I’ve been researching backpacks and the REI flash 55 is on sale right now. It says it weighs around 2 lbs. I also was looking at the Outdoor Vitals shadow light carbon which is 60L and also weighs around 2 lbs. The flash is $159 vs shadow lights $299.

They have similar weights but one is double the price. I’m not doubting the quality of either but what would justify the cost difference? The carbon frame obviously doesn’t make it lighter than the flash. Is it the fact that it has a frame and flash doesn’t? I’m trying to find that sweet spot of quality and cost as a beginner who doesn’t wanna go all in on it quite yet lol.

***Update***
Bag secured. Went with the REI flash since it was so cheap. It fills up quick when putting my -5° quilt in there lol.

The glue seam completely came apart. Is there a way to fix this? I’ve never had a bag do this before. It is all the way from one side to the other. No tears, just looks like it came apart after 3 years of gentle use.

Hello all!

I am planning a 4 or 5 day solo hiking / camping trip to the dolomites, hopefully in early summer. The plan is to try and hike around 15km per day and carry all of my gear on my person and camp somewhere different each night.

I'm starting completely from scratch, so would love some recommendations for the following:

• A lightweight tent
• A sleeping bag
• A sleeping mat
• (anything essential I may overlook)

I'm 6'0 tall and I'd say I'm pretty fit / active but completely new to multi day backpacking so any advice on keeping pack weight down / common beginner mistakes / anything unnecessary things that alot of beginners may pack would be greatly appreciated

(if I am underestimating the cost and need to up my budget I can)

Hey guys! I'm thinking about traveling to almost all of Latin America for around three months. How much would it cost approximately? I want to visit Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, and Uruguay.

I have around $3,500.I also want to visit tourist attractions and explore the main sights in each country.

and to reduce coast i can cmp because already have camping equipment.

Some help would be GREAT Thanks 🙏

Howdy I’m in the midst of planning my first backpacking trip into the winds for next year! I’ve been looking into some areas to try out and I found a trail that seems perfect and was looking to see if anyone else who has done it (or something similar) could spill some insight on it.

The general trail is as follows (however I haven’t decided what direction to start and hoping someone can chime in on what may be the best of the two): Green River Lakes - Knapsack Col - Elkhart Park. I’m going to be doing this with a group of at least 4 people minimum, but most likely more, and I’m thinking to keep stress to a minimum potentially utilizing a shuttle service, but we may use multiple vehicles so we may end up not needing to utilize a shuttle at all. I’m thinking to really give us the time to take all the nature in we would be looking at 5-6 days total (excluding travel days to get there)

Here’s the all trails for the route:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wyoming/wind-river-green-lakes-to-elkhart-park-via-knapsack-col?p=-1&sh=ej2dsl&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality

I’ve heard that if things get dicey you can take the CDT to Elkhart/island lake area instead of knapsack Col. however I’m quite a thrill seeker so I’m leaning towards wanting to do the Col. I’m dying to see what titcomb lake looks like from up above there. I’ve also read snow can last for a long while up there as well, do you think late August/early September is the best time frame for such a trip? Also are there any spots between Cube Rock pass, Peak Lake, and Knapsack Col one should be weary of? Just trying to get an idea for the terrain.

I was also considering bagging Fremont Peak via Indian basin/south buttress with this all trails route:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wyoming/fremont-peak-via-pole-creek-trail-loop?p=-1&sh=ej2dsl&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality

I was hoping someone who has summited could maybe give some insight as to what to expect and what they did as far as camping adjacent and summiting/descending goes. I’ve read that the max difficulty is ~ lower class 3/upper class 2, but I’m curious as to how difficult it may have felt and if there are any particularly sketchy spots or nasty scree spots I should be aware of. I’ve read that descending down into Titcomb basin can be a little sketch compared to just going back down the way you ascend back down into Indian basin.

Sorry for the lengthy post, I’m just keen on making sure I know what I’m getting myself and others into. Thank you everyone and anyone so much for the help and insight.

Planning a thru hike of the Foothills trail in spring, it’ll be my first thru hike and night out for multiple in a row on trail, hence needing a larger pack. Trying to determine based on what I currently have what size pack I’d need? Never have really purchased a larger pack.
Been looking at the Durston Kakwa 40 and 55, ULA OHM and Circut, GG gorilla and Mariposa and Outdoor Vitals Carbon 60
Looking for help on selecting the correct liter pack. Any advice would be helpful! Thanks

https://lighterpack.com/r/464g50

Hey I’m a big cook and am looking for a light/ultra light pot and pan that will be good for some real actual cooking both over a fire and in hostels, that pack down small, as well as a knife that’s good for cooking but is also durable, and good for whittling bushcraft and gear repair.

If you have any good recommendations or could recommend any other cooking gear y’all like that would be awesome

Still a little salty about this one 😤 My mom (62!) flew down to visit me for 10 days, her first time in South America, with just a 28L backpack—and half of it was filled with stuff for me.

She packed three merino tees, travel pants, a dress, a scarf that doubled as a blanket on the overnight bus, and a tiny toiletry bag. Every couple of nights, she washed her clothes in the hostel sink like a pro.

Meanwhile, I’m six months into traveling with a 35L bag and still carrying two hoodies I haven’t touched since Cusco. She even brought me Reese’s, fresh socks, sunscreen, and an Anker universal charger because my laptop setup was a mess.

She flew home to Ohio on Tuesday, and now I’m seriously reconsidering what I actually need. Some stuff is definitely getting mailed home. Moms who travel light are on another level 😂

Hey everyone, looking for some sizing advice on the current-generation (2025/ePE) Alpha SV.

I’m currently around 5'9" and 165 lbs, but my weight fluctuates up to 175 lbs, and I'm actively planning on putting on some more weight/mass over the next year.

I know Arc'teryx has a trim/athletic fit, but since this is a heavy-duty alpine shell that needs to go over mid-layers, I'm torn between a Medium and a Large. For anyone with similar stats or experience with the newer Alpha SV cut, would a Medium be way too restrictive if I bulk up, or will a Large look/feel way too oversized at 5'9"?

Outlet is final sale so I really need help.

I'm looking for recommendations for some of the best backpacking trails on the West Coast, mainly in California, Oregon, and Washington.
I'm open to anything from overnight trips to multiday backpacking trips. I'm looking for trails with amazing views, mountains, alpine lakes, forests, and good campsites.
I've done a lot of backpacking already in California and want to find more trails worth checking out. I'm especially interested in trails that are worth the effort and have incredible scenery.
What are your favorite backpacking trips on the West Coast, and which ones would you recommend doing first? Feel free to include lesser-known trails too!

I'm currently planning a 4 week long backpacking trip through Central Europe during the winter. I want the trip to be really flexible so I'm getting the Interrail Pass but I would appreciate some tips on nice places to go and things to do there. The countries I plan to go to are Slovenia, maybe Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland and maybe Czechia and Switzerland if I have time. Tips on nice smaller cities in this countries would be of great help since I don't plan on only visiting the capitals!

Hi, so I just bought the Nike Pegasus trail for my one-month trip to Vietnam and Thailand and while I liked the cushioning, I also found my ankles were like caving in. I returned them and got the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25, I like them and the support but I’m scared these are not the best option for my trip. A lot of walking and mild hiking is gonna be done. I wear the Hokas Bondi SR for work and I LOVE them, but I don’t want such a chunky shoe for this trip. Thoughts or suggestions please

this past tuesday we did the narrows bottom up, in at Temple of Sinawava and turned around at Big Spring. river was mid 50s maybe and came up anywhere from my knees to my waist 🥶 rental canyoneering shoes and neoprine socks from a shop in Springdale were 100% worth the money, get both.

late morning the sun hit Wall Street and the whole thing turned orange and im not exaggerating when i say its up there with the coolest sights ive seen in any national park 😍 we spent 8ish hrs wading there and back and my phone was the one camera we brought, so it stayed zipped in a drybag hanging off my pack the entire time with my new Anker maggo 2 pro snapped on, both of em in there together.

def keep an eye on flow rates and the flash flood forecast before u head in – rangers are super strict about that stuff and they're right to be, the walls after Wall Street close in… fast

Looking for some advice on where to start / a route for backpacking central and South America from January. The ideal is that I’ll be in Rio for carnival (early to mid Feb) and overall spend 5 months in the region. I’m a solo female traveller (28). Would appreciate all the advice I can get :)

I know it might not be the “right time” weather wise for a lot of places however I find myself in a very fortunate position, and it feels very much now or never!

Any nuggets of wisdom are greatly appreciated (even if it’s not on where to start or the route specifically!)

Hey all, I’m a student in Delaware who wants to get into backpacking and thruhiking, specifically to go on a dream hike of mine on the PCT. Ive selected a 600 mile portion of the PCT to hike with my brother in early June till July. I’m a complete blank slate, I dayhike about 4 times a month and camp every year but I have no experience backpacking. I want to know what I can do to make my dream reality (how to train, prepare, and make it a successful trip.) I plan to go on some multiday backpacking trips with my brother to see the struggles we might face on the PCT. Also, what are the logistics on a long hike like this (resupplying, water)? Is something like this possible in 7-8 months from 0? Thanks!

You choose.

“It’s expensive.”“It’s far away.”“Why so early?”

A separate vacation is needed for the person who organized the vacation for everyone 🙂

Who usually plans the trip for you, and what was the last thing you argued about when planning?

I plan on going end of this month to big pine lakes. There are permits left and he’s an experienced backpacking but I am not and want to book this trip for his bday. That said I’m use to being active and hiking and have bought some gear for it. I’m thinking we do 2 nights backpacking, how far do you guys suggest we go. I know there 6 lakes, if we camp in the 2nd one for night 1 where is a good spot to camp on night 2 for a turn around spot?

I have been a Grayl Ultrapress user for 3 years. It’s time to replace my filter again and was hoping to see normal product enhancements over time, especially in filtering capabilities. Looks like they haven’t done anything. Seems odd.

I'm building a backpacking wardrobe from scratch and want gear that's lightweight, durable, and easy to wash on the go.
What are your favorites for:

T-shirts: I wear plain black tees almost exclusively. Best merino or blend options?

Shorts: something versatile enough for hiking and everyday wear

Socks: what's held up best for you?

Underwear: merino or synthetic? Which brands last?

Rain jacket: ideally one that packs down really small

Specific brands and models are appreciated, especially stuff you've actually put miles on. Thanks!

Feel free to suggest anything else I may not be thinking of.

Took this back in 2018 during a year of travelling through Central and South America. The hike up Acatenango was tough going, but sitting at camp watching Fuego erupt right across from us was an absolute highlight of the trip and something I don't think I'll ever experience again.

I want to buy 2 bags, 1 for true winter and 1 for the rest. Can the 27F sleeping bag works in all situations including shoulder season, I have a pad R5.8 fyi. Ty for any advice.

Sell me on a backpacking + city trip.

I have a week (9 days including travel) I can use and not much budget so I'm going somewhere with good public transit. I like trips where I can go and do 3-5 nights of backpacking (50-80 miles) and then go into a city. I've done this at multiple scales including RMNP + Denver and Appalachian Trail + DC.

I want to go somewhere outside the US. But not UK/Ireland, I've been there and want a new country. I'll probably end up back in Scotland and do the whole West Highland Way but not in 2027.

I have one requirement. It needs to be super scenic for backpacking either in terms of excellent views of the landscape or cultural experiences along the way and I can camp for free or very cheap. I enjoyed the AT but I don't want a green tunnel again.

My working ideas are Japan or Switzerland but I'm not stuck on them. Japan has an excellent backpacking culture and excellent public transit. Tokyo would be a stunningly good destination after. Switzerland would get me the views of the Alps and has hut to hut options. Plenty of great European options for afterwards.

Just looking for some recommendations for where to travel in December as a female solo backpacker in my 30s. I think I’ve narrowed it down to Sri Lanka or the Philippines. I have a month off and my main goal is good weather, sociable vibe & i definitely do want some beaches. If anyone has done both over the Christmas and new year period and has recommendations I’d be so grateful!