The 1 Euro tent pad - protection for the tent floor
Some swear by them others think they are unnecessary ballast. They come in all sorts of variations and weight classes. Nobody likes a leaking tent floor. On the other hand, not many ultralight hikers are willing to spend 100-200g+ on a tent pad.
Minimize blisters and sores while hiking
Gaiters serve as protection from pebbles, sticks and other annoying companions while hiking. These range from Ultralight Gaiters that rise just above the ankle to the extreme heavy-duty gaiters that are knee high. In most cases, the short thin gaiters should suffice for thru-hikes. The purpose of the gaiters is to keep small debris from entering the shoes. Pebbles, sand and more cause increased friction on the feet which in turn leads to more blisters. More frequent stops to clean the shoes is…
Which hydration system for hiking?
Different drinking systems all have their advantages and disadvantages. On longer hikes most people use a generic 1.5-2 L PET bottle from the supermarket. Even if the Nalgene drinking bottle is highly stable, it is almost as difficult to destroy a standard PET bottle.
Painkillers for hiking
Harmlessly, the painkiller ibuprofen is called vitamin “I”. The danger of taking it the wrong way is thus downplayed. Too many thru-hikers use it while hiking to fight through the pain instead of listening to the body’s alarm signs and shifting down a gear. It is good to have ibuprofen or similar painkillers in your pack as a backup for emergencies. It can be useful to take this overnight to reduce any inflammation. Also in exceptional situations where pausing the hike is not…
