Gear Tips

Nothing can ruin a hike quite like a good (or bad depending on your point of view) blister. So here are some tips to help prevent them before you have a big throbbing ball on you foot (provided you have well fitted footwear). 1. Massage: Give your dogs a good rub down the day before a hike to increase circulation and help prevent hot spots which lead to blisters 2. Moisturize: May sound a little strange, but keeping your feet moisturized means they will be smooth and rub less.   3. Use Lubricant: There are products designed to prevent rubbing, they come in a small...

One of the factors that can make or break a trip into the backcountry is your ability to get a good night's sleep. It doesn't matter how much food you have or how beautiful your surroundings are, if you're tired, you're grumpy and it can really put a damper on your whole trip. Getting some Zzzz in the backcountry isn't all that hard, but it does require a bit of knowledge and gear. Here are some tips to help you get the best rest you can.                   The three enemies of good sleep...

With the myriad of products out there to care for your gear, it can be hard to decide what is the actual best product for your needs. This issue requires specific explanations for different kinds of gear, so I've broken it down into the following three categories: Footwear: Footwear comes with all different materials and linings. In general, if you have a decent hiking shoe, it will have some form of waterproofing, whether this be Goretex or an in-house brand such as Keen Dry. These linings keep your feet dry, but they allow the outer material to saturate first, meaning the...

No matter where you go in the outdoors or how long you stay, hydration is something you really can't live without. There are many ways people like to hydrate themselves and each method has its pros and cons. Here is a list of the most common methods used for hydration:                                                                                The hard water bottle or "Nalgene" system: This is a pretty tried and true system...