All Things Backpacking
Backpacking Trips, Gear & Ultralight Tips
Everything You Need to Know to Plan the Perfect Backcountry Trip
Whether you’re planning a weekend overnight or a thru-hike across a mountain range, you’ll find detailed trip guides, gear reviews, packing checklists, and trail-tested tips all curated by me (Skye) and my husband (Garrett), both experienced backpackers and travelers.
Ready to backpack smarter, lighter, and with more adventure?
Trip Guides & Route Inspiration
Explore full itineraries, trail reports, and destination breakdowns, from alpine loops to remote wilderness backcountry adventures. Discover what to expect, how to prepare, where to camp, plus insider tips I’ve learned from hiking hundreds of miles.
Ultralight Backpacking & Gear Reviews
Packing light doesn’t mean skimping on performance. Dive into gear reviews and recommendations for packs, tents, clothing, footwear and more, all field-tested on trail by us, ultralight hikers. Make smarter choices and lighten your load.
Packing Lists & What to Wear
Skip the guesswork. Use my ready-to-go packing lists (for beginner to experienced hikers and backpackers), what to wear for your next trip, and even trail specific gear lists for backpacking the O-Circuit in Torres del Paine, Patagonia
The Ultimate Ultralight Backpacking Gear Guide
From the best ultralight packs on the market, to tents under two pounds, to the perfect sleep system, this gear guide contains everything you need (and nothing you don’t) for a lighter, faster backpacking setup. See my favorite ultralight gear picks that are trail tested and reviewed, and get ready to go lighter on your next backpacking trip.
Major Updates to the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Core Packs
Why Trust Our Backpacking Guides & Gear Reviews?
We’re Skye and Garrett; two lifelong hikers with over 20 years of combined backpacking experience. Skye grew up hiking in Washington from an early age and eventually became a hike leader for The Mountaineers, while Garrett has backpacked all over the world and even guided hiking trips in New York. Together, we’ve backpacked amazing and off-the-beaten-path trails across the U.S., Canada, and around the world, including multi-day routes like the Wind River High Route in Wyoming and the Torres del Paine O-Circuit in Patagonia.
We specialize in ultralight backpacking, testing and refining gear to help you lower your base weight and move more comfortably on longer, harder trails. Our backpacking guides, gear reviews, and trip reports are built on real trail miles and years of experience, whether you’re brand-new to backpacking or looking to level up your skills. Our goal is simple: to inspire your next adventure and help you become a more confident, capable, and stoked backpacker.
Our Most Recent Backpacking Guide:
The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking The Enchantments in Washington State
Backpacking the Enchantments is one of Washington’s most challenging and rewarding alpine adventures. This guide covers everything you need to know to hike in 2026, including permits, routes, Aasgard Pass, gear, and the best time to go.
Featured Gear Review
Featured Gear Review
The Best Sun Hoodies and Sun Shirts for Hiking & Backpacking
A good sun hoodie is one of the most important pieces of outdoor clothing you will own. It keeps you protected from harsh rays, saves you from constantly reapplying sunscreen, and, when you find the right one, can actually keep you cooler on hot days.
This is the ultimate guide to help you find the right sun hoodie for you!
Find Backpacking Trips Based on Location
Check Out Our Most Popular Trail Guides
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Backpacking the Wind River High Route in Wyoming
The Wind River High Route is an 80-100 mile trek through the highest alpine sections of the Wind River Range in Wyoming. The route skirts the Continental Divide, while remaining between 10,000 and 13,000 feet. Our lowest campsites along the route were at 10,000 feet and our highest was at about 11,500’. This is a trip for experienced backpackers with strong navigation and scrambling skills, and it truly did push us to our limits both mentally and physically.
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The O-Circuit in Torres Del Paine, Patagonia
The O-Circuit is a 75 mile loop trail around the Cordillera del Paine in Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia. The route includes the popular W-Trek on the front side of the park (4-5 days), and a more remote trail around the backside of the park which completes the O. It is normally backpacked in 8-10 days, we did it in 8 nights with one long 20 mile day on the backside.
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The Complete Guide to Backpacking Mount Assiniboine
A bucket list worthy backpacking trip to Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada. Everything you need to know to backpack Mount Assiniboine in Canada, from a full trip report and how to get permits, to packing lists, planning your adventure starts here.