How to Choose a Backpacking Pack Backpacking packs generally have larger capacities and more robust suspensions in comparison to daypacks. These bigger packs are designed to carry the larger amounts of gear (40+ liters) required for overnights or multiple-day adventures. They also…
How to Choose a Sleeping Bag There are a number of important factors to consider when choosing a sleeping bag. Let’s break them down. Insulation Type The insulating material inside the sleeping bag is often called fill. The fill is a very…
How to Choose Gloves and Mittens We’ve all felt it: When it gets cold, your body directs more blood to core areas of your body. While that warms your heart, this response leaves your hands cold. Knowing how to choose gloves and…
How to Choose Men’s Backpacking Boots The connection between man and the trail, backpacking boots play a vital role in the kit of those who prefer to measure their time in the backcountry in days instead of hours. Unlike boots built for…
How to Choose a Backcountry Water Filter Proper hydration is essential for an enjoyable trip. Carrying water is manageable for short trips but as any wildland firefighter will tell you, water is not a lightweight liquid (1 gallon = 8 pounds). If you…
How to Choose a Backpacking Tent Joining other essentials such as a backpack and sleeping bag, a tent is usually one of the basic items of a backpacker’s kit. Like with a camping tent, comfort is a factor but because a backpacking…
What is Trail Mix? What is trail mix? Trail mix, or GORP, is the ultimate trail snack, popularized by endless variations. While ‘GORP’ is fairly specific – Good Old Raisins and Peanuts – the term ‘trail mix’ simply means a…
How to Choose a Pack for your Dog Dogs packs have a simple goal: to allow your pet to share the load when you’re together on the trail. Dog packs come in many sizes and configurations, allowing you to find the perfect fit for…
National Park Service Founder’s Day On August 25th, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed into law Pub.L. 64–235, H.R. 15522, 39 Stat. 535, An Act to establish a National Park Service, and for other purposes. Less formally known as the Organic Act…
More than a Name It’s a change more than two years in the making: The outdoor gear retailer known as Backcountry Edge has become Enwild. Our customers and fans have supported us since 2004, when Tim King shipped his first…
Boot Lacing Techniques for a Better Fit Given how much we hike, run and roam, many of us dream about the perfect-fitting hiking boot or running shoe. One of the problems in achieving that goal is that our feet have unique shapes and…
Benefits of a Sleeping Bag Liner If you have a sleeping bag, you can benefit from a sleeping bag liner. Liners are simple in their design – so simple, in fact, that some people underrate their importance. The benefits of a sleeping…
What is Down? Outdoor adventurers have a long history of using down insulation – in men’s and women’s jackets, sleeping bags, gloves and hats. Thanks to the little bits that occasionally wiggle out of these warm garments, most people…
How to Choose a Family Camping Tent Family camping tents are the more spacious relatives of the familiar backpacking tent. People often expect greater comfort in a campground than on the trail and this means that factors like weight and packability are less…
What’s a Backpacking Quilt? When you hear ‘quilt’, you may think of those comfy, sometimes elaborately-sewn blankets produced by your great grandmother or favorite aunt. Those beloved bedspreads are much different than the increasingly popular high-tech quilts made for backpackers.…
Backpacker’s Dream Gear Giveaway We’re pleased to announce the lucky winner of our Backpacker’s Dream Giveaway: Congratulations Christopher H from Connecticut!! Get your hiking boots ready because we’re giving away some seriously dream-worthy gear to one lucky backpacker – it…
IP Ratings: What Do They Mean? You may have seen IP ratings when shopping for outdoor electronic gear like GPS units, headlamps, cameras and solar power devices. This very useful but sometimes mysterious rating system simply describes the ruggedness of your electronics.…
How to Choose a Travel Pack Blending the comfort of a hiking backpack with the travel-friendly features of traditional luggage, travel packs provide everything today’s globetrotters and adventurers need for relaxed, easy, and organized travel, no matter if it’s a weekend away…
How to Choose a Hydration Pack Hydration packs are designed to keep you well-supplied with fluids while hiking, biking, running, or wandering. Hydration packs are available with a wide variety of features. For our purposes, we’ll organize them into three categories. hydration…
How to Choose a Backpacking Headlamp A headlamp is a time-tested solution to the illumination needs of backpackers. Headlamps light the way when you’re pushing down the trail to cover a few extra miles before pitching camp, illuminate your dinner and allow…
Gear Check: Prep your Camping Gear for Summer In springtime, the cold winds and snow of winter recede into memory as the days lengthen, drawing us out to camp and hike, run and roam. Maybe you hibernated all winter or perhaps it’s been a…
How to Wash a Down Jacket Taking proper care of your down jacket can increase its warmth and lifespan, whether it’s minor repairs or washing. How to wash a down jacket The first step in washing your down jacket is to consult…
How to Pack a Sleeping Bag Getting your sleeping bag to fit back into its stuff sack can seem like a magic trick. The perfect way it was packaged at the factory appears impossible to recreate without splitting seams in the stuff…
What Size Backpack Do You Need? When choosing a backpack, whether it’s for day hikes, extended trips or somewhere in between, it can be difficult to know what size you need. To make matters more confusing, different backpack manufacturers use differing methods…
Why Use Rubber Tips on Trekking Poles? Trekking poles usually feature hard metal or carbide tips, which provide excellent traction on trails, snow and ice. Metal tips can wear down when used on ‘improved’ surfaces like asphalt or pavement. Metal tips can also…
How to Care for a Down Jacket Down jackets often accompany us on our adventures. After standing up to the rigors of the trail, the slopes and untold campsites, puffy coats can start to show wear. You might be facing: Or maybe you…
How to Pick the Perfect Pair of Trekking Poles A set of trekking poles is essential for many outdoor enthusiasts, whether they’re tackling high summits or exploring lowland traverses. With trekking poles being asked to serve such a wide range of activities, they have become…
How to Choose a Sleeping Pad for Backpacking Backpackers face unique challenges when choosing a sleeping pad to go under their sleeping bag. Like everyone else, they seek comfort and insulation. Unlike car-, horse- and campground-based situations, however, backpackers must balance these factors while…
Choosing a Headlamp for Trail Running Whether you’re trying to beat the heat before the sun rises, sneaking in some late-night miles, or simply enjoying the pure pleasure of doing it in the dark, a good headlamp with features appropriate for trail…
How to Choose a Daypack The daypack is tasked with carrying all of the essential gear for a day outside, making it a smaller cousin to the classic backpacking pack. Whether you’re heading out for a quick hike, an all-day epic,…
The Truth About Sleeping Bag Temperature Ratings Afraid your bag won’t keep you warm? Sleeping bags are rated for certain temperatures by their manufacturers. Look around and you will see some are rated for warm weather while others are rated for extreme cold.…
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