10 Essentials for Hiking & Backpacking
Many a backpacking or hiking trip gone wrong can trace the root cause back to not carrying the ten hiking essentials, or not being able to use them. Come with us as we break down the what? why? and how? to help you keep your future adventures on trail and without incident.
Best Day-Hiking Backpack for 2021
Looking for the best daypack to carry your gear from A to B. Then let us help with our review of 8 of the top bags on the market.
What to do if you get lost in the woods
Over 2000 people annually get lost in the woods – in the USA alone! Find out how to not to become part of that statistic with our guide.
Hiking for Beginners: Start Hiking with Confidence
Any new endeavor can seem intimidating, but don’t worry. We’ve put together our Hiking for Beginners guide so you won’t make the same mistakes we did.
Best Hydration Bladder for Hiking & Backpacking [2021 Edition]
Choosing the best hydration bladder for you doesn’t have to be complicated – To help we’ve reviewed 11 of the top hydration bladders on the market.
Hiking Checklist: Must-Have Hiking Gear for 3-Season Adventures
When getting our hike on in three-season conditions, a number of factors combine to confuse matters when it comes to choosing our gear. We’ll cover all the essential items you need to pack, offer a few tips on how to use them, and also throw in a handy hiking gear list for you to customize and print/download
The Best Gifts For Hikers [2021 Edition]
Earn yourself the title of Best Friend or Family Member a Hiker Could Ask For by giving them one of the awesome trail-specific gifts on our 25-item list.
Best Hiking Watch for the Trail Less Travelled [2021 Edition]
Deciding how smart your next hiking watch needs to be doesn’t have to leave you dumbfounded. How did the best hiking watches fare in our in-depth review?
Hiking With Kids, Toddlers & Infants (Without Tantrums)
Hiking with kids can be a magical experience to share as you explore the outdoors together. Check out our guide with tips to ensure it all goes smoothly.
How to Use Bear Spray: The Canister That Could Save Your Life
If you are going for a walk in the woods in bear country, you better be packing Bear Spray. More effective (and humane) than firearms, we give you the lowdown on what it is exactly, how to store and dispose of it, and most importantly, how to use bear spray if you run into a bear.
How Much Water for Hiking?: H20 Measurements & Logistics Explained
How much water do you need on a hike? Don’t risk your health and enjoyment while venturing into wild places. Check out our tips for calculating the correct amount of water to take, as well as the best methods for carrying it. Ensuring that you will stay hydrated should be a primary planning concern for every adventure.
Leave No Trace Principles: A Complete Guide
Leave No Trace is a philosophy on how to conduct yourself while out on the trail – leaving nature pristine and readily enjoyable for whoever follows you. Follow our guide and you will forever only leave footprints.
Best Hiking Umbrella For All-Weather Protection
Rain jackets get all the glory, don’t they? No more! In this comprehensive buyer’s guide, we’ll introduce you to another highly practical and trail-worthy alternative that’s also mightily handy for sun protection, too.
Best Thermos & Insulated Bottles for Hiking & Camping
If your planning to keep your favorite beverage either boiling hot or icy cold for hours while you are enjoying the great outdoors, then you’ll need a great thermos. We break down the best thermoses and insulated bottles available on the market so you can choose one specifically tailored to your needs.
Best Dog Harness for Hiking Reviewed [2021 Update]
The best dog harness for hiking will make your next adventure with your dog safer and more enjoyable. Check out our reviews to find out who won.
Best Hiking GPS For Outdoor Adventures [2021 Edition]
With many options available picking the best hiking GPS can be a tough choice – we break down what’s important & give our views in this handheld GPS review.
Best Water Purification Tablets of 2021
Drinking from a stream can be risky, so we’ve reviewed the best water purification tablets on the market to help keep your gut healthy.
Average Hiking Speed—How to Calculate It & Why It’s Important
Knowing how long it will take to get from A-to-B is almost as important as how you get there. Knowing your average hiking speed helps you plan, pack & hike better. Find out why below!
How to Use a Compass Correctly
The key to knowing where you are in the backcountry is learning how to use a compass correctly. We take you step-by-step through how to do just that.
Hiking with Dogs (Bringing your best friend on the trail)
Our ultimate guide to Hiking with Dogs leads you through how to prepare for a fun trip for both of you, and which pitfalls to avoid, and how.
Best Compass for Hiking: 2021 Update
An essential for the outdoors, picking the best compass for hiking is simple with our hands-on reviews of the top models.
Navigation games
Suggested Exercises OK, so I read the pages, and I am going to teach kids this, what do I do? This page has a few suggested exercises, and this page…
The 19 Physical & Mental Benefits of Being Outside
It really should come as no surprise that we humans are spending less and less time outdoors and it’s having an effect on our physical and mental wellbeing. We take you through 19 scientifically backed benefits of being outside to help convince you to get out there once in a while!
How to Use a Compass and Map
While using a GPS may seem the easy way to navigate the wild, accidents happen and batteries run out. Learn to use a map & compass so you never get lost. Learn how with our in-depth guide.
5 Excellent Reasons Why You Should Learn Map Reading
Thanks to smart devices, true map reading is becoming less prevalent – we give 5 reasons why learning to map read is still an important skill to learn.
There’s a Bubble in My Compass: Not an Issue? Or Time to Go to the Store?
So, your compass has developed a bubble? Learn why this happens, if it’s a problem (or not) and how to remedy it.
What are the different types of hiking navigation devices?
Hikers these days have some choice in navigations tools – we pick apart the pros & cons of different types of navigational devices.
Understanding UTM Coordinates and UTM Grid Maps
Most hikers use the UTM Coordinate system to navigate, but do you really understand how it works?
Navigation Training: Topographic Map Symbols and Colors
Key to knowing where you are is understanding the topographic map symbols in front of you. Check out our 101 guide to learn more.
Orienteering Basics: Beginners Guide to Competitive Navigation
Interested in learning the basics of Orienteering? We run you through what to expect, how to learn the key skills and how to join an orienteering club.
How to Navigate Without a Compass – 7 Methods to Find Your Way
Hopefully, it never happens to you, but learning how to navigate without a compass is a useful skill. Pick up 7 ways to improve your wilderness navigation.
Whiteout, Fog and Darkness: How to Navigate in Low Visibility
While prevention is better than cure. Learning How to Navigate in Low Visibility is a useful skill. Learn how with our tips.
How to Triangulate Your Position on a Map Accurately
Learning how to triangulate and find your position is a core navigation skill. Learn this invaluable skill with our step by step guide.
How to Follow a Trail: A Guide to Hiking Trail Markers & Blazes
Understanding trail markers and blaze will help you navigate the backcountry more easily – we give a quick run down on some trail knowledge.
How to Find North Without a Compass: Five Ways to Find True North
How to find north can be a useful skill to possess if you find yourself up a creek without *ahem* a compass. Learn how with our guide.
How to Plan a Hiking Route: 5 Steps to a Perfect Route
Plan your next Hiking Route easily with our step by step guide to helping you choose the best route for your next trip.
Walking on Roads: 13 Safety Tips for Hikers
Walking on roads is sometimes a necessity when following your route. Hiking on a busy road is dangerous, so check out our advice on how to stay safe.
How to Orient a Map: Navigation 101
One of the most basic navigation skills, we’ll take you step-by-step through the two methods on How to Orient a Map
How to Improve Sense of Direction: 5 Tips to Follow the Trail Home
How to improve your sense of direction? If your a seasoned backcountry pro or struggle finding your way out of the mall, we have awesome tips to help you out.
Bushwhacking: 35 Off-Trail Navigation Skill Tips
Bushwhacking successfully (and enjoyably) is an advanced backcountry skill – learn something new with our tips on how to navigate “the bush” painlessly.
How to Use a Hiking Altimeter: 5 Awesome Tips to Improve Your Wayfinding Skills
Owning a hiking altimeter, and fully understanding how to use it are two very different things. Learn how to get the most out of your altimeter before your next trip.
How to Fix a Compass: Gear Repair 101
Erratic compass readings can lead to disaster when out in the wilds. Learn How to check and How to fix your compass with our guide.
What is Compass Declination & How to Adjust for It?
Adjusting your compass for magnetic declination can seem a complex business, and getting it wrong can be serious. Learn how to adjust it correctly.
Mountains Out of Trail Markers? The Controversy About Rock Cairns
Rock Cairns are a topic of hot debate amongst the outdoor community. Useful navigational devices, art or reminders of man’s ego? Find out why?
Survivor: The Survival Skills for any Emergency Situation
Would you know what to do in an emergency situation in the wild? We are exposed to a variety of dangers in the backcountry and often need to be entirely self-sufficient. We guide you through the most fundamental survival skills and prevention strategies to ensure you are ready to deal with any dangers that arise.
The Beginners Guide to Navigating by the Stars
Navigating by the Stars is a handy tool to either impress or to save your skin in a pinch. Learn the basics of celestial navigation with our guide!
71 Inspirational Hiking Quotes to Get You Motivated
Don’t look any further for outdoors inspiration! We have collected together over 70 hiking quotes from Sir Edmund Hillary, John Muir and my friend Bill to help inspire and motivate you to leave your comfy chair and get into the wild.
Osprey Daylite Review: Hiking Daypacks
The Osprey Daylite is a great lightweight, comfortable and easy to use hiking (or town/travelling/studying) daypack. Read our full review for the lowdown.
Deuter Speed Lite 20 Review
The Deuter Speed Lite 20 is one of our favorite daypacks with it’s distinctive climbing “bullet” shape. Find out why we like it so much in our review.