Wilderness, Camping, Hiking Ideas and Advice – The Outdoor Blog

Boats can be expensive, but that’s no reason to allow yourself to be taken advantage of. If you’re looking for a good deal on a boat, looking at used boats for sale is the ideal solution.

Below are some good precepts to keep in mind as you perform your used boat search:

For starters, it’s not necessarily a good idea to purchase a boat from a broker.

They certainly simplify the process of finding a boat, but they also markup the price. This is understandable, of course. How else would they get paid? So if you prefer convenience over saving money, a broker very well might be the right decision for you.

However, there is another option. You can try to buy a boat directly from the owner.

By doing so, you will cut out the middleman. Not only that, but it is sometimes easier to meet up with an owner than it is to travel to a dealer. Obviously this isn’t always the case. It will depend entirely on where you live.

But if you want to get a good deal, make sure you spend a fair amount of time looking at your options. Don’t expect that the first owner you talk to will be holding the perfect boat for you. READ MORE

The key factor in choosing between hiking shoes and hiking boots is the wildness of the terrain you plan to traverse. Determining your chosen route will help you to decide which type of footwear will best suit your needs.

Hiking shoes are designed to support your feet on groomed trails. Hiking boots, on the other hand, are an ideal choice when on rugged or rocky terrain, where the danger of twisting an ankle is high.

Several design factors therefore come into play: weight, ruggedness, support, comfort, and flexibility.

WEIGHT

Backpacking shoes are usually lighter than their counterpart in boots. If what you’re planning are a series of day hikes on groomed trails, then go with the option that weighs less. Think of a hiking boot as the foot’s equivalent of a full suit of armor–if it’s not needed, don’t wear it.

Why does a shoe weigh less than a boot? A less strenuous terrain allows the manufacturer to create a hiking shoe with lighter weight materials, such as nylon or mesh. Generally, a shoe doesn’t need to support the ankle the way a boot does, and so the day hiker picks up weight savings from the trimmed-down design, as well. READ MORE

With spring in full bloom and summer fast approaching, it’s that time of the year when the outdoors are most alive. For campers, hikers, and outdoor lovers in general, there’s nothing more satisfying than putting shorts on for the first time after a long winter and going out to get a whiff of fresh air.

The question now is: What’s the best way for you to spend this valuable outdoor time?

For some, this great weather only lasts for two seasons. For the lucky, they can have it all year round (or most of the year anyway). But whoever and wherever you are, one of the greatest outdoor experiences is with a boat. And there’s no better way to bring your whole family along than with a pontoon boat.

If you’re an outdoor person and you have a family, this is a great way to enjoy some fun quality time. Local parks all over the country are either located on or near lakes and rivers. So if you’re planning a camping trip, chances are it will be near a body of water. This makes most campsites in the US perfect for boats.

Although camping can be fun, sometimes you just seem to run out of things to do. For example, if you love the outdoors but hate hiking or doing any physical activity, you’ll definitely get bored quickly.  In addition, oftentimes campsites are large and it’s a hassle to get anywhere. If you wanted to hold a picnic down the river, for instance, it could be a potentially stressing experience. With a pontoon boat, though, this stressing experience turns into a pleasant vacation. READ MORE

When enjoying an evening in the woods, it can get very dark, very quickly. It’s thus vital to ensure every camper has efficient and proficient lighting available to avoid accidents and mishaps.

Stumbling around in the dark can make any outdoor trip unpleasant, and no one wants to take a trip to the emergency room simply because they tripped over an object at night. Fortunately, there are, for any camping situation, a wide variety of outdoor lights available to choose from.

Natural Lighting

The most abundant and cheapest form of lighting in the outdoors is natural lighting. Moonlight, starlight and firelight all provide sources of illumination on dark nights.

Unfortunately, bad weather can put a damper on all of these and none of these options offer the portability that more modern devices such as flashlights and headlamps can offer.

Flashlights and Headlamps

Flashlights are a must have item on every camping trip. Small and versatile, flashlights create a beam of light where ever they are pointed. They are invaluable for situations including walking in the dark, finding items in a tent and navigating a campsite without disturbing others. READ MORE

An outdoor backpacking trip can be a fun and potentially life-changing experience.  But it’s important to take the right outdoor gear with you in order to have a successful trip.

Here is the gear that you definitely should consider:

The Essentials

Backpack

Naturally, the backpack is where you will store most of your equipment. Long distance backpacks come in a variety of shapes and configurations. As the backpack is, perhaps, the most important item you will use, take the time to visit outdoor shops, read online reviews and try out a variety of packs before deciding on one.

Boots

Even if the ground is relatively free of rocks or roots, the repetitive nature of walking multiple miles per day will cause your feet to ache uncontrollably and form blisters if you don’t get the right pair of boots. Boots need to be well fitting and lightweight, yet firm and rugged enough to protect your feet from the elements. READ MORE