.

4 - Snacks. Okay, the thing is, sometimes you feel snackish and packing something is just a pleasant way to suppress your appetite. Other times, you take a wrong turn and find that a 3 hour hike turns into a 6 hour one–here’s where that snack becomes a really happy little treat.

5 - First Aid Kit. It may seem like overkill shove all of this into a backpack, but blisters, scrapes, etc. can really ruin a perfectly good afternoon. Better to be prepared.

6- A lighter. No, not for your Marlboro’s, but in case something goes wrong and you find yourself hunkering down for a night in the wilderness. Seriously, this could be a life saver and takes up hardly any space.

7 - A knife. There are about a billion ways a knife could come in handy on a hike. It is a simple must-have. I always throw a leatherman into my backpack. It basically does everything.

8- Hiking boots. I know this one really doesn’t go into your pack, but I consider it a must-have for one reason: snakes. Snakes hiding in the grass will typically strike at feet and ankles–a protective layer around those two body parts seems like a no-brainer.

9- Map and/or compass. Face it, getting lost sucks, whether it’s in the city or in the out-of-doors. A little prevention goes a long way.

10- Garbage Bag. A garbage bag is like a multi-purpose tool in the day hike world. Best case scenario, you have a handy little garbage can for your wrappers from that snack. Worst case, you have a make-shift rain poncho.

Also, please imagine me saying this in my best mom voice: make sure to tell someone where you are going. It’s a simple way to make sure that should you get lost, someone would come looking for you. {Maybe I should have suggested telling someone who likes you, to ensure they will actually come looking for you. Ha.}

Source: http://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/top-10-things-to-pack-for-a-day-hike/

a #9 é um bocado obsoleta nestes dias do geocaching.

e a mais importante não tem número:

make sure to tell someone where you are going

Fix It: Patch a Sleeping Pad

A punctured sleeping pad doesn't have to end your trip.

Here's how to patch it.