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

Is there any gear you wished you hadn't bought? Learn from Derek and Carl's mistakes and don't buy the items that have failed them (and continued to fail them in some cases). Also, can Derek pass 'License Plate Trivia'? GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 80 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content. Patreon.com/backpa...

Do backpacking myths and old wives tales drive you the make decisions about gear and backcountry actions that are simply incorrect? Derek and Carl bust a large number of myths to make your backpacking adventures better and more efficient. Also, does Derek have reasonable trivia questions this time? Probably not. GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 80 episodes of B&B that you can get by supportin...

What are the biggest risks on the trail (not counting wild animals or monsters)? Derek and Carl address 7 trail pitfalls and how to overcome them. An imposter ranger harrasses a backpacker and then somehow calls into the show. Also, Derek tries to overcome 'Geography Trivia' after his recent claim about Czechoslovakia still being a country. GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 80 episodes of B&B...

Is a good quality base layer a game changer? Yes! Derek and Carl explore what they think is the best option: XOSKIN. Kroy Taughinbaugh joins the show to talk about blister prevention, chafing prevention, stink prevention and base layer advancements. Also, can you go 200+ miles without changing or washing your socks? And Derek asks if base layers can wick away urine. GET MORE EPISODES! There are ov...

How will you respond when the 8 events discussed in this episode happen to you or someone you know? Derek and Carl discuss the tough circumstances they've encountered, how they might have been avoided and what do in response. But let's be honest, is the list that Derek came up with really that horrible? And how does Carl respond to Derek's 'Name That Sound' trivia that goes as you can expect. GET...

Does base weight really matter if your total pack weight is too heavy? Derek and Carl give a list of tips and tricks to get your pack under 30lbs (or to simply reduce your pack pack). What can you get rid of? What should you replace? And what should you upgrade? Also, Carl accuses Derek of creating the worst trivia questions...ever. Do you agree? GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 80 episodes of B&...

What gear is worth purchasing this year? Gear expert Dan Becker answers that and a host of other questions that range from gear breakdowns to an absurd question by a surprise guest. Join Dan Becker on a backpacking trip by clicking here!!!! GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 80 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more conten...

What is the worst trail you've traveled? What is the worst piece of gear you've used? What is the worst backcountry meal you've had? Derek and Carl pull from the wisdom of the Trust the Trail podcast and discuss the worst things we think our fellow adventurers should avoid. GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 80 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure a...

Are there any pieces of critical backpacking gear that are simply inexpensive? Yes! Derek and Carl each list off a few of their favorites. These pieces of gear will lighten your load, improve your efficiency, and make your trip better...at a great price. Also, Derek creates 'Price is Right' trivia that really challenges Carl. And why did Derek smash a few expensive MSR backpacking pots? Check out...

What would you ask? What would Derek and Carl ask? Professional zoologist Ashley Cole-Wick joins the show and answers all of the interesting, tough and ridiculous questions thrown at her from members of the B&B community as well as the hosts. Questions ranging from 'Should we be concerned if birds suddenly stop chirping' to 'What's the deal with cow mutilations' are all part of the show. Also,...

Do you encounter trail villains? Do you just slink away from them in order to keep the peace? Perhaps you're allowing them to continue to wreak havoc on other peaceful trail users. Derek and Carl identify the most common and most egregious trail villains and then determine how to have a proper showdown...the "right" way. Which villains have yelled at Carl before? Which ones is Derek most...

How do you survive an Avalanche? Professional ski/mountaineer, Greg Hill, joins to the show to discuss a range of topics including Electric Greg (a documentary he's featured in), how to go on his guided trips, and everything in between. Also, both Derek and Carl inadvertently try to sabotage the episode. GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 80 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on...

Do you fear change like everyone else? Well, get prepared! Derek and Carl discuss major advancements (both good and bad) that will impact your outdoor adventures. Hiking aids, new policies, no more bear canisters, 3rd world batteries that may become a common part of your backpacking trip (Derek‘s idea), and many more are discussed. Also, a MAJOR guided trip giveaway is shared with the B&B fami...

Have you ever watched a mystery show and thought you knew the answer? This is your chance! Derek and Carl provide three outdoor themed (but family friendly) mysteries. They share the obvious and outside-the-box theories with the limited clues provided. And somehow Derek thinks that a dining room table might have saved a life. GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 80 episodes of B&B that you can get by...

Are you carrying extra pounds and bulk for no reason? Derek and Carl discuss items they‘ve brought or they‘ve seen in the backcountry that simply have no purpose. This is not a rehash of the old items they like to make fun of. One of them that Carl brings up might be the most controversial item of all time. And Derek explains why he stores dirty water in his ziploc trash bag. Also, Derek invites h...

Over the last year Derek and Carl have investigated a few different devices for remote communication. This episode features the one they landed on: the Zoleo. Morris, president of the company, joins the show to answer all types of emergency questions you would want answered (and some you may have never thought of). Also, Derek shares his risky strategy for getting a signal from inside a car. GET M...

Jesse, from Youtube Channel Backcountry Forward, joins the show to discuss the highs and lows of hiking the Great Divide Trail. Which gear choices held up over the long haul? Which gear did not? And, is it possible to tear apart gear with ”trail strength”? Also, Carl thinks Derek is making up trivia questions on the spot (which is why they don‘t make sense half the time). GET MORE EPISODES! There...

In the Season 5 Premier Derek and Carl explore what it takes to have a 70lb pack that puts a trip in jeopardy. Rocky ”weighs in” on the matter and claims he was defeated by Yosemite. Can we learn something from somebody who hoards gear and consumables in their pack? Also, Carl raises the stakes for weekly trivia. GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 80 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting u...

How do you make it to camp (or back to the trailhead) when you've got nothing left? How do you handle the group member who's hitting the wall? Does this describe every trip for Derek? Carl shares some of his experiences from a recent Yosemite trip where this happened. Also, just how far are you willing to go to motivate the person lagging behind? GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to g...

Derek and Carl come up with an odd list of problems and solutions related to altitude sickness. Carl just got back from taking some flatlanders to elevation and some of them struggled. Was his trip plan appropriate? You (and Derek) can judge. Also, Derek blames an unexpected product for high altitude nausea. GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority...

Carl attended the latest Outdoor Retailer show in Denver and he brought the mic with him! Derek reacts to a series of interviews with a variety of organizations that respond to important, unexpected, and absurd questions. Also, Derek thinks the pine cone trowel argument is solved by the LNT organization. GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority inv...

Back from the Wind River Range, Derek and Carl discuss the theme of this year's big July trip: interesting encounters with a variety of hikers. Somebody bailed from the trip last minute. And, has a podcast villain emerged? GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to support your favorite content p...

A host of fellow adventurer share some of their backpacking problems (big and small). Both Derek and Carl weigh in on how to tackle issues with packing, food, sleep, time, and the value of a pack manifest. Also, did Carl drop a water bottle in an Sasquatch carcass and is there a budget Osprey pack after all? GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority...

Author, trial advocate, founder of the Florida trail, and co-founder of the American Hiking Society Jim Kern joins the show to discuss issues surrounding America's National Scenic Trails. Also, does Derek have insecurity issues regarding vocabulary words? Check out Jim Kern's book: Broken Promise: The Plight of Our National Trails GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episode...

One of our most popular guests, Youtuber Kevin Outdoors, joins the show to talk about a variety of topics. There's definitely a few in there that you don't expect. And Derek wraps things up with a trivia question that even he doesn't know the answer to. Check out Kevin's Book: Backcountry Eats GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&a...