Backpacking and hiking tips and tales...with a sense of humor. This is your one-stop show for backpacking, hiking and adventure entertainment. From backpacking gear to the trail situations you will encounter to popular guests, this podcast will deliver. Derek and Carl will hit on all of the backpacking and hiking topics you want with decades of good (and horrendous) experience.
Listen in the Podli app 🎧
Follow your favourite podcasts, listen offline and in the car with CarPlay and Android Auto, and always pick up where you left off. Free to try.
Sep 28, 2026 · 33:53
Hiking Guy Cris Hazzard joins the show to discuss the best trail tech for hiking, backpacking and adventuring right now! This includes best hiking watches, personal locator…
Sep 24, 2026 · 44:05
Bailey Bremner has backpacked over 10,000 miles. She’s a gear reviewer and a gear expert. What are her ‘go to’ pieces of gear after years of use. And how do these big companies…
Sep 21, 2026 · 50:45
Mike Wanders has been searching for bigfoot for years and he knows what he’s talking about. He’ll tell everyone his 3 best tips for finding Sasquatch while Carl runs his 3…
Sep 14, 2026 · 34:09
Only 1% can do these 10 things that Jesse and Carl have observed over the years. And they’re not all good. Which skills, abilities, knowledge, efficiencies and gear do you have…
Sep 10, 2026 · 48:41
What does a professional mountain guide have to say to her clients to correct bad habits? Sunny Stroeer – premier adventurer – shares the 3 most common pieces of advice she has…
Sep 7, 2026 · 53:58
What are the 6 biggest fears you’re still packing? And what are you really afraid of? Alex Hatlevig joins the show to discuss the useless and semi-useless gear in your packs and…
Aug 31, 2026 · 45:01
There are some hot backpacking trends that are helpful, some that are dying and some that are just weird. Lloyd Vogel from Garage Grown Gear will share what he’s seeing from the…
Aug 27, 2026 · 32:06
One of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people, Dean Karnazes, joins the show to share some unorthodox trail hacks and crazy tales from the backcountry. This man has done so…
Aug 24, 2026 · 28:44
10 Backpacking experts from Steven Smith to Eric Hanson to Dan Durston to company owners weigh in with their #1 Gear Company. Which ones do you agree with and which ones do you…
Aug 17, 2026 · 47:46
You might be getting scammed by companies, the ultralight narrative, or even yourself. Jesse and Carl have 8 ultralight backpacking scams that you might be falling victim to. And…
Aug 13, 2026 · 30:32
One of the B&B favorites – Brooke Whipple – joins the show to discuss an unexpected and concerning experience on one of her backcountry adventures. Some of the Topics Discussed…
Aug 10, 2026 · 41:43
Michael from ‘Open Air Problems’ joins the show to discuss the best new and most popular tents on the market. And he previews the latest Durston X-Dome Pro. Carl also shares a 1…
Aug 3, 2026 · 56:37
Chase Fly from Outdoor Empire and Carl got a preview of future outdoor and backpacking gear coming 2027. They each picked their favorite 4 pieces that they’re most excited about…
Jul 30, 2026 · 56:40
Cottage companies in the outdoor world are on the rise! This episode features 3 that are up and coming. They’re innovative, creative and just solid good people. Two of them have…
Jul 27, 2026 · 42:44
Whether you’re waiting for help to arrive after pressing the red button or you’re looking to hone your survival skills, Gordon and Carl share 13 weird survival tips that just…
Jul 20, 2026 · 44:38
Are you trying to lighten your backpacking load? You’ve heard all of the same strategies…until now! Carl and Jesse have 6+ calculated risks that you could take to really reduce…
Jul 13, 2026 · 41:26
Carl brought 7 pieces of gear to Yosemite that he’s been poking fun at for a while now. He gave everything a fair shake. Which pieces of “dumb gear” actually changed his mind?…
Jul 6, 2026 · 59:43
Steven Smith from ‘My Life Outdoors’ joins the show to help reveal backpacking secrets that took years to learn. He also gives compelling behind-the-scenes stories to his videos…
Jul 2, 2026 · 34:40
Big Agnes' Bill Gamber joins the show to discuss the path BA took to be at the front edge of the ultralight movement, what the future holds in the ultralight industry, what…
Jun 29, 2026 · 45:58
What are the top 10 reasons you will quit on a backpacking trip, thru hike or just regular hike? And how can you avoid them? Christine Reed joins the show to discuss experiences…
Jun 25, 2026 · 38:55
Yosemite Search and Rescue Operator Moose Mutlow joins the show! He might literally be the most interesting man in the world. Share in the crazy stories he shares with his…
Jun 22, 2026 · 51:59
Have you seen some weird stuff out on the trail like we have? We’ve got 12 signs that you (or somebody you know) simply doesn’t know what they’re doing. And don’t worry, we’ve…
Jun 15, 2026 · 51:16
Dan Durston joins the show to discuss the harsh truths behind the ultralight gear you’re buying. This is a real behind-the-scenes look at how the gear industry really works.…
Jun 11, 2026 · 48:29
Rob Pelton's joins the show to discuss why your bucket list trips will fail...and how to overcome the issues. Also, are Canadian computer hackers helping people get permits. And…
Jun 8, 2026 · 27:17
10 backpacking experts share their favorite backcountry meals and other food ideas. Some of them are creative, some are good and some may be yucky. Which one(s) would you be…
Jun 1, 2026 · 47:55
Who are these “backpacking experts” that are telling us lies? And have what lies have we believed that should be cleared up? Jesse and Carl discuss 10 lies from a variety of…
May 28, 2026 · 39:26
Vince Strawbridge joins the show to debate this very issue. Carl and Vince make strong accusations at one another in this semi-heated debate. Check out Vince Strawbridge's Book…
May 25, 2026 · 43:48
We’ve got the latest, greatest, most popular packs and we’ll tell you which ones are worth investing in, who they’re best for and our personal experiences with them. Michael from…
May 18, 2026 · 46:23
TV host, YouTuber Eric Hanson joins the show to discuss REI’s best-selling gear. Which items will he bring on future trips that will earn a ‘pass’ and which does he ‘fail’? And…
May 11, 2026 · 35:56
If you’ve heard all of the ultralight backpacking tips out there, then this episode is for you! We’ve got 10 super duper extra ultralight hacks that will shave pounds off of your…
May 7, 2026 · 57:32
Justin Outdoors joins the show to discuss how to upgrade a gear setup and shave weight with $150. Just how much weight can you reduce with $150 these days? Let’s find out from…
May 4, 2026 · 42:34
How do you go from waking up to on the trail in 30 minutes? Carl will tell you how. Why could this be a bad idea? Jesse will tell you that too. Who’s morning routine is better?…
Apr 27, 2026 · 41:05
Devin, from Backcountry Exposure, joins the show to discuss 10 new pieces of 2026 backpacking gear including: sleeping bags, a sleeping pad, a backpack, tents, a stove, etc.…
Apr 23, 2026 · 32:33
Mowser joins the show from Tasmania to break down why you sleep like trash in the backcountry. He gives a step-by-step guide to give you the best opportunity to get good sleep.…
Apr 20, 2026 · 39:18
Can you answer these 10 questions/scenarios correctly (or mostly correctly) to show that you’ve got a backpacking IQ over 100? And do you agree with the answers and outcomes?…
Apr 13, 2026 · 46:19
Jon Conti joins the show to discuss the top luxury items for the lazy backpacker. This could include backpackers who truly have a focus on lounging around or hikers that still…
Apr 9, 2026 · 39:39
Coach from Marion Outdoors joins the show to discuss what an Appalachian Trail shop tells overloaded backpackers and thru-hikers when they arrive frustrated. What gear should be…
Apr 6, 2026 · 40:15
Glen Van Peski – owner of Gossamer Gear – joins the show to discuss some truly unorthodox ultralight strategies. With his 13lb total pack and years of backpacking experience, he…
Mar 30, 2026 · 37:35
John Kelley joins the show to discuss 8 ways trip planners get the shaft. Are some of this avoidable if you sprinkle in a bit of wisdom and common sense? Yes. Are some…
Mar 26, 2026 · 41:14
Jeff Pelletier joins the show to discuss shaving weight, ultralight strategies, and to give advice to Carl about some of his controversial gear decisions about an upcoming…
Mar 23, 2026 · 34:58
Don’t you hate it when you find gear you don’t use left in your pack after a trip? How about when it’s the same unused gear over the course of multiple trips? We’ve got 6-8…
Mar 16, 2026 · 50:15
If you’re a beginning backpacker, we’ve got the gear you should buy – from budget to mid level to premium. If you’re an experienced backpacker, please let us know where we went…
Mar 12, 2026 · 37:43
Chris Cage from Greenbelly Meals and YouTube joins the show to discuss gear trends that are disrupting the industry this year! From sleeping pads to food to clothing to cottage…
Mar 9, 2026 · 31:03
Derek and Carl discuss the top 10 most overpacked items for backpacking. This is not only from personal experience but also from what they continue to see on trail and online. If…
Mar 2, 2026 · 55:48
Darwin on the Trail joins the show to discuss 3 gear failures he experienced while in Gates of the Arctic National Park. What caused him to chuck one of those pieces of gear into…
Feb 23, 2026 · 42:43
Mike Wanders joins the show to help highlight 7 hikes (or backpacking trips) you have to do…before you die. These are the best hiking locations that we have collectively…
Feb 19, 2026 · 1:02:32
Epic bushcraft expert Joe Robinet joins the show! What are the 3 essential bushcraft skills every outdoorsperson should know? Joe will tell you. And how to Derek and Carl measure…
Feb 16, 2026 · 41:35
What are 8 laws and serious rules that backpackers truly violate and, frequently, get away with? Carl and Jesse have 8 of them. And they have certainly been a party to these…
Feb 9, 2026 · 52:21
Dixie from Homemade Wanderlust joins the show to discuss the absolute best (and worse) pieces of gear she’s used the last 10 years. What makes the cut? She also shares some of…
Feb 2, 2026 · 39:19
What are some baffling rookie mistakes that you might be making? Whether new to backpacking or an experienced veteran there are certainly some surprising miscues we’ve made and…
Jan 29, 2026 · 42:13
National Geographic producer and host of the 'No Ordinary Monday' podcast , Chris Baron, joins the show to discuss 6 things that 99% of backpackers and adventurers can’t do (that…
Jan 26, 2026 · 43:07
Derek and Carl asked 100,000 Ultralight Backpackers and Thru-Hikers for their most aggressive weight saving tips. They share and respond to the best answers. And there are…
Jan 22, 2026 · 46:57
Derek and Carl have Gear Designer and Company Owner Dan Durston on the show to discuss advances in ultralight tents, upcoming gear and the origin story of a cottage gear company.…
Jan 19, 2026 · 44:15
Justin Outdoors joins the show to share the best of the best gear in the categories of ultralight, budget and fancy. What are his top 2 pieces of gear for these categories? And…
Jan 12, 2026 · 40:41
Derek and Carl discuss the growing backpacking trends of 2026…and why many of them should simply die. From the latest gear trends and hot sellers to backpacking ‘style’ and…
Jan 5, 2026 · 42:04
Dan Becker joins the show to discuss some of things your average YouTube watcher doesn’t know about the gear reviews and reviewers. He also shares the twists and turns of his…
Jan 1, 2026 · 30:41
Derek is back and better than ever! Are we being deceived by gear companies or just general beliefs about certain pieces of backpacking gear? Derek and Carl pull back the curtain…
Dec 29, 2025 · 43:17
You might encounter a trail villain. There might be a trail villain in your backpacking crew. Or…you might be the trail villain! Take this 10-question test to prove otherwise.…
Dec 22, 2025 · 30:42
There are 5 treasure chests worth up to $3 million hidden for you to find. Jon Collins-Black joins the show to discuss some clues and insight into the treasure hunt that he…
Dec 18, 2025 · 54:53
Meet Dr. Hazel Barton, a remarkable scientist who descends into Earth's darkest corners in search of microscopic life that could transform our future. Nicknamed the "Lara Croft…
Dec 15, 2025 · 50:27
Former CEO of Whole Foods and one of the most famous backpackers of all time, John Mackey, joins Derek and Carl to bust backpacking myths, discuss gear strategies and give some…
Dec 8, 2025 · 48:37
Gear expert Villain Jesse joins the show to discuss the top luxury items of 2025. Luxuries include items that are not necessities, upgrade of essential items or simply really…
Dec 4, 2025 · 45:53
Derek and Carl discuss all sorts of gear mistakes they've made, you've made, we've all made...and how to fix them. Derek gives Carl advice about first aid kits. And Carl doesn't…
Dec 1, 2025 · 32:43
Derek and Carl discuss deranged, irrational, unusual, odd, weird and funky outdoor adventures that you might consider adding to your bucket list. Are you tired of loops, out and…
Nov 24, 2025 · 45:52
Derek and Carl have gotten some serious troll comments, criticisms, critiques and strange requests over the years. They have compiled the most interesting feedback and will…
Nov 20, 2025 · 56:58
Steven from 'My Life Outdoors' joins the show to discuss a variety of topics that include weird backpacking/camping gear, the best and worst backpacking gear of 2023 and an…
Nov 17, 2025 · 42:24
Rob Pelton joins the show to pull back the curtain on cottage brands. Are brands like Zpacks, Hyperlite, Enlightened Equipment really worth the price? And Carl has a theory about…
Nov 10, 2025 · 52:33
Andrew Skurka – one of the most famous backpackers of all time – joins the show to discuss some 3 or 4 things professional backpackers do that most of us don’t. Also, what…
Nov 6, 2025 · 35:16
Derek and Carl 'break down' the data released by Garmin and share some of the interesting stories that involve pushing the red button. Also, somehow, Derek and Carl were able to…
Nov 3, 2025 · 39:57
Alex Hatlevig joins the show to discuss backpacking gadgets and trinkets that you might be buying that are useless (or mostly useless). Sure, you can come up with scenarios where…
Oct 27, 2025 · 39:55
What are the worst backpacking freeze dried meals? And are some of them really as bad as people say? Derek and Carl asked over 40,000 members of the backpacking community what…
Oct 23, 2025 · 55:07
What are 6 pieces of backpacking advice that are just plain bad? John Kelley joins the Backpacking & Blisters podcast to co-host and discuss a lot of information and…
Oct 20, 2025 · 43:16
If you’re looking to shave about a pound off of your pack weight without spending any money (potentially), Alisha McDarris from Terradrift will tell you how! Last year she was…
Oct 13, 2025 · 32:49
Bizarre trail and camp experience stories are the backbone of the B&B community. Derek and Carl run down their top 10. Some you’ve heard, some you haven’t. Either way, they’re…
Oct 9, 2025 · 58:55
One of the most experienced, adventurous, death-defying backcountry experts, Marty Morissette, joins the show to discuss some of the tactics he’s employed that one might consider…
Oct 6, 2025 · 38:44
What is the worst reviewed backpacking gear? And does that mean that reviews are terrible or that the gear is terrible? Maybe both. And how does a 20 minute task take 15 hours?…
Sep 29, 2025 · 41:38
Lloyd Vogel, CEO of Garage Grown Gear, joins the show to discuss 2025’s best backpacking gear and trends. He also shares items that are losing steam. And Carl, of course, has a…
Sep 25, 2025 · 34:37
What are the 10 things that only advanced backpackers do? Huck Outdoors joins the show to discuss skills, gear and knowledge that only advanced backpackers have. Rocky also…
Sep 22, 2025 · 50:37
There were 5 Backpacking Crises on the Timberline Trail Patreon trip this year! Five might be a stretch but you be the judge? How would you handle them? How would Derek have…
Sep 15, 2025 · 34:01
What are the 8 deadliest creatures known to mankind? And how can you avoid them on a backpacking trip? Derek and Carl discuss the method these creatures attack humans as well as…
Sep 11, 2025 · 44:02
On this Throwback Thursday episode, Justin Outdoors joins the show. He is our #1 seed for gear expertise on YouTube. Check out what he has to say regarding the game-changing gear…
Sep 8, 2025 · 56:47
Veteran Search and Rescue Yosemite team member Moose Mutlow joins the show to evaluate 6 famous movie scenes. He brings his expertise to rate the plausibility of the outdoor…
Sep 1, 2025 · 35:53
Derek and Carl discuss the lies that you, fellow backpackers, believe. Some of them have been told to you. Some of you have convinced yourselves to believe these deceptive…
Aug 28, 2025 · 40:53
TV Star, homesteader, Denali guide…Marty Raney joins Derek and Carl to discuss a story he’s never shared before: a fateful trip to the highest peak in America and the unfortunate…
Aug 25, 2025 · 45:40
The trusted authority on going ultralight over long distances, Jeff Pelletier, joins the show to discuss how you might be cutting corners to go ‘stupid light’. Or how Carl…
Aug 18, 2025 · 54:16
Derek and Carl are joined by the most recent National Park Service Director, Chuck Sams. Topics include everything from getting blacklisted to Bigfoot to 3 suggestions Carl makes…
Aug 14, 2025 · 39:31
Comedian, Inspirer Greg Sakowicz (AKA Fat Man Little Trail) joins the show to discuss everything from new trail snacks to hiking tips to intense trail encounters. Follow Greg on…
Aug 11, 2025 · 40:46
Derek and Carl discuss what it takes to hike faster and farther with significantly more daily elevation gain for a broken-down guy who’s trying to thru hike the Collegiate Loop…
Aug 4, 2025 · 49:13
What are the 3 most dangerous countries to visit for a backpacking trip? And how can you get in? Former CIA Counter-Terrorism Analyst Brent Giannotta joins the show to share his…
Jul 28, 2025 · 47:19
Derek and Carl discuss 8 life or death situations you will encounter if you go backpacking or hiking long enough. How would you handle them? How would Derek handle them? Some of…
Jul 24, 2025 · 54:42
It took a while but Derek and Carl finally convinced a Bigfoot expert to the join the show. Owner of the Sasquatch Outpost in Bailey, Colorado and cohost of the podcast "You…
Jul 21, 2025 · 40:41
Ever wonder what big mistakes have been made by backpacking experts? Brad Felton from the ‘As the Crow Flies’ YouTube channel joins the show to discuss some common and horrific…
Jul 14, 2025 · 47:54
Are you in the top 1% of backpackers? If you can reasonably answer the 10 questions posed by Derek and Carl you just might be! Some of the Topics Covered: -Backpacking Skills…
Jul 10, 2025 · 31:27
Swamp Tarzan joins the show to discuss all of the crazy animal encounters he has. How do you kiss an alligator on the mouth? How do you grab snakes? How do you move a rattler off…
Jul 7, 2025 · 41:21
Gordon Crum (AKA Grim Granite) joins the show and faces off with Carl in attempt to throw out the most offensive comments for ultralight backpacker and bush crafters. Who will…
Jun 30, 2025 · 34:56
Derek and Carl discuss 7 ultralight backpacking strategies that will really lighten your load. But they are controversial. When is it okay to take calculated risks? And just how…
Jun 26, 2025 · 43:44
On this Throwback Thursday episode, Derek and Carl discuss how to actually deal with trail villains. Don’t let them run, ride or plow right over you. Who are these villains and…
Jun 23, 2025 · 44:49
Christine from Nomad Unknown joins the show to discuss the crazy encounters she’s had while out on her adventures. How do you handle a grizzly that gets 6 feet from you? What…
Jun 16, 2025 · 38:33
Did Baby Boomers lie to you? Derek and Carl discuss all of the ‘old wisdom’ that’s been shared, re-shared, and often times accepted…without question from the Boomers. Derek and…
Jun 12, 2025 · 37:00
In this Throwback Thursday episode, Derek and Carl cycle through all of the tough questions around going to the bathroom in the woods. Of all the questions they get, strangely,…
Listen in the Podli app 🎧
Follow your favourite podcasts, listen offline and in the car with CarPlay and Android Auto, and always pick up where you left off. Free to try.
Your podcast? Get the Podli badge for your site
