Backpacking Tips

68 posts

dried apples

The Best Dried Fruits for an Energizing Hiking Snack

Dried fruit is a delicious and nutrient-dense snack, which is convenient when you need to refuel with carbohydrates from backpacking. It satisfies hunger pangs and packs a punch of health benefits, making it the perfect on-the-go snack for hiking adventures. For instance, the phenols in the skin of an apple provide UV-B protection against sun damage, and the potassium in a banana, a key component of many dried fruits, plays a crucial role in maintaining muscle function. This ensures you’re physically prepared for a long day on the trail. Dry […]

first trip backpacking food menu

Purchasing Freeze-Dried Backpacking Meals for Your First Backpacking Trip

If you are new to the world of backpacking and freeze-dried meals, one of the most important things to consider is what you’ll eat while on the trail. Here are a few tips to help you plan and purchase meals for your first backpacking trip. What Foods to Pack – Commercial Backpacking Meals versus Grocery Store Food Commercial Backpacking Meals. You’ll need plenty of energy to fuel your adventure. Freeze-dried meals are the standard for backpackers, as they are lightweight, easy to prepare, filling, high in calories, and keep a long […]

Why Do My Hands Swell While Hiking?

Several factors can cause the hands to swell when hiking, but the most common causes are gravity and how the body distributes heat during exercise. As the core muscles heat up when hiking, the vascular system cools the body by releasing more fluid to our fingers, hands, and feet. When blood reaches the skin to dissipate the heat, fluids leak out of the vessels, causing swelling of the limbs. Medically known as exercise-induced peripheral edema, the problem is not serious and will disappear soon after you stop hiking. On a […]