Want to know which backpacks are the most comfortable on the trail? Or which hiking boots are my favorites? Or the best stroller to use to take your baby on dirt paths?
In the Hiking Lady, Hiking Baby, and Hiking Kids reviews, I put to the test all sorts of adventure apparel, gear, and footwear. I know how to beat up gear, and as I go on hiking adventures I share my thoughts with you! When stuff is great, I let you know, and when it is bad, I also let you know! There’s no holding back here!
Looking for reliable, high quality, detailed hiking guides? There are numerous publishers of guides, and one of the best I’ve found is Cicerone Guide Books, the UK based publisher. They produce guides for hikers, mountaineers, climbers, cyclists and more. Their library of publications is continually being updated and improved, which make them invaluable for hikers …
A SteriPEN water purifier that doesn’t require batteries? Cool, huh! SteriPEN developed a new model this year, the human powered SteriPEN Sidewinder. Just like the handheld battery powered SteriPENs, the SteriPEN Sidewinder creates ultraviolet light that destroys bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. But unlike all of the other SteriPEN models, no batteries are needed! Since I’m …
What do you wear hiking in cold weather, that is vitally important, must be comfortable, and that your hiking buddies may never see? Your baselayers! I recently had the chance to test two baselayers from North Carolina company Polarmax. For the last 25 years they have been purely focused on making technical baselayers in their …
How often are you hiking and you need to take a look at your map, but have to spend time fumbling around to find reading glasses? The eyewear company Out of the Blue has a solution to this very common problem – the Sun Readers! These are sunglasses that have built in bifocals. Why I …
My lower legs are always sore after a long hike or tough trail run… and I finally decided to try out a pair of compression socks. Compression socks are designed to help improve circulation, which helps with muscle recovery. Recently, after trail runs and long hikes, I’ve been slipping on my pair of UnderArmour Recharge …
I admittedly am a neat freak, and even when I’m hiking or backpacking I like to stay organized. I tend to prefer backpacks with lots of compartments, many Ziploc bags, and storing gear in the same part of my backpack on every trip. I’ve started using the Brooks Range Field Organizer, a bright yellow 4 …
How do you clean your waterproof jackets and pants? Mine sure get a lot of abuse on the trail! If you wear waterproof breathable shells, regular detergent just doesn’t cut it. In order to maintain and enhance the waterproofness of you Gore-Tex, eVent, and other waterproof apparel, you need to use a Nikwax wash product, …
Hiking Lady, formerly known to some as the Ziploc Queen, has found a neat alternative that hikers and backpackers will appreciate…Innate’s Mentor Storage Sacs. They are lightweight, fully waterproof storage bags, that are constructed of eco-friendly materials and can be used over and over again! The Vancouver, Canada based company Innate Gear developed this line …
Earlier this summer, a good friend of mine was hiking with her boyfriend. They were traveling off trail, the sun was setting, and the terrain was extremely rocky. They weren’t comfortable scrambling down the rocks with just headlamps, and decided to bivouac! They spent an unintended night in the wilderness without a tent or sleeping …
At the Outdoor Retailer convention this year, I discovered Goodhew socks. Goodhew has been making socks since late 2008, and are a noteworthy new entrant to the performance sock market. They make a range of high performance socks and lifestyle socks, that are all manufactured in the USA and constructed of high quality wicking materials. …