Hiking trail guides, gear reviews, packing tips and route planning advice. Everything you need to plan your next multi-day hike — from the HikeLoad team.
A backpacking quilt saves 200–400 g over a comparable mummy bag. Find out which sleep system is right for your hiking style, conditions and sleep temperature.
Read articleA tarp weighs 100–300 g; an ultralight tent weighs 700–1,100 g. We break down exactly when each shelter makes sense for three-season and alpine backpacking in 2026.
Read articleAltitude suppresses appetite in most hikers above 2,500 m. Here's what to eat, how to schedule meals, and which stoves work best for cooking above 3,000 m.
Read articleVegan hikers can hit 2,500–3,500 kcal per day on trail using plant-based foods. Our complete 2026 guide to protein sources, calorie density and three-day meal plans.
Read articleThe Scottish Highlands offer legal wild camping, 282 Munros and permit-free access to Britain's most dramatic mountain terrain. Complete 2026 guide to Ben Nevis, Glencoe and Torridon.
Read articleEccentric leg training builds the downhill knee resilience that standard gym workouts miss. Our 4-week programme prepares quads, hamstrings and tendons for long alpine descents.
Read articleThe Overland Track is a 65 km, six-day alpine walk in Tasmania. Permits cost AUD $295 and the daily quota of 60 walkers sells out fast.
Read articleThe Via Dinarica White Trail spans 1,200 km across six Balkan countries. Europe's most underrated long-distance route and one of 2026's top rising trails.
Read articleA properly fitted backpack transfers 80% of the load to your hips. Most hikers get this wrong and end up with shoulder pain. This guide fixes it.
Read articleThe best solo backpacking shelter of 2026 is the Durston X-Mid Pro 1 at 680 g with 2.6 m² floor space. Weight, weather and value compared.
Read articleIron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency in endurance athletes. It can reduce aerobic capacity before obvious symptoms appear.
Read articleFreeze-dried meals average $12–15 each in 2026. You can match the same calorie density for under $10 a day using grocery-store staples.
Read articleThe Annapurna Circuit is a 160–230 km loop in Nepal crossing the 5,416 m Thorong La. Permits cost $90, Nepal visa $50. Circuit takes 14–21 days.
Read articleMost hiking knee injuries happen on descent. A three-part technique combining foot placement, pole use and knee flexion lowers the load on your knees.
Read articleThe Cotswold Way is a 102-mile National Trail from Chipping Campden to Bath. Complete 2026 guide to stages, accommodation and what to wear on trail.
Read articleHavasupai Falls requires a $455 camping permit that sells out within hours. Everything you need to know about permits, packing and the trail in 2026.
Read articleThe Patagonia Houdini leads at 105 g — but the lightest ultralight windbreaker here is 58 g. Six wind shells weighed, priced and ranked for hiking.
Read articleA bear canister is required on many US trails including Yosemite and the JMT. The 2026 lineup includes carbon-Kevlar options — here is how to choose.
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