With thousands of miles on foot between us, and a lifetime of backpacking, camping, and traveling, we’ve hauled a lot of gear through the woods and around the planet. Here’s where we share our reviews of products sent to us, products we purchase, and products we use every day we’re outdoors, from technical clothing to the electronics that help us do the job of keeping you updated.
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Choosing Gear for a Florida Trail Hike- 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.
DISCLOSURE: Our reviews may contain include affiliate links so you may purchase the item if you are interested in it. We earn a small commission on each purchase.
Florida is one of the toughest states in which to try out your hiking, backpacking, and camping gear. Our extreme humidity and wide swings of temperature mean you need to be ready for anything when you plan a trip during hiking season (October-April). Our sultry, rainy summers make camping tough. Think about our humidity, heat, insects, and water issues as you make your gear choices.
How to prepare for a backpacking trip- What does a hiker need to spend a week, or a month, or three months on the trail? Here are trail-tested suggestions for backpacking in Florida for trips of a week or more
Hiking boots for Florida?- This question keeps popping up: what are the best hiking boots? John explains how, through trial by trail, he figured out what works for him. His advice? Keep trying.
How to pack for a Florida hike- The Ten Essentials and more: a checklist for items you'll want to bring with you for day hiking and backpacking in Florida. Florida's climate and weather are unlike most of the rest of the United States, so your selections take some planning.
Things to think about when choosing what to carry on our outdoor adventures: hydration is a must. Insect repellent and sunscreen are essentials year-round. You WILL get wet (either your feet or your whole body, in the rain). It will get hot. It can get very cold in the winter.
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Featured Gear Reviews
Recent gear reviews and major items are listed below. For more gear reviews by category, check the links in our sidebar.
Dirty Girl Gaiters- If it's tick season, or if it's going to be wet and muddy, we break out our Dirty Girl Gaiters. Here's why we don't leave home with this piece of gear.
Hydrapak- 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. 
Jetboil Stoves- After trying an array of camp stoves over the years, from Whisperlite to Zip and Esbit, I found the Jetboil. Now I feel comfortable cooking in the woods again.
Lightheart Gear Tents- 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 
Sawyer Mini Water Filter- A made-in-Florida product that we first saw on the Appalachian Trail two years ago, the Sawyer Mini is a lightweight filtration option we highly recommend after our trials. 
Xmas with Zpacks- A field trip, Florida Hikes style, to a lightweight backpacking gear manufacturer creating great products - and jobs - on Florida's Space Coast.