Backpacking: Our Ultimate Prep-for-the-Season Guide
Ready to hit the trail? You might be eager to get out and into the hinterlands, but is your gear all set? If it’s been a while since your backpacking equipment has seen light beyond the gear closet, it might be wise to inspect it and ensure that it’s ready to support you in the back of beyond—before you head out.
Here’s a list of resources that can help. These articles cover everything from performing annual maintenance checks to tips for keeping your gear running smoothly in the field, and even how to choose the right gear for a particular trip. If you haven’t been out already, we hope your first backpacking trip is right around the corner!
Tents:
Tent Care & Repair: The Best Ways to Patch, Protect & Restore
Keeping Your Tent Clean & Dry Between Trips
Five Tips for Longer Tent Life
How to Set Up Your Tent in the Wind
Stoves:
Maintaining MSR Stoves and Fuel Pumps
Choosing the Right Fuel for Your Liquid Fuel Stove
Stoves 101: How Much Fuel Should I Carry?
How to Get the Most Out of Your Fuel Canisters
Finding Stove Fuel in a Foreign Country
Measuring Your Canister Fuel Levels in the Field
How to Recycle MSR IsoPro™ Fuel Canisters
Water Treatment:
How to Avoid Cross-Contamination
Water 101: Decoding Water Filter Testing Claims
Demystifying Backflushing: Water Treatment 101
Guardian Gravity Purifier Guide – For Safe Water Anywhere
Water Treatment 101: When & Why Should I Treat Backcountry Water
When is Backcountry Water Considered Safe to Drink?
Our Complete Guide to Water Treatment
Cookware:
Choosing the Right Cookware: Titanium vs. Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel
The Perfect Stove & Cookware Pairing for You
Camping Cookware – 10 Essentials for Your Camp Kitchen
Backpacking Cookware: Making It All Fit in Your Pack
Related Posts:
- How to Pack a Backpack
- Your Pre-Season Backpacking Gear Checklist
- Strengthening Your Mind for the Winter Backcountry
Updated. Originally Published April 21st, 2016.