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
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
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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'?
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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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April 22, 2024 • 60 mins
Dave Stewart joins the show to discuss some of the most interesting and dramatic backcountry stories the B&B show has ever heard. From napkin maps to having to keep watch in bear country, Dave Stewart has had some truly compelling adventures. Also an expert fly fisherman, Dave shares his top 3 tips for anybody looking to start.
Some of the topics discussed:
-Intense experiences in bear country
-Using or avoiding local intel
-Top fl...
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April 15, 2024 • 56 mins
Derek and Carl reached out to the backpacking community to find out what the biggest (and weirdest) pet peeves everyone has. Are these legitimate issues, fake problems or things that the B&B crew causes? After addressing each one, Derek and Carl then come up with ‘legitimate’ solutions. Also, how will Derek do with Pet Peeves Trivia?
Some of the topics discussed:
-Trip Planning
-Leave No Trace
-Backpacking Revenge
-Backpacking Pet ...
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April 11, 2024 • 77 mins
The World's Toughest Race (The Eco Challenge) is currently the best running adventure-based series on Amazon Prime. Sonja Wieck, from team Iron Cowboy, joins the show to discuss all things adventure. Dubbed the race "that eats Iron Men for breakfast" Sonja discusses all aspects of adventure and what it's like to have Bear Grylls give you some encouragement...from a helicopter. Also, how would Derek fair in such an event?
Check out ...
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April 8, 2024 • 68 mins
Extreme Adventurer Chad Lubinski joins the show to discuss some truly amazing stories from some of America’s long trails. He legitimately almost died in 3 different circumstances. What was the secret to his survival? What should he have done to avoid those situations? How did he handle spilling his water on a dry section of the Highline trail? Also, Derek is providing trivia. He asks a question he seemingly knows nothing about. How...
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April 1, 2024 • 44 mins
Derek and Carl discuss the BEST backpacking items that come in around $1. While many of the suggestions may prove helpful…even to the well-seasoned backpacker, Derek has 1 or 2 that will blow your socks off. Derek accuses Carl of cutting coupons. And how will Derek perform in $1 trivia this week?
Some of the topics discussed:
-Backpacking Gear
-Backpacking Food
-Budget Backpacking Gear
-Backpacking Hacks
Gear Reviewed This Episode:...
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March 25, 2024 • 46 mins
Derek and Carl discuss fun, light-hearted and mean-spirited pranks. They recount a number of pranks they’ve already pulled off (and one that keeps failing). Additionally, they highlight interesting prank opportunities for the upcoming trip. Derek believes Carl pranked himself with a rock. One of the guys admits to eating paste as a kid; the other says he ate paper. Which was which? Also, can Derek pass Historical Hoax Trivia?
Some ...
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March 21, 2024 • 56 mins
On our first THROWBACK THURSDAY, famous Youtuber Dan Becker joins the show to discuss gear choices he wish he bought sooner based upon a series of videos he's put out over the last couple years. Carl agrees with some of his choices but gives some pushback on others. Derek seems to agree with all of Dan's choices...even when they contradict prior statements made by him on the show. Also, feedback about Derek's REI purchase history i...
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March 18, 2024 • 49 mins
Brooke is back! One of the most popular guests of last season, Brooke Whipple joins the show to share about her Yukon canoe adventure, her latest off-grid projects, and some interesting (and surprising) obstacles that came up along the way. As always Brooke brings an encouraging, you-can-do-it vibe that is so inspirational. Inspired by her recent ranking in Bathroom magazine, Derek tries his hand at Magazine Trivia.
Check out Brook...
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March 11, 2024 • 60 mins
Derek and Carl discuss the new gear from some of the biggest backpacking companies. Carl had a chance to sit down with reps from various brands to hear about the latest and greatest backpacking gear of 2024 and beyond. Hear if from the source! How does Carl ask the tough question to the company he’s been poking fun at for years? Also, Derek is up to his usual antics with trivia.
Some of the topics discussed:
-New 2024 Backpacking G...
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March 7, 2024 • 46 mins
Sam ‘Shade’ Carter joins the show to discuss one of the most interesting backpacking stories we’ve heard to date. He’s 21 years old. His goal was the hike the calendar year Triple Crown (PCT, AT, CDT). He wanted to do this with a 3lb base weight. How did it go? What were the biggest challenges and how did he overcome them? Find out on this week’s show. Also, how will Derek do with 3lb trivia?
Some of the topics discussed:
-Backpack...
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March 4, 2024 • 43 mins
Derek and Carl discuss legit trip planning and gear tips that are helpful, controversial, and, sometimes, questionable. Are these the cheat codes you’ve been looking for to go on your bucket list trips? Probably. Hopefully. Also, does Derek really know what he’s talking about with these tips? Finally, Derek has trivia this week. What crazy questions will he ask this time?
Some of the topics discussed:
-Backpacking Permit Hacks
-‘Re...
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February 26, 2024 • 55 mins
John Kelley from The Backpacking Podcast joins the show as a guest host to discuss backpacking gear we used to hate, but now we like. Carl accuses John of intentionally sabotaging the upcoming Red River Gorge Patreon trip. And Carl confesses to purchasing something he told everybody to avoid. Also, some serious punishments are on the line for Terrible Products Trivia.
Some of the topics discussed:
-Tents vs. Hammocks
-Synthetic vs....
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February 19, 2024 • 51 mins
‘Frozen’ from Frozen’s Outdoor Adventures joins the show to discuss an array of relevant backpacking topics. As an Appalachian Trail thru hiking veteran who is about to embark upon the Pacific Crest Trail, Frozen shares some crazy stories and backpacking knowledge that will give you at least a couple of important takeaways. Derek and Carl somehow relate the conversation with Frozen to some serious grocery store talk. And Carl has t...
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