OV Blog

Base Layers & Sun Hoodies: Synthetic vs. Wool

Base layers are the foundation of a performance-oriented layering system. The primary purpose of a base layer is to move moisture off and away from...

Hiking 20+ Miles Per Day WITHOUT Getting Worn Out

Whether you're a thru-hiker, weekend warrior, or casual backpacker - these tips will help you increase your trail mileage safely so you can enjoy m...

Hiking Pain Free & Unlocking Your Physical Potential: Chase Mountains Interview

Tayson Whittaker: All right, Chase. I'm super excited to have you on the podcast today. How are you doing? Chase Mountains: Yeah. Thanks for i...

Missing Hikers, AT Cults, & The Thru Hiker Diet With Kyle O'Grady

Kyle O’Grady is a popular YouTube personality and outdoors enthusiast who has gained a large following for his humorous takes on hiking and camping...

Aurelien Sanchez Interview: Barkley Marathons Finisher 2023

Aurélien Sanchez is a French runner and backpacker who has taken the running world by storm with his impressive achievements. Just a few months ago...

Windbreakers vs. Rain Jackets

When it comes to backpacking, what you take with you is undeniably important. Each piece of gear comes with the price of weight & space taken i...

Most UNDERRATED Piece Of Gear - When To Use A Windbreaker

What if I told you that throwing on extra jackets & layers when you are cold might be the WRONG thing to do? That's right. While extra insulat...

You've Been Lied To About Sleeping Pads (Understanding Sleeping Pad Warmth & the ASTM R-Value Standard)

Sleeping pad R-value ratings can be all over the map. When one company tells you their pad has a 5 R-value, another company might have a pad with a...

10 lb. Gear List for Hiking The Appalachian Trail

Knowing what to bring when planning a thru-hike like the AT can be daunting. Not only do you need gear that's light enough to carry for months, bu...

Gifts Under $50 For Ultralight Backpackers - 2023

Ultralight backpacking could be considered by some to be a fairly affordable hobby... But getting the best performance gear for backcountry experie...

Outdoor Vitals Brand New Gear From 2022

Ever since March of 2020, there has been a boom of interest in getting outside more to enjoy time in Mother Nature. The most effective way to have ...

20 BEST Gifts For Ultralight Backpackers - 2022 Gift Guide

Shopping for ultralight backpackers means you've got to know what performance gear & technologies to look for. Any clunky or heavy sleeping ba...

10 Clothing Items Are All You Need - Adaptive Layering In the Outdoors

As backpackers, we need a collection of clothing that functions as tools to allow us to remain active in the backcountry as long as we want, in any...