Tag: floridatrail

The Best Hiking Backpacks for Children

The Best Hiking Backpacks for Children

With more families looking to rediscover the great outdoors, interest in hiking and backpacking trips with children seems to be growing exponentially.

Review: Osprey Exos 58L Backpack

Review: Osprey Exos 58L Backpack

If I could only buy one backpack for all my varied hiking needs, it would be the Osprey Exos. Dollar-for-dollar and pound-for-pound, this go-anywhere, carry-anything pack remains one of the best (if not the singular best) backpack you can buy for the trail or distance 

How To Read and Follow Trail Blazes in North America

How To Read and Follow Trail Blazes in North America

For many beginning hikers, the excitement of exploring a great trail is often tempered by anxiety about becoming lost along the way. However, you don’t have to be intimidated by the National Scenic Trail system or worried that you’ll be lost. Nearly every public trail 

The Best Months to Hike the Florida Trail

The Best Months to Hike the Florida Trail

Planning to hike the Florida Trail?  Since 2018, I have been section hiking the Florida Trail, one of eleven congressionally-designated National Scenic Trails in the United States. At more than 1,300 miles, the FT has been called “the toughest hike you’ve never heard of” for 

PACKING LIST: First-Aid Kit for Blisters and Foot Care

PACKING LIST: First-Aid Kit for Blisters and Foot Care

One of the questions I get from both experienced and newer backpackers alike is: what first aid and foot care items should I carry in my backpack in case I get blisters or have foot pain? This is a really serious topic for hiking, whether 

PACKING LIST: Backpacking First-Aid Kit

PACKING LIST: Backpacking First-Aid Kit

As a lifelong Scout and Scout Leader, I’ve probably created and carried more than 30 unique first-aid kits over the years. I say “created” because – more often than not – retail first aid kits are not specialized enough for backpacking – lacking a few 

The Top Hiking GPS Apps for iPhone and Android

The Top Hiking GPS Apps for iPhone and Android

Looking for the best GPS apps for your iPhone or Android smartphone for your next hike? As a solo hiker and pilgrim, I never leave home without a GPS map and guidebook. Since your phone contains a GPS chip that does not require cellular or 

Gear Hack:  Refill Your Backpack Hydration Reservoir from Water Bottles or Filters

Gear Hack: Refill Your Backpack Hydration Reservoir from Water Bottles or Filters

As I’ve explained before, I use hydration reservoirs almost exclusively over water bottles when I’m hiking. For me, I drink more, stay hydrated, and make better time along the trail when I can easily drink from the tube without stopping. One of the biggest challenges 

The Best Hiking Poles for the Camino de Santiago

The Best Hiking Poles for the Camino de Santiago

Hiking poles (or trekking poles, as they are known throughout much of the world) are one of the most hotly debated items for pilgrims on the Camino. Some peregrinos swear by them; others swear at them.   Let’s settle the debate quickly: Hiking poles are 

Five Tips for Hiking the Florida Trail

Five Tips for Hiking the Florida Trail

Since 2018, I have been section hiking the Florida Trail, one of eleven congressionally-designated National Scenic Trails in the United States. At more than 1,300 miles, the FT has been called the “toughest hike you’ve never heard of” for its exceptionally diverse track over the