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My $100 Super-ultralight Gear List: Clothing and Miscellaneous Gear

Ryan Grayson March 13, 2017

This is part six in a series about my $100 Super-Ultralight Gear List. Part six, is all about clothing and the miscellaneous gear that didn't fit into other categories, such as, headlamp, buff, towel, and thermal layer.

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My Minimal First Aid Kit

My Minimal First Aid Kit

My $100 Super-ultralight Gear List: First Aid and Gear Repair

Ryan Grayson March 6, 2017

This is part five in a series about my $100 Super-Ultralight Gear List. Part five, is all about my first aid and gear repair kit. This kit is very minimal, but you can do a lot with a roll of gauze and some duct tape. Here's how...

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In advice, gear Tags First Aid

My $100 Super-Ultralight Gear List: Cooking

Ryan Grayson February 27, 2017

This is part four in a series about my $100 Super-Ultralight Gear List. Part four, is all about my cooking gear, DIY alcohol stove, and water treatment.

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In gear, advice, nutrition Tags MYOG, DIY

My $100 Super-Ultralight Gear List: Sleeping

Ryan Grayson February 20, 2017

This is part three in a series of posts about my $100 Super-Ultralight Gear List. Part three is all about my shelter, sleeping gear, and how to make your own rain tarp out of window shrink wrap plastic or Tyvek.

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In advice, gear Tags hammock camping, gear, super-ultralight, sleeping bag, rain tarp

My $100 Super-Ultralight Gear List: Packing

Ryan Grayson February 13, 2017

This is part two on a series of posts about my $100 Super-Ultralight Gear List. Part two, is all about backpacks and how to make your own stuff sacks and pack liners.

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In advice, gear Tags super-ultralight, gear, backpack

My $100 Super-Ultralight Gear List

Ryan Grayson February 6, 2017

Some of the best moments in my life happened when I had the very least. Whenever I stress about money or work, I remind myself of that. When I was spending a majority of each year backpacking, hitchhiking, or cycling, people would ask me if I was a self-made millionaire or a trust-fund baby. I’d laugh it off and assure them that living like a hobo was dirt cheap.

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In advice, gear Tags super-ultralight, super-ultracheap, gear list, gear

A Walk in the Woods

Ryan Grayson December 29, 2016

With my affinity for walking long distances, I’m asked the question a lot. I even started to finish it myself. “Have you ever read—” “A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson? I’ve read it twice,” I’d say. “Four times if you count the audiobook.” Now I have a new response. Nearly two years ago, I received an email from the Propmaster on the set of the film adaptation of the book.

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Footcare for Backpackers: Interview with AAPSM President, Paul Langer

Ryan Grayson September 19, 2016

In part two of my interview with AAPSM President, Paul Langer, Paul answers our questions about foot care on the trail.

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In advice Tags footcare

Footwear for Backpackers: An Interview with AAPSM President, Paul Langer

Ryan Grayson September 12, 2016

I contacted Paul Langer, president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine and D.P.M. at one of the largest orthopedic groups in the country, Twin Cities Orthopedics in Minnesota. Paul was more than happy to answer all of my questions and those asked by fellow hikers on the WhiteBlaze.net forums. This first article focuses on footwear for backpackers.

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In advice Tags footcare
My Keen Boots after 900 miles on the AT

My Keen Boots after 900 miles on the AT

Q&A: Should I Buy Hiking Shoes or Boots?

Ryan Grayson September 12, 2016

This great question comes from a reader named Heather. I like this question because when buying your first set of gear, certain items seem like a given. Football players need cleats, basketball players need high-tops, and hikers need sturdy leather hiking boots, right?

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In advice Tags footcare
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Featured
My $100 Super-Ultralight Gear List
My $100 Super-Ultralight Gear List

Some of the best moments in my life happened when I had the very least. Whenever I stress about money or work, I remind myself of that. When I was spending a majority of each year backpacking, hitchhiking, or cycling, people would ask me if I was a self-made millionaire or a trust-fund baby. I’d laugh it off and assure them that living like a hobo was dirt cheap.

Read more →
Q&A: Should I Buy Hiking Shoes or Boots?

This great question comes from a reader named Heather. I like this question because when buying your first set of gear, certain items seem like a given. Football players need cleats, basketball players need high-tops, and hikers need sturdy leather hiking boots, right?

Read more →
30 Tips for Hitchhiking to Resupply

The first time I stretched out my arm and put out my thumb, I felt equally nervous and excited. A few hundred hitches later, the nervousness has dwindled to nothing, but the excitement continues. It's not simply free transportation. Something about it evokes a feeling of uncomplicated freedom. Akin to minimizing possessions to only what you can carry. My friends and I have gotten many hitches from people who said we were the first hitchhikers they have ever picked up, so it seems we’re doing something right. Here are 30 tips that may help get you a ride.

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Nutrition for Thru-hikers: An Interview with Sports Dietitian, Tavis Piattoly

The Internet is full of sports nutrition advice, much of which is driven by fads and not entirely evidence-based, but even the good advice doesn't take into account the limitations that long-distance hikers face. I decided to consult an expert, Tavis Piattoly's, Sports Dietitian and Nutrition Consultant for the New Orleans Saints,

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Treating Water with Household Bleach

If you are smart about choosing your water source, you could go for days, weeks, or even years without treating your water and never get sick. It's a gamble, but after spending a few days stepping over moose poop, or seeing a bloated dead animal floating in a water source, or worse yet, having to witness your friend doubled over with stomach pains and running off into the trees to decorate the foliage... anyway, what I'm trying to say is, here's how I treat my water.

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