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The Backpack Guide

Independent Outdoor Gear Reviews and More!

Tips and Trails

The Health Benefits of Backpacking

By Tucker Ballister on Friday, July 12, 2019
The Health Benefits of Backpacking Featured Image

I feel very fortunate that I grew up in a place with such easy access to the backcountry. Living in Truckee, CA, it’s absurdly easy for us to get on a trail and get away from town in under an hour. I recognize that this isn’t the case for many, many people out there living …

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Chaco Footwear

Custom Chacos: How To Create Custom Sandals

By Tucker Ballister on Sunday, May 26, 2019
custom chacos print shop - main strap lounging

In this article, I’m going to be introducing the idea of Custom Chacos and explaining how to create custom sandals. I’ll also take through the story of how I created my own custom Chacos for a full summer of guiding on Lake Tahoe!  About Custom Chacos Chaco allows you to customize your very own pair …

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Tips and Trails

A Hammock Camping Gear List

By Tucker Ballister on Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Hammock Camping Gear List Featured Image

So you want to get into sleeping elevated, do you? From experience, it takes some time and requires a degree of trial and error to dial in your hammock camping gear list and perfect your setup. Getting a good hang (as die-hard hammockers call it) takes some experimenting and can require different considerations depending on …

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Big Agnes Gossamer Gear NEMO Sleeping Pads Thermarest

Best Foam Sleeping Pads

By Tucker Ballister on Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Best Foam Sleeping Pads Featured Image 2

I’ve gone through a number of sleeping pads over the years. While I’ve previously found some comfort in inflatable sleeping pads, I’ve also had some that just didn’t hold air. All of a sudden I’d wake up in the middle of the night with a rock jabbing me in the back. So, I’ve pretty much …

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Tips and Trails

Benefits of Sleeping In A Hammock

By Tucker Ballister on Thursday, March 14, 2019
Hammock Camping 10 Benefits of Sleeping Elevated Featured Image

Hammock camping is my preferred method of sleeping for any trips under a week in length. And I find myself leaning towards a hammock set-up that can function for even longer trips (like the JMT or PCT!). But for many hikers and backpackers, sleeping all night in a hammock either sounds uncomfortable or impractical. Today, …

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Grand Trunk Hammocks Kammok

Top Backpacking Hammocks

By Tucker Ballister on Thursday, March 7, 2019
My Top Backpacking Hammocks Featured Image 2

I’m fortunate to have grown up in a place where most summer nights are clear and dry. Because of that, I’ve gotten to spend a considerable amount of time sleeping out under the stars. Over the years, I’ve really come to appreciate the benefits of carrying a hammock for backcountry sleeping, as opposed to lugging …

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Tips and Trails

How to Put Your Backpack On Properly

By Tucker Ballister on Thursday, February 28, 2019
how to put your backpack on properly featured image

For experienced backpackers, the process of putting on a pack is probably second nature. But for all of you just getting into backpacking, it’s important to know that there is actually a preferable technique for putting your backpack on and adjusting it for comfort. In this article, I’ll cover some easy tips on how to …

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Catalyst Kona Lifeproof Ounne Pelican Phone Cases

The Best Waterproof Phone Cases

By Tucker Ballister on Friday, February 22, 2019
The Best Waterproof Phone Cases Featured Image

My active lifestyle has led to many broken phones over the last five or six years. Because of this experience, I went a long time opting for the cheapest (and by proxy the most easily replaceable) phone available whenever I needed a new one. I failed to realize, however, that I could choose a nice …

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Tips and Trails

Ten Tips for Hiking Preparedness

By Tucker Ballister on Friday, February 15, 2019
When Things Go Wrong 10 Tips for Hiking Preparedness

As a former Wilderness First Aid instructor and certified waterfront lifeguard, I’ve heard this familiar saying often: “It’s not a matter of if [an emergency occurs], but just a matter of when.” To some, that might represent a brand of negative thinking that invites unexpected circumstances to sidetrack our hiking adventures. To others, it’s merely …

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Backpacks My Trail Company

My Trail Company Backpack Light 70

By Tucker Ballister on Sunday, February 10, 2019
My Trail Company Backpack Light 70 Featured Image

As I was loading my old green REI backpack down for our trip to the tropics back in the fall, I started taking stock of the broken zippers, busted clips, and frayed seams dotting the pack’s landscape. I realized that I have had that pack for 10 years and, while I still trust it as …

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