The Trailhead

CRUX 40 VS HEADWALL 55 SKI PACKS: DIG IN WITH CARVER CULBECK

The Trailhead

Every journey has a first step. And some of the greatest, most meaningful journeys begin at trailheads. Welcome to ours! Here you’ll learn about gear, see route and trail intel, and dive into stories, images, and videos from our global community of adventureheads like you. Think of it like "The Third Place"–not home, not work, but your other most important/favorite place. The spot to hang out around like-minded people and have your life decisions and priorities validated. You won't need to justify your latest gear purchase or explain why you're using up all your paid time off hours to this crowd. They get it. Let’s go!

Bear In Mind: The Sorts of Things You Should Know for Successful and Respectful Encounters with Bears

Bear In Mind: The Sorts of Things You Should Know for Successful and Respectful Encounters with Bears

A frequently visited shelter on the Appalachian Trail in Vermont was closed recently for an extended period due to reports of encounters with a seemingly fearless and aggressive bear. After enough...
Tips from a Triple Crowner: Pack Like A Pro

Tips from a Triple Crowner: Pack Like A Pro

Words by Annie MacWilliams // Photos by Brian Threlkeld One of the biggest differences between mainstream brand backpacks and ultralight backpacks is the amount of bells and whistles. Removable bra...
Ultralight Gear List for Thru Hiking and Backpacking

Ultralight Gear List for Backpacking and Thru Hiking

Mike St. Pierre is the founder and CEO of Hyperlite Mountain Gear. His passion for the outdoors and specifically for the ultralight approach to the outdoors drove him to found HMG and now drives HM...
Pack Discipline Starts Here: Stuff Sacks + Pods

Pack Discipline Starts Here: Stuff Sacks + Pods

No Matter Where You Are. Every Piece of Gear Matters. A perfected ultralight set up results in more time to enjoy the experiences of your endeavor. Our Dyneema® Composite Fabrics (formerly Cuben Fi...
Ultralight Backpacking Stuff Sacks for Thru Hikes & Backcountry Trips

Ultralight Backpacking Stuff Sacks for Thru Hikes & Backcountry Trips

Words by Mike St. Pierre It's what's inside that counts: Stuff Sacks, Pods, Waterproof Redundancy, and Organization. Most backpackers and thru hikers use stuff sacks, sometimes almost by default. ...
Never Not Learning: How to Pack Light For Backpacking with Mike St. Pierre

Never Not Learning: How to Pack Light For Backpacking with Mike St. Pierre

Words & Photos by Mike St. Pierre When you’re first learning the ins-and-outs of how to pack light for backpacking, it’s important to understand that it’s a process. I still constantly refine t...
Double Duty: Lightening Your Backpacking Load with Multi-Purpose Gear

Double Duty: Lightening Your Backpacking Load with Multi-Purpose Gear

“If you can’t ride two horses at once you shouldn’t be in the circus.” – James Maxton (1885­-1946) Text by Cam Honan One of many ways in which a hiker can lower his or her pack weight is by using m...
Pack Reviews: What is the consensus on our packs?

Pack Reviews: What is the consensus on our packs?

Our ultralight packs are meant to be used hard. Adventurers across the spectrum agree. Read the gear reviews… We make gear that is meant to be used. Hard. And no one puts our gear through its paces...
The Best GPS Device (You Already Own It!)

The Best GPS Device (You Already Own It!)

Words by Max Neale The Greatest Improvements for Backcountry Adventurers: Camera & GPS Apps Three years ago I was sitting in a white plastic lawn chair in a small, budget-but-delicious Thai re...