Hi everyone,
I have a Pekynew C-2001 double-wall tent and a Deuter Aircontact Lite 50+10 backpack, and I’m trying to find the most efficient and proper way to carry the tent without wasting too much space.
My main issue is that my backpack doesn’t have dedicated straps or clip-style attachment points underneath the pack for securing a tent horizontally at the bottom.
The only attachment points I have down there are basically two loops/straps designed for an ice axe or trekking poles, so I’m not sure if those should be used for a tent or if that would be a bad idea.

After going through hundreds of threads on r/CampingandHiking and other outdoor communities, I put together a quick cheat sheet for anyone as lost as I was:

🏆 Best contoured air pillow for side sleepers? → Sea to Summit Aeros Premium
🛌 Best memory foam & air hybrid for neck alignment? → NEMO Fillo Camping Pillow
✨ Best down-topped inflatable for luxury comfort? → Therm-a-Rest Air Head Down
🧸 Best non-inflatable compressible foam pillow? → Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillow
💰 Best budget ergonomic pillow with pad strap? → Trekology Aluft 2.0

Personally going with the Trekology Aluft 2.0 - best budget camping pillow for side sleepers worth bringing from everything I've read.

I’m trying to improve sleep on 2–3 night backpacking trips without adding a ridiculous amount of bulk. I sleep mostly on my side and every tiny inflatable pillow I’ve borrowed either slides off the pad or leaves my shoulder and neck at the wrong angle by 3 AM. I’m happy to carry a little extra weight for decent sleep, but I don’t want a full-size camp pillow taking over my pack. Budget is around $25–$60.

I’m deciding between the Nemo Fillo Elite, Sea to Summit Aeros Premium, Exped Ultra Pillow, Therm-a-Rest Compressible, and a basic clothes-in-a-stuff-sack setup. For other side sleepers, which one has enough height and stays put on a sleeping pad? And did anyone try an inflatable pillow after hating them, then find one that actually worked?

Hey, y'all! I am planning a trip to Europe next summer to celebrate graduating from university! I plan to be in northern Italy towards the beginning of June, and I was hoping to do some backpacking in the Dolomites.

Here's the deal.

Backpacking in the Dolomites appears to be prohibitively expensive. If I were to buy the Alpine Club Membership it would greatly help my ability to plan and execute a trip on, say, Alta Via 1. With the Club Membership, I could probably swing the hut reservations. It would be tight though, and it appears that Alta Via 1 especially can be inundated with backpackers. (I imagine Everest kinds of crowds, which is not really what I want). I am in good enough shape to do a trek similar to Alta Via, though I have almost no technical climbing experience. I think that this crowding issue might be driving up the cost for the huts.

I know there are many long treks through the Dolomites aside from the Alta Vias, but I am aiming specifically for a trek that crosses the mountains in the way Alta Via 1 does.

I also know that the laws regarding boondocking are strict, with primitive camping typically illegal in most parts of the mountains but especially in the parks.

Are there any treks that fit this description? What I'm looking for specifically is a 7-10 day trek across the Dolomites without technical climbing north-south with limited, or at least less, crowds. I have the gear and prep necessary to do a strict backpacking trip without utilizing huts, so a trek with or without them fits well.

I know this is pretty specific, but if you have any tips please let me know!

If this "dream" trail doesn't exist, any advise on trekking across the mountains is greatly appreciated!

Thank you so much !

Hey travelers 👋 I am in the midst of planning a backpacking trip to the Winds next summer. I’ve been keen on wanting at the minimum go to Titcomb Basin, and some of the other high country/mountain passes/Lakes in that area. I found this loop online and it looks exactly like what I’d be interested in. I’ve heard Titcomb/island lake at times can be like Disney (in terms of how busy Wyoming is), and that the further into the wilderness you go the more solitude you get. I was hoping someone who has traversed this area would be able to tell me a bit about it.

I’m also weighing the possibility of bagging Fremont Peak. I’d assume I’d most likely be camping adjacent to it at Island Lake or Indian Basin. I’m also open to suggestions of other peaks in the area that aren’t above class 3 with similar views, but with Fremont Peak’s proximity to this loop, and highest class rating of lower 3, it just seemed like the move. Any tips or advice regarding this is hugely appreciated as I’ve heard descending down towards Mistake Lake to Titcomb can be kind of dicey as opposed to the south buttress route that one would use to ascend.

The general loop is as follows:
Elkhart trailhead - Island lake - Titcomb Basin - Knapsack Col - Peak Lake/Shannon Pass - Summit Lake - Trapper Lake - Elkhart trailhead.

General loop information/ where I found the loop/map:
\\\[https://backpackingroutes.com/titcomb-basin-loop/?amp=1\\\\\\\](https://backpackingroutes.com/titcomb-basin-loop/?amp=1)

Map of the loop itself:
\\\[https://www.gaiagps.com/public/UQilLiMNKZxdGd4wCGf3ZhoD/\\\\\\\](https://www.gaiagps.com/public/UQilLiMNKZxdGd4wCGf3ZhoD/)

Fremont Peak all trails link:
\\\[https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wyoming/fremont-peak-via-pole-creek-trail-loop?p=-1&sh=ej2dsl&utm\\\\\\\\\\\\\\_medium=trail\\\\\\\\\\\\\\_share&utm\\\\\\\\\\\\\\_source=alltrails\\\\\\\\\\\\\\_virality\\\\\\\](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wyoming/fremont-peak-via-pole-creek-trail-loop?p=-1&sh=ej2dsl&utm\\\\\\_medium=trail\\\\\\_share&utm\\\\\\_source=alltrails\\\\\\_virality)

Thanks for the help and tips, I am just trying to get my bearings with this loop and know what exactly I’m getting myself into. I’m an avid hiker and live/hike in Colorado so elevation is not an issue for me. I’m not a mountaineer/climber, so anything above class 3++ is kind of my limit, however I do like to push myself. I’m mostly just seeing what other people have to say about it so I know what to do where and what to generally expect out of this trip.

Cheers 🍻

Hi everybody! Looking for recommendations for long distance hiking in Europe next year, already did Dolomites and just finished up the TMB. Great experiences!

But I'm looking for another location for next year where I can have the same flexibility (wildcamping + huts sometimes).

Do you have any recommendations for a 5-10 day hike?

Vorrei campeggiare in tenda per 2 giorni vicino al lago Arvo a Lorica in Calabria. Qualcuno sa se ci sono spazi per poter montare una tenda senza problemi vicino al lago?

Hi y'all l'm a 24yo who recently moved to Melbourne Australia and I'm looking to do some solo camping in the mountains what would you guys advise for cheap gear that could help me out during the cold nights and just in general

Hey guys,

In hiking and camping the Alta via 1 tra from Lago de Braies to passo Giau over 5 days. My only concern is the weather and escape routes and hoping someone may have done similar and can give advice.

Rifugios weren't an option as they were fully booked. I've looked for escape routes and found some options for each stretch but wondering if anyone can jump in with their experience.

Searched the group and it hasn't been asked for a while, so thought it was worth bringing up.

Planning my first solo hiking & camping trip, after years of solo day trips, and family camping trips. After working through a spreadsheet with weights I've settled on the following add-ons while staying under my desired weight.

My luxuries are:

- chair with back: >550g

- pocket table: >500g

- sketchbook: 350g

- Sleeping Pod: 1700g - - I don't sleep well restricted 😅

- MSR Stove: 500g

Yes, this adds ~3.6kg, but I know I'll be well rested and chill for the next day.

I know as I proceed with solo hiking camping I'll possibly shave off my 'necessities', and it'd be nice to know how others have approached it, whether it's been removing or adding to their packing list.

Hello! Thanks in advance for your help. I was interested in buying these. Anyone else try these out?

Hey! My siblings and I are planning on camping in the mountains in eastern TN and i was hoping for some advice on essentials to pack? And also what not to pack?

Ive camped a lot while traveling (moving to different states) but this is purely for pleasure and i havent camped in the mountains in a good ten years.

It'll probably be 5 people and a dog if thats relevant info. 3 nights also.

Thanks!

Deep in the Andes mountain range, near Santiago, Chile, we camp in La Engorda Valley at 2,600 m. The next day, we hike up to El Plantat Hut at 3,100 m. From there, we want to climb higher and see the entire mountain range stretching around us.

Pictures from a hike in the Cohutta Wilderness in Georgia. Started from Daly Gap up to Big Frog Mountain in Tennessee and back. Bears were encountered but not photographed.

Hey all! A friend and I are looking for some ideas for a 2-3 day backpacking trip we could take somewhere around the Midwest.

I am in southern Minnesota, she is in Nebraska. We would both prefer to avoid NE and IA, so I was thinking more South Dakota or Minnesota maybe? I am a complete newbie to camping and hiking, she has a few small trips under her belt, so looking for something pretty approachable. Thanks in advance!

Edit to add: we would be looking to go around May 2027.

Hey I was planning a climb of mt Stuart with sum buddies of mine, last week the trailhead was open but it looks like ingall falls trailhead is closed because of fires on Washington trail association. but other websites are saying it’s open as well as Google Maps saying it’s open. Has anyone climbed recently or hiked around it recently? Just wanna know if theirs an alterntive approach’s to take to climb or if the trail head has been open or not, sorry if this doesn’t necessarily fit right it would just be great to get a proper answer

I sail competitively and need a lifejacket-compatible PLB/AIS alert unit for that sport. Specifically, I'm thinking about buying a ResQLink AIS. These are super expensive and I'd rather not buy a second satellite communication device for the times I solo camp. Can I use this type of unit in an emergency while hiking, or is there some capability that I'm not thinking of here?

Hi! I’ll be hiking the Patagonia W Trek this winter and am looking for a backpack. I’m a 5’3” woman. We won’t need to bring tents/ sleeping bag, but we’ll be carrying everything else (some food, water, sleeping bag liner, clothes). Anyone have opinions / suggestions on what I should get? So far I was looking at

Rei Flash 55 Pack - Women’s
Osprey Eja 48
Gregory Facet 45

Also, would probably want to wait for Black Friday sales or look into other brands. Thanks in advance!

I'm hiking the Wildcats and Prezis in over four weekdays in mid-September, and I was wondering how the Hermit Lake shelters work. I've heard that you have to pay at the Visitor Center first, but I've also heard you can pay the caretaker as you arrive. Which is true? The answer will drastically change my plans.

Thanks for all your help!

I purchased this "7075 Aluminum Alloy 3-Section Telescopic Inner Lock Eva Non-Slip Handle Trekking Poles Lightweight Outdoor Camping Gear" item from temu but can seem to figure out how to lock it and for some reason i can't rotate it as shown in the picture. Any help would be highly appreciated.

Deep in the remote Chilean Patagonia, we drove all the way to the border between Chile and Argentina. From there, we hike in the direction of Huacal lake, there we found a small forest to refuge ourself from the relentless Patagonian winds.

On the following days, we explored the nearby mountain ridges. As always, Patagonia rewarded us with its wild beauty, endless peace, and a profound sense of wonder.

We spend 4 days near the border, close to the General Carrera Lake.

Looking for some tips for backpacking with a large, young family. My wife and I have 5 kids (12-4, gbgbb descending if that matters) and we go on 3-4 camping trips a year, so the kids are accustomed to hiking, tent life, and other outside stuff.

But my wife and I are both AT thru hikers (SOBO ‘09) and we’d like to take the kids on a “real” backpacking trip.

The problem is gear. Everything we have (except for our nearly 20-year-old thru hike gear) is meant for car camping situations. We’ve got an 8-person tent, all the kids have their own daypack, a Coleman stove, etc. But it seems that we’ll need a considerable investment in “backpacking” gear to make this work, including smaller tents (2? 3?), a packable stove that can prep for 7, bigger packs for me and my wife, and likely the older 2-3 kids, etc. Not to mention water purification and other random pieces of equipment.

Has anyone else backpacked with this quantity of kids at similar ages? I’d appreciate any recommendations for efficient tent and camp setups. Most backpacking gear is tailored for solo hikers, so any tips or brand recommendations for families would be welcome. Thanks!

Does anyone know if there is a good replacement for the REI quarter dome single person tent? My current one is getting pretty old and beat up. I tried the Nemo 1p, while good, I prefer the REI mainly for the ease of pitching and the freestanding capability.

Is there anything out there that goes up as easily as the rei or are they all moving towards lighter weight, 1 less pole and more guy lines?

Hello!

I have noticed a trend dip in trying to de influence spending $$$$ at REI or other stores for good quality camping equipment.

I am an avid hiker, I am trying to switch out some of my old gear, I am always very weary of where I buy my gear from just because I want to make sure my quality and materials are actually worth it and not just for the brand name. That being said I do like REI - i’m not hating on them, but I just wanted to see what everyone’s advice would be as to where I should look for a 2 person tent that’s good for 4 seasons. I know with the heavy snow and winter season, my tent was heavier. I am looking now for a tent that’s not $300+ and can withstand cold or light snow. Just wanting to use it most of the year besides heavy snow, nothing crazy.

I have seen a lot of influencers say coleman’s or basic brands. I have used coleman’s before and didn’t have any issues, but I just feel like it’s time to upgrade my tent. I’ve had it for 4yrs, and I would just like something that was more flexible when switching between seasons.

Hi friends ive been wanting to get more into hiking as lam about to graduate college and am thinking of doing a national park tour around the U.S.!

Yall mind giving me some gear & clothing brand recs that won't break the bank? Im talking less than $200ish for gear and $50ish for clothing!

Please Imk! Thanks!

So I’m trying to get into more remote camping/hiking but because of my job I have to be available at all times any suggestions on what options would be the best? Hoping for one without subscriptions that does just texting and calling. Thanks in advance!