TUMI Backpacks? The Tula Explore is a completely new design by Baby Tula, with superior versatility and comfort. We first got our hands on the Explore for testing last year and we were super impressed with it; in fact, after a long-term reliability test it might start to creep up this list! Out of the box, it is stylish, has super soft and durable fabric, and feels very well-constructed yet lightweight and flexible enough to stuff into a big diaper bag. We tried it out in all of its 5 positions: rear-facing front-carry for infant, baby, and toddler, forward-facing front-carry for toddler, and back-carry for baby and toddler. Adjusting between the three rear-facing front-carry options was easy, simply reconfiguring the upper and lower parts of the “Explore panel”. The lower panel is in the seating area and adjusts using snaps – infants begin with the narrowest panel setting, and you make it wider as your baby gets bigger. The upper panel adjusts between short and tall positions depending on your baby’s height and head/neck control. The Explore instruction manual is here, and of course also included with the carrier and we strongly encourage you to read when you receive it. All of this adjustment is necessary to make it possible to support babies as small as 7 pounds and up to 45 pounds (the same range as the LilleBaby and Ergobaby 360).

Follow these tips when you decide where to go backpacking for the first time: Consult with experienced backpackers: Hiking club members and REI store staff love to make trip recommendations. Hiking guidebooks are a valuable tool—you’ll find the best selection for a given area in local REI stores and other local outdoor retailers. Online sites like the co-op’s Hiking Project are another great resource. Pick a place close to home. You want to spend more time hiking than driving. You also want to have ample daylight hours to reach camp before dark. See additional information on shoe compartment backpack.

A University of Connecticut study found that even mild dehydration can lead to an increased perception of task difficulty and lower concentration levels. Stay hydrated to hike safely. Water is more important than food. You can make it about 4 days without water, less in extreme heat conditions. Take water seriously. I try to take at least 50% more water than I think I need. My hydration daypack has a big water reservoir, and there’s room to pack cheap 1.5 liter bottles from the supermarket. When my reservoir is empty, I dump these into it. I also carry a small water purifier so that I can pump water from streams, ponds, or puddles. My clear contractor bags allow me to create a solar still if I need to. It’s simple enough to pick up some 1.5L bottles at a gas station, put them in your pack, and then refill your 3L bladder with them.

Reducing backpack weight tip : Trash compactor bag for backpack liner. Pack covers are bulky, heavy and, sometimes, ineffective. Instead of covering the outside of your pack, line the inside of it with a trash compactor bag and keep all gear inside. Trash compactor bags are super waterproof, replaceable, affordable and weigh a fraction as much as a pack cover. Rocks vs stakes. Tie your shelter down to some nearby rocks. If necessary, make a pile to keep it more stable. Rocks can also be used on hard surfaces where stakes are unable to penetrate the ground. Discover even more details on here.