As an overnight backpacking guide in Yosemite, I’ve learned the difference between agony and bliss in the backcountry boils down to practicality and reliability of my trail gear—most specifically when it comes down to clothes. Since backpacking is a minimalist venture, my wardrobe usually consists of one specialized outfit I can rely on to keep me warm, dry, and otherwise comfortable for days on end in the elements. This is the trail gear that comes with me on every trip.
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The Only Trail Gear You Need, According to a Backpacking Guide
1. Outdoor Research Juneau Beanie
This no-frills, feather-light beanie hasn’t stretched out or worn through after a year and a half of hard use. Its design was inspired by Alaskan fisherman—hence its name—and for a head sock that only weighs 2.3 ounces, its insulation value is ample. Winter or summer, it’s a staple in my pack when the temps drop after sundown.
Armless sunglasses seemed like a goofy concept at first, then I took the Leggeros backpacking and realized they’re actually super practical. I cannot stress enough the convenience of a pair of shades that won’t fall off or break when sat on or stuffed into a bulging pack. The Leggeros fit comfortably and securely; they have high-quality, polarized lenses; and, despite the preconceptions attached to glasses without arms, they’re actually pretty cool looking.
For backpacking, I look for thin, warm layers that dry quickly. No material does this combo better than merino wool—and Ridge Merino, a Mammoth-based brand engineered around snow sports, is the merino wool expert. This sun hoodie is the ideal thickness to keep warm when the weather’s cold, and cool when it’s hot. It dries faster than any other sun hoodie I’ve tried, so breaking a sweat on an alpine summit doesn’t compromise my R-value. I tested this during a sweaty splitboarding ascent of Mt. Lassen and never once got the wet chills. Plus, the hood is big enough to cinch over an alpine helmet.
Part of Big Agnes’ new down jacket line for 2021, the Soda Peak comes with me on every backpacking trip. Its 850 fill pairs with a mid layer to stay cozy on subzero nights. The water-resistant down (great for snow activities) dries quickly without leaving behind the “wet dog” smell. The vertically stitched paneling makes an extra comfy yet aesthetically pleasing fit, and the thickness is ideal for a stout four-season all-arounder. I use the thumb holes on extra cold occasions, and my size medium only weighs 12 ounces, packing into a fist-size ball that requires minimal real estate in my pack.
This ultralight rain shell has kept me dry during some torrential High Sierra showers this summer. Weighing in remarkably light at 8.3 ounces, it takes up minimal space in my pack. The Storm 10 has loads of thoughtful design features when the rain comes: There’s an internal storm flap; tapered cuffs; and a helmet-compatible, drawstring-controlled hood. It doubles as the only layer in my pack that mosquitoes can’t penetrate, which comes in clutch rain or shine. In line with Patagonia’s philanthropic and environmental missions, it’s fair-trade certified and uses 100 percent recycled nylon.
Vuori is known for casual beach and exercise wear—not the most likely candidate for top-level backpacking attire—but I find the Climber Pant ticks all the boxes. The rip-stop material is rugged—not easily torn—and fairly impermeable by dirt and moisture. It’s also liberatingly stretchy and features well-placed, generous pockets. The elastic ankles work well to keep dirt and rocks out of socks, while the drawstring waistband means I don’t need to pack a belt. For me, the best aspect of these hiking pants is the fit around the waist. The waistband rides well under the hip belt and doesn’t chafe my hip bones like other hiking pants I’ve tried.
Considering these are the only socks I wear for backpacking, and I’ve used the same pair all season, these puppies merit the high price point. They’re as durable as any sock I’ve tested, breathable, and comfortable as can be, making blisters a nonissue. The quick-drying material keeps the socks from getting crusty (although it won’t keep them from smelling). If they do get crispy mid-trip, I can rinse them out in the evening and they’ll be dry enough to hike by morning.
Danner’s 2650 line produces the best trail shoes I’ve ever owned, bar none. They’re light, durable, comfy enough for camp and stout enough for the trail, plus the Vibram soles provide superior grip to any shoe I’ve tested. The 2650 Mesh grabs granite whether wet, dry, gritty, or polished. Where the standard Trail 2650s are completely waterproof up to the ankle, the Mesh are far more breathable and light, making for a more comfortable fit on hot summer days. Beyond the feel, toughness is a critical factor for me in a pair of shoes and Danner has that dialed in. They’re not bombproof like some others in the line (see Trail 2650s), but the breathability is a worthy exchange for summertime. These shoes are the undisputed MVP of my trail gear.
Volcom’s collaboration with the up-and-coming backpack brand Matador is a critical, novel pack towel that makes changing on the fly as convenient as possible. This 10-ounce, nanofiber garment absorbs more than twice its weight in water. It doubles as both my ultra-light towel and ultra-convenient changing facility.
Mike Misselwitz is a lead guide for Lasting Adventures, a backpacking guide service and nonprofit youth adventure camp based in Yosemite, Olympic, and Lassen Volcanic National Parks.
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There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
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1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
Marius Bugge
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Marius Bugge
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
Marius Bugge
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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