I receive lots of questions about hiking gear usage, boot fitting and lacing, gear maintenance, and more! With all of that inspiration I regularly put together write-ups and how to videos.
If there are certain things you want to see let me know and I will write about the most popular topics you ask about!
Happy trails!
How to Use a JetBoil Personal Cooking System
How to Use a JetBoil Personal Cooking System!
Packing for A 3-Night Backpacking Trip
Packing for A 3-Night Backpacking Trip
How to Lace Hiking Boots to Prevent Heel Blisters
How to Lace Hiking Boots to Prevent Heel Blisters
How to Waterproof Your Hiking Boots
How to Waterproof Your Hiking Boots
How to Use a SteriPEN to Treat Water
How to Use a SteriPEN to Treat Water
How to Use a SteriPEN Pre-Filter
How to Use a SteriPEN Pre-Filter
How to Unpack Well
How to Be an Expert (Un)Packer!
How to Clean Trail Running Shoes
How to Clean Trail Running Shoes
How to Scare a Bear!
How to Scare a Bear: Use the Loudest Chip Bag on the Market!!
Great video on boot lacing! It saved my heels!! Thank you Hiking Lady
We’ve created award-winning training on how to use poles:
1. POLES for Hiking, Trekking & Walking
2. POLES for Balance & Mobility
Both DVD’s are almost 2 hours of training helping people learn how to achieve the many benefits that optimal use provides.
Optimal use enables people to improve balance, posture, endurance, upper body strength and confidence. Our hiking DVD helps people achieve greater power and enhanced performance on a variety of terrain. Our mobility DVD enables people to achieve and even regain mobility as well as improve gait and basic walking.
I’d appreciate if you could let your many readers know of these DVD’s so that they will have the option of learning more about using poles properly.
Many Thanks! Jayah
I just came across your website thanks to Pinterest, and am definitely pinning it as a go-to resource. I was curious, do you have any tips on how to adjust a backpack to fit properly? I started to get more into hiking last summer, and bought a basic backpack to get used to the idea of carrying a pack. As I get more advanced, I’ll buy a better one. But for now, how to I properly fit all those straps? I’m a heavy set woman, and I found last summer I got a lot of chaffing on my chest, by the armpits, and I kept fiddling with the straps (over arm, waist and one that seems to go right over my cleavage) to no avail.
Hi Karen! Thanks! Great question. It can be tricky to get a backpack to fit properly.
My tips? 1) Make sure that the hip belt is on properly…meaning that it is on your hips, and tight. Not so tight to be uncomfortable, but tight enough that you’re able to slip your fingers underneath the shoulder straps. ie, Almost all of the weight of the pack should rest on your hips, not your shoulders.
2) Adjust the shoulder straps so that they don’t cut underneath your arms. This just takes practice adjusting, and there is the possibility that the pack just don’t fit right for you.
3). Adjust the smaller straps to tweak the fit…such as the sternum strap and side straps. Make sure you have a women’s specific pack. Men’s packs/unisex backpacks definitely don’t leave any room for breasts! The sternum strap on a woman’s pack generally can be adjusted to fit above the breasts.
Hope that helps and good luck! Happy trails.