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

Steven Smith from ‘My Life Outdoors’ joins the show to help reveal backpacking secrets that took years to learn. He also gives compelling behind-the-scenes stories to his videos on quicksand and soon-to-be released videos that will knock your socks off. Also, Carl pitches four YouTube ideas to Steven. Some of the Topics Discussed -Backpacking Gear -How to find the right backpacking pack -Solutions...

Big Agnes' Bill Gamber joins the show to discuss the path BA took to be at the front edge of the ultralight movement, what the future holds in the ultralight industry, what people think of when they hear 'Big Agnes', and which of the 3 products Carl pitches would BA most likely produce. If you’re interested in joining us for the monthly B&B Bible Study, please reach out to Carl: backpackingblister...

What are the top 10 reasons you will quit on a backpacking trip, thru hike or just regular hike? And how can you avoid them? Christine Reed joins the show to discuss experiences surrounding all of these issues. If you listen to this episode, you will never quit on a hike again (maybe). Some of the Topics Discussed -Backpacking Gear -Biggest Issues Facing Hikers and Backpackers on a Trail -Solution...

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...

Have you seen some weird stuff out on the trail like we have? We’ve got 12 signs that you (or somebody you know) simply doesn’t know what they’re doing. And don’t worry, we’ve got the solutions to overcome these odd situations. Some of the Topics Discussed -Inappropriate Backpacking Gear -Weird Ways to Hike -Useless Hiking & Planning Tools If you’re interested in joining us for the monthly B&a...

Dan Durston joins the show to discuss the harsh truths behind the ultralight gear you’re buying. This is a real behind-the-scenes look at how the gear industry really works. There are a lot of misconceptions, lies and false accusations out there. Durston tries to shed some light in these dark places. Also, Jesse and Carl pitch Dan on the next great piece of Durston Gear. Some of the Topics Discuss...

Rob Pelton's joins the show to discuss why your bucket list trips will fail...and how to overcome the issues. Also, are Canadian computer hackers helping people get permits. And Rob has a big and exciting announcement! Check out Rob’s Awesome YouTube Channel Follow Rob on Instagram If you’re interested in joining us for the monthly B&B Bible Study, please reach out to Carl: backpackingblisters...

10 backpacking experts share their favorite backcountry meals and other food ideas. Some of them are creative, some are good and some may be yucky. Which one(s) would you be willing to try. The Backpacking Experts - Darwin on the Trail - Dixie ‘Homemade Wanderlust’ - Eric Hanson - Devin Ashby ‘Backcountry Exposure' -Glen Van Peski ‘Gossamer Gear Owner’ - Mike Wanders - Coach ‘Marion Outdoors - Chr...

Who are these “backpacking experts” that are telling us lies? And have what lies have we believed that should be cleared up? Jesse and Carl discuss 10 lies from a variety of sources that we should all stop believing. From backpacking gear to reviews to secret agendas to items you “have to” bring. Some of Topics Discussed -Ultralight Sleeping Pads -Sleeping Bag Nonsense -Gear Reviews You Can’t Trus...

Vince Strawbridge joins the show to debate this very issue. Carl and Vince make strong accusations at one another in this semi-heated debate. Check out Vince Strawbridge's Book "Pretty Good at Walking" . If you’re interested in joining us for the monthly B&B Bible Study, please reach out to Carl: backpackingblisters@gmail.com The ‘SUMMIT ANSWER’ comes from our latest partner, Summit Something!...

We’ve got the latest, greatest, most popular packs and we’ll tell you which ones are worth investing in, who they’re best for and our personal experiences with them. Michael from the ‘Open Air Problems’ joins the show to provide his thru-hiking, gear testing expertise. From Durston to Zpacks to Gossamer Gear to Gregory (and more) – which one is best for you? Some of Backpacks Discussed - Gossamer...

TV host, YouTuber Eric Hanson joins the show to discuss REI’s best-selling gear. Which items will he bring on future trips that will earn a ‘pass’ and which does he ‘fail’? And Carl, of course, will weigh in with his own opinions. Eric also shares some very compelling stories from a wide variety of adventures – including his brush with the law. Some of the Topics Discussed -REI’s Best-Selling Back...

If you’ve heard all of the ultralight backpacking tips out there, then this episode is for you! We’ve got 10 super duper extra ultralight hacks that will shave pounds off of your pack. Brad ‘Crow’ Felton joins me in discussing ideas you’ve simply never heard of. Some of the Topics Discussed -Ultralight Backpacking Gear -Ultralight Backpacking Strategies -Weird Ideas Follow Crow on his awesome YouT...

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...

How do you go from waking up to on the trail in 30 minutes? Carl will tell you how. Why could this be a bad idea? Jesse will tell you that too. Who’s morning routine is better? And Carl and Jesse also debate whether Outdoor Vitals is a premium brand (like it says) or not. Some of the Topics Discussed -Efficient Backpacking Strategies and Skills -Backpacking Gear that has straight up broken -Outdoo...

Devin, from Backcountry Exposure, joins the show to discuss 10 new pieces of 2026 backpacking gear including: sleeping bags, a sleeping pad, a backpack, tents, a stove, etc. Which ones are worth the investment? Which ones might end up on the clearance rack? Some of the Gear Discussed -Bear Vault BV One - Nemo Eclipse - MSR Hubba Hubba HD Tent - Mountain Hardwear Ghoul 20 Sleeping Bag - Outdoor Vit...

Mowser joins the show from Tasmania to break down why you sleep like trash in the backcountry. He gives a step-by-step guide to give you the best opportunity to get good sleep. There are, of course, no guarantees. But his 35 years of experience takes care of the things that we can control. Also, has he developed a backpacking app that takes the best features of the existing apps and puts them into...

Can you answer these 10 questions/scenarios correctly (or mostly correctly) to show that you’ve got a backpacking IQ over 100? And do you agree with the answers and outcomes? Some of the Topics Discussed -Backpacking gear -Backpacking situations and scenarios -Ultralight backpacking information If you’re interested in joining us for the monthly B&B Bible Study, please reach out to Carl: backpa...

Jon Conti joins the show to discuss the top luxury items for the lazy backpacker. This could include backpackers who truly have a focus on lounging around or hikers that still put in a lot of trail time but don’t mind carrying the extra weight. And that could be pounds of extra weight! This is not your ultralight backpacking gear episode. Some of the Topics Discussed -Luxury backpacking gear -Best...

Coach from Marion Outdoors joins the show to discuss what an Appalachian Trail shop tells overloaded backpackers and thru-hikers when they arrive frustrated. What gear should be swapped out? What changeshttps://www.marionoutdoors.com/ should they make? Also, what is the one characteristic annoying customers share? Some of the Topics Discussed -Ultralight backpacking gear -The most popular footwear...

Glen Van Peski – owner of Gossamer Gear – joins the show to discuss some truly unorthodox ultralight strategies. With his 13lb total pack and years of backpacking experience, he definitely knows what he’s talking about. Will any of the these strategies lighten your load or are they too extreme? Some of the Topics Discussed -Ultralight backpacking gear -Ultralight strategies -Upcoming Backpacking I...

John Kelley joins the show to discuss 8 ways trip planners get the shaft. Are some of this avoidable if you sprinkle in a bit of wisdom and common sense? Yes. Are some unavoidable? Yes. Find out what you should beware if you’re trip planner. Or, find out how to not sabotage a backpacking trip if you’re not. Some of the Topics Discussed -Backpacking trip planning -Sabotaged Backpacking trips -Commo...

Jeff Pelletier joins the show to discuss shaving weight, ultralight strategies, and to give advice to Carl about some of his controversial gear decisions about an upcoming adventure. Check out Jeff's awesome YouTube Channel! If you’re interested in joining us for the monthly B&B Bible Study, please reach out to Carl: backpackingblisters@gmail.com Check out Magnet Designs for the best, US-made...

Don’t you hate it when you find gear you don’t use left in your pack after a trip? How about when it’s the same unused gear over the course of multiple trips? We’ve got 6-8 pieces of gear you can simply ditch, shave some weight and save some money…because you’re not using it anyway. Some of the Topics Discussed -New Backpacking Gear Being Released -Gear that ends up being useless and costing you w...

If you’re a beginning backpacker, we’ve got the gear you should buy – from budget to mid level to premium. If you’re an experienced backpacker, please let us know where we went right and wrong with our choices. Also we have a previously unreleased segment with Shug. Some of the Gear Discussed - Budget Backpack Option - Premium Backpack Option - Budget Tent Option - Premium Tent Option - Premium Pa...