Gear

Baggies: The Only Pair of Hiking Shorts You Need

Baggies: The Only Pair of Hiking Shorts You Need

This is a gear review of and love letter to my Patagonia Baggies shorts. They are the best and only pair of hiking shorts that I (or you) ever need to own.    In...

Feb 14, 2018 : Laura Johnston
Meet the 2018 Badger Sponsorship Winners!

Meet the 2018 Badger Sponsorship Winners!

At the beginning of this month, we unveiled the 2018 Badger Sponsorship, where a handful of aspiring thru-hikers would win some high quality gear, food, and resources, including a grand prize

Jan 24, 2018 : Zach
The 2018 Badger Sponsorship Finalists: Vote For Your Favorite

The 2018 Badger Sponsorship Finalists: Vote For Your Favorite

And then there were twelve. The 2018 Badger Sponsorship received nearly double the number of submissions than last year. This year we reviewed 108 video submissions, smashing our previous record...

Jan 17, 2018 : Zach
AT 2017: The Gear That Actually Worked

AT 2017: The Gear That Actually Worked

Narrowing down your gear and trying to trim ounces from your pack can be one of the most daunting parts of preparing for a thru-hike. You tend to get stuck...

Jan 14, 2018 : Tasia (StinkyCheez)
My Top Five Pieces Of 2017 Thru-Hike Gear

My Top Five Pieces Of 2017 Thru-Hike Gear

It’s so fun seeing this flurry of thru-hike planning happening now on The Trek.  I love to plan and to do research, so I’m having some pleasant, and not-so-pleasant, flashbacks...

Jan 10, 2018 : Deane "Roo" Giordano
Top Backpacks of 2017: Results from the Annual Hiker Survey

Top Backpacks of 2017: Results from the Annual Hiker Survey

In this installment of The Trek’s 2017 Hiker Survey, we cover backpacks and shake downs. We asked hikers about the frame type, capacity, brand, and model of their backpacks. In...

Jan 8, 2018 : Mariposa
Top Tents and Hammocks of 2017: Results from the Annual Hiker Survey

Top Tents and Hammocks of 2017: Results from the Annual Hiker Survey

For the fourth year, The Trek has surveyed long-distance hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT) regarding the shelter systems they use - tents, hammocks, and more. Each year, we ask...

Jan 2, 2018 : Mariposa
Announcing the 2018 Badger Sponsorship!

Announcing the 2018 Badger Sponsorship!

Calling all 2018 AT, PCT, and CDT thru-hikers!!! The Trek wants to sponsor you! That's right- it's that time of year. The page on the calendar where we give away thousands of dollars...

Jan 1, 2018 : Zach
Planning Gear for your Flip-Flop AT Hike

Planning Gear for your Flip-Flop AT Hike

I planned my gear around what I read about starting a traditional NOBO hike. What I found out was that my seasonal gear for flip-flopping was a bit different.

Dec 21, 2017 : Nick Offenbach
The Top Sleeping Bags and Quilts of 2017: Results from the Annual Hiker Survey

The Top Sleeping Bags and Quilts of 2017: Results from the Annual Hiker Survey

We surveyed 253 section and thru-hikers who were on the Appalachian Trail (AT) in 2017. We asked about the temperature, fill, brands, and models of the sleeping bags and hammock...

Dec 19, 2017 : Mariposa