Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show

Can we really trust the gear companies with all of their claims, fancy marketing, and price gouging? Ben and Carl get to the bottom of things. VP of marketing for Teton, Jeremy McLerran, joins the show to reveal behind-the-scenes secrets that most gear companies won’t tell. This just might help you make better informed gear decisions. Topics Covered: -Backpacking gear -Budget vs. Premium Gear -Gea...

TV star and former MMA fighter Kru Williams joins the show. Kru shares behind-the-scenes stories from Deadman’s Curse: Legend of the Lost Gold. You can imagine the types of questions Ben and Carl are going to ask Kru. Please tune in for this very compelling conversation. Topics Covered: -Backpacking, mountaineering in British Columbia -Searching for lost gold in the mountains -Pack weights -MMA fi...

In this Throwback Thursday episode, Derek and Carl discuss some of the craziest things Bear Grylls has suggested over the years. If you follow some of the advice given on various survival shows you just might die. But don’t worry Derek and Carl will save you with their own sage advice. Topics Covered: -Bear Grylls -Survival in the backcountry -Proper decisions in crisis situations Check out the 4...

Over the course of the year Carl asked representatives from various backpacking companies 1 question: what is one piece of gear that you developed that never made it to market. 6 companies share their answers. Ben and Carl discuss whether or not there is a market for each of these potential products. Topics Covered: -Backpacking Gear -Future Backpacking Gear -High End Gear Companies Check out the...

This is a unique look at a true crime story that involved both a heist and a very long backpacking trip. You’ve seen (or heard) dramatic true crime tales before. But not like this. Topics Covered: -The Backpacking Heist story -Who are we really backpacking next to -How to use a backpacking trip to go off the grid Check out the 4 Ultralight Tips You’ve Never Heard Enlightened Equipment : Check out...

Ben and Carl have concocted 6 backpacking missions that they dare you to complete. They’ve put some gear on the line if you can put together some trips that include these fun opportunities. Ben claims his missions are ‘doable’ which Carl believes is the exact opposite purpose of a mission impossible. You be the judge. Some of the topics covered: -Creative backpacking trips -Backpacking gear strate...

You’re not going to get eaten by a mountain lion or mauled by a bear (at least statistically speaking). So, what are the worst case scenarios you might encounter? Or, what are some likely terrible scenarios that Carl and Ben have encountered? And how do you survive them. You can trust these guys to lead to you to safety…for the most part. Some of the topics covered: -Likely worst case scenarios on...

Alisha from Terradrift joins the show to talk about gear decisions, having a very low base weight, gear sacrifices and advice for Carl regarding privacy when going to the bathroom in the woods. Also, what gear is simply just not worth it? Alisha’s Big 4: - Gossamer Gear Gorilla - Enlightened Equipment Synthetic Quilt - Thermarest NeoAir Xlite - Gossamer Gear One Check out Terradrift on YouTube Che...

Some people love this gear while others would never, ever bring it along. What are the controversial pieces of backpacking gear Carl and, guest host, Ben McAuliffe come up with this time. They each make the case for why they’re controversial and whether or not they actually bring those items along. Some of the topics discussed in this week’s episode: -Controversial Backpacking Gear -Gear Gadgets -...

Ultralight backpacking has been the rage since the 90s. But you should stop ultralight backpacking. We’ll give you 6 reasons why. Some of the topics discussed in this week’s episode: -Ultralight Backpacking -Ultralight Backpacking Gear -Luxury Gear Items Check out the YouTube Comedy Skit we referenced! Gear Review: Teton Mountain Ultra 2 Person Tent Enlightened Equipment : Check out the best Ultra...

Adventure athlete, podcast host and friend of the show Rowan Smith checks in and is ready to help you get faster on the trail. He’s got 3 tips that you can incorporate -- without any training – that should speed you up on those hills. Guest host Ben McAuliffe inserts his own agenda with stories about skunk battles and how jelly beans got him a little too excited as a kid. Some of the topics discus...

Outdoor adventure filmmaker Chris Smead joins the show to discuss backpacking gear that we both loved…and now leave behind (or sell on eBay). You may know Chris from the movie ‘Highline’ or from some of his amazing documentary projects. Chris always brings a positive and creative spin to the topic anytime he’s on the show. Some of the topics discussed in this week’s episode: -Backpacking gear that...

What are the deadliest trails on Earth? What makes them so dangerous? And how do we defeat them? Rest assured the B&B podcast has the answers and cheat codes for these challenging hikes. Ben McAuliffe joins the show to weigh in on this conversation. Some of the topics discussed in this week’s episode: -The deadliest trails on earth -Trip Planning -Backpacking gear and tips to overcome them Che...

Who is the worst backpacker of all time? What are the characteristics of a terrible backpacker? This is not a fitness-shaming discussion. These are real attributes, from real people (including the hosts) that need to be stopped at all costs. Or at least they needed to be made fun of. Ben McAuliffe joins the show to weigh in on this conversation. Some of the topics discussed in this week’s episode:...

Grim Granite (Gordon Crum) joins the show to discuss how to survive a zombie apocalypse…while backpacking. As a survival expert who has actually been on the show ‘Doomsday Preppers’, Gordon is more than prepared to have a semi-serious and humorous discussion about this scenario. Even though this episode is mostly just for fun, Gordon shares quite a bit of helpful information that will get your gea...

On this Throwback Thursday episode Derek, Carl and Tupperware Mike discuss the small essentials. How big should your knife be? Are portable batteries becoming a necessary part of backpacking? Topics Discussed -Best Backpacking Gear -Backpacking Gear List -Best Hiking Gear -Backpacking for beginners to advanced hikers GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and...

Justin Outdoors joins the show to discuss how to upgrade a gear setup and shave weight with $150. Just how much weight can you reduce with $150 these days? Let’s find out from the best gear expert going. Some of the topics discussed in this week’s episode: -Reducing pack weight -Budget Backpacking Gear -The best backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, tents & more -Using Pack Wizard to shop f...

It's time to talk bears: the controversy of hanging food, how to avoid bear canisters, bear attacks, running from bears, chasing bears, and much, much more! Ben McAuliffe joins the show to co-host and provide his own “insight”. Please bear with us. Some of the topics discussed in this week’s episode: -The controversy of hanging food -Bear Canisters -Bear Spray -Bear Attacks We referenced Steven Sm...

Shug joins the show to talk about everything from hammocks to spam to trail food ideology. If you know Shug then you know there's never a dull moment in this interview! Some Topics Discussed Include: -Backpacking Gear -Backpacking Hammocks -Backpacking Food -Calling Search and Rescue Check out Shug's Youtube Channel!: https://www.youtube.com/user/shugemery Check out our wonderful sponsor Summit St...

New gear from the future, innovative updates and fun new snacks round out the discussion from this year’s Outdoor Retailer Show. Tupperware Mike and Jendiana join Carl to discuss all of these great gear items and stories behind various companies on site! Some of the companies discussed in this week’s episode: - Enlightened Equipment - Scratch Labs - Outdoor Element - Gnara (Women’s Specific Pants)...

In the Season 7 Finale, Derek and Carl discuss the exact gear they plan to bring for the Desolation Wilderness July trip. And this trivia is one you won’t want to miss! If you’re interested in any of the gear discussed, it helps our podcast! Outdoor Vitals Summit Down Sleeping Bag Mystery Ranch Radix Nemo Tensor Sleeping Pad Katadyn BeFree Black Diamond Spot Helinox Chair Zero Big Agnes Copper Spu...

Extreme Adventurer Ray Zahab joins the show to share some stories from the far side of the world. What did he encounter when crossing a frozen Siberian Lake? What happens when a Polar Bear yanks your hiking partner out of your tent? What is the one piece of gear a professional adventurer recommends? All this and more in this week's conversation. Some of the topics discussed: -Crossing the Sahara D...

Doc from Hiker Trash Radio invited Carl to debate him on the world's toughest race. Doc says it's the Barkley Marathons. Carl says it's the Eco Challenge. Travel Expert and TV Personality Alice Ford is brought in to moderate. What's on the line? And how will this go down? GET BONUS SEGMENT FROM THIS SHOW & BONUS EPISODES ON PATREON : There are over 40 BONUS episodes of B&B that you can get...

Yosemite Search and Rescue Operator Moose Mutlow joins the show! He might literally be the most interesting man in the world. Share in the crazy stories he shares with his experience on the job as well as the critical feedback he gives Carl about being a frequent flyer in the SAR network. This is one you won’t want to miss. Some of the topics discussed: -Yosemite Search and Rescue Stories -Real/Fa...

Devin Ashby from Backcountry Exposure joins the show as a guest host to discuss the top 10 overpacked items that only you can prevent. As a backpacking instructor Devin observes a lot of common mistakes with overpacked items. Some of them are downright ridiculous. And Devin challenges Carl with something pretty hefty if he passes trivia. Some of the topics discussed: -Backpacking Gear -Overpacked...