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Hike Bike Paddle Camp Florida with authors Sandra Friend and John Keatley as your guides

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Camping at JR Walton Pond Eglin

Outdoor Gear for Florida

Reviews and recommendations on outdoor gear appropriate for Florida and where to find it

OVERVIEW

Sawyer Micro Squeeze Field Test

Sawyer Micro Squeeze Filter on bike rack

July 2, 2020    John Keatley

On a field test along a long stretch of the Florida Coast to Coast Trail with no potable water sources, the Sawyer Micro Squeeze proves itself a worthy backup plan

Changing a Bike Tire

mountain bike tires

September 24, 2019    John Keatley

Just like car tires, bicycle tires need attention because they do wear down. It’s better to change it at home than out on a ride. Here’s how to choose and install a new bike tire and how to fix a flat.

Backpacks

Backpack on trail

March 19, 2019    Sandra Friend & John Keatley

John’s first backpack is now a museum piece. Sandra went through a parade of packs before settling on an Zpacks Arc Blast. Here’s what we carry and why.

Choosing Gear for a Florida Trail Hike

Backpack Big Cypress

Our detailed recommendations and reviews of the best hiking and backpacking gear for your thru-hike or section hike of the Florida Trail based on our own successful use of certain tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, and more.

New Primal: a tastier jerky

New Primal Jerky

June 25, 2017    Sandra Friend

Lavender package. Tasty jerky. No hormones, no added sugar, paleo friendly. Date & rosemary chicken jerky from The New Primal turned out to be delicious

Tricking out a Trek

Trek Skye at KICCO

June 21, 2017    John Keatley

Offroad riding means a lot of bounce, especially on a washboarded limerock road like KICCO Grade. Adding trekking bars to John’s mountain bike made all the difference.

Keeping the bugs off with Aringel

Aringel

May 30, 2017    Sandra Friend

A botanically-based natural mosquito repellent that doesn’t touch your skin, Aringel offers a different way to protect yourself against flying insects in Florida.

Xmas with Zpacks

Zpacks backpack

December 7, 2016    John Keatley

A field trip, Florida Hikes style, to a lightweight backpacking gear manufacturer creating great products – and jobs – on Florida’s Space Coast.

Hydrapak

Hydrapak

July 9, 2016    Sandra Friend

Hydrapak has served us well as an extremely compact day pack and hydration for both hiking and bicycle rides. Whenever one of us wants to “go light,” we pull the Hydrapak from our wall of packs and go.

Kodiak Cakes Unleashed

Kodiak Cakes Oatmeal and Granola Unleashed

November 12, 2015    Sandra Friend

Kodiak Cakes Oatmeal Unleashed has a crunchy texture and a nice mix of spices, flax seed, dried fruit, and nuts, making it filling, with 10 grams of protein.

Lightheart Gear Tents

Lightheart Duo Kitching Creek

Gear Reviews for Florida      ( Articles )      

A fan of lightweight backpacking tents (not tarps) since they first became available, my favorites are those produced by Lightheart Gear. We have two. Here’s why

Hiking Sandals: Light On Your Feet

Keen sandals

September 20, 2015    John Keatley

Can you go lightweight on your feet when hiking? John explains his trial and error with lightweight options and preferences for when to wear lightweight shoes and sandals

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