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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

Backpacking Gear Reviews

Unbiased reviews of backpacking gear that we’ve either purchased ourselves or had sent to us for testing in Florida’s unique outdoor conditions.

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.

Big Agnes Cabin Creek double

May 13, 2013    John Keatley

For a couple of backpackers that want to share a sleeping bag, the Big Agnes Cabin Creek turns out to be an economical but bulky solution.

Columbia Omni-Freeze Zero T-shirt

December 14, 2013    John Keatley

John trail-tests the Columbia Omni-Freeze Zero T-shirt after being introduced to the new fabric by a Columbia rep at the grand opening of REI Jacksonville.

Dirty Girl Gaiters

April 27, 2013    John Keatley

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.

Dorcy 41-2093 Headlamp

February 1, 2013    John Keatley

After months of using my Dorcy headlamp as just an everyday flashlight, the opportunity finally came to give it a real test.  I headed off on the Florida Trail with the Dorcy 41-2093 as my do-everything light. Winter is the best time to hike in Florida.  Cooler, and often with less bugs.  But with winter …

Hiking Boots For Florida?

Merrell Moab Ventilator hiking boots

September 19, 2013    John Keatley

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.

Jetboil Stoves

Boiling water in a jiffy

January 27, 2009    Sandra Friend

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.

Keen Targhee II Hiking Boots

Keen Targhee II

September 16, 2015    John Keatley

My primary boot for backpacking in Florida is the Keen Targhee II hiking boot. They are waterproof – which means they’re good anywhere but in a deep swamp – and provide excellent ankle support. They look sharp enough for a wedding, too.

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

LightStar LED Flashlight

July 16, 2012    Sandra Friend

Before we left for the AT, I gave John a few pieces of gear to test for us, which were sent along for my inspection by the manufacturer. Here’s one that we used while backpacking in Florida but it didn’t make the cut for our AT hike – we stuck with headlamps instead. For our …

Merrell Moab Ventilator Hiking Boots

Merrill Moab Ventilator

September 13, 2015    John Keatley

In Florida, you need to worry about your feet getting wet when you hike. Often. My Merrell Moab Ventilator mid hiking boots are my go-to pair for whenever we are headed out on day hikes.

Mountain House

The Mountain House meals we received to test

April 2, 2014    Sandra Friend

Can freeze-dried backpacker food make a decent meal on the trail? We try out a Mountain House gluten-free bacon & eggs for lunch on the Florida Trail to find out.

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