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

Did Baby Boomers lie to you? Derek and Carl discuss all of the ‘old wisdom’ that’s been shared, re-shared, and often times accepted…without question from the Boomers. Derek and Carl bet that there are some things you still believe! Some of the Topics Covered: -Backpacking Lies by the Baby Boomers -Backpacking tips, hacks and clothing choices -Backpacking Gear Enlightened Equipment : Check out the...

In this Throwback Thursday episode, Derek and Carl cycle through all of the tough questions around going to the bathroom in the woods. Of all the questions they get, strangely, these are the most common. Going number two in the backcountry is one of the biggest obstacles people have in starting to go backpacking. Put your fears to rest by checking out this episode. Some of the Topics Covered: -Ove...

Justin Outdoors, Steven Smith from My Life Outdoors, Dan Durston, Chef Corso and many more guests give us their best trip planning tips. But can we really trust all of them? Ben and Carl evaluate each tip. Some of the Topics Covered: -Backpacking trip planning -Backpacking Gear -Good and terrible backpacking advice Enlightened Equipment : Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market! Get in...

Derek and Carl have come up with the undisputed top 10 national park trails for hiking and backpacking. They dare you to disagree. Some of the Topics Covered: -National Park trails -Backpacking trip ideas -Shuttle Driver Bill Enlightened Equipment : Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market! Get in prime time hiking shape with Rowan from Summit Strength so you can have your best hiking se...

In this Throwback Thursday episode Darwin on the Trail covers a range of topics from hiking gear to the challenges of being a ‘famous’ backpacker. He also introduces his own line of gear which is very well established at this point. Some of the Topics Covered: -Backpacking gear -Adventure Tips -What happens when you become a famous backpacker Enlightened Equipment : Check out the best Ultralight Q...

What are some hiking and backpacking gear traps that you are falling for? Mowser joins the show – all the way from Tasmania – to discuss his observations as an experienced mountain guide. He also shares some of his biggest backpacking blunders. They are stories you won’t want to miss! Some of the Topics Covered: -Backpacking gear -Useless backpacking gear that breaks -Backpacking Mistakes Stories...

Derek and Carl discuss the dumb gear that they (mainly Carl) has been making fun of for years. On the most recent trip to Catalina, Carl brought 8 items that he thinks are downright terrible. He gave them all a fair shake. What actually changed his mind? And what crazy things happened along the way? Some of the Topics Covered: -Backpacking gear -Useless backpacking gear -Crazy Catalina Backpacking...

Power rankings! Derek and Carl discuss the top two in each of the categories as well as item/company that’s on the bottom. Additionally, what do the masses say? When poled with these same topics, Derek and Carl share the results for what most people are thinking. And, does Derek share a luxury item that’s not really a luxury item? Some of the Topics Covered: -Backpacking gear -Backpacking meals an...

On this Throwback Thursday episode, Derek and Carl discuss some of the crazy stories that have happened in the wilderness that are simply unexplained. In their light-hearted version of these intense stories, they will ask questions and consider circumstances that have never been done before (or likely ever again). Enlightened Equipment : Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market! Get in p...

Kane Does Outdoors joins the show for a gear load-out! What are the best backpacking clothing gear options? Do any of them give you extra protection against bears? Kane seems to think so? There’s also a surprise guest to weigh in with the female clothing perspective. Some of the Gear Covered: - Mountain Hardwear Sunshield Sun Hoodie - Lowa Amplux 2 - Eddie Bauer Solar Foil Pro Hoodie - Mammut Duca...

Derek and Carl discuss 6 things that “every” backpacker does wrong…all the time. Or at least most of the time. Are there any strategies to minimize the impact of these mistakes? Are there any ways around them? Or should we simply suffer and cope? What do you think? Some of the Topics Covered: -Backpacking Gear -Backpacking Food -Backpacking Blunders Check out the latest shoe inserts from Superfeet...

Derek and Carl share their best tips for you to shave pack weight and get rid of unnecessary items. But, over the years, the B&B community has pushed back on many of these tips – seemingly with little reason. If you want to lighten your load, this is the way. Some of the Topics Covered: -Tips to lighten your backpacking weight -Backpacking gear -Ultralight backpacking Enlightened Equipment : C...

The 72 Year Old Thru Hiker – Hiking Rev – joins the show to discuss some strange stories from the trail as well as tips and advice for older, weaker, newer and scared hikers. Also, how did he handle a very creepy encounter while hitchhiking? Some of the Topics Covered: -Tips for older, weaker, newer, scared hikers and backpackers. -Hitchhiking techniques -When to call 911 Check out The Hiking Rev...

Derek and Carl recap their Desolation Wilderness trip and all of the mistakes they made along the way. From missing car windows, to strange outfits, to ranger encounters, to failed pranks, there’s a lot going on with this trip. And what did they finally decide regarding punishments for the next trip for their trivia failures? Topics Covered: -Backpacking in Desolation Wilderness, California -Backp...

Hiking Guy Cris Hazzard joins the show as our tech guru. What are the top 3 tech devices or gadgets he recommends? And what are the top 3 pieces of tech Carl suggests that you ditch immediately. Also, when can we stop bringing locator beacons in lieu of our phones? Some of the Tech Gear Covered: - Garmin InReach Mini 2 - Garmin Enduro GPS Watch - LcFun USB Electric Lighter Check out the latest tra...

Derek and Carl choose the BEST backpacking tips, hacks and advice that the ultralight backpacking community has to offer. Does that mean they’re all good? Probably not. But there should be at least a couple of takeaways from the collective ‘wisdom’ of backpackers across the world. Topics Covered: -Backpacking hacks, tips and tricks -Backpacking Gear -Controversial backpacking ideas Oboz Katabatic...

Derek and Carl discuss the first 5 things you need to do when arriving to camp…in order. They suggest that you do these things or you’ll pay the price (one way or another). Of course, their lists are entirely different. Which one do you trust? Topics Covered: -Backpacking Tips and tricks -Camping strategies -Inappropriate camp behaviors Enlightened Equipment : Check out the best Ultralight Quilts...

On this 'Throwback Thursday' episode Kyle O'Grady joins the show to discuss a variety of topics that include common, beginner backpacking mistakes, cults on the trail and trivia! Check out Kyle's popular YouTube Channel! Topics Covered: -Beginner Backpacking mistakes -Backpacking gear -Weird Backpacking Stories Enlightened Equipment : Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market! Get in prim...

Epic film-maker Kraig Adams joins the show. He might be the #1 backpacking film-maker (or film-maker who backpacks) out there. What are 3 big and unexpected challenges Kraig has encountered while traveling all over the world? People hiding in strange places, taking a ‘short cut’ down a mountain, and some odd food choices are just scratching the surface. Topics Covered: -Epic backpacking locations...

Derek and Carl discuss there single toughest day backpacking...and what you can do to avoid their mistakes. Also we have breaking news! A new backpacking stove was just released this week! Details on that and more! Topics Covered: - New backpacking stove -Overcoming a tough backpacking day -Bear attack Enlightened Equipment : Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market! Get in prime time hi...

New 2025 Backpacking Gear is here! Backpacks, sleeping pads, tents, gadgets, chairs…you name it. Gear expert Devin Ashby from Backcountry Exposure joins the show to weigh in (and disagree) about all of the gear presented. Some of the Gear Covered: - Therm-a-rest Boost 650 - Danner N45 - Gregory Paragon/Maven - Cumulus Climalite Jacket - Crazy Creek Air Lounger - Big Agnes Copper Spur XL Tent - New...

What are the backpacking trends, fads or whatever you want to call them – that are really lame? Derek and Carl weigh in on this topic and come out firing! Also, Derek catches Carl in a major error from a previous episode. Topics Covered: -Ultralight backpacking -Ultralight Gear -Backpacking trends and fads -Trail Name nonsense Check Out ‘Ian the Outdoor Guy’ Enlightened Equipment : Check out the b...

Are you or is somebody you know an ultralight nerd? Derek and Carl have the criteria. If any of their descriptions resonate with you…then you might be an ultralight nerd. Also what ripoff gear company Carl get significant pushback about? Topics Covered: -Ultralight backpacking -Ultralight Gear -A Ripoff Gear Company -Leave No Trace Lies Enlightened Equipment : Check out the best Ultralight Quilts...

Ryan Van Duzer (Bikepacker, Ultra Marathon Runner, Adventurer, Youtuber) joins the show to discuss the secret to your adventure success. He also shares some of the crazy things he tends to bring into the backcountry. Topics Covered: -Strange backpacking luxury items -Bikepacking adventures -The secret to your adventure success Enlightened Equipment : Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the mar...

What is the best tent or hammock option for you? Top hammock expert, Shug, joins the show to drop some hammock knowledge on us. Various tent categories and tent options are discussed as well. Check out Shug’s awesome YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@shugemery/featured Topics Covered: -Best backpacking hammocks -Best backpacking tents -Best ultralight, budget, user-friendly backpacking gea...