gear
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My Favourite Hiking Gear of 2025
As a full-time outdoor writer, a guidebook author, and a person who relies on time spent in nature for my mental health, I hike a lot. I also spent seven years writing about hiking gear at the head office of one of Canada’s largest outdoor retailers. That means that I…
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2025 Black Friday Deals for Hikers
I definitely believe that the outdoors is for everyone, but unfortunately one of the barriers to getting outside is having to buy tons of gear. And of course, that gear doesn’t come cheap! I worked at the head office of a big outdoor retailer for six years, so I understand…
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10 Best Canadian Hiking Gear Gifts in 2025
If you’re shopping for a hiker this holiday season, I encourage you to support local companies and purchase Canadian hiking gear gifts for your loved ones. It’s a great way to show your patriotism, bolster the Canadian economy, and give a gift that the hiker on your list will love.…
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The Best Eco-friendly Gifts for Hikers
If you’re buying presents, please consider choosing eco-friendly gifts for hikers. The hiker in your life will appreciate it and Mother Nature will too. You may not know this, but I used to work in the outdoor industry. I actually wrote product descriptions for a large outdoor retailer. As a…
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Best Gifts for Snowshoers in 2025 (25+ Ideas)
As a hiker, my winter sport of choice is snowshoeing since it’s so easy to do. I’m sure the hikers on your shopping list snowshoe too (or would love to try). Give the gift of outdoor adventure this year and get them some snowshoeing gear. I’ve been snowshoeing for over…
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40 Best Gifts for Backpackers in 2025
There is no place I would rather be than on a backpacking trip. I’ve been backpacking for almost 20 years and used to work for a large outdoor retailer, so I know a lot about backpacking gear. In this post, I’ve got my recommendations for the best gifts for backpackers.…
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The Best Boots For Snowshoeing (Winter 2025/26)
Snowshoeing is a fun and easy winter sport. All you need to get started are some snowshoes and some warm clothing. But one of the questions I get asked all the time is: What are the best boots for snowshoeing? What type of boots should you buy? Which features should…
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My Favourite Hiking Gear of 2024
I spent seven years writing about hiking equipment for one of Canada’s largest outdoor retailers, so I’m pretty picky when it comes to my gear. I also spend a ton of time in the backcountry researching my hiking guidebooks and trail guides, so good gear is important. Each year I…
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Microspikes vs. Crampons vs. Snowshoes: What’s the Difference?
If you’re heading out for a hike in the winter, you are probably going to encounter ice and snow. But how will you stop yourself from slipping? Should you bring microspikes? Or crampons? Or snowshoes? And what’s the difference? In this post, I’ll break down microspikes vs. crampons vs. snowshoes.…
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20+ Ways to Reduce Your Backpack Weight
Backpacking is a natural extension of day hiking as you trek further into the wilderness. The major downside is having to carry all that gear. I’ve been backpacking for 20 years and have come up with lots of ways to reduce your backpack weight. I’m definitely not an ultralight hiker…
