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How to choose backpacking footwear so you can keep hiking until you die
Most advice about minimalist footwear can be rejected outright. Often, the advice is given by hikers who haven't put in the time required to understand the complexity and depth of foot biomechanics and the long-term effects of overuse that is endured by walking for decades. Here are some guiding principles if you want to keep hiking into your sunset years, so you can delay the inevitable onset of overuse conditions like hallux rigidus.
Navigating Without a Compass, Map, or GPS
This article describes natural navigator techniques I’ve found helpful while bushwhacking - navigating without a compass, map, or GPS.
Wet, Cold Feet When Backpacking: How To Keep Your Feet Dry(er) and Warm(er) in Inclement Weather
Keep feet warm and dry by using a carefully designed system that involves different types of socks, shoes, and gaiters.
How to Keep Fuel Warm During Canister Stove Operation
Various techniques for keeping fuel warm during canister stove operation are described, in order to optimize fuel vaporization.
Lightweight Backpacking in the Winter: Gear and Techniques from the Arctic
Lightweight backpacking in the winter requires more intentionality with respect to gear selection and skill set, but with great rewards.
How to Buy Outdoor Gear – Functional Analysis
The outdoor market is ripe with marketing ploys and distractions. Jorgen shares the tool he uses to buy outdoor gear - functional analysis.
How to Choose Lightweight Backpacking Gear: Save Weight, Money, Hassle, and Time
Choosing functional and lightweight backpacking gear is tough. What roles do comfort, durability, and aesthetics play in decision-making?
How to Choose Backpacking Gear for Inclement Weather: Clothing, Sleep, and Shelter Systems
The purpose of this article is simple: I want to teach you how to choose backpacking equipment for inclement weather by documenting my thought processes as I select clothing, sleep, and shelter systems for a summer trek. The process will be illustrated as a case study: my equipment selection for a 12-day summer trek in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness in Southwest Montana.
How to Choose and Use Ultralight Base Layers
Jorgen Johansson makes the case for one base layer and the best ways to choose and use ultralight long underwear (base layers).
Ultralight Backpacking: Core Principles & Philosophy (Video)
Ultralight Backpacking: Core Principles is a 13-minute video screencast presentation that provides a critical foundation for efficiently becoming a skilled ultralight backpacker. The core principles presented herein should be considered wherever you are in your journey on lightening up, and are as applicable to me even today, after decades of "working on my pack weight", as they were to me more than 25 years ago when I started this journey.
Backpacking Light 101 (Curated Collection)
We’ve hand picked these pieces to give you a solid foundation of what we think are important pieces to the vast mosaic of lightweight backpacking information. We hope you find these articles to be valuable on your road to traveling lighter in the backcountry.
Microadventures: Breaking Down the Barriers of Visiting a Wild Place
Microadventures are exactly that - tiny little trips with minimal fuss, minimal gear, and maximum bang for the buck.
The 60-Second Backpacker, Episode No. 1: Weigh Your Stuff
The 60-Second Backpacker is a video series that provides bite-sized shorts about equipment, techniques, and philosophy of ultralight backpacking.
Five Lessons from the John Muir Trail
These lessons are aimed at beginners and are based on experiences while hiking the JMT. They are adaptable to any hiking setting and can certainly make the trip more enjoyable.
Hiking Clothing Guide: An Overview of Ultralight Layering Systems
Keys to layering clothing for outdoor activity - keep it simple, light, and functional. This hiking clothing guide shows you how.
Amateur Backpacking Videography
Videography with an emphasis on the pursuit of the "perfect" shot and the ensuing editing can be time consuming, daunting, and distract from your trip. The author presents tactics to make it easier and record your adventures.
Lightweight Mealtime Routines for Group Cooking
Simplifying the process of planning, preparing, and cooking for groups in the wild.
The Updated Foot-Care Kit
While moleskin still is an effective means to treating hot spots and blisters, new technology is emerging that is far more effective at treating sore feet.
Technical Canyoneering for the Ultralight Backpacker
Canyoneering is challenging as it offers an opportunity to tackle a variety of terrain using new gear. Combining canyoneering with backpacking is a recipe for a legendary trip.
Still My Favorite Cook Kit
An Esbit cook system is very lightweight, fuel efficient, and ideal for warm-weather, solo cooking.
