Instant mashed potatoes are an easy to make meal for backpacking. No cooking on the stove is required, so this recipe is great for those who just want to add boiling water to a meal and will be ready to eat in 10 minutes or less.
The Olympic National Park is incredibly diverse – including rugged coastline, lush rainforests, subalpine meadows and lakes, as well as high peaks. These backpacking trips showcase some of the best scenery that each ecosystem has to offer.
What's not to love about an alfredo pasta dish with spinach and artichokes? Add bacon jerky and mmm... I could eat this all the time!
With 3.9 inches of loft, an R-value of 4.1, and a 40% smaller packed size than its predecessor, the new Ether Light XR hits that sweet spot between performance specs and trail comfort.
This is a list of dehydrated or freeze-dried ingredients that can be used for making your own backpacking meals.
Like pretty much everyone who backpacks, I learned that I needed to lighten my load to take less of a toll on my body.
Proper food storage is critical while backpacking — not only to protect your food supply, but also to prevent wildlife from associating humans with food.
The Therm-a-Rest Boost 650 sleeping bag combines comfort with versatility, featuring unique arm zips and a center zipper that adjust for ventilation or warmth – making it a flexible, all-in-one option for variable conditions.
All of these backpacking trips highlight big mountain views in the Pacific Northwest – including in the Olympics, North Cascades, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and the Wallowas.
The REI Flash Air 1 tent is a good option for those looking for a lightweight one-person tent that doesn’t break the bank.
Mountain House is a go-to for backpackers, yet I’d never tried their meals, so I recently sampled multiple options – including three new flavors. From creamy comfort food to some misses, here’s what I thought about each.
Backpacker’s Pantry offers a solid lineup of freeze-dried meals that strike a good balance between taste, convenience, and price.
Gomoku Mixed Rice is a freeze-dried rice meal with vegetables and subtle Japanese flavors — a unique backpacking option that stands out from typical trail fare, especially when paired with extra protein.
These nine backpacking trips are suitable for beginners, with short distances to campsites and minimal elevation gain. Locations range from low elevation forests to the Olympic Coastline in Washington, to the Central Oregon Cascades.
The Pacific Northwest is teeming with scenic rivers and creeks. These backpacking trips feature some of the best destinations for backcountry camping with the sound of rushing water to lull you to sleep.
The MSR Hubba Hubba LT 1P is a lightweight, freestanding backpacking tent that combines thoughtful design and premium materials – perfect for solo adventurers who value quality.
The Zenbivy Light Bed combines features found in quilts and sleeping bags into a sleep system that is more comfortable while remaining lightweight for backpacking.
With excellent comfort and smart storage solutions, the REI Co-op Traverse 60 is a well-designed backpacking pack that balances support, accessibility, and durability for multi-day adventures.
These backpacking trips are all focused on close-up mountain scenery in the High Cascades, including Mount Hood, Mount Adams, the Three Sisters, Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens.
The Hydroblu Versa Flow is a squeeze-type water filter that is lightweight, inexpensive and easy to use. After using the Versa Flow on over 15 days of backpacking, it's now my preferred filter.
The FireMaple Petrel G3 Pot and GreenPeak stove combine a powerful backpacking stove with a heat exchanger pot for fast boil times and fuel efficiency.
The Outdoor Vitals StormLoft Down TopQuilt is feature-packed and provides greater protection in wet and humid conditions with down fill that's been treated with gold nano particles.
The REI Flash Air 2 is an ultralight backpacking tent with plenty of room for two people at a lower price than similar options. The unique hybrid wall design of the Flash Air provides good ventilation as well as stargazing opportunities.
REI’s Magma 30 Down Trail Quilt is a high quality option that is offered in multiple sizes for various body types and sleeping preferences.