outdoor tech phone in field

Tech-Fueled: Outdoor Gadgets For Your Big Adventure

At first glance, tech and nature don’t seem to have much in common. In fact, they appear to be complete opposites, as one is centered around scientific progress and man-made systems, which often alienate people from the natural world, while the other stands for raw, untouched ecosystems and the unaltered aspects of life.

And yet, there is common ground uniting the two.  

road through the outdoors

Stepping into the great outdoors is a truly transformative experience, but it can also be quite intimidating and daunting, especially if you’re not used to it. Living in the urban jungle, surrounded by concrete walls and the comforts of the modern world, has made us lose touch with Creation, so many don’t have the skills or the knowledge to interact with it. 

Fortunately, technology can lend a helping hand when it comes to reconnecting with nature.

Gone are the days when one would venture into the unknown, armed with only an old-school map and compass duo to navigate challenging trails.

Now, outdoor enthusiasts have access to a host of digital products and services that can help enhance and facilitate open-air experiences. 

So, whether you’re going hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, or embarking on some other outdoor adventure, here are some tech-powered solutions that can come in handy.  

Educational resources 

girl hiking with backpack

You don’t have to travel far and wide to enhance your outdoor skills. Nowadays, online courses, e-learning platforms, and outdoor instructional videos allow you to expand your knowledge on a broad range of topics such as hiking techniques, route planning, mountaineering, and much more — all from the comfort and safety of your own home.

Outdoor Educational Options include:

  • Thru-Hiking 101 – this six-week online course created by Backpacker Magazine teaches you how to plan and complete long-distance backpacking trips with guidance from professional thru-hiker Liz “Snorkel” Thomas. 
  • Backpacking Light webinars – the online hiking magazine is a go-to educational resource that offers webinars and masterclasses advising on gear and skills for lightweight and ultralight hiking. 
  • Dedicated videos, podcasts, and digital guides – if you are not keen on joining formal courses, there’s also a wealth of useful information for free on YouTube regarding the outdoors, as well as podcast platforms, forums, or in digital guidebook format. 

These online educational resources can help you build essential skills, so when you do decide to take the leap and venture into the wilderness, you’ll be prepared to take on any challenge. 

Safety and planning solutions 

Planning outdoor adventures is a bit more complicated than throwing a few items in your backpack, picking a trail, and deciding how you’re going to spend your time. This is something that requires thoughtful preparation, taking safety precautions, and managing complicated logistics, all of which can be greatly simplified with the right digital tools, such as:

  • Cairn – a well-known solution among adventure seekers, Cairn is a hiking and safety app that offers a series of useful features such as route tracking, trail stats, sending notifications to chosen contacts, identifying areas with cellphone coverage, and offline access to topographic maps. 
  • Bergfex – this is a set of mobile apps providing detailed info to help nature enthusiasts find, plan, and track their experiences. The apps cover three main areas of interest: hiking and tracking, ski, snow, and weather, and weather and rain radar. 
  • Recreation.gov – you can now handle permits and plan trips with just a few taps. Recreation.gov is a free mobile app that allows you to search and book campsites, passes, and other experiences on public lands in the US. 

Outdoor Adventure Tees

Smart navigation tools

The vastness of nature is impressive, but navigating through it can be a real challenge. Luckily, digital innovations have your back on this one, too, with solutions such as: 

  • Navigation apps – no self-respecting hiker or backpacker would start their journey without a reliable navigation app. AllTrails, Gaia GPS, and Komoot are among the most popular options. 
  • Handheld GPS devices – for serious hiking, dedicated GPS devices are a must, as they offer superior reliability, specialized features, and can work in areas with no cell service. Garmin GPSMAP 67 and Bushnell BackTrack Mini GPS are notable options worth considering.
  • Satellite messengers – when hiking in remote areas, a solid device with satellite messaging capabilities from reputable brands like Garmin or ZOLEO can be an invaluable tool. 
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Augmented and virtual reality experiences 

Cutting-edge technologies like augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR) have also entered the outdoor exploration space, where they serve different purposes. You’ll find them under various forms, such as: 

  • Peak identification apps: tools like PeakVisor and PeakFinder leverage AR to help you scan your surroundings, identify mountain peaks, and learn about ranges by blending virtual elements with real-world environments.  
  • Virtual trail guides – digital guide apps like FarOut combine GPS capabilities with guidebook information and real-time updates to guide you on popular trails worldwide, such as the Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, or Australia’s Bibbulmun Track. 
  • Virtual reality explorations – when in-person expeditions are not possible, VR tours are the next best thing. You can find immersive 360°-degree virtual tours of U.S. National Parks on platforms like the Google Arts & Culture app or the National Park Service (NPS) website. 

VR experiences are also frequently used in teambuilding contexts, in which case they should be paired with cybersecurity products like a password manager for teams, to ensure safe access and prevent data leaks. 

Wearables 

Smart wearables have gone mainstream, being used by most nature lovers these days. You can complete your outdoor tech stack with: 

  • Rugged watches from brands like Garmin, Suunto, and Coros, with features like GPS tracking, mapping, and long battery life.  
  • Health and recovery trackers have also become quite popular, being used to record and monitor physical activity, so you can gain insights into various aspects of your health as you engage in backcountry pursuits. 

Now, Go Get Out There 

yellow tent at campsite

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and experience outdoor adventure!

The tech space has brought countless innovations and solutions that can help us enjoy safer, smoother, and more rewarding outdoor experiences, transforming the way we interact with the natural world. With digital technologies advancing rapidly, new breakthroughs are sure to follow, further enhancing our nature outings. 

Now, go get out there and enjoy Creation!

 

bikepacking adventure

Bikepacking Essentials That Will Transform Your Trail Adventures

When you think seriously about bikepacking, it means you have to learn to move beyond just strapping camping gear to your bike.

However, you don’t need to break the bank stocking up on high-dollar bikepacking gear. What’s more important is to be sure you don’t overlook the basics that can improve your ride quality, safety, and overall experience on your next trail adventure. So, with that in mind, here are some bikepacking essentials to consider before your next ride.

Get Everything Ready in Advance

bikepacking on mountain road

Take the time to consider what you take with you before going bikepacking. You’ll want to be sure you’re not only well-prepared, but also that you have quality gear!

Before you decide to go for another bikepacking adventure, there are a few things you should consider. For instance, experienced riders understand that rim width affects tire performance, safety, and comfort when loaded with gear and moving through technical terrain. 

Because of this, it is crucial for any serious bikepacker to learn how to measure rim width. Riders will typically guess at compatibility or refer to marketing literature, but measuring your true internal rim width with digital calipers provides the exact measurements to choose the ideal tire for your type of adventure.

Similarly, having tubeless tires is vital because the liquid sealant within tubeless tires automatically seals minor punctures from thorns, glass, and jagged rocks, so you don’t find yourself stranded on the side of the road wishing you, well, had tubeless tires.

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Bikepacking Essentials

Here are some bikepacking essentials to have before your trip:

  • Find the perfect sleeping system to maximize your bikepacking adventure. A good mix of a quality sleeping bag, pad, and shelter will determine whether you wake up refreshed, or exhausted. Modern sleeping systems offer a balance of packability and weight without sacrificing comfort. Using a wide sleeping pad (24+ inches) is recommended, as it ensures the quality of sleep by supporting natural sleeping postures. Plus, who wants to sleep on a skinny, little pad anyway?
  • When on a bikepacking adventure, you want to be sure you have a way to effectively purify water. Water purification systems now come with huge filter bags so you can easily access the water in remote places. Be sure to go with a water purification system that offers a large opening to make it easy to refill from various sources – one with a double-opening system is even better, as it allows you to manage drinking and filtering with ease.
  • To address the charging or powering of any electronic devices on your bikepacking trip, be sure to pack a power source. A 24,000mAh power bank can power devices for days, and there’s no need for expensive dynamo systems unless traveling to highly remote locations.
  • Be sure to carry a multi-tool with you on your bikepacking trip. Having the right repair and tool setup can totally turn a trip-ending mechanical problem into just a minor hassle. Today’s multi-tools mix bike-specific repairs with some general handy stuff. Just be sure to have a solid bike multi-tool with a chain breaker, tire levers, spare tubes, and patch kits.
multi tool for camping

Be sure to pack a good multi-tool on your bikepacking trip.

  • Get the right frame bag. A frame bag puts your heaviest, densest loads (spare parts, tools, batteries, food) where they should be: low in the bike’s center of gravity and in the frame triangle. This way, instead of fighting top-heavy instability on technical terrain, your bike exhibits natural behavior. You can still lift the front end over obstacles, balance at low speeds, and corner safely rather than continually compensating for clumsy weight transfers.
bikepacking in mountains

Now That You Have Your Bikepacking Essentials…

These bikepacking essentials work synergistically to enhance your experience. The trick is to spend money on tried-and-true, resilient gear, as opposed to just finding the cheapest options. With quality bikepacking gear, you can spend time enjoying the exploration of God’s Creation, as opposed to fiddling with inferior gear.

Now, get out there and experience that stunning scenery and activities that make bikepacking a rich form of adventure travel.

Safe riding!

 

hiker on a peak

Pack For Adventure | 8 Things To Take On Your Hiking Trip

Written by N1 Outdoors on . Posted in Blog, Hiking

A hiking trip can involve incredible adventure.

Beautiful sights, the thrill of conquering a peak, or traversing bottomland are just a few of the many escapades that await.

But, while imagining your final destination can captivate the imagination… you first need to prepare for the trip!

hiking family

It can be rather challenging to be ready and at the same time pack only what is necessary… which is why this guide was created.

And while you want to be sure you have everything you need, you also don’t want to take so much that you feel like your backpack is fighting you every step of the way!

So, whether you’re taking an ambitious hike or a more leisurely stroll, let’s cover 8 things to take on your hiking adventure!

First, Assess The Trip

The first thing that needs to be assessed when deciding what to take hiking is the level of the hike’s toughness as well as its duration.

For example, a 10-mile walk may sound like a fun adventure, but if you usually take short, relaxed strolls, it’s advisable to take an easy trail.

Also, don’t forget to pay attention to the climate and the weather conditions of your target hiking destination. Will you be walking through a hot, barren wasteland, or a shady area such as a forest?

hiking plan

Knowing the details of the environment you will be hiking will also assist in making sure you pack adequately and not forgetting essential items like clothes, hats, or umbrellas. In the same way, being knowledgeable about the destination will keep you from overpacking.

The choice of what backpack to take is also important insofar as comfort is concerned because it affects how the body load is distributed and how it causes tension.

The other aspect of preparation is goals and objectives, which should be achievable. Though you may envision climbing high mountains, starting with some easier mountains is wise for gaining experience and confidence.

Essential Items for Every Hike

Now that you’ve assessed your hiking destination, let’s take a look at some specific items you can take on your trek…

1. Navigational Items

Navigational items should be staples you take with you hiking, even if you are traversing a familiar area.

compass and map

Trails can often appear very similar, and a hiker could very well find oneself on the wrong trail and lost. So, when planning to go out, ensure you have at least a paper map of the area and be sure to and study it to know the terrain and location of the area you will be in.

Now, before you downplay the use of paper maps, keep in mind that a smartphone with GPS is certainly handy, but also unreliable, particularly in places with poor network or low battery charge. Therefore, a paper map and a simple compass should always be carried along in your pack.

On the other hand, if you take a GPS device with you, be sure to familiarize yourself with it’s usage, as it could certainly come in handy if you are to get lost or if you find yourself in a survival situation.

2. Mini Whiteboard

A mini whiteboard may not be an object that people think of when they make a list of what to take hiking, but it can actually come in very handy. For one, it can also be used to leave messages in an emergency. It can also be beneficial when one of the members in the hiking group has a weak voice or is unable to speak loudly enough due to weather conditions.

Miniature white boards can also have a more functional purposes, such as mapping or writing directions about the trail, or to making a list of things to do.

Some hikers like to take notes, and while some hikers bring along a journal, others prefer a mini whiteboard because it’s portable, reusable, and easily accessible. It’s a smart accessory for any hiker to be well-organized and safe on the trail.

Hiking Apparel from N1 Outdoors®

3. Hiking Sticks

Hiking sticks (also known as trekking poles) can be helpful, especially when the ground is hard, steep, wet, and muddy.

They relieve pressure on your knees, increase your steadiness, and enable you to regulate your speed, which is especially important when going downhill.

hikers with poles

Though a branch can be used in the worst case scenario, contemporary hiking sticks are produced from lightweight but very strong materials such as carbon fiber or aluminum, have handles, and come in sizes that are easily adjustable, depending on the ground’s surface.

4. Clothing and Footwear

It’s essential to wear appropriate clothing for the climate and the ground conditions. Earing multiple layers of clothing can help you regulate body temperature as needed. In the same way, moisture-wicking fabrics help keep sweat and moisture away from the skin, making it easier to evaporate.

When going for a hike during the day, long sleeved, light colored clothes can help with sun protection and anti-mosquito clothing helps keep those pesky bugs at bay.

hiking boots on feet

The type of shoes you wear should also be suitable for the specific conditions present on the terrain. Trail runners or sandals may be enough for short, level terrains, whereas for rough or muddy terrains, sturdy shoes with high ankle support are best.

Be sure you wear them beforehand to break them in, to prevent painful blisters while on the trail.

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5. Sun Protection

hiking sun

UV rays can be extreme, even on a cloudy day, and especially in high altitudes. So, skin protection should not be considered just a luxury, but a necessity.

You need to be sure to take a sunblock with a high SPF number, SPF lip balm, and UV-blocking sunglasses in your checklist. A hat or cap with a wide brim also protects the face and the back of the neck from the sun. Be sure to reapply sunscreen frequently if you are sweating or in wet conditions.

6. Headlamp

If you’re planning a day hike, you might not think of taking a headlamp. However, it’s small, compact, and could be the only apparatus that helps you get home in one piece.

It’s good to be aware that in forests and valleys, it can get darker sooner than in open areas. Also, if a you end up staying on the trail too late, hiking out becomes much more dangerous, as you may not be able to adequately see the trail or obstacles on the way.

So, a good waterproof headlamp allows the hands to remain free and yet keep the trail adequately illuminated. It’s also advisable to carry spare batteries before you embark on the trip.

7. First Aid Kit

A small first aid kit should be part of every hiker’s gear. It should at least contain adhesive bandages, antiseptic wipes, blister treatments, gauze, and tweezers.

There may be other items you will want to add, like medications, allergic reaction treatments, or insect sting kits.

8. Food

Were you wondering if we were ever going to get to food?

Depending on the length and difficulty of your hike, you will need the appropriate amount of calories. In general, good hiking foods will be shelf-stable, lightweight and be packed with nutrients.

And remember, convenience is key. So, be sure to pack nutritious and convenient food that is either ready-to-eat or quick to prepare.

It’s also helpful to take foods that require minimal to no cooking.

Now, Go Get On The Trail!

The secret to a successful hiking trip is to be well equipped, but not too encumbered with gear and equipment. The eight items we have covered are the basics to ensure that you have a safe and fun experience.

Here’s to fun and safe adventures!