Get the Inside Edge on the Outdoors

TrailSense is where the real people from Enwild share helpful insights on the awesome gear we carry. Wondering what type of sleeping bag you need for your next adventure? Looking to shave some weight from your pack? Whether you hike, run or roam, we’re here to help you with friendly advice, in-depth gear reviews and how-to guides.

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.…

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…

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…