Hiking dry bags reviews and backpacking tricks. Seek summer weather: Unless your destination is one where extreme heat or fire danger can be an issue, go in mid-summer to maximize daylight hours and your odds of comfortable conditions. Always check weather forecasts and don’t hesitate to cancel or turn back if a storm moves in. Consider “walk-in” campgrounds: Some state and national parks have campgrounds that are within a mile or so of a car campground. Staying in one of them is an excellent way to transition into backpacking.

Lowering backpack weight trick : Trash compactor bag for backpack liner. Pack covers are bulky, heavy and, sometimes, ineffective. Instead of covering the outside of your pack, line the inside of it with a trash compactor bag and keep all gear inside. Trash compactor bags are super waterproof, replaceable, affordable and weigh a fraction as much as a pack cover. Rocks vs stakes. Tie your shelter down to some nearby rocks. If necessary, make a pile to keep it more stable. Rocks can also be used on hard surfaces where stakes are unable to penetrate the ground. See additional info on Hiking Backpacks Online Shopping.

Navigation and maps might be the most important hiking essential. If you know where you are, you should know how to get home. If you’re lost, you’re in trouble. In this case I actually use several devices. GPS watch with track loaded. Dedicated backup GPS device with maps loaded. Smartphone app with offline maps (make sure you’re in airplane mode). Paper topographic maps. Guidebook or hike printout. Compass to navigate with paper. This is pretty straightforward. Use sunscreen and SPF protected clothing to avoid sunburn (and sun poisoning). I also carry a tarp and cord in my pack so I can erect a shade shelter if need be.

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. See additional info at www.hilltoppacks.com.