OV Blog

Biggest Hydration Mistakes Backpackers Make

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 oc...

Clean Your Backpacking Gear The Right Way

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 jus...

The Best Ultralight Water Filter For Backpacking

Whether you are a seasoned ultralight backpacker, or just starting out on the trail, this article will give you insights into our favorite ultralig...

Cold Soaking vs. Cooking With A Stove

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 ...

Tips For Winter Camping and Backpacking

Ice. Snow. Wind. Temperatures below freezing. Those are just some of the things you face during winter backpacking. However, as harsh as all of th...

Outdoor Vitals Pillow

With a reliable pillow that you know will be comfortable and help you sleep at the end of the day, you can forego other more bulky or heavy options...

What You Need To Know To Camp Above Treeline

We’ve all dreamed of summiting a peak in our life, whether figuratively or literally. There’s a reason why climbing mountains is one of the most co...

Gas vs Alcohol Stoves

Which stove is the best for ultralight backpacking? Our first try in the field was NOT what we anticipated.

What Does "Live Ultralight" Mean?

The secret to happiness? Simplify. Living Ultralight is not only creating lightweight, premium gear, but it's also about reducing the number of mat...

Caring for Your Gear

Taking care of your gear is like taking care of your teeth: if you do a good job, you'll save tons of money, and have something you can rely on to ...

LoftTek Insulation: Light, Compressible, and Insulates When Wet

Down is light, compressible, and warm. Synthetic insulates even when wet. Can't we have both? Outdoor Vitals says YES with our new LoftTek insulat...

Hammock vs Ground Camping

This article goes over costs, weights, advantages, and disadvantages of both ground and hammock camping in an objective and non-biased format.

Sleeping Bag Insulation: What's the difference?

As the outdoor gear industry continues to advance and new technologies are being introduced, it can be hard to know what exactly you should be look...