Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show
Backpacking and hiking tips and tales...with a sense of humor. This is your one-stop show for backpacking, hiking and adventure entertainment. From backpacking gear to the trail situations you will encounter to popular guests, this podcast will deliver. Derek and Carl will hit on all of the backpacking and hiking topics you want with decades of good (and horrendous) experience.
Episodes
Darwin on the Trail joins the show to discuss 3 gear failures he experienced while in Gates of the Arctic National Park. What caused him to chuck one of those pieces of gear into the wilderness? He also shares some unexpected challenges that made this trip epic but extremely difficult. Also, what’s new from Evolved Supply?
Some of the Topics Discussed
-Evolved Supply Co – New Gear!
-Epic Gear Fails You Should Know About
-Dur...
Mike Wanders joins the show to help highlight 7 hikes (or backpacking trips) you have to do…before you die. These are the best hiking locations that we have collectively experienced. Trail challenges, permit strategies and general warnings will all be part of the conversation.
Some of the Topics Discussed
-The absolute best hiking and backpacking trails
-Pro tips for obtaining permits
-Bigfoot
Epic bushcraft expert Joe Robinet joins the show! What are the 3 essential bushcraft skills every outdoorsperson should know? Joe will tell you. And how to Derek and Carl measure up with these skills? Joe also shares stories about meeting Survivorman Les Stroud in a Blockbuster Video and he responds to Carl’s outlandish scenarios for future video ideas. And finally, it’s a Derek trivia week. You know what that means!
Some of the to...
What are 8 laws and serious rules that backpackers truly violate and, frequently, get away with? Carl and Jesse have 8 of them. And they have certainly been a party to these violations. Also, what is the worst law that they’ve broken off the trail? You’ll be surprised to find out.
Some of the Topics Discussed
-The Leave No Trace Scam
-Illegal use of gear
-Genuine trail theft
Dixie from Homemade Wanderlust joins the show to discuss the absolute best (and worse) pieces of gear she’s used the last 10 years. What makes the cut? She also shares some of the craziest, most unexpected stories from the trail. And Derek attempts to pass Trail Magic trivia.
Some of the Topics Discussed
-Zpacks, Hyperlite, Thermarest, Sierra Designs, Sawyer Gear
-Trail Magic
-Best backpacking backpack, quilt, pad, tent and ...
What are some baffling rookie mistakes that you might be making? Whether new to backpacking or an experienced veteran there are certainly some surprising miscues we’ve made and continue to make. The hosts are no exception. Is there anything you do that’s on the list?
Some of the Topics Discussed
-Backpacking gear
-Backpacking skills
-Shaving pack weight properly
Check out Magnet Designs for the best, US-made backpacking clot...
National Geographic producer and host of the 'No Ordinary Monday' podcast, Chris Baron, joins the show to discuss 6 things that 99% of backpackers and adventurers can’t do (that are important).
Check out the ‘No Ordinary Monday’ Podcast that Chris hosts for more interesting stories and adventures!
Some of the Topics Discussed
-Trip planning and managing
-How to handle chaos in the backcountry
-Trip Sabotage
Check out Magnet ...
Derek and Carl asked 100,000 Ultralight Backpackers and Thru-Hikers for their most aggressive weight saving tips. They share and respond to the best answers. And there are definitely some weird ones. Also, Carl accuses Derek of asking the single worst trivia question ever.
Some of the Topics Discussed
-Ultralight Backpacking Gear
-Water Filters, Personal Locator Beacons and First Aid Kits
-Gear You Can Leave Behind
Derek and Carl have Gear Designer and Company Owner Dan Durston on the show to discuss advances in ultralight tents, upcoming gear and the origin story of a cottage gear company.
Check out Durston Gear for some great ultralight options.
Check out Dan's documentary on one of his Bob Marshall Wilderness Open adventures!
Check out Magnet Designs for the best, US-made backpacking clothing on the market!
Enlightened Equipment: Check o...
Justin Outdoors joins the show to share the best of the best gear in the categories of ultralight, budget and fancy. What are his top 2 pieces of gear for these categories? And what is fancy gear? Also, it’s time to introduce the Backpacking Magazine support line. There is now a spot devoted to all of your tough trail questions.
Some of the Gear Discussed
-Fancy Sleeping Pad
Derek and Carl discuss the growing backpacking trends of 2026…and why many of them should simply die. From the latest gear trends and hot sellers to backpacking ‘style’ and fashion there’s got to be at least 1 thing you both agree and disagree with. Also, did Derek have a meltdown during trivia?
Some of the Topics Discussed
-The Latest Backpacking Gear
-Backpacking Clothing
-Water Bottle Innovations.
Check out Mike’s video s...
Dan Becker joins the show to discuss some of things your average YouTube watcher doesn’t know about the gear reviews and reviewers. He also shares the twists and turns of his story and how he continues to evolve as a content creator. Dan has a lot of different and unexpected things coming.
Some of the Topics Discussed
-The Behind-the-Scenes of Gear Reviews
-From Zero to Backpacking Hero
-The most important Dan Becker YouTube...
Derek is back and better than ever! Are we being deceived by gear companies or just general beliefs about certain pieces of backpacking gear? Derek and Carl pull back the curtain and reveal the TRUTH!
Some of the Topics Discussed
-Stove boiling times
-Water Filter Details
-False Advertising
Check out Magnet Designs for the best, US-made backpacking clothing on the market!
Enlightened Equipment: Check out t...
You might encounter a trail villain. There might be a trail villain in your backpacking crew. Or…you might be the trail villain! Take this 10-question test to prove otherwise. Also, Carl puts Derek through the Lightning Round. Will he even answer the questions correctly?
Some of the Topics Discussed
-Trail social skills
-Odd Backpacking encounters
-Strange but true trail villain stories
Check out Magnet Designs for the best,...
There are 5 treasure chests worth up to $3 million hidden for you to find. Jon Collins-Black joins the show to discuss some clues and insight into the treasure hunt that he created. What skills would you need to find the treasure? What highly interested valuables are hidden? What weird questions will be asked of him?
Check out ‘There’s Treasure Inside’ to get all of the information!
Some of the Topics Discussed
-Treasure Hun...
Meet Dr. Hazel Barton, a remarkable scientist who descends into Earth's darkest corners in search of microscopic life that could transform our future. Nicknamed the "Lara Croft of microbiology," Hazel combines cutting-edge science with death-defying exploration in some of the most remote cave systems on our planet.
The heart of this episode recounts Hazel's terrifying near-death experience in a cave in China. Miles underg...
Former CEO of Whole Foods and one of the most famous backpackers of all time, John Mackey, joins Derek and Carl to bust backpacking myths, discuss gear strategies and give some insider information about backpacking food. And Mackey has some very interesting answers in this week’s lightning round.
Some of the Topics Discussed
-Busting backpacking myths
-Backpacking gear
-Backpacking Food
Check out John Mackey’s epic stories a...
Gear expert Villain Jesse joins the show to discuss the top luxury items of 2025. Luxuries include items that are not necessities, upgrade of essential items or simply really expensive items that might be worth having on the trail.
Buy the Multi Tool Glove Prototype: https://www.ebay.com/itm/326900498222
Some of the Gear Discussed
-Bend Alpha 90 Hoodie
Derek and Carl discuss all sorts of gear mistakes they've made, you've made, we've all made...and how to fix them. Derek gives Carl advice about first aid kits. And Carl doesn't understand adjustable trekking poles.
Check out Magnet Designs for the best, US-made backpacking clothing on the market!
Enlightened Equipment: Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market!
GET BONUS SEGMENTS & EPISODES ON PATREON: There are over ...
Derek and Carl discuss deranged, irrational, unusual, odd, weird and funky outdoor adventures that you might consider adding to your bucket list. Are you tired of loops, out and backs and point-to-point hiking trails? It’s time to increase the intensity, purpose and strangeness of your trips with this list.
Some of the Topics Discussed
-National Park Adventures
-Area 51 and Area 51 Trivia
-Traveling to the odd corners of the...
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