Winter hiking clothing is all about layers! You want lightweight, you want breathable, you want waterproof. Here I review what I am hiking in the winter of 2020-2021. FULL VIDEO HERE!
My Winter Clothing for Hiking (Part One): Top Layers
Hiking Hat Showdown! Outdoor Research Sun Runner vs. Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure
As a fair-skinned hiker I like to have a lot of protection from the sun - especially my head! Hiking hats come in many shapes and sizes and which is best depends on several factors. Here I review the Outdoor Research Sun Runner cap and compare it to the popular Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure hats … Continue reading Hiking Hat Showdown! Outdoor Research Sun Runner vs. Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure
Thinking Through Your Layering System
Base layer. Mid layer. Shell. Inner layer. Outer layer. Rain gear. . . . There's no universal vocabulary for hiking layering, but here's how I think it through. Full Video HERE.
State of My Camino Address
Happy Blogoversary! Wow, it does NOT seem like a year since I started planning to walk the Camino and started this blog to keep me focused and motivated. Looking back, I can see that I have learned a lot and made a lot of plan changes since then! Here are some of the significant ones. … Continue reading State of My Camino Address
Via Poncho!
On the Camino, weather is a serious factor - so which is better: a Poncho or Rain Jacket? And which poncho is the best for a backpacker? The Snugpak Patrol Poncho might just be the perfect Camino poncho! Click HERE for video!
Camino Sandals: Teva Hurricane XLT2 vs. Xero Shoes Z Trail
It's "Camino Monday" and I have a new video on some popular hiking sandals. What is the best sandal for the Camino? Here I compare the Teva Hurricane XLT2 and the Xero Shoe Z Trail. Both are great for what they do, but there are significant differences that should be considered.
Socks and Briefs
Some of the most important clothing choices involve those that you can't see but sit closest to your skin. Although they are not often discussed, the right socks and briefs can make a huge difference to your hiking experience. For the Camino, you'll want the best! Click HERE for more!
Columbia Convertible Pants Review
My Columbia Silver Ridge™ Convertible Pants are a staple of my hiking clothing, but when I bought a new pair in a different color, things changed for the worse. This video explains what happened and how to fix it!
First Packing Test
So here's my Camino gear laid out in all its glory. What a lot of stuff! Do I really need all this junk? Will it even fit in my pack? Yes, I agree - it looks like a lot - and while I am not a minimalist, this seems excessive. Let's start from square one … Continue reading First Packing Test
Rain Jacket Challenge: Marmot Precip vs. Frogg Toggs Ultralite 2
After realizing that my much used (and abused) Marmot Precip just needed some reconditioning to be fully functional, I decided to put it up against the Frogg Toggs Ultralite 2. Click HERE for more!
Backcountry Pilgrim 