Backpacking Light Podcast

Backpackinglight.com

The Backpacking Light Podcast explores the technology, gear, skills, and philosophy of backcountry wilderness travel through stories, interviews, and investigative reports.

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100 episodes
Updated June 15

Episodes100

Newest first

Oct 11, 2022 · 42 min
Episode 69 | Ultralight Shelters in Inclement Weather
In today's episode of the Backpacking Light podcast, we're going to talk about gear and skills for pitching ultralight shelters in inclement conditions - rain, snow, wind, and cold. View the show notes here.
Sep 30, 2022 · 27 min
Episode 68 | Unpacking the New Garmin inReach Messenger
In today's gear short episode of the Backpacking Light podcast, we're going to talk about the brand new Garmin inReach Messenger and how it fits into the broader market of satellite communications devices for backcountry users. To view the show notes for this episode, click here.
Sep 9, 2022 · 16 min
Episode 67 | How to Poop in the Woods (Skills and Tools for Backcountry Pooping)
In this skills short episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, Andrew and Ryan talk sh**, a.k.a, 💩. How to poop in the woods? It's an age-old question, particularly as popular backcountry sites become more crowded. This episode addresses the question of how long poop takes to decompose and suggests alternative LNT-approved methods (beyond catholes) for dealing with human waste. To view the shownotes for this episode, click here.
Aug 26, 2022 · 17 min
Episode 66 | Hiking Cameras: Compact, Durable, and Lightweight Cameras for Hiking and Backpacking
In this skills short episode of the Backpacking Light podcast, Ryan and Andrew discuss small cameras for backpacking. Today's episode is very focused and short - just a quick list of a few cameras we've liked and used to get good results with backcountry photography. Click here for show notes.
Aug 9, 2022 · 1 hr 18 min
Episode 65 | Empowering Young Women in the Outdoors with Amanda Hatley
In this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, Andrew and Ryan chat with She Summits Co. founder and director Amanda Hatley. She Summits is a female-owned and female-led adventure camp that empowers young women through outdoor experiences like backpacking, kayaking, and climbing. In the extended Members Only version of this episode - the full interview with Amanda Hatley, the Tarptent Dipole Li, Bedrock Sandals Cairn Adventure Sandals, Scarpa Ribelle Shoes, and new educational opportunities at Backpacking Light. click here for show notes: https://www.backpackinglight.com/episode-65-amanda-hatley
Jul 22, 2022 · 30 min
Episode 64 | BPL Author Spotlight: Contributor Drew Smith
In this episode, Andrew chats with Backpacking Light Staff contributor Drew Smith. If you are a reader of the website, you may know Drew from his lovely stories about desert backpacking, or perhaps you've been reading his ongoing series about freeze-drying. If you haven't read Drew's work, make sure you check out the resources section (below) where we'll have links to the articles we talk about in this interview. Drew Smith grew up in Tuscon and Southern California and dabbled in long-distance hiking in his early twenties before picking it back up again later in life. He's got a lot of interesting things to say about deserts, gear, food, and how to craft a hiking story, Enjoy! An extended video version of this podcast goes into more depth. Not a member? Click here! Click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-64-drew-smith
Jun 21, 2022 · 30 min
Episode 63 | BPL Author Spotlight: Staff Writer Mark Wetherington
In this episode, Andrew chats with Backpacking Light Staff writer Mark Wetherington. Mark began backpacking in 2007 as a student at the University of Kentucky, and since then he's been exploring the southeast and the west on foot, bicycle, and skis. Mark's writing has appeared in Backpacker Magazine and Trail Groove Magazine in addition to Backpacking Light. Andrew and Mark chat about backpacking in the southeast, Mark's love of exploring the same place over and over again, Mark's favorite pieces he's written for Backpacking Light, and more. Click here for show notes and video version: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-63-mark-wetherington The extended version of this podcast is available for Unlimited Members on our website. Click here to become a member: https://backpackinglight.com/membership/ *** Help us keep this podcast AD-FREE *** Our podcast is 100% supported by Backpacking Light Members - please consider supporting us today by becoming a member so we can keep this channel AD-FREE! https://backpackinglight.com/membership/ *** Get the FREE Backpacking Light Handbook *** Want outdoor gear and skills info you can really trust? Get our Handbook - the resource you need to make intelligent decisions about gear, safety, comfort, and pack weight: https://backpackinglight.com/newsletter/ *** Affiliate Disclosure *** https://backpackinglight.com/disclosure-letter/
Jun 10, 2022 · 33 min
Episode 62 | Dan Durston Talks X-mid and More
In this episode, Andrew chats with gear designer and biologist Dan Durston. Dan is an accomplished backpacker and longtime Backpacking Light member. He went from gear enthusiast to gear tester to successful gear designer and small-business owner in a remarkably short time. His most recent shelter, the Durston X-Mid Pro 2 (read our review), is one of the buzziest ultralight shelters to hit the market in quite a while. All this despite the fact that Dan doesn't have a background in engineering or design. In this wide-ranging interview, Andrew and Dan talk about design philosophy, the difference between designing for shelters and packs, his journey from tester to designer, upcoming projects from Durston Gear, and more. click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/podcast-62-dan-durston
May 17, 2022 · 22 min
Episode 61 | Frameless Pack Best Practices
In this episode, Ryan and Andrew discuss how and why to use a frameless pack while backpacking. click here for show notes
May 3, 2022 · 1 hr 12 min
Episode 60 | Willow Belden of Out There
In this episode, Ryan chats with Willow Belden of Out There. Out There is a podcast that tackles big questions through intimate storytelling and is committed to elevating the voices of those traditionally left out of the conversation when it comes to the outdoors. Also in this episode: a conversation about a new outdoor fabric, updates on some packs we've been testing, and the launch of a new Backpacking Light online course - the How to Use Gaia GPS masterclass. Click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-60-willow-belden-out-there
Apr 12, 2022 · 16 min
Episode 59 | Ben Kilbourne Reads "Good Gear Lets You Be Present"
We talk a lot about gear on this podcast. Gear is fun, and if you are a fan of this pod, you probably have an interest not only in if something works, but why it works. Still, it's easy to begin to fetishize gear, to turn it almost into the point of having adventures rather than a tool to facilitate them. Don't believe us? Just search "gear layout" hashtags on Instagram. That's why we've always loved the essay "Good Gear Lets you be Present" by Ben Kilbourne. In his classic style, Ben struggles to balance his technical and professional interest in gear with his desire to be more fully present on outdoor adventures, something that many of us also struggle with. We think you'll enjoy his perspective. click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/podcast-59-ben-kilbourne-good-gear-lets-you-be-present
Mar 29, 2022 · 1 hr 30 min
Backpacking Light Podcast | Episode 58 | Benny Braden on Public Lands Stewardship
Benny Braden is a public lands advocate and accomplished long-distance hiker. In this episode, Andrew and Ryan chat with him about public lands stewardship, social media, National Park funding, and more. Also in this episode - what's up with bagging dog poop but leaving it on the side of the trail? click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/podcast-58-benny-brayden-vandalism-social-media/
Mar 15, 2022 · 53 min
Backpacking Light Podcast | Episode 57 | Cottage Industry Interview: Food for the Sole
In this episode, Andrew chats with Henry and Julie Mosier of Food for the Sole about running a small business in the outdoor industry, idea iteration, bikepacking, working with family, finding mentors, and more! click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/podcast-57-food-for-sole
Mar 4, 2022 · 1 hr 23 min
Backpacking Light Podcast | Episode 56 | Portable Battery Chargers for Backpacking
In this episode, we chat with longtime Backpacking Light contributor Rex Sanders about his ongoing tests of portable battery chargers. Also, Ryan and Andrew chat about vandalism on public lands, electronic device management, new gear from Atom Packs, and the benefits of freeze-drying.
Feb 1, 2022 · 17 min
Episode 55 | Managing Perspiration in Layering Systems: Wicking, Evaporation, and Ventilation
Ryan and Andrew discuss strategies and gear for managing perspiration in layering systems, including the processes of wicking, evaporation, and ventilation. click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/podcast-55-perspiration-layering-wicking-evaporation-ventilation
Jan 19, 2022 · 1 hr 34 min
Episode 54 | Foot Injuries, Training, and Rehabilitation for Hikers with John Zombro
In this episode of the backpacking Light Podcast, we interview physical therapist and athletic performance coach John Zombro about foot health, footwear, injuries, rehabilitation, training, and more. Also in this episode: shoes we are looking at in 2022, updates on the Backpacking Light Member Q and A series, and our favorite things we've published lately! click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/podcast-54-foot-injuries-training-rehabilitation-hiking-backpacking-zombro
Jan 3, 2022 · 16 min
Ben Kilbourne Reads "Going Home"
Backpacking Light contributor Ben Kilbourne reads his meditation on the transition from wilderness to trail to parking lot. Click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-53-going-home
Dec 20, 2021 · 21 min
Episode 52 | Gear We Love 2021 Edition
We're gonna wrap up the year with a survey of gear we loved using in 2021. We polled the Backpacking Light staff and contributors and asked them to talk about the gear they couldn't live without in 2021 - and why. Make sure and check out the related Staff Picks 2021 article for more. Enjoy, and we'll see you next year! click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-52-gear-2021
Nov 30, 2021 · 50 min
Cottage Industry Interview: Livio Melo of allmansright
This is the first installment of the Backpacking Light Podcast's new series of cottage industry interviews - where Andrew and Ryan chat with some of the small business owners who make up the ultralight cottage industry world. In this episode, the guys interview Livio Melo, the founder of allmansright. click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/podcast-51-cottage-short-allmans-right
Nov 23, 2021 · 1 hr 4 min
Episode 50 | Listener Q & A
It's our 50th episode! To celebrate, we reached out to listeners and asked them to submit their big backpacking questions. We received fantastic questions about gear, philosophy, and skills and enjoyed chatting about the answers. Also in this episode, an interview with Backpacking Light grant recipient Narinda Heng and some upcoming educational opportunities at Backpacking Light. Enjoy! click here for show notes: https://backpackinglight.com/episode-50-qa