Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show
Are you looking for adventure? We've got the best guests in the outdoor world, gear expertise, unbelievable stories...all lined with a sense of humor.
Episodes
July 25, 2024 • 58 mins
On this Throwback Thursday episode Derek, Carl and Tupperware Mike discuss the small essentials. How big should your knife be? Are portable batteries becoming a necessary part of backpacking?
Topics Discussed
-Best Backpacking Gear
-Backpacking Gear List
-Best Hiking Gear
-Backpacking for beginners to advanced hikers
GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" ...
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July 22, 2024 • 61 mins
Justin Outdoors joins the show to discuss how to upgrade a gear setup and shave weight with $150. Just how much weight can you reduce with $150 these days? Let’s find out from the best gear expert going.
Some of the topics discussed in this week’s episode:
-Reducing pack weight
-Budget Backpacking Gear
-The best backpacks, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, tents & more
-Using Pack Wizard to shop for the perfect piece of gear
Check out ...
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July 15, 2024 • 60 mins
It's time to talk bears: the controversy of hanging food, how to avoid bear canisters, bear attacks, running from bears, chasing bears, and much, much more! Ben McAuliffe joins the show to co-host and provide his own “insight”. Please bear with us.
Some of the topics discussed in this week’s episode:
-The controversy of hanging food
-Bear Canisters
-Bear Spray
-Bear Attacks
We referenced Steven Smith’s video in this episode
Gear Re...
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Shug joins the show to talk about everything from hammocks to spam to trail food ideology. If you know Shug then you know there's never a dull moment in this interview!
Some Topics Discussed Include:
-Backpacking Gear
-Backpacking Hammocks
-Backpacking Food
-Calling Search and Rescue
Check out Shug's Youtube Channel!: https://www.youtube.com/user/shugemery
Check out our wonderful sponsor Summit Strength! Have your best hiking seaso...
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July 8, 2024 • 61 mins
New gear from the future, innovative updates and fun new snacks round out the discussion from this year’s Outdoor Retailer Show. Tupperware Mike and Jendiana join Carl to discuss all of these great gear items and stories behind various companies on site!
Some of the companies discussed in this week’s episode:
-Enlightened Equipment
-Scratch Labs
-Outdoor Element
-Gnara (Women’s Specific Pants): (Use BACKPACKING20 for 20% off)
-Grim...
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July 1, 2024 • 64 mins
In the Season 7 Finale, Derek and Carl discuss the exact gear they plan to bring for the Desolation Wilderness July trip. And this trivia is one you won’t want to miss!
If you’re interested in any of the gear discussed, it helps our podcast!
Outdoor Vitals Summit Down Sleeping Bag
Mystery Ranch Radix
Nemo Tensor Sleeping Pad
Katadyn BeFree
Black Diamond Spot
Helinox Chair Zero
Big Agnes Copper Spur
Hoka Speedgoat Trail Shoes
Check ...
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June 24, 2024 • 54 mins
Extreme Adventurer Ray Zahab joins the show to share some stories from the far side of the world. What did he encounter when crossing a frozen Siberian Lake? What happens when a Polar Bear yanks your hiking partner out of your tent? What is the one piece of gear a professional adventurer recommends? All this and more in this week's conversation.
Some of the topics discussed:
-Crossing the Sahara Desert
-Changing one's life to becom...
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Doc from Hiker Trash Radio invited Carl to debate him on the world's toughest race. Doc says it's the Barkley Marathons. Carl says it's the Eco Challenge. Travel Expert and TV Personality Alice Ford is brought in to moderate. What's on the line? And how will this go down?
GET BONUS SEGMENT FROM THIS SHOW & BONUS EPISODES ON PATREON: There are over 40 BONUS episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and ...
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June 17, 2024 • 62 mins
Yosemite Search and Rescue Operator Moose Mutlow joins the show! He might literally be the most interesting man in the world. Share in the crazy stories he shares with his experience on the job as well as the critical feedback he gives Carl about being a frequent flyer in the SAR network. This is one you won’t want to miss.
Some of the topics discussed:
-Yosemite Search and Rescue Stories
-Real/Fake Scenes from Popular Movies
-Carl...
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June 10, 2024 • 52 mins
Devin Ashby from Backcountry Exposure joins the show as a guest host to discuss the top 10 overpacked items that only you can prevent. As a backpacking instructor Devin observes a lot of common mistakes with overpacked items. Some of them are downright ridiculous. And Devin challenges Carl with something pretty hefty if he passes trivia.
Some of the topics discussed:
-Backpacking Gear
-Overpacked Backpacking Gear
-Packing Strategie...
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What is the worst decision you've ever made on the trail? Perhaps this episode will make you feel better about that. Derek and Carl highlight some humorous trail blunders that might catch you by surprise. The latest Lifestraw filter is reviewed. And Rocky weighs in about Chia seed water.
GET MORE CONTENT! Please support us at Patreon to get bonus episodes, videos, and priority invites to B&B "events!" It's a safe and secure way to ...
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June 3, 2024 • 47 mins
Derek and Carl discuss the recent Patreon trip to Red River Gorge. Carl shares the ‘strange but true’ moments. Derek reacts and weighs in with his own opinions on the situation. And how will Derek handle Kentucky trivia?
Some of the topics discussed:
-The Red River Gorge
-Camp Activities
-Trip Planning Strategies
Gear Review: Superfeet
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May 27, 2024 • 48 mins
Derek and Carl discuss seriously overrated (and underrated) backpacking gear. What will make Derek’s list? And how will Carl fair with Derek’s trivia that includes a question from ‘some survey’?
Some of the topics discussed:
-Overrated Backpacking Gear
-Underrated Backpacking Gear
-Backpacking Gear Review
Gear Review: Therm-a-rest Neo Air Xlite NXT
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May 23, 2024 • 55 mins
What happened when Derek and Carl took 10 others to Canyonlands? A lot! Surprising stories come out as they review 9 pieces of gear they tested. And also, what did they do right and what did they do wrong?
Some of the topics discussed:
-The Best Backpacking Gear
-The Worst Backpacking Gear
-Stories from Canyonlands National Park
GET BONUS SEGMENT FROM THIS SHOW & BONUS EPISODES ON PATREON: There are over 40 BONUS episodes of B&B th...
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May 20, 2024 • 64 mins
Comedian, Author Sally Chaffin Brooks joins the show. Her comedic take on her Appalachian Trail thru hike is highly entertaining. From trying to form a relationship with a fellow hiker to encountering a trash-bag wearing creep – who may not have even been real – Sally brings a lot of fun to this episode!
Some of the topics discussed:
-Appalachian Trail thru hiking
-Strange Encounters on the trail
-Ideas for being an imposter store ...
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May 13, 2024 • 39 mins
It’s time for Derek and Carl to come clean about their top rookie mistakes. Many of these made on recent trips (well after they considered themselves ‘experienced backpackers’). Please learn from these ridiculous blunders and don’t do what they did. While some well-chronicled stories are shared about such things as the fanny pack incident, and the case of the missing sleeping pad, new events will also be revealed.
Some of the topic...
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May 9, 2024 • 41 mins
Is there any gear you wished you hadn't bought? Learn from Derek and Carl's mistakes and don't buy the items that have failed them (and continued to fail them in some cases). Also, can Derek pass 'License Plate Trivia'?
GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 80 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content. Patreon.com/backpackingandblisters
Check out our wonderfu...
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May 6, 2024 • 64 mins
Film-maker, photographer, thru-hiker IB TAT joins the show to share his unique perspective and some engaging, outlandish stories from the trail. Why would a Walmart kick out hikertrash next to a long trail? Why did he feel compelled to break in to a backcountry ranger cabin? And what happened as a result? Also, Derek crafts a controversial trivia question. Shocking.
Some of the topics discussed:
-Ultralight Backpacking Gear
-Gear F...
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April 29, 2024 • 72 mins
Steven Smith from My Life Outdoors joins the show for some legit gear talk. He dares you to find better gear for less. And he will even give you an 11% discount if you buy the items on his list. He also shares one the biggest gear scams currently going.
Some of the topics discussed:
-Ultralight Backpacking Gear
-Budget Backpacking Gear
-Best Backpacking Backpack
-Gear Scams
Check out Steven Smith’s Daring Video
Gear Review: Stowawa...
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April 25, 2024 • 42 mins
Does base weight really matter if your total pack weight is too heavy? Derek and Carl give a list of tips and tricks to get your pack under 30lbs (or to simply reduce your pack pack). What can you get rid of? What should you replace? And what should you upgrade? Also, Carl accuses Derek of creating the worst trivia questions...ever. Do you agree?
GET MORE EPISODES! There are over 80 episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us...
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