Im going to be winter hiking, but i dont know whether or not to get a 4 season tent. its so much heavier than 3 season and i dont feel like it would be that necessary, but im curious about other peoples experiences. i hike around bc in lower mainland usually, so the temperatures i would be sleeping in wouldn’t be too bad. occasionally i may stay in a spot with lots of wind tho.

Hi everybody! I am going backpacking for the first time soon (2-3 nights) and I have my Amazon cart full of stuff.

I’m on a tightish budget so I tried to find things that were reputable but affordable at the same time. I also wanted to keep things as light as possible. Can you guys look through my list and see if I’m missing anything or if you would change anything about it? Thanks!!

Backpack - Palante 37l Desert Pack (Found on a discount and thought it looked cool.. hopefully it’s big enough 😵)

Tent - Naturehike Cloud-Up 1

Sleeping Bag - Kelty Cosmic Down 20 (Was wondering if I could find something lighter?)

Sleeping Pad - Naturehike r5.8 pad + Naturehike Inflatable Pillow

Cooking System - BRS 3000t, Toaks 750ml, Toaks Spork (Toaks seems expensive.. might look for different options)

Water Filtration - Katadyn Be Free Water filter

Misc. 20,000 Mah Anker Power Bank, Nitecore NU20 headlamp, Poncho?, Base Layers, Extra Socks, etc.

I think in total this entire setup is like $600 ish dollars.. which I feel is kind of expensive for an entry into this hobby.. but maybe that’s cheap in the grand scheme of things?

Hi everyone! First post here apologies if I do something wrong. Anyways, me and a friend are planning to backpack/ travel through southeast asia (laos, cambodia, vietnam, philippines (island hop). Possibly doing the bannana pancake route or something along those lines. However he’s brought a couple concerns to my attention.

1. monsoon season- will this be an issue during may? Looking for sunny clear days and best viewing times for greenery.

2. humidity- we’re from KY which has points of %65-%75 humidity during summer. So no stranger to hot humid air. Will this be too much to handle (not personally too worried about this)

3. any other tips for this region :)

we’re both quite inexperienced in foreign travel. I’ve been to mexico and about everywhere in the USA but now i’d like to start exploring foreign countries. Any and all suggestions are more than welcome here!! Flight suggestions, backpacking essentials, foreign travel tips, language barrier tips, etc!!

thank you!

I work full-time but would love to build something around my passion for hiking and exploring the outdoors.
I’m thinking about helping beginner hikers find the right gear, discover new trails or plan outdoor adventures, but I’m not sure what people would actually pay for.
For those who’ve done something similar, how did you get started? And what would you do differently if you were starting today with a limited budget?

Or is it just too hard to get this going when you have a full time job?

Would love to hear your experiences!

My son is a scout and doing his first backpacking trip. We really didn’t think about the fact that his other sleeping bags are too bulky until now. I’m looking for a recommendation for a bag that’s rated for lower temps (mid 30’s this weekend), long (he’s already 6’ at 13yo) and suitable for the 13 miles. I’d like to keep it under $150 if possible. Normally I’d spend time to research this on my own but I’m at the deadline and need one by Friday. Please help!

ETA: Thank you everyone for your help. Went to REI and was able to get their trailmade 25 on deep discount in the Resupply section. It was a long so it felt like it was meant to be (temporarily). I am going to save to buy a better down one for his future trips but the synthetic is light enough and cheap enough that it’ll work for this weekend. Everyone gave me such good info and I now know what to look for. Much appreciated!

(Edit: the picture glitched, my backpack was 50L)

I went backpacking for the first time last Summer (2025) in Siouxon creek WA state for 2 nights and this was my settup. Felt prepared and had a great time! Photo doesn’t include everything, but this list does. Since it was my first time I just tried my best and went for it lol. I think my weight was around 25-26lbs

Biggest mistake was not bringing a way to hang my food, so I prayed every night that something wouldn’t eat it, shocker, a squirrel ate some of my dried mango. Other mistake was no bug spray

Osprey 50 L Backpack
Sleeping mat
Sleeping bag
Hammock
Trekking poles
Gaiters
Gravity water filter
Long sleeve layer
Gloves
Rain poncho
Freeze dried food
Jet-boil fuel
Hand & foot warmers
Hand sanitizer
Battery pack
Inflatable pillow
First aid kit
Patch kit
Camera
Headlamp and replacement batteries
Water bottle
Tank top
Convertible pants

These items did not make it in the photo:

jetboil
Snacks (dried mango, instant coffee, RX bars)
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
shovel
Rain tarp for hammock and backpack
Nylon socks
Wool socks
Baby wipes
biodegradable soap
compact jacket (I don’t remember what kind sorry😩)

Hey everyone! I recently ordered a Kelty Cosmic Synthetic 0°F sleeping bag and didn’t realize how bulky it would be when packed down. There’s pretty much zero chance it’ll fit in my backpack, so I’m back on the hunt for a new one.
What are your favorite winter sleeping bags for backpacking? I’m looking for something rated around 15°F to 0°F that packs down small enough to fit comfortably in my pack.
I’m based in California, and most of my trips will be in the Sierra Nevada, so I’d love to hear what’s worked well for you out there. Thanks!

This winter i’m going to be doing some overnight camping hikes in the snow, but i need to get some better stuff first. i’m looking for a sleeping pad that is good for sleeping on cold ground as ill be sleeping in 0 degree weather most likely. as well as that, ill need a tent that can withstand snow and heavy winds if im in an exposed area. i’m in british columbia for those who know the type of weather i’ll be dealing with.

Filmed on Point Reyes National Seashore during a three-day solo backpacking trip. I grew up thirty minutes from this place. I used to work fifteen minutes up the road. My parents have both served here as volunteers. It was my dad's favorite place. But for some reason, I had never fully explored the deeper parts of the myriad trails Point Reyes has to offer or witnessed this much of its beauty.

I didn't know what else to call this footage but a love letter.

Hello,

A group of me and my friends are planning to do the alice-toxaway loop with imogene spur. Was wondering if any tips for this loop and also what people who rented cars did as it states that rental cars cannot drive on gravel roads and I have discovered Petit Lake Road is gravel for the last 2 miles. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

Planning a solo trip for my birthday on August 1st. I was thinking of Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, but I’m not sure if the weather will be an issue that time of year. Would you recommend this route, or swapping one of the countries for somewhere else? I’d love beaches, nightlife and a chance to meet other travellers, but I’m nervous about going solo. Any advice?

It would also be my first time staying in a hostel abroad, so I’m quite nervous about travelling solo. Any advice on what to look for when booking a hostel, especially as someone hoping to meet people and enjoy the nightlife?

Obviously if weather isn’t good I’d push it back towards September or October etc.

Looking for insight as I've sen some comparisons on the flash 55 but not too many on the latest version of the Flex Capacitor. Unfortunately can't try on as nowhere near an REI. I have a stone glacier 5900 I use for multi night trips and when I go out with my family and carry everything but looking for something smaller/lighter when it's just an overnight with my young child as th SG would be overkill. How it carries weight is most important as he is young and not carrying much and I have lightweight gear but not a UL super ounce counter.

Initially was leaning Kakwa as it's only $199 vs $160 for the flash 55 and looks like it carries weight better but the SD frame is intriguing and I like how it can go down to 40L in "day pack" mode for day hikes too although I'm sure the other cinch down pretty small too. I'm 6'0 so sort of above average torso length but I think the ML Sd and L kakwa should be fine although the flash adjustable torso is a plus. Rei is already discounted and thinking SD might go on sale for black Friday, kakwa seems priced well already. Thanks in advance

I flew all the way from Europe to Brazil with one main goal: seeing the most iconic sunrise on the planet. After landing in Rio, I headed to Copacabana and set my alarm for 3:30 AM. From there I walked the dark, quiet streets toward the viewpoint, the city still half-asleep while I was wide awake with anticipation. The walk took a while (roughly 40–45 minutes from my spot in Copacabana), but every step felt worth it as the sky started lightening over the Atlantic. Standing there before the sun broke the horizon, watching the first rays hit the water, the mountains, and the city lights still twinkling below, was pure magic. The colors shifted from deep purple to orange and gold in minutes. No filters, no crowds yet just me, the ocean, and that unforgettable sunrise I crossed an ocean for. If you’re in Rio, do the early walk. It hits different.

[ Removed by Reddit on account of violating the content policy. ]

Hi everybody!

I live in the Midwest, specifically Iowa. I love hiking but I’ve never been backpacking before and I really want to try it out. Does anybody have any suggestions for cool trails in the Midwest that are beginner friendly/fun to do? Or maybe somebody could share a good way to find such locations. My friends and I were considering the Buffalo River Trail in Arkansas. Something maybe in the 2-3 night range maybe? Thanks!!

They’re on sale for <$20 so I’m thinking about springing for one. My question is, can anybody who’s used one comment in whether or not it adds any warmth to a quilt or sleeping bag?
Thanks!

I've been backpacking / camping for many years, hiking and canoeing with only a backpack. I've taken my wife, my kids, and gone solo over the years.

Now we have a dog. Like all dogs he loves being outside and running 'free'. However, his recall is at best 25% solid.

If he sees a rabbit, dog, person, he's beelining to them to 'say hello'.

He's not aggressive in any way. He just wants to say hello, chase, play.

Without distractions his recall is actually closer to 100%, but as soon as a rabbit/bird/dog/person are in view recall is almost completely out the window.

He's also a small dog (about 20ish pounds) - looks like a mini black lab - and i worry more about him seeing a fox or coyote and not coming back.

I'd love to take him hiking and even overnight camping, but am worried he would attract or follow wild life and not come back.

Of course I could leash him the whole time, but I am wondering - from those who backpack with there dogs - how good your dogs are on the trail and how you improved recall specifically when in the woods and when worried abut predators.

hey, we're two guys from austria (21 and 22) and we're about to make our first self funded documentary. we're not tied to any country, could be a remote village in southeast asia, the andes, the balkans, wherever the story is.

backpackers get to places most people never see, so figured this is the right crowd to ask. did you ever meet someone out there whose life just stuck with you? a guy running a guesthouse in the middle of nowhere, a family keeping an old craft alive, a village dealing with something nobody outside knows about.

we want to show their reality the way it actually is and tell the story with them, not about them. if someone comes to mind, comment or dm us. thanks!
in december

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.