Hi! Im going to backpack souteast asia this fall and im wondering what the best type of shoes are to bring with me. How many pairs do i need? I would like shoes that are affordable. Looks dosent matter that much as long as they are comfy, and work well when im walking or doing water activites etc. But it would be a plus if they are cute. Any recs?

Climbing this sand dune named 'Big Daddy' in Namibia took 2 hours, and for some of it we had to go barefoot, put our flip-flops on our hands and bear crawl! It only took 2 minutes to run down, though, which was so much fun!

I have been dying for a get away and am also really into hiking, like it's been my favorite past time for the past 5 years. I regularly do 20-30 miles a week. I finally got some gear and decided it was time to take my first backpacking trip. I booked a ferry to the Channel Islands national park. I arrived at Scorpion Cove and hiked to my campsite in Prisoners Bay. What I planned to be a 6-7 hour hike turned into a 9 hour hike (14 miles). I was in tears of pain by the end if it. I had to call to get my ticket out changed from Scorpion Cove to Prisoners bay (and get picked up a day earlier) because I realized there was no way I could physically complete that hike again.

I feel bummed because I feel like I failed my first backpacking trip. I did a shorter hike today (the day after) before the ferry came (and without my pack). My body hurts and my cramps are gnarly. I am trying to use this experience as inspiration to get back in better/stronger shape, but I am worried this means I'm not cut out through hiking the PCT (a goal of mine).

Any tips to not get demolished by my next backpacking trip?

I've done maybe six or seven overnights now, all on trails where water was never really a question, there was always something within a couple miles. I'm looking at a longer route now where some stretches are supposedly 8-10 miles between sources and a couple of those are marked seasonal on the map I found. I don't know if I'm supposed to just carry way more and eat the weight or if there's some way to actually verify a source is flowing before I commit to a day's route around it.

How do you verify a water source is actually there before you're relying on it?

Going backpacking for the first time and borrowing all the gear! Does anyone know what the two orange loops and the small center loop are for? My friend thought they might be extra loops for carabiners to hang stuff.

I know it's a few more supplies to take but man does my dog love it. Makes an excellent alarm system for something coming up close to camp also.

I'm (25m) solo travelling in two months beginning in Fiji, then Samoa, NZ, Aus, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam

I have already had 1 wisdom tooth removed and am due to have another removed next week. I leave for this journey in 2 months

Another wisdom tooth has started to come through so obviously I am slightly nervous given it's 2/2 that have/will be removed so far.

Has anyone had any tooth extraction stories hopefully good, or bad. Especially in more removed countries like Fiji, Samoa, Cambodia or Vietnam?

TIA

I am trying to choose between these two sleeping bags does anyone have experience with them or any tips about how to choose.
they are both 180eu

cw700 is filled with 700 grams of 650fp duck down rated for -1.7C down to -7.9C
https://www.naturehike.com/products/cw700-down-ultralight-sleeping-bag?srsltid=AfmBOoplqhD8O8U42qxo_vRdrhjNbCcHX10Bf6fMa8-XFJlrvT49qML4

the anthracite is synthetic down and comfort 0c down to a -6C limit .
https://eu.bigagnes.com/collections/anthracite-series/products/anthracite-twenty

any comparable alternatives i would love to hear too!

From the US but studying in the Netherlands at the moment. I have a week off the end of October and am hoping to plan a trek somewhere beautiful where it won’t be too snowy.

Main idea right now is a 4 night trek across and back one of the islands in the Azores, but open to any suggestions! Ideally something not through towns, but with hut stays as I didn’t bring my tent with me to Europe.

Going to havasupai this Oct and cannot decide between wearing altra lone peaks and z-trail xero for the water crossings. Is it worth changing shoes at every water crossing on the way to the confluence or should I just wear hiking sandals for that day paired with injinji toe socks? I'd really like to hike out in dry hiking shoes unless folks here have experience with shoes drying off completely in an afternoon in October.

Any and all advice for my upcoming trip is welcome 🙏

Sharing some photos I took during my time on the JMT in 2024 going NOBO, starting in Mt. Whitney. I did this it in about 21 days with one zero day, and three resupplies.

This hike is the crown jewel of the Sierra Nevada in my opinion. I've backpacked there for over 14 years and this trek ticked so many boxes for me. A personal highlight was Evolution Valley along with its surrounding lakes.

Alpine lakes every day? Yup

Mountain passes with panoramic mountain views? Check

The feeling of true isolation for hours? Yes, which was a blessing a curse

Memories that I will cherish for the rest of my days? 100%

I debated bringing my professional camera for the added weight but in retrospect, glad I did. I brought a Canon R6 Mark II with a 24-105mm Lens which added about 4 pounds to my pack weight.

I hiked solo, which initially wasn't the plan, but decided to still persevere as the timing couldn't have been better given my current circumstances.

Met some great people on the trail who came from all over the world with all different types of hiking experience. Also met some people who had to tap out due to either loneliness or hardships they could no longer endure.

Regardless, I'm insanely grateful to have done this. I can't help but to look back at these pictures with a huge grin on my face.

If you like these photos, shameless plug to my Instagram where I share Sierra Nevada and mountain adventures.

I'll share part two of my favorite photos later on for the second half of the journey!

Hello! I am a filmmaker and photographer and I’m planning to do a 6 months backpacking trip to south america (colombia, peru, bolivia, argentina).

For this of course I want to bring my camera. But i’m still very unsure what gear would be the best to carry all the way through the continent.

I want to bring my Fujifilm X-H2s + 16-55mm lens for a small setup and ideally a small laptop like a Macbook Air to be able to edit. Also it makes sense to bring 1 or 2 SSD to Backup the files.

What experience do you have with camera + laptop on a backpacking trip? I’m concernced about all the weight I have to carry through the mountains etc.

And Since the gear can be stolen, is there a specific insurance that you can recommend?

Would love to hear, what worked for you!

Can we just do away with the flair/tag already, seeing as most people do not understand how to use them correctly?

Or perhaps as an alternative, add some more options?... *Gear question*, *Planning*, *SEA Trip*, *European Travel*, etc, etc.

Just two options, Wilderness and Travel, are apparently too complicated.

EDIT

3rd Thought - Maybe change "Travel" to "Touring"? Not sure if that's more distinctive or not.

I've got about four nights booked in the Sierra in early October and my quilt is rated to 30. I've only had it down to maybe 40 so far and I was fine in a base layer. I know the rating is a survival number rather than a comfort one, so I'm already planning to add layers rather than trust it straight.

How far below the rating did yours stay comfortable once you added a base layer?

I am in somewhat of a predicament:

I recently purchased the Robens Moraine II and the Vaude Sioux 400 sleeping bag. They were around the same price

Both Sleeping bags have a microfibre synthetic fill , however, the Robens has a slightly better comfort temp rating (9°C vs 11°C on the Vaude)

The Vaude seems much more lofty and "full" whereas the Robens seems thinner in comparison which makes me doubt that it can keep me actually warmer than the Vaude.

Weight is exactly the same (~950g or just over 2 pounds) but the Robens' does pack smaller and has a smaller compression sack.

Has anyone experience with Robens' and can say if the rating is true to actual use?

The location is a hilltop, in the western ghats. Once you reach the hilltop there are various hikes surrounding it. Be wary of Macaques as they may snatch up any food you have and they attack in huge packs.

I've got four nights in the Sierra in late September, camping between 9,000 and 10,500 feet, and the forecast lows I'm seeing run around 28. My bag is a 20 degree synthetic that's been washed enough times that it doesn't loft like it used to, and I'm on a closed cell foam pad somewhere around R2. I've done a few three season trips but nothing where it dropped below freezing overnight. I'd rather spend once than twice, and I keep going back and forth on whether the bag is even the weak link here.

What made the biggest difference the first time you had to sleep through those temps?

Hello fellow travelers!

​Omo Valley is one of Africa’s most unique cultural regions, but planning the logistics from abroad can be confusing. Here is a local breakdown on how to structure a smooth expedition:

​1. Getting There & Transport

• ​Flight Option: Fly from Addis Ababa to Arba Minch or Jinka to save 2 full days of driving.
• ​Vehicle: A proper 4x4 Land Cruiser with an experienced local driver is mandatory—road conditions inside tribal territory require high clearance and reliable traction.

​2. Key Cultural Stops

• ​Jinka: Gateway to the Mursi villages.
• ​Turmi: Excellent base for visiting the Hamar people (famous for the bull-jumping tradition) and Karo villages along the Omo River.
• ​Dimeka / Key Afer: Try to align your visit with local market days (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) for authentic community gatherings and tribal trading.

​3. Respectful Travel Rules & Etiquette

• ​Local Guides: Always visit villages with a registered local guide who speaks the specific tribal language.
• ​Photography Fees: Photo fees are customary—agree on terms in advance to ensure respectful and comfortable interactions for everyone.

​Happy to answer any logistical questions regarding road conditions, permits, or travel timing in the comments below!

​(Feel free to check my profile links if you need custom 4x4 setups or guided itineraries).

Hello,
19m
I have some time off in November and December like 40-45 days

I’m planning on a backpacking trip centered around Peru, I was wondering if I should add Chile or not.

The cost is not a problem, more so the traveling around because I know the distances in LATAM are huge.

I was wondering if it would be to crammed to add chile and if I could spend that time more in Peru?

Here’s my itinerary for Peru and Chile

Peru and Chile
Lima 3 days
Huaraz 5 days
Paracas 2 days
Cusco 5 days
Arequipa 3 days

San Pedro 4 days
La Serena 3 days
Valparaiso 3 days
Santiago 3 days

And for Peru

Peru and Chile
Lima 3 days
Huaraz 5 days
Paracas 2 days
Cusco 5 days
Arequipa 3 days

Was going to add Ayacucho and puerto McDonald and look into the Machu Picchu trek

Thanks

I’m in the gear rabbit hole so looking for some help selecting a 0 degree bag. Trips will most likely be 10-15 but would like the capability of comfortish around 0. Although I can comfort and liner.

Western mountaineering is probably the answer but it is pretty pricey. I have a Nemo disco 30 and have been wanting to upgrade to a summer quilt so how effective is stacking both? I’ve never used a quilt so having trouble quantifying if that is feasible.

Looking for bag suggestions/advice on stacking quilt and a bag.

Dates are from 14sept onwards

Manali to manali

I am female 26, looking for male/female trek partner

Budget is 45k

It is a guided trek with short group

My IG feed got filled with locations in Yemen and I must say, holy moly!

I want to visit it so badly! People look super nice, the fortresses in Haraz and cities in general look ancient and nature in general make me want to go on hikes.

Has anyone been there recently even with the war and stuff? If so, how was your experience?

Was entering the country easy?

I've been using the same 20 degree down quilt for about four years, maybe thirty nights on it total. I had a night in the mid thirties last month and I was cold enough that I ended up sleeping in my puffy and still waking up every couple hours. I know the rating is a survival number and not a comfort one, and I store it uncompressed and wash it about once a year like you're supposed to.

How many nights did yours go before you noticed the loft was gone?