What Is a Top Quilt? A top quilt is an ultralight backpacker’s dream. Think of it as the ultimate minimalist sleeping bag. In a sense, a top quilt is a sleeping bag without all of the extra weight. It has an open back, no hood, and no zippers. This allows a top quilt to shave ounces and sometimes even pounds compared to a sleeping bag of the same temperature range.  Top quilts were originally designed for hammock campers. This is because a hammock camper will typically have an under quilt hanging underneath their hammock keeping their underside warm. This allows...

You know that uncomfortable cotton feeling you get in your throat when you haven't been drinking enough water? You feel ready to drink an entire ocean! Yet even if someone were to hand you the world's largest glass filled to the brim with clear ice-cold H20, for backpackers, it wouldn't be enough. Water is not enough. To explain, there is so much more to hydration than just drinking water, especially when you are active on the trail and carrying a load on your back.   This article will teach you the do's and don'ts of staying hydrated while out on the trail.   ...

Backpackers can spend a lot of money on their gear. But what many don't realize is that they may be slowly ruining a lot of that expensive gear just by not cleaning it correctly! Some people simply don't clean their gear enough because they are afraid of doing it wrong. Others may clean their sleeping bags and other items too often or not use the proper method.  In this article, we'll cover: Why you need to clean your gear and what can happen if you don't. How to clean specific types of gear like down sleeping bags and jackets, boots, backpacks, base...

Whether you are a seasoned ultralight backpacker, or just starting out on the trail, this article will give you insights into our favorite ultralight water filter and why!  Often backpackers have to balance whether their pack weight or comfort is most important.  One of our goals at Outdoor Vitals is to solve these issues by offering functional lightweight gear that is ultralight, comfortable, and effective. While water filters aren't something we design or manufacture, we do have a suggestion that will help you enjoy your experience on the trail significantly more. Recently we've been using the Katadyn BeFree water filter, and it has quickly...

You've been on the trail all day and you're starving. With sore feet, you get camp set up and start prepping for a much needed dinner. This moment has been something you've looked forward to all day, and honestly kept you moving on that last uphill stretch of trail. That's when you sit down on a log and realize something: You've been cold soaking... Cold Soaking: What is it? In the backpacking community, cold soaking has been gaining more and more popularity and attention. Basically, it's prepping dehydrated meals without every boiling any water or cooking. You add water to...