Best hiking backpacks online store and backpacking tricks. Sleeping bag: If you decide to buy a bag, consider the pros and cons of down fill vs. synthetic fill, especially in terms of the weather conditions you’re likely to encounter. For your first bag, synthetic is a good choice because it’s versatile and generally more affordable than down. Learn more by reading Sleeping Bags for Backpacking: How to Choose. Sleeping pad: Cushioning is crucial to a good night’s sleep. Insulation is, too, which is why you can’t take a pool float and hope to sleep warm. If you buy a pad, consider the virtues of each type: closed-cell foam pads, insulated air pads and self-inflating pads. If you can sleep well on a super-firm surface, then a closed-cell pad can save a lot of weight and money. For a good compromise between comfort and value, choose a self-inflating pad. Learn more by reading Sleeping Pads: How to Choose.
Reducing backpack weight advice : Ultralight tent footprint/ groundcloth. Footprints and ground cloths act as a protective barrier in between the ground and the floor of your tent. They also prevent any water from seeping in from the ground through your tent floor. Use a painters tarp instead of buying the manufacturer’s footprint. You can find painter’s tarp at any hardware store. 2-3 mm thick is perfect. Cut it out to match the outline of your tent floor… and then cut off an inch border to make it slightly smaller than your tent floor. Trekking poles, not tent poles. Two trekking poles (plus your guylines) is all you need to keep your tarp supported. Many tarp systems only require one pole. See ultralight trekking poles. Read additional info at Custom Hiking Stuff Sacks Online Store.
A University of Connecticut study found that even mild dehydration can lead to an increased perception of task difficulty and lower concentration levels. Stay hydrated to hike safely. Water is more important than food. You can make it about 4 days without water, less in extreme heat conditions. Take water seriously. I try to take at least 50% more water than I think I need. My hydration daypack has a big water reservoir, and there’s room to pack cheap 1.5 liter bottles from the supermarket. When my reservoir is empty, I dump these into it. I also carry a small water purifier so that I can pump water from streams, ponds, or puddles. My clear contractor bags allow me to create a solar still if I need to. It’s simple enough to pick up some 1.5L bottles at a gas station, put them in your pack, and then refill your 3L bladder with them.
The Raven UL40 is a fast & light frameless backpack ready to put in some miles. Featuring our custom printing options such as our signature “Leather & Burlap” print. Handmade and fabric printed in Pennsylvania, USA. Fully customizable and made to order. We did our best to strip this pack down to a crazy light weight. Depending on options this pack starts at just 14 ounces. When adding a padded Hip Belt you are still keeping things under control at around 17 ounces. Discover extra details at www.hilltoppacks.com.