I Need a Decent Backpacking Drinking Cup

June 19, 2020Backpacking GearGaz Globetrotter Cook Set, GSI Backpacker's Mug, MSR Titan Cup, Rocky Cup, Sierra Cup, Svea 123 Cup, Titanium CupNick Gatel

(L to R): Sierra Cup, Rocky Cup, MSR Titan Cup, REI Double-Walled Insulated Cup

I’ve been doing this backpacking thing for over 50 years and have never owned a cup that did what I wanted (or needed) it to do. This fact is my fault. My drinking cup choices have been focused on the wrong attributes. The main purpose of this post is to review my approach to drinking cups over the years — that is, the thought process. I might have finally found a cup that may tick off all four of these attributes. But I haven’t used it long enough to really evaluate it as a solution. Continue reading I Need a Decent Backpacking Drinking Cup →

Is Your NeoAir Mattress Leaking?

June 18, 2020Backpacking GearTherm-a-Rest, Therm-A-Rest NeoAirNick Gatel

One of my NeoAir air mattresses developed a slow leak. I need to add air to it about three times a night, when it deflates enough for me to wake up, usually when one of my hips is resting on hard ground. I’m a side sleeper. The leak wasn’t easy to find. This seems to be a common complaint: the leak is difficult to locate. Continue reading Is Your NeoAir Mattress Leaking? →

Book Review — How to Survive Your First Trip in the Wild: Backpacking for Beginners

June 17, 2020Backpacking, Book ReviewPaul Magnanti, PmagsNick Gatel

As the title states, this is a guide for beginners. Given this, the author accomplishes this goal in an easy to read, compact package.

In this age of Internet experts, we often are bombarded with information from dubious sources and of questionable expertise. So the first place to start with this review is the author’s credentials as a backpacker and expert. Continue reading Book Review — How to Survive Your First Trip in the Wild: Backpacking for Beginners →

Thoughts on Boots and Boot Care

June 13, 2020Backpacking GearBoot Care, Danner Mountain Light bootsNick Gatel

The main purpose of this post is to discuss how to maintain leather hiking boots.

First, I’d like to talk about boots in general. For the past eight years, ever since I started this blog, I have been an outspoken advocate of running shoes for backpacking. Not, trail running shoes in particular, but even lighter more gossamer shoes.

I am beginning to change my mind. Continue reading Thoughts on Boots and Boot Care →

Nalgene Oasis Water Bottle

June 11, 2020Backpacking GearWater Bottles for BackpackingNick Gatel

This isn’t a review. Reviews should entail dozens and dozens of days of use. It would be even more preferable to use a product for ten years before reviewing it. Long-term usage can discover faults or weaknesses in a product.

On the other hand, I’ll be 70 years old in November, so I won’t have many (or maybe even one) ten-year blocks of time remaining. So let’s call this post a first impression. Continue reading Nalgene Oasis Water Bottle →