Derek and Carl share their best tips for you to shave pack weight and get rid of unnecessary items. But, over the years, the B&B community has pushed back on many of these tips – seemingly with little reason. If you want to lighten your load, this is the way.

Some of the Topics Covered:

-Tips to lighten your backpacking weight

-Backpacking gear

-Ultralight backpacking

Enlightened Equipment: Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market!

Get in prime time hiking shape with Rowan from Summit Strength so you can have your best hiking season yet!

GET BONUS SEGMENTS & EPISODES ON PATREON: There are over 40 BONUS episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on…

Facebook

Instagram: @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast

Email: [email protected]

Please check out our website: backpackingandblisters.com

Our Favorite Gear

Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt

Outdoor Vitals Summit Down Sleeping Bag

Gregory Paragon/Maven Backpack (Full Comfort)

Nemo Tensor Sleeping Pad

Jetboil Flash 1.0 (for larger groups)

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 (for solo or smaller groups)

Katadyn BeFree

Black Diamond Spot

Garmin InReach Mini 2

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Watch

Big Agnes Copper Spur

Nemo Hornet

Pearl Izumi Thermal Arm Warmers

The 72 Year Old Thru Hiker – Hiking Rev – joins the show to discuss some strange stories from the trail as well as tips and advice for older, weaker, newer and scared hikers. Also, how did he handle a very creepy encounter while hitchhiking?

Some of the Topics Covered:

-Tips for older, weaker, newer, scared hikers and backpackers.

-Hitchhiking techniques

-When to call 911

Check out The Hiking Rev on YouTube!

Strava: Search  or or

Enlightened Equipment: Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market!

Get in prime time hiking shape with Rowan from Summit Strength so you can have your best hiking season yet!

GET BONUS SEGMENTS & EPISODES ON PATREON: There are over 40 BONUS episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on…

Facebook

Instagram: @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast

Email: [email protected]

Please check out our website: backpackingandblisters.com

Our Favorite Gear

Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt

Outdoor Vitals Summit Down Sleeping Bag

Gregory Paragon/Maven Backpack (Full Comfort)

Nemo Tensor Sleeping Pad

Jetboil Flash 1.0 (for larger groups)

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 (for solo or smaller groups)

Katadyn BeFree

Black Diamond Spot

Garmin InReach Mini 2

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Watch

Big Agnes Copper Spur

Nemo Hornet

Pearl Izumi Thermal Arm Warmers

Derek and Carl recap their Desolation Wilderness trip and all of the mistakes they made along the way. From missing car windows, to strange outfits, to ranger encounters, to failed pranks, there’s a lot going on with this trip. And what did they finally decide regarding punishments for the next trip for their trivia failures?

Topics Covered:

-Backpacking in Desolation Wilderness, California

-Backpacking Gear

-Trail antics

Enlightened Equipment: Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market!

Get in prime time hiking shape with Rowan from Summit Strength so you can have your best hiking season yet!

GET BONUS SEGMENTS & EPISODES ON PATREON: There are over 40 BONUS episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on…

Facebook

Instagram: @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast

Email: [email protected]

Please check out our website: backpackingandblisters.com

Our Favorite Gear

Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt

Outdoor Vitals Summit Down Sleeping Bag

Gregory Paragon/Maven Backpack (Full Comfort)

Nemo Tensor Sleeping Pad

Jetboil Flash 1.0 (for larger groups)

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 (for solo or smaller groups)

Katadyn BeFree

Black Diamond Spot

Garmin InReach Mini 2

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Watch

Big Agnes Copper Spur

Nemo Hornet

Pearl Izumi Thermal Arm Warmers

Hiking Guy Cris Hazzard joins the show as our tech guru. What are the top 3 tech devices or gadgets he recommends? And what are the top 3 pieces of tech Carl suggests that you ditch immediately. Also, when can we stop bringing locator beacons in lieu of our phones?

Some of the Tech Gear Covered:

-Garmin InReach Mini 2

-Garmin Enduro GPS Watch

-LcFun USB Electric Lighter

Check out the latest trail tech on the Hiking Guy YouTube Channel!

For more resources from Cris check out his website!

Enlightened Equipment: Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market!

Get in prime time hiking shape with Rowan from Summit Strength so you can have your best hiking season yet!

GET BONUS SEGMENTS & EPISODES ON PATREON: There are over 40 BONUS episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on…

Facebook

Instagram: @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast

Email: [email protected]

Please check out our website: backpackingandblisters.com

Our Favorite Gear

Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt

Outdoor Vitals Summit Down Sleeping Bag

Gregory Paragon/Maven Backpack (Full Comfort)

Nemo Tensor Sleeping Pad

Jetboil Flash 1.0 (for larger groups)

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 (for solo or smaller groups)

Katadyn BeFree

Black Diamond Spot

Garmin InReach Mini 2

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Watch

Big Agnes Copper Spur

Nemo Hornet

Pearl Izumi Thermal Arm Warmers

Derek and Carl choose the BEST backpacking tips, hacks and advice that the ultralight backpacking community has to offer. Does that mean they’re all good? Probably not. But there should be at least a couple of takeaways from the collective ‘wisdom’ of backpackers across the world.

Topics Covered:

-Backpacking hacks, tips and tricks

-Backpacking Gear

-Controversial backpacking ideas

Oboz Katabatic Wind Trail Shoe Was Reviewed by Derek!

Enlightened Equipment: Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market!

Get in prime time hiking shape with Rowan from Summit Strength so you can have your best hiking season yet!

GET BONUS SEGMENTS & EPISODES ON PATREON: There are over 40 BONUS episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on…

Facebook

Instagram: @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast

Email: [email protected]

Please check out our website: backpackingandblisters.com

Our Favorite Gear

Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt

Outdoor Vitals Summit Down Sleeping Bag

Gregory Paragon/Maven Backpack (Full Comfort)

Nemo Tensor Sleeping Pad

Jetboil Flash 1.0 (for larger groups)

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 (for solo or smaller groups)

Katadyn BeFree

Black Diamond Spot

Garmin InReach Mini 2

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Watch

Big Agnes Copper Spur

Nemo Hornet

Pearl Izumi Thermal Arm Warmers

Derek and Carl discuss the first 5 things you need to do when arriving to camp…in order. They suggest that you do these things or you’ll pay the price (one way or another). Of course, their lists are entirely different. Which one do you trust?

Topics Covered:

-Backpacking Tips and tricks

-Camping strategies

-Inappropriate camp behaviors

Enlightened Equipment: Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market!

Get in prime time hiking shape with Rowan from Summit Strength so you can have your best hiking season yet!

GET BONUS SEGMENTS & EPISODES ON PATREON: There are over 40 BONUS episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on…

Facebook

Instagram: @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast

Email: [email protected]

Please check out our website: backpackingandblisters.com

Our Favorite Gear

Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt

Outdoor Vitals Summit Down Sleeping Bag

Gregory Paragon/Maven Backpack (Full Comfort)

Nemo Tensor Sleeping Pad

Jetboil Flash 1.0 (for larger groups)

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 (for solo or smaller groups)

Katadyn BeFree

Black Diamond Spot

Garmin InReach Mini 2

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Watch

Big Agnes Copper Spur

Nemo Hornet

Pearl Izumi Thermal Arm Warmers

On this 'Throwback Thursday' episode Kyle O'Grady joins the show to discuss a variety of topics that include common, beginner backpacking mistakes, cults on the trail and trivia!

Check out Kyle's popular YouTube Channel!

Topics Covered:

-Beginner Backpacking mistakes

-Backpacking gear

-Weird Backpacking Stories

Enlightened Equipment: Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market!

Get in prime time hiking shape with Rowan from Summit Strength so you can have your best hiking season yet!

GET BONUS SEGMENTS & EPISODES ON PATREON: There are over 40 BONUS episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on…

Facebook

Instagram: @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast

Email: [email protected]

Please check out our website: backpackingandblisters.com

Epic film-maker Kraig Adams joins the show. He might be the #1 backpacking film-maker (or film-maker who backpacks) out there. What are 3 big and unexpected challenges Kraig has encountered while traveling all over the world? People hiding in strange places, taking a ‘short cut’ down a mountain, and some odd food choices are just scratching the surface.

Topics Covered:

-Epic backpacking locations

-Backpacking mistakes

-Creative backpacking activities

Kraig Adams’ epic films!

La Sportiva Prodigio Pro Trail Shoe

Exped MegaMat Duo

Enlightened Equipment: Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market!

Get in prime time hiking shape with Rowan from Summit Strength so you can have your best hiking season yet!

GET BONUS SEGMENTS & EPISODES ON PATREON: There are over 40 BONUS episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on…

Facebook

Instagram: @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast

Email: [email protected]

Please check out our website: backpackingandblisters.com

Derek and Carl discuss there single toughest day backpacking...and what you can do to avoid their mistakes. Also we have breaking news! A new backpacking stove was just released this week! Details on that and more!

Topics Covered:

-New backpacking stove

-Overcoming a tough backpacking day

-Bear attack

Enlightened Equipment: Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market!

Get in prime time hiking shape with Rowan from Summit Strength so you can have your best hiking season yet!

GET BONUS SEGMENTS & EPISODES ON PATREON: There are over 40 BONUS episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on…

Facebook

Instagram: @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast

Email: [email protected]

Please check out our website: backpackingandblisters.com

Our Favorite Gear

Outdoor Vitals Summit Down Sleeping Bag

Mystery Ranch Radix

Mystery Ranch Bridger (Heavy Duty Trips)

Nemo Tensor Sleeping Pad

Jetboil Flash (for larger groups)

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 (for solo or smaller groups)

Katadyn BeFree

Black Diamond Spot

Helinox Chair Zero

Big Agnes Copper Spur

Nemo Hornet

Hoka Speedgoat Trail Shoes

Pearl Izumi Thermal Arm Warmers

New 2025 Backpacking Gear is here! Backpacks, sleeping pads, tents, gadgets, chairs…you name it. Gear expert Devin Ashby from Backcountry Exposure joins the show to weigh in (and disagree) about all of the gear presented.

Some of the Gear Covered:

-Therm-a-rest Boost 650

-Danner N45

-Gregory Paragon/Maven

-Cumulus Climalite Jacket

-Crazy Creek Air Lounger

-Big Agnes Copper Spur XL Tent

-New Mountain House Meals

-Trail Goods Co

-Therm-a-rest Neo Loft

Sign Up For Devin’s Newsletter: https://backcountryexposure.com/

Check out Devin’s Awesome YouTube Channel Backcountry Exposure: https://www.youtube.com/@BackcountryExposure

Enlightened Equipment: Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market!

Get in prime time hiking shape with Rowan from Summit Strength so you can have your best hiking season yet!

GET BONUS SEGMENTS & EPISODES ON PATREON: There are over 40 BONUS episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on…

Facebook

Instagram: @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast

Email: [email protected]

Please check out our website: backpackingandblisters.com

Our Favorite Gear

Outdoor Vitals Summit Down Sleeping Bag

Mystery Ranch Radix

Mystery Ranch Bridger (Heavy Duty Trips)

Nemo Tensor Sleeping Pad

Jetboil Flash (for larger groups)

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 (for solo or smaller groups)

Katadyn BeFree

Black Diamond Spot

Helinox Chair Zero

Big Agnes Copper Spur

Nemo Hornet

Hoka Speedgoat Trail Shoes

Pearl Izumi Thermal Arm Warmers

Audio Version of the Podcast on your favorite apps and here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/backpacking-blisters-a-hiking-backpacking-and/id1309369783

Check out Rowan's Awesome Podcast: Training for Trekking Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-training-for-trekking-podcast/id1461729348

Help support our podcast at no extra cost to you by clicking on any links below if you’re in the market for some new gear! Any purchases you make will support our show at no extra cost to you!

Our Favorite Gear (Clicking and, potentially, buying anything helps our show at no extra cost to you)

Outdoor Vitals Summit Down Sleeping Bag

Mystery Ranch Radix

Mystery Ranch Bridger (Heavy Duty Trips)

Nemo Tensor Sleeping Pad

Jetboil Flash (for larger groups)

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 (for solo or smaller groups)

Katadyn BeFree

Black Diamond Spot

Helinox Chair Zero

Big Agnes Copper Spur

Nemo Hornet

Hoka Speedgoat Trail Shoes

Pearl Izumi Thermal Arm Warmers