Shows / Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show
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
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowAre We Getting RIPPED OFF By Tent Companies? with Brad 'Crow' Felton
Before tariffs and before inflation, tents suddenly skyrocketed in price. No other piece of gear matched that sudden increase. And one tent literally doubled…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowSHUG is Back!...and Answering all the TOUGH Questions!
Shug has battled cancer this year but now he’s back and in full Shug form. This episode digs into his thoughts and reflections about his personal experience…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show6 Outdoor CONSPIRACIES That Are VERIFIED (Sort of) with Ricky 'Your Trail Buddy'
These are not Outdoor Conspiracy Theories, these are actual conspiracies that Ricky ‘Your Trail Buddy’ and Carl investigated. They provide the evidence they…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show5 Issues Backpackers Have That Nobody Talks About w/ NOMAD UNKNOWN (Christine Machado)
There are 5 issues (at least) backpackers can commonly have that nobody seems to talk about. Christine “Nomad Unknown” Machado experienced some of these on her…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowWhy Most Backcountry Rescues are NOT About BAD LUCK with Stuart 'Howe's the Hike'
It’s not going to be a wild animal attack, a rockslide or an avalanche. Most backcountry rescues are not about bad luck, they’re about 5 variables that you can…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowThe 6 Deadliest Trails on Earth...and How to Survive Them! (Throwback Thursday)
What are the 6 “Deadliest” Trails in the world? And how can you survive them? Ben and Carl discuss just what make them deadly and their best cheat codes to…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowAre Gear Companies Lying About The Stats They Advertise? SAWYER Owner KURT AVERY
Should we stop believing what the gear companies are telling us? Sometimes there’s rigorous testing involved in the claims they make and sometimes the…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowThe 5 Best Outdoor Gadgets Right Now with Tech Expert CRIS 'Hiking Guy' HAZZARD
Hiking Guy Cris Hazzard joins the show to discuss the best trail tech for hiking, backpacking and adventuring right now! This includes best hiking watches…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show'After 10,000 Miles Hiked I Still Use This Gear' with Bailey Bremner
Bailey Bremner has backpacked over 10,000 miles. She’s a gear reviewer and a gear expert. What are her ‘go to’ pieces of gear after years of use. And how do…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowHow to Find Bigfoot with MIKE WANDERS
Mike Wanders has been searching for bigfoot for years and he knows what he’s talking about. He’ll tell everyone his 3 best tips for finding Sasquatch while…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowOnly 1% of Backpackers Can Do These 10 Things
Only 1% can do these 10 things that Jesse and Carl have observed over the years. And they’re not all good. Which skills, abilities, knowledge, efficiencies and…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowBackpacking Guides Have to RETEACH Clients These 3 Things with SUNNY STROEER
What does a professional mountain guide have to say to her clients to correct bad habits? Sunny Stroeer – premier adventurer – shares the 3 most common pieces…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowThe 6 Biggest Fears You're Still Packing with Alex Hatlevig
What are the 6 biggest fears you’re still packing? And what are you really afraid of? Alex Hatlevig joins the show to discuss the useless and semi-useless gear…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowLLOYD VOGEL: Red Hot Outdoor Trends That Died This Year (and Some That Began)
There are some hot backpacking trends that are helpful, some that are dying and some that are just weird. Lloyd Vogel from Garage Grown Gear will share what…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowDEAN KARNAZES: 3 Unorthodox Trail HACKS From the Ultramarathon Man
One of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people, Dean Karnazes, joins the show to share some unorthodox trail hacks and crazy tales from the backcountry…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show10 Experts Share the #1 BEST GEAR Company (Hanson, Durston, Steven Smith, Ashby)
10 Backpacking experts from Steven Smith to Eric Hanson to Dan Durston to company owners weigh in with their #1 Gear Company. Which ones do you agree with and…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowUltralight SCAMS: Don't Fall For These Booby Traps
You might be getting scammed by companies, the ultralight narrative, or even yourself. Jesse and Carl have 8 ultralight backpacking scams that you might be…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowBROOKE WHIPPLE 'Girl in the Woods': She Canoed the Yukon But Did Not Expect This to Happen... (TT)
One of the B&B favorites – Brooke Whipple – joins the show to discuss an unexpected and concerning experience on one of her backcountry adventures. Some of the…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowWe Tested the NEWEST & Most POPULAR Tents. Which One is BEST?
Michael from ‘Open Air Problems’ joins the show to discuss the best new and most popular tents on the market. And he previews the latest Durston X-Dome Pro…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show2027 FUTURE GEAR That You'll Love - Sneak Preview w/ Outdoor Empire
Chase Fly from Outdoor Empire and Carl got a preview of future outdoor and backpacking gear coming 2027. They each picked their favorite 4 pieces that they’re…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show3 Cottage Gear Companies You Should Check Out! (Bonus Thursday)
Cottage companies in the outdoor world are on the rise! This episode features 3 that are up and coming. They’re innovative, creative and just solid good…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show13 Weird SURVIVAL Tips You Need to Know w/ Gordon Crum (Grim Granite)
Whether you’re waiting for help to arrive after pressing the red button or you’re looking to hone your survival skills, Gordon and Carl share 13 weird survival…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show6 Calculated RISKS That Will Really LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD!
Are you trying to lighten your backpacking load? You’ve heard all of the same strategies…until now! Carl and Jesse have 6+ calculated risks that you could take…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowI Brought Gear I Think is DUMB to Yosemite -- This is What Changed My Mind
Carl brought 7 pieces of gear to Yosemite that he’s been poking fun at for a while now. He gave everything a fair shake. Which pieces of “dumb gear” actually…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowSTEVEN 'MY LIFE OUTDOORS': Backpacking SECRETS Only the Pros Know
Steven Smith from ‘My Life Outdoors’ joins the show to help reveal backpacking secrets that took years to learn. He also gives compelling behind-the-scenes…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowBIG AGNES Co-Founder Bill Gamber: The Future of ULTRALIGHT GEAR (Bonus Thursday)
Big Agnes' Bill Gamber joins the show to discuss the path BA took to be at the front edge of the ultralight movement, what the future holds in the ultralight…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowTop 10 Reasons YOU WILL QUIT on a Backpacking Trip w/ Christine Reed
What are the top 10 reasons you will quit on a backpacking trip, thru hike or just regular hike? And how can you avoid them? Christine Reed joins the show to…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowYosemite SAR Shares SHOCKING but True Wilderness Tales w/ Moose Mutlow (Throwback Thursday)
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…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show12 Signs You Don't Know What You're Doing on a Backpacking Trip
Have you seen some weird stuff out on the trail like we have? We’ve got 12 signs that you (or somebody you know) simply doesn’t know what they’re doing. And…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowDAN DURSTON: Harsh Truths Behind the Ultralight Gear You're Buying
Dan Durston joins the show to discuss the harsh truths behind the ultralight gear you’re buying. This is a real behind-the-scenes look at how the gear industry…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show6 Reasons Your Bucket List Trip Will Fail w/ Rob Pelton (Throwback Thursday)
Rob Pelton's joins the show to discuss why your bucket list trips will fail...and how to overcome the issues. Also, are Canadian computer hackers helping…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show10 Backpacking EXPERTS Share the BEST Meals (Darwin, Dixie, Hanson, Ashby, Coach & More!)
10 backpacking experts share their favorite backcountry meals and other food ideas. Some of them are creative, some are good and some may be yucky. Which…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show10 LIES the "Backpacking Experts" Told You
Who are these “backpacking experts” that are telling us lies? And have what lies have we believed that should be cleared up? Jesse and Carl discuss 10 lies…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowThru-Hikers vs. REAL BACKPACKERS with Vince Strawbridge (Bonus Thursday)
Vince Strawbridge joins the show to debate this very issue. Carl and Vince make strong accusations at one another in this semi-heated debate. Check out Vince…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowWe Tested the NEWEST, Most POPULAR Packs. Which One is BEST?
We’ve got the latest, greatest, most popular packs and we’ll tell you which ones are worth investing in, who they’re best for and our personal experiences with…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowERIC HANSON: REI's Best Selling Gear - What Passes? What Fails?
TV host, YouTuber Eric Hanson joins the show to discuss REI’s best-selling gear. Which items will he bring on future trips that will earn a ‘pass’ and which…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show10 Ways to Go Super Duper Extra Ultralight Backpacking w/ Brad 'Crow' Felton
If you’ve heard all of the ultralight backpacking tips out there, then this episode is for you! We’ve got 10 super duper extra ultralight hacks that will shave…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowHow Much Weight Can You Shave with $150? with JUSTIN OUTDOORS (Throwback Thursday)
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?…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowGet Out of Camp in 30 MINUTES! Here's How!
How do you go from waking up to on the trail in 30 minutes? Carl will tell you how. Why could this be a bad idea? Jesse will tell you that too. Who’s morning…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show2026 *NEW* Backpacking Gear You Should Check Out! with DEVIN ASHBY
Devin, from Backcountry Exposure, joins the show to discuss 10 new pieces of 2026 backpacking gear including: sleeping bags, a sleeping pad, a backpack, tents…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowWhy You SLEEP LIKE TRASH in the Backcountry (and How to Fix It!) with Mowser (Bonus Thursday)
Mowser joins the show from Tasmania to break down why you sleep like trash in the backcountry. He gives a step-by-step guide to give you the best opportunity…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowIs Your BACKPACKING IQ Over 100? Find Out Now!
Can you answer these 10 questions/scenarios correctly (or mostly correctly) to show that you’ve got a backpacking IQ over 100? And do you agree with the…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowJON CONTI: Top Luxury Items for the LAZY Backpacker
Jon Conti joins the show to discuss the top luxury items for the lazy backpacker. This could include backpackers who truly have a focus on lounging around or…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show5 Pro Tips Gear Stores Tell OVERLOADED Backpackers with COACH Marion Outdoors (Bonus Thursday!)
Coach from Marion Outdoors joins the show to discuss what an Appalachian Trail shop tells overloaded backpackers and thru-hikers when they arrive frustrated…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowGLEN VAN PESKI: Gossamer Gear Owner's 3 Unorthodox Ultralight Strategies
Glen Van Peski – owner of Gossamer Gear – joins the show to discuss some truly unorthodox ultralight strategies. With his 13lb total pack and years of…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show8 Ways Trip Planners Get the SHAFT with JOHN KELLEY
John Kelley joins the show to discuss 8 ways trip planners get the shaft. Are some of this avoidable if you sprinkle in a bit of wisdom and common sense? Yes…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowJEFF PELLETIER: Controversial Gear Decisions For The Last Great Adventure (Throwback Thursday)
Jeff Pelletier joins the show to discuss shaving weight, ultralight strategies, and to give advice to Carl about some of his controversial gear decisions about…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowSTOP Bringing These 6 Pieces of Gear You Never Use!
Don’t you hate it when you find gear you don’t use left in your pack after a trip? How about when it’s the same unused gear over the course of multiple trips?…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowBeginning Backpackers: BUY THIS GEAR!
If you’re a beginning backpacker, we’ve got the gear you should buy – from budget to mid level to premium. If you’re an experienced backpacker, please let us…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show6 Gear Trends That Are DISRUPTING Hiking This Year with CHRIS CAGE (Bonus Thursday)
Chris Cage from Greenbelly Meals and YouTube joins the show to discuss gear trends that are disrupting the industry this year! From sleeping pads to food to…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowTop 10 Most OVERPACKED Gear You Need to Stop Bringing
Derek and Carl discuss the top 10 most overpacked items for backpacking. This is not only from personal experience but also from what they continue to see on…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowDARWIN: Watch Out! 3 Gear FAILURES You Need to Know!
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…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show7 Hikes YOU Should DO Before YOU DIE! with MIKE WANDERS
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…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowJOE ROBINET: 'You Need to Know These 3 Bushcraft Skills. Period.' (Throwback Thursday)
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…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show8 Laws Backpackers Break (Without Getting Caught)
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…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowDIXIE: The BEST (and Worst) Gear After 10 Years
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…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show10 BAFFLING Rookie Mistakes YOU Might Be Making
What are some baffling rookie mistakes that you might be making? Whether new to backpacking or an experienced veteran there are certainly some surprising…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show99% of Backpackers Can't Do These 6 Things with Chris Baron (Bonus Thursday)
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…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowWe Asked 100K ULTRALIGHTERS for Their MOST Aggressive Weight-Saving Tips
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…
Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure ShowDAN DURSTON: Why Do Some Tents Cost More Than a Used Car (Throwback Thursday)
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…