Good backpack cooler and the best shoe holder: Wildlife Precautions: On the trail follow common-sense measures like keeping a respectful distance away from animals and taking care not to come between large mammals and their young. At night, secure all food and scented personal products well away from camp. Often this is done by putting everything in a spare stuff sack and then using some nylon cord to hang it from a high a tree branch. You can also use a bear canister to secure things, even if the main concern is rodents stealing your food. To learn more read Food Handling and Storage for Backpackers and Campers. Find more details on shoe holder for backpack.

The All Seasons version uses a cotton exterior fabric, a highly breathable 3D cool air mesh lining, and has an awesome zip-down front section for warmer conditions. This was an awesome touch because many of our moms reported that there are very few single carriers that are versatile enough to adapt to different weather conditions. Often, you will begin a walk in the morning when the weather is a bit cool and then carry again around lunchtime when the weather was warmer. This carrier allows you to effectively reduce the insulation and allow more airflow to the baby’s back, sides, and/or torso. There were several other features we loved about this carrier. First, unlike the ERGO, there is no awkward infant insert to deal with: the carrier is already shaped to support infants as small as 7 pounds without any insert. Second, the carrier configures into 6 different carry positions, which are all really awesome. The first uses the fetal tuck, the second is a tuck with legs out, third and fourth are front- and rear-facing toddler, the fifth is a trendy hip sling style, and sixth is a back carrier for the bigger kiddos (all the way up to 45 pounds!). We found that all 6 positions were highly supportive, well constructed, and very comfortable for both mom (or dad) and baby.

Reducing backpack weight trick : Get a scale. A digital scale is a worthwhile tool to invest in – it can reveal what each item actually “costs” in weight. Knowing the exact weight of your gear and supplies helps you pack more strategically. Cut excess straps. Compression straps, excess hip belt straps, sternum straps, shoulder straps, manufacturer’s logo, anything. You can trim all of these to shed a couple ounces. If you pack your gear right, you won’t even need compression straps. Share the load. Got company on your trip? Consolidate your resources. Chances are you probably don’t need two stoves, two shelters, etc. Take some extra time to distribute and share your gear weight evenly between the members of your group. Find additional information on ilouxnei.com.

Sunglasses come in handy when I’m hiking in very bright environments that are pretty common in snow, mountains, and desert conditions. Snow blindness, or photokeratitis, is sun-burn for your eyes, and can happen without snow. I’ve had it; it makes it very hard to see in general. If you’re in bright conditions, sunglasses are a smart move, even if you don’t think you need them. I always bring extra layers in my pack. Clothing is so lightweight and compact-able these days, it’s not a hassle. An easy way to do this is to get pants that convert to shorts. Then use a long-sleeve hiking shirt where you can roll up the sleeves. Bring a fleece layer to top that, and then a lightweight rain shell to cover. If you have all that on, it’ll be like having a winter jacket. A small beanie is light, small, and keeps you warm.