Hiking Tips and Tricks

On this page, you’ll find all my best tips and tricks for having awesome hiking adventures. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been hiking for years, I’ve got helpful advice for you!

  • Do You Need Trekking Poles for Hiking

    Close up of hikers La Sportiva Wildcats rock hopping a stream while using trekking poles.

    I’ve been using trekking poles for a number of years including on 3 long trails and numerous “shorter” hikes. The Black Diamond Alpine Cork Trekking Poles in particular have ...

  • REI

    A store display of Osprey backpacks on a wall.

    In 2009, my girlfriend gifted me the REI Flash backpack, which after a test run in the Linville Gorge Wilderness, just didn't feel quite right. I discovered it was ...

  • Why Hikers Love Smartwater Bottles for Hiking

    Hiker filtering water with a Sawyer Squeeze sitting on his backpack in a meadow.

    Have you ever noticed that the vast majority of long distance hikers use a very specific tall, skinny water bottle with a blue label on the side? One ...

  • How to Stay Hiker Fit

    Pushup exercise with dumbbells in a Crossfit gym setting.

    The best way to stay hiker fit is to hike, but that’s not always possible. A lot of us have full time jobs, school, children, or don’t live ...