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15 Green Tips on Responsible Overland Travel

by Fuel For The Sole August 8, 2019

written by Fuel For The Sole

We have just completed six months of car camping throughout North America in our converted SUV camper van. One thing we have realized, and a major problem we faced daily, was learning that overland travel is not conducive to a green lifestyle. We’ve had to be extra diligent in order to stay responsible and eco-friendly while on our road trip. Gas emissions, single use food containers, plastic bags. It never ends. But if you are interested in ways to reduce your environmental impact while traveling and overlanding, there are many tips to stay eco-conscious. Although it may seem counterintuitive, green travel is possible.

Recently, we connected with Evelin from Overlandsite.com who wrote an amazing post on how they travel while keeping environmental sustainability in mind. These guys are experts when it comes to overlanding and green travel. Evelin wrote up a quick summary for us on how to achieve eco-friendly overlanding. We are happy to post it here for you all to peruse, but you can check out the full post over on their site (and it comes with an awesome infographic!).

If you are new to the overlanding, camper van game, check them out. You will learn a lot.

And if you are a seasoned overlander, drop us your best tips on green travel in the comments below! 👇

You can also check out Fuel For The Sole’s other overland related posts here:

How to Maintain Environmental Sustainability While Traveling Overland

Submitted to and Edited by Fuel For The Sole, Written by Evelin from Overlandsite.com

When someone wants to go overlanding, they typically choose a large vehicle with a gas or diesel engine. These vehicles tend to have low mpg’s, which can have a tremendous environmental impact because of the amount of carbon dioxide and fossil fuel remnants sent through the air.

There are quite a few things members of the overlanding community can do to stay responsible, decrease their impact on the environment and preserve overland travel as an activity for future generations.

So, let’s see what we can do as campers, overlanders, nature enthusiasts, and eco-junkies for the environment. Here are fifteen green travel tips you can gradually incorporate into your car camping trips to make the world just a little bit better one step at a time.

Recycling and Waste Management

One thing we noticed while travelling in America, in particular, was that it was rare to find a recycling bin anywhere. This proved to make recycling very difficult while overlanding. It’s not always easy to access recycling bins in the wilderness, but this doesn’t mean you should throw your recyclables away.

Two tips here.

One, break down your groceries while you are still at the grocery store.

Very often we will organize our groceries and food storage while still in the store’s parking lot. Remove any packaging from the product and transfer the food into reusable storage containers. You can then take advantage of the store’s recycling bins to get rid of your waste.

Two, consider finding a low profile recycling system that can fit in your overland vehicle or camper van. We went as simple as possible and stored our recyclables in a reusable bag and emptied it any time we saw a recycling bin.

If you are looking for something a little more sturdy and clean looking, try The DRIVE Bin. It also has a lid you can close to help keep smells from escaping into your tiny home on wheels.

Or, if you have space, consider a stackable recycling bin system like the Suncast Hopper Bins to keep things super clean and organized.

Take Care of Human Waste

Everyone poops. This is a fact of life and an issue that is bound to come up when overlanding. When you have to go, go responsibly. Dig a hole that is 8 inches deep and 200 feet away from any water sources. Bury it and cover it up with natural materials.

Toilet paper can either be packed out, burned, or if you find a good biodegradable toilet paper, it can be buried as well.

If you have the space, and crave a more comfortable bathroom experience, there are tons of portable toilet and privacy options for your camper vehicle.

You can keep it real simple with the Reliance Products Luggable Loo which is essentially a toilet seat on top of a 5 gallon bucket. Hey, it does the trick.

For something a little more traditional, the Camco Portable Toilet provides a comfortable seat and flushing ability.

Or get super fancy with a WolfWise Pop-up Tent which gives you your own private area to poop or shower in.

Avoid Water Waste – How to Save on Water

Fresh water is a limited resource, so you will need to cherish your water supply while off-road travelling. Make sure you are not wasting water on unnecessary things.

Some green travel tips on how to conserve your water while overlanding:

Make peace with the dust on your camper. Your vehicle is going to get dirty. Learn to love it and wait a little longer in between car washes.

Shower less often. You may need to learn to love your natural odour and take a few days in between each shower.

If you are using the shower in your RV, consider using a bucket on the ground to catch the water that flows while waiting for the hot water to kick in. Ultimately this can be used to wash dishes or in your hand-operated washing machine.

Save up your laundry for a few weeks and save it for the next holiday park.

Install low-flow taps and water-saving showerheads in your camper.

Always ensure that you catch a rain shower. Have your vehicle rigged up to catch and channel rainwater directly into your water tank.

If you are travelling long-term, consider modifying your rig to redirect the water from the sink and shower so it can be used to flush your toilet.

Whenever you can, fill your water storage containers with water from mountain springs, streams, rivers etc. If you have a proper filtration system you can fill up on water anywhere you see it.

Reduce Your Speed and Travel Slow

We love overlanding and the freedom of the open road. But in order to stay responsible while travelling, we try to slow down as much as we can. Drive slowly, stay in one area for long periods of time, get out of your car and explore the land by hiking and biking. This is the key to green travel.

By simply reducing your speed and covering fewer miles each day, you will lessen your carbon emissions.

Slow Travel = Green Travel

Maintain Your Vehicle and Tires

You’ll also want to keep your tires inflated to the maximum recommended pressure on the bitumen and have your vehicle regularly serviced to keep it running smoothly.

Also, do what you can to inspect your roof and reduce your vehicle’s drag.

A lot of overlanding pollutants come from vehicles that have leaks, especially from liquids like oil and coolant. Remember to thoroughly inspect your vehicle before going anywhere and to look for potential drips and leaks.

And when you are ready to have your oil change done, look for a company that will dispose of and recycle oils responsibly.

The bonus to this is that you can save yourself a lot of money on fuel and vehicle maintenance.

Eat Local, Fresh and Shop at Farmers Markets

While on the road, take advantage of all the local produce and specialties. Local food from farmer’s markets will be fresher, healthier and have much less impact on the environment.

It is tempting while overlanding to pack along lots of pre-packaged foods. But this type of eating will generate a ton of waste. Not to mention the lack of nutrition in these foods.

Instead of bringing all of that waste with you, shop local and buy organic fresh fruits, vegetables and meats.

Purchasing locally grown food ensures it has fewer food miles and uses a lesser amount of fuel to transport and refrigerate it. You’ll be helping to support the environment by shopping this way.

Use Green and Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

Biodegradable products are your friend when you are overlanding. By using natural products alternatives you won’t have to worry about chemical runoff seeping into the land and local waterways.

Natural ingredients, such as vinegar and baking soda, are not only cheap but responsible ingredients as well. And they are also very effective. They can be used to clean all surfaces from your bathroom to your kitchen.

And for a mould-resistant finish, mix clove oil with one litre of water, wipe down your surfaces and allow to dry.

Eliminate Disposable and Single-Use Products

Popular single-use products while traveling, like batteries and propane canisters, are some of the worst things for the environment because they are used and disposed of so quickly.

Instead, opt for USB rechargeable gadgets, solar panels and solar powered products, and refillable gas bottles.

Replace Single-Use Plastic Straws With Reusable Straws

As with a lot of suggestions for overlanding, this tip involves leaving behind even more pesky plastic.

Plastic straws do not degrade and are truly unnecessary.

It’s an easy switch and a super simple solution.

We grabbed the Flathead Reusable Silicone Straws for our recent overland trip. They are perfect as you can purchase a bundle of 10 at a cheap price and carry them around with you wherever you go.

Eliminate Disposable Coffee Cups

It seems very convenient to grab a coffee while driving past endless coffee joints. And it’s easy for these styrofoam and plastic cups to accumulate in your car. Unfortunately, these containers wind up polluting the land and sea and take centuries to degrade.

It is estimated that approximately 3 billion coffees are sold in disposable cups each year.

These cups are not biodegradable, and they leave behind a polyurethane lining that lives longer than you.

Well, problem solved!

Simply brew your own coffee on the road using a simple coffee maker (we love a good percolator) and a mug.

Or if you are short on time (or space), carry a reusable travel mug with you. Most coffee shops have no issue filling up your mug for you.

We always travel with a reusable travel mug, whether on a day trip or a month long road trip. We love the Simple Modern Travel Mug mostly because they look super cool and come in tons of unique colours. But the added bonus with these are that they keep your coffee hot much longer than a disposable cup and they are spill proof! The perfect solution for life on the road.

Replace Plastic Bags with Reusable Shopping Bags

If you are not careful, plastic bags will pile up on you while on the road. These single-use plastic bags are one of the worst pollutants to date because they are ubiquitous and take centuries to break down.

This is an easy fix. Make sure to stock multiple reusable bags in your overland vehicle. They take up no room when they are folded down and are easy to grab anytime you go into a convenience store, grocery store or local market.

The next step in this category is to choose plastic-free foods while grocery shopping. Always opt for items packaged in recyclable cardboard cartons, tins, glass, and boxes as these are more environmentally friendly than plastic. Or better yet, shop in bulk food stores and bring in your own reusable storage containers.

Search for a Wet Wipe Alternative

A lot of people love the convenience of wet wipes because they can take care of all kinds of messes. And it may be tempting to grab a “biodegradable” brand. However, most of the biodegradable wipes wind up in sewers after being flushed down the toilet and become what is known as fatbergs.

Unfortunately, the next destination for these wet wipes is the ocean where it will take approximately 100 years for them to break down or worse, kill a sea creature that ingests it.

Luckily, we are in an age where there are tons of green alternatives for single-use products. If you are looking to replace wet wipes, try Bamboo Reusable Paper Towels. They work even better than a traditional paper towel, and each sheet can be washed and reused up to 85 times! Just think of all the waste saved from this one switch alone.

Use Natural, Mineral, Reef-Safe Sunscreen

You may be surprised by how many chemicals are in your typical sunscreen. Most popular sunscreen brands contain toxic substances that harm your body and wind up in waterways and poison the local flora and fauna.

Avoid sunscreens that contain the ingredients oxybenzone or octinoxate. And opt for natural, mineral sunscreens that use zinc oxide as their active ingredient.

Our go-to sunscreen is by Bare Republic. They have a huge range of mineral sunscreens that are reef-safe and skin-safe. They keep coming out with new innovative products like a tinted facial sunscreen, a shimmered body sunscreen and a smooth, whipped sunscreen. Check out their product line, they are a fantastic company!

Invest in High-Quality Camping Gear

It may be a hard hit in the beginning, but buying high-quality camping gear is worth the money. It will end up costing you more in the long run if you don’t invest in camping quality gear.

And these pieces of high-quality gear won’t end up in a landfill sooner than they should.

So make your goal for this year to invest in quality travel and overlanding gear, especially when it comes to clothing, footwear, portable fridges, sit-on kayaks and car tires.

Love the outdoors? Of course you do! While you’re here, check out our other outdoor posts:

Watch out for Vehicle Spills

And when you are ready to have your oil change done, look for a company who will dispose of and recycle oils responsibly.

Beware of Fuel Spills at Gas Stations

Something many people don’t realize is that a lot of pumps around the world do not have an auto shut-off feature. Only fill your jerry cans and vehicle at genuine filling stations and always watch the amount in the container as it fills.

Overlanding is an awesome activity, and so is camping. This way of travel allows you to see more of the world and experience nature. But remember, you need to take care of that nature as well.

Do your absolute best to stay responsible and sustainable, lower your environmental impact by investing in eco-friendly practices and products, and know that green travel is possible!

What are your top tips for green travel? Let us know in the comments below! 😄

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August 8, 2019

Camping packing guide and free printable checklist, hiking, backpacking, gear, tent, food, recipes, fire, canada, usa, europe, bucket list, destinations, summer, car, road trip, travel, fuelforthesole.com

Your Ultimate Camping Packing List & Free Printable

by Fuel For The Sole November 27, 2018

written by Fuel For The Sole

We like to consider ourselves seasoned campers. And Canadian campers to boot – which makes us even more hardcore. We’ve done it all from glamping to backcountry camping and definitely have an affinity for the more rugged type. And the more rugged the trip, the more prepared you need to be. Allow us to use our years of experience to help guide you through the ultimate camping packing list. Bonus: Skip to the end for a FREE printable checklist of all the essential gear you need!

As the story goes, my first official camping trip was when I was 6 months old. And I killed it, obviously. Something must have stuck because I have camped every year of my life since then. For me, it is the ultimate vacation. Peace, quiet, relaxation, getting close to nature, self-sufficiency and the best part… it’s cheap! We have more recently increased the seriousness of our backcountry camping trips and now have more appreciation for proper preparation and quality gear.

This post outlines the gear you will need on a more traditional camping trip where you are afforded a few luxuries like being able to drive in to your site and having access to water and a bathroom (For a complete list of what to pack on a backcountry camping hike with a focus on lightweight and budget gear, check out our post ‘Backpacking Essentials: What to Bring and What Not To‘).

So here it is – your complete list of everything you need to take on a true, real life camping trip:

For your FREE printable packing list – jump to the end of this post!

#1 | Tent

This is the most important item on our list. Of course, a tent will provide you with the necessary shelter you need. You want to ensure you buy a good quality tent and this is one instance that we are willing to spend a little more on an item. A quality tent will keep you warmer, dryer and it will last you longer.

Something else you want to look for is something that is simple to set up. An overly elaborate tent will be a very frustrating way to start off your camping trip. I always think of this saying as the inevitable result of setting up camp with your partner:

“I’m sorry for what I said while we were setting up the tent”.

Here is our favourite tent for couples: Toogh 3-4 Person Camping Tent. (Pro tip: Never buy a 2-person tent for two people – you will have no room for your bags or to move around inside):

And our favourite tent for families: Coleman Elite Montana 8-Person Tent

#2 | Mattress

A mattress is necessary if you want a comfortable sleep while you are out in the woods. Most campgrounds have a hard, dirt ground which makes for an uncomfortable night’s sleep.

Pro tip: We do not suggest an air mattress for anyone. Why? They are expensive, they take up a lot of space, they puncture and break way too easily and they make for a noisy sleep. Instead, some type of memory foam mattress works much better. They are much more comfortable, quieter, and even if they are pricey, they will not break so you will never have to replace it.

Here is our 3 favourite foam camping sleeping pads:

#3 | Sleeping Bag

You need to know what the lowest average temperature is where you are going. Check out some weather history and look to see what the temperatures are at night for that time of year.

Pro tip: If you will be camping with any type of elevation, make sure you know how low the temperatures can go! We made a rookie mistake when we first moved out West. We were not used to thinking about the temperature changes that went along with elevation change. We did not have warm enough sleeping bags and almost froze to death! Thank God for those little Hot Hands warmers we brought or we may have never lived to tell the tale.

Because we are suckers for budget gear, here are the Top 5 Budget Sleeping Bags available on Amazon:

# 4 | Cooler

If you are camping for more than one day you absolutely need a cooler. A cooler will allow you to store and cook fresh meals which is a luxury while camping. And for some reason, meals cooked while camping just taste better.. why is that??

The absolute ultimate, king pin, behemoth of coolers is, of course, The YETI. This beast is a pricey investment but there is no cooler that does a better job. The Yeti advertises to be able to keep food cold for 7 days. And it works. We’ve tested it. Getting ice and keeping food fresh while camping is a huge hassle, especially if you are camping somewhere very remote. So a Yeti will literally make you a happy camper. If you have never heard of The Yeti, check it out: YETI Tundra 35 Cooler. There are many types and sizes so you can find one within your budget:

If the Yeti is a bit too pricey for you, Coleman also makes a great quality cooler that will keep your food cold for 2-3 days: Coleman Xtreme Series Portable Cooler.

#5 | Camping Chairs

Bring along a camping chair for each person in your group. Most campsites provide you with a picnic table but you will want chairs in order to cozy up around the campfire. Look for chairs that can collapse easily to fit in your trunk and make sure they have a cup holder and arm rests.

#6 | Camping Stove and Fuel

Bring a camping stove with at least 2 burners so you can cook 2 things at once and get your meals cooked a lot quicker (and don’t forget to also use your campfire to cook your meals if possible.. mmmm smoke!).

Bring a few extra fuel canisters along to make sure you don’t run out. We like to use propane, butane or white gas to fuel our stoves because they pack a huge punch and are long lasting.

Here’s our favourite camping stoves that are available on Amazon. They are powerful yet compact:

#7 | Cooking Gear

The best tip for cooking while you are camping is to keep it simple. The simpler your meals are, the less time you spend cooking and cleaning and the more time you have for fun. For some amazingly easy camping recipes, check out The Adventure Bite’s list ’16 Ridiculously Easy Camping Recipes’.

If you keep things simple, this is all the equipment you will need to pack: Pot, pan, wooden spoon, chefs knife, can opener, kettle or coffee maker, plates, mugs, spoons, forks, cooking oil, salt, pepper, spices (and your food).

Pro Tip: Prep as much as you can at home before your trip. For example, you can pre-chop all your meat and veggies, and you can pre-mix any batters, like pancake or biscuit batter, into a water bottle. This way, you don’t need to pack and clean chopping boards, mixing bowls etc.

If you want to avoid cleaning tons of dishes on your camping trip, try to find some recyclable plates, bowls and eating utensils. Cleaning dishes is not fun on a camping trip and this will save you lots of time in order to do more interesting activities.

For a more in depth look at food ideas for camping and hiking, check out our post ‘Healthy Food Ideas for Snacks and Meals While Hiking‘. Our food guide reviews the best high energy food and meals for day hikes, camping getaways and overnight backpacking trips.

#8 | Dishwashing Gear

You can’t avoid doing some dishes. In order to make this an easier process for you, bring a large plastic tub to hold your soapy water, biodegradable dish soap, a scrubber and dish towel.

#9 | Dining Tent

This is not something everyone brings along with them but we find dining tents to be super handy. The best part is that is gives you a place for your group to hang out if it is raining. It also keeps all your cooking and food in one spot so you can better control garbage and scents to help keep animals from sniffing you out. It also creates a barrier between your food, animals and bugs. And it gives you a cozy and sheltered place to enjoy meals as a group.

You can find cheap and easy “pop-up” style dining tents at any big box store or online at:

#10 | Tarp

No matter what the season or the weather, bringing along a few tarps is always a good idea. Placing a tarp underneath your tent will help to keep moisture out of your tent. You can also hang up a tarp from a few trees to give you a dry place to gather under if it begins to rain.

#11 | Pillow

Don’t forget your pillow! We have made this mistake before and laying your head down on your duffel bag just isn’t as comfortable.

#12 | Lantern

Sometimes the light of the campfire just isn’t enough. A bright lantern will keep your site lit up once the sun goes down. A lantern allows you to gather around the picnic table and play cards or you can bring it along for a trip to the bathroom. Whatever you use it for, it is definitely a must bring item.

Battery powered LED lanterns are bright, last a long time and you can find them for a budget price, like these:

#13 | Head Lamp

This is an item we have added to our camping list rather recently. I have always brought a traditional flashlight when camping. Since moving out West and camping in much more extreme conditions (as well as wanting much lighter weight items), we have switched to head lamps. We like these so much better because they give you a great bright light, are long lasting, allow you to be hands free, and the light always points exactly where you are looking.

If you haven’t used a head lamp yet, we highly suggest you try one on your next trip. Our favourite is the Foxelli Headlamp – it is super bright, high quality and a great budget option.

#14 | Water Bag

This is often overlooked but is such a useful thing to have on your site. You need water so often while camping and don’t want to have to take a trip back and forth to the pump every time you are cooking, washing or brushing your teeth. A 2 to 5 gallon bag should do you fine. Find one that can hang up and lets gravity do the work (and it will also get it out of your way).

#15 | Toilet and toilet paper

This is a bit of an off item, however, if you are in a remote location without access to a bathroom you may consider bringing a portable toilet. When you are in the woods, little luxuries matter.

#16 | Clothing

When you are packing your clothing make sure you consider the weather. Check the average low and high temperatures for the location you will be camping in. Pack clothes that will be suitable for the coldest temperature and the warmest temperature. Also, make sure to pack clothing for rainy weather, as well as pajamas, swimwear and towels.

#17 | Toiletries

Pack all of your toiletries in a pack that has multiple compartments and that you can hang up so it is easy to bring along with you to the bathroom. Items you will want on your trip include shampoo, soap, lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush and first aid kit items like aloe vera, polysporin, hydrocortisone, bandaids and meds.

#18 | Backpack

Bring along a lightweight backpack so you can pack necessary items for day trips and hikes. A backpack will make it easy to pack a picnic, bring towels and blankets, water bottles etc.

#19 | Camera and/or Phone

These will come in handy for taking pictures and to contact anyone if you run into any emergencies. Make sure to bring extra batteries and a way to charge your electronics (ie. a car charger or extra battery pack).

#20 | Duct Tape/Repair Kits

Things are bound to rip and break when you are in the woods. A roll of duct tape can fix almost anything. Or bring the repairs kits that came with your tent/sleeping bag etc.

#21 | Rope

A 50 foot nylon rope is easy to pack and can be very useful. If you are in an area with bears or cougars, you can hang your food up in a tree. You can use the rope to hang dry any items that have gotten wet. Or you can use the rope to hang a trap to stay dry.

#22 | Ice

Make sure to stock up on lots of ice before you leave for your trip. You do not want your cooler getting warm and for all your fresh food to go bad.

Pro tip: We often take our coolers into fast food restaurants. They will fill up your cooler with ice and usually don’t charge you anything for it.

#23 | Fire supplies

Fire is extremely important when you are camping. It provides warmth, entertainment and a way to cook. Have you ever been camping without a fire? It is depressing.

To make sure you have a blazing fire for your trip make sure you have plenty of firewood, paper, cardboard, dry kindling, an axe, and matches or a lighter.

#24 | Music Player

If your group can’t carry a tune and you still want music around the campfire, bring along a portable radio or speaker to keep the mood going.

#25 | Games/Cards/Books/Sports Equipment/Beach Toys

Bring along lots of options for entertainment especially if you have kids with you. It will also keep the fun going even if the weather is not cooperating.

#26 | Extras

Some extra items that you’ll need lots of: Paper Towels, garbage bags, Ziploc bags, sunscreen and bug spray.

Free Packing List Printable

HERE IT IS!!! Use our ‘super duper handy packing list printable‘ for your next camping trip and we promise you will be prepared for anything!

What else do you find handy or useful on your camping trips? Comment below!

Do you love our post? Share it on Pinterest!

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November 27, 2018

Things to Do for Free While Traveling

by Fuel For The Sole November 2, 2018

written by Fuel For The Sole

You’ve done it. You’ve booked time off work, picked your perfect vacation spot, found economical transportation and lodging – now that you are there, what do you do?

You’ve likely spent a good chunk of cash to get to your destination and would now like to keep your travel expenses to a minimum. No problem!

Every city, big or small, has loads of free activities to partake in that still allow you to experience the city to the fullest.

Forget expensive tours, tickets to attractions and pricey excursions – you don’t need to spend much to get a truly rich experience.

Want to learn more about budget travel? Check out our budget series:

‘How to Travel the World for Free’

‘How to Find Budget Accommodation Anywhere’

How to Maintain Your Food Budget While Traveling’

Free Travel Activity Ideas

Parks – There are so many to choose from and they are usually built around locations of interests. Public parks are run by the city and therefore tend to be clean, maintained and well manicured making for a pretty view. You may also find some great amenities like restrooms, picnic tables and bbqs so you can spend the day.
Beaches – Sun, sand and an ocean view – there is nothing more I need. Get there early, scout out a primo spot, bring a picnic and a shelter, and spend the day enjoying the warmth and local people.
Museums – Get your dose of culture and history. Many cities offer free admission either daily or on specific days of the week – check ahead to see the best deal.
Outdoor concerts, festivals and fairs – Every city has their own unique celebrations and these go all year round. Ask the locals, your tourism office or hotel reception for events in your area.
Hiking – Go on a day hike and see sights off the beaten path. Find a trail that will take you to a beautiful vantage point, spend the day resting at the top and watching the beautiful sights below you.
Local Markets – These pop up all over the place – on main streets, on side streets, in alleyways, in the countryside. Here you will meet locals, get a real sense of the local culture, grab some cheap souvenirs and the cheapest and most authentic food available.
Parades – Parades are an amazing way to get excellent free entertainment – each city will offer it’s own blend of music, dancing, costumes and culture – a treat for the senses!
Government buildings – Check out historic architecture, gain knowledge of the city and most will offer a free tour.
College and University Campuses – An often overlooked option. Here you’ll find beautiful architecture and low-cost events like concerts, plays, science fairs, art shows, and sporting and athletic events.
Geocaching – Geocaching is essentially a worldwide scavenger hunt. This free mobile app allows you to see nearby hidden hide and seek containers filled with tiny treasures and a log book to show you completed the mission. There are millions hidden all over the world. They are usually hidden near interesting spots and gets you out into different areas of the city and countryside.
Snorkeling – Bring along your own snorkel gear and spend hours exploring the water (just remember to put some SPF on your back!).

While you are traveling around and having fun (for free!), make sure you bring along high energy snacks so you don’t ruin your travel food budget. Check out our post ‘Healthy Food Ideas for Snacks and Meals While Hiking‘ for a list of high energy, non-perishable foods you can bring along with you while you tour your destination.

Tips on Cheap Things to do on Vacation

Bike Rentals – This is our favourite thing to do and has popped up in practically every large city around the world. It’s simple to use – bike docking stations appear all over the city, just find one, bike wherever you wish and drop it off at any other docking station you see. You can get a fairly inexpensive day pass and explore the entire city this way – and cover way more ground than on foot.
Outdoor Community Pools – A great spot to relax and spend the day by the poolside. Large cities will have these and usually charge a very small fee to enter for the day. A much cheaper alternative to a fancy resort or waterpark.
Tastings at a Winery or Brewery – You’ll get some education about the local culture here and finish off with a tasting for free or cheap.
National Parks – A national park will usually charge a small fee for a day pass but there are endless things to do once you’re in. Spend a whole day discovering natural beauty, hike, picnic, take a free tour and learn about the history of the land.
Local Sporting Events – Sports are a big deal everywhere in the world. Check out a local sports team and witness first hand the passion of the locals.
Transit Passes – Grab a bus or subway day pass and tour the whole city on the cheap. If you know where you are going and where the best places are, you can avoid expensive ‘Hop On, Hop Off’ buses.
Rent a Canoe or Paddle Boat – Get off the land and explore the lakes and rivers – get off your feet and get a new perspective from the water.

Find Budget Deals With Websites & Apps

Forum sites like Tripadvisor give you great information because it consists of posts and reviews from fellow travelers. Check out the ‘Top Things To Do’ in the city you are in and get an idea of what is worth seeing, price comparisons and free activities.
Sites like Groupon offer a huge amount of deals on local activities, classes and restaurants. Always check here first and you may find just what you are looking for at a much cheaper price.
Sites like Craigslist are an amazing resource while traveling. Check out Craigslist for the city you are visiting. There is a ‘community’ section where you will find tons of local activities, events, classes etc.
Google things like ‘free walking tours’ and ‘free events’ to find out what’s happening near you. Another great activity are ‘Self Walks’ – Google this and you will get a walking route that you can take on your own without paying for a tour guide.
Vayable.com is a fantastic community built site to help you find free and cheap activities to do in the cities you are visiting. The posts are put up by locals and experienced travelers so you know you are getting the best insider tips.
Most major cities offer free walking tours. This is a great way to explore and learn more about the city you are visiting. Websites like Free Tour, Free Tours by Foot and New Europe Tours allow you to search cities worldwide for free and cheap walking tours.
Check the tourism website and community calendar of the city you are visiting for free events happening in the community.
We also found a post by The Mindful Wonderer very helpful – check out their “59 Budget Travel Tips”.

Don’t be a fool, and travel like a pro! Travel can be exhausting, overwhelming and stressful – so make sure you bring along the right gear! Make sure you read our post Top 10 Must Have Items for Long Travel Days and carry along these items to help improve comfort and sleep, and reduce anxiety and stress:

J-Pillow Travel Pillow – Our FAVOURITE Travel Pillow
Hydro Flask 32 oz. Water Bottle
Physix Compression Socks
Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask
Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones

List of Hacks to Find Affordable Activities

Stop in at Tourist Centers – Each city has one. Take advantage of these – ask for a map, tips on transportation, and free local activities and events happening nearby.
Avoid Expensive Organised Tours – Unless you are going to a dangerous or extremely remote spot, ditch the paid tour. Check out public transportation routes or rent a car and you can check out local attractions for a fraction of the cost.
Pick up brochures for coupons and local newspapers for a list of free events.
Visit Smaller Cities and Towns – Large, popular and capital cities will always be the most expensive to tour in. You are more likely to be charged to enter public spaces and buildings there. Smaller cities will offer more free activities and have more local events, markets and festivals to explore. It will also give you a slower, calmer and more authentic experience.
Connect with Locals – Talk to the local people you come across at cafes, markets and on the street. These are the true experts of the city you are visiting and they are often happy to give you advice. Ask about the best parks, hikes, restaurants, events and festivals to check out.
Take Advantage of the Library – You’ll get some beautiful architecture, lots of free activities for kids, clean public restrooms, use of their WiFi and computers, and borrow books, DVDs and CDs to entertain yourself on rainy days or long trips.
Volunteer for a Local Cause – Support the community you are traveling in and meet locals. You may even be rewarded with a free lunch.
Be Flexible – The most interesting places we have happened upon were on days we had no schedule and no destination – we were just wandering the city or countryside. This is how to find unique and local events you may not hear about any other way.

Famous Free Activities Around The World

Staten Island Ferry, New York – A ride on the Staten Island Ferry is free and takes you past Governors Island, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
Paris, France – You will get free admission to many museums in Paris on the first Sunday of each month.
Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris (aka Notre Dame), Paris – Always free admission.
Rome, Italy – You will get free entry to state-owned museums and heritage sites – such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum – on the first Sunday of each month.
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican – It is always free to enter St. Peter’s Basilica, with admission fees for a few other areas if you wish.
Parc Güell, Barcelona – You can enter the ticketed monumental area for free on some Sundays, but you can walk the surrounding park for free anytime. At the end of the walk you end up at the top of a mountain with the best view of Barcelona.
Melbourne, Australia – The central section of the tram system – the CBD and the docklands of Victoria Harbour – in Melbourne is free for all users.
The British Museum, London – Always free admission. Also, most museums in the UK have free admission.
Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC – Offers 19 museums that all have free admission.
US Capitol, Washington DC – Get a free parliamentary tour at the center of politics itself.
Full Moon Rave, Thailand – On the full moon and half moon of each month, this huge beach party takes place for free in Koh Phangan.
Golden Temple, India – Every day the temple in Amritsar dishes out a free meal for around 40,000 people.
Grand Bazaar, Istanbul – It is always free to visit one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world – with 61 covered streets and over 4,000 shops to explore.
Bahá’í House of Worship (aka Lotus Temple), Delhi – People of any faith are free to visit the temple and pray or meditate.

Do you have any great tips for things to do for free while traveling? Comment below!

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November 2, 2018

Easy tips and hacks on how to travel with a food budget. Save money on cheap meals and snacks while on vacation or holiday. And stay healthy doing it! Road trips and food to go. Fuelforthesole.com

The Easiest Ways to Travel on a Food Budget

by Fuel For The Sole October 30, 2018

written by Fuel For The Sole

We all want to travel and we all want to save money. You do not have to choose between the two. Use our best tips on how to maintain a food budget while on vacation.

And you can trust my credentials because I am a budget junky.

Ever since I was a child, I have been frugal. It definitely runs in my family so I come by it honestly. I tend to get a bit obsessed with finding the free or cheapest option for anything I am doing – at home or on vacation.

With a little extra effort, you can always find something cheaper than the most convenient and obvious alternative.

The cheap part of me shines when I am traveling. I strive to limit our budget and find ways to stick within it. Of course, it’s essential to research affordable flights and hotels – but once you are at your destination, food and drink will take up a huge chunk of your travel budget.

The problem is this – food is a huge part of travel. When we travel we want to experience the local cuisine, convenient options are constantly tempting us and we tend to be a little lazy and want to relax. This all equals money!

But there are easy ways to enjoy yourself and stick to your travel food budget at the same time. Check out some of our favourite ways to keep a food budget while traveling. Try a few of these tips on your next trip and you will find a big difference in the amount you spend.

We are curious – how do you save money when you are on vacation? Do you find the biggest money saving tricks are on flights, hotels, food or activities? Let us know in the comments below!

Want more tips on budget travel? Check out our budget series:

‘Things to do for Free While Traveling’

‘How to Travel the World for Free’

‘How to Find Budget Accommodation Anywhere’

Vacation Tips – How to Save Money on Food

Save Money on Your Food Budget by Cooking and Buying Groceries

I mention this a lot in our posts because I think it’s the easiest way to save money while traveling. The absolute cheapest way to eat on holiday is to continue cooking your own meals. By avoiding restaurants you can save thousands on your travel food budget.

Read How to Travel the World for Free and Why you Should Consider Camper Travel for more on cooking for yourself while traveling and how to save money in other ways.

First things first, you’ll need a kitchen. This is why we tend to stick to home rental sites like Airbnb and VRBO when we travel. If you plan to stay in a hotel, check to see if any rooms offer a suite or mini kitchen before booking. Even hostels usually have a communal kitchen you can use. And if you are traveling by car, consider packing a camp kitchen or take a camper or RV so you have a kitchen wherever you go.

If you are lucky enough to have a full kitchen, try to cook as many meals as you can. Buy groceries for the week and choose quick cooking options like eggs, cereals, oatmeals, sandwich materials, pre-cooked meats, pre-cut veggies, and salad kits. This way you won’t spend all your vacation time in the kitchen.

Even if your accommodation has no kitchen at all, you will likely have a mini fridge and a coffee maker. Pro tip: You can usually request a mini fridge free of charge at your hotel. Stock your fridge with simple items like milk (for cereal), sandwich materials and snacks. Utilize your coffee maker to make hot water for quick cook meals like instant ramen soups and oatmeal.

A great tip that we always live by is to pack our own snacks. If we are taking a road trip or touring the city for the day, we pack lots of snack options for healthy food on the go. You will inevitably get hungry while touring around and packing food to go will help you avoid all those expensive temptations out there.

Use Websites and Budget Apps to Find Food and Meal Deals

We are big Tripadvisor fan. If we do plan to go to a restaurant while on vacation, we always utilize this app. First, we check the ratings of the restaurant to ensure we are spending our money on a quality establishment. Secondly, we take advantage of their filters. You can filter your restaurant search for a particular neighbourhood, meal time, cuisine – and most importantly – price. Check off ‘cheap eats‘ to find the most affordable restaurants in your area.

Discount sites like Groupon, LivingSocial and Restaurant.com are other fabulous resources. These budget websites will find tons of options for deals on restaurants in your area. It is very common to find discounts for 50% to 70% off the regular rate. A common deal would be something like ‘$15 for $30 worth of food’ – you pay $15 and can order $30 worth of food off their menu. You need to sign up for these sites (free!) in order to use them. After that, it is a very simple process. Purchase your deal and show up to the restaurant. You can print out your coupon or simply show from your phone.

We also search for local food apps to save money on our food budget. There are great apps out there to help you find happy hour deals and daily food deals near you. ‘Happy Hour Finder’ will locate where you are and show you all the local food and drink deals. However, for more up to date information, check to see if the specific city you are in has its own app. For example, Vancouver has its own amazing app for all restaurant deals called ‘BrewHound’. Hawaii has it’s own called ‘Hawaii Happy Hours‘. Reykjavik has ‘Appy Hour’. Paris has ‘HappyBill’.

Don’t be a fool, and travel like a pro! Travel can be exhausting, overwhelming and stressful – so make sure you bring along the right gear! Check out our carefully curated Travel Resources page for the best travel gadgets, outdoors gear and helpful apps. In the meantime, here are our Top 5 Travel Gear Must-Haves:

J-Pillow Travel Pillow – Our Favourite Travel Pillow
Hydro Flask 32 oz. Water Bottle – Stay eco-friendly and avoid single-use plastics while traveling.
Master Lock Portable Safe – Pack a lightweight portable safe to keep your valuables secure in your hotel room.
Alaska Bear Natural Silk Sleep Mask – The easiest way to sleep soundly while traveling.
Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones – The best budget headphones on the market (for noisy flights and public transportation).

Restaurant Hacks and Finding Cheap Meal Deals

At some point in your trip, you are going to want to eat at a local restaurant. Stay smart when eating out and you can still stick to your food budget.

Check out local markets. First of all, this is a great activity to do for any trip. You can really get an idea for the local culture in a market. You will usually find great deals on food here. There are many options so everyone in your group will be satisfied. Choose between a small snack or a large meal. Find the city’s most authentic cuisine. Pick up unique food items for cooking at your hotel or vacation rental.

Street food and food trucks. These small restaurants will always be cheaper than a meal at a restaurant. They do not have the overhead a restaurant has so they are able to charge less. You will also find much more unique food options and meet some interesting people. In places like Latin America and Southeast Asia, street food will only cost you a few dollars a meal.

Look for a hotel that offers free breakfast. Many hotels offer breakfast with accommodation and they are usually the same price as a hotel that doesn’t offer breakfast. Try to eat a substantial breakfast at your hotel and maybe you won’t need to bother with lunch. Also, grab some extra fruit, yogurt, bagels and pastries from the breakfast buffet to keep you fueled throughout the day.

Look for restaurants with a ‘kid’s eat free‘ deal. Why pay for your kid’s meals if you don’t have to? Many large restaurant chains offer this either daily or on a specific day of the week. Some restaurants who offer this are IHOP, Denny’s, Bob Evans, Steak ‘n Shake, Ruby Tuesday, TGI Fridays, Applebee’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chick-fil-A, Lone Star, and Pizza Hut.

If there is a restaurant you really want to try on your vacation, go during lunch or at happy hour rather than at dinner when prices are highest.

A simple tip to save money at a restaurant is to order apps or split one entrée between two people.

Avoid tourist restaurants. If the restaurant is located on a popular street or there is someone outside asking you to come in, this place will likely be expensive. Stick to smaller, local or family run businesses off the beaten path for cheaper and more authentic food.

Look for buffets. You can find really inexpensive buffets, especially for brunch and lunch. If you have a family, a buffet can feed everyone for very little.

Talk to locals. They will give you the best recommendations that won’t be found through your concierge or online.

Are you planning your next vacation? Let us help make your next trip go smoothly with our travel planning posts:

Drinks - Easy tips and hacks on how to travel with a food budget. Save money on cheap meals and snacks while on vacation or holiday. And stay healthy doing it! Road trips and food to go. Fuelforthesole.com — The cost of drinks on holiday can add up quick. Use these money saving tricks to keep your travel food budget down.

Tips on Saving Money on Drinks

When touring around or eating out, drinks can add up quickly and take a huge chunk out of your food budget – not worth it! Use these simple hacks to save money on you travel budget;

Always carry your own refillable water bottle to refill as you need. You’ll save quite a bit by avoiding bottled waters and drinks while on the go.
When you are eating out, just order water. A pop or coffee will be between $2.50 to $3.50 a person. And these costs increase when you add tax and tip on top of it. Beverages are where restaurants make a lot of their money – don’t fall for it!
Coffee – avoid the $6 coffee at the cafe. Make your own coffee in your hotel before you leave for the day (or grab one free from the lobby).
Alcohol – an inevitable part of traveling that will cost you a huge amount. Stick to your budget by using some of these tips: find a happy hour deal that will likely split the cost of drinks in half; check out breweries and wineries for free tastings; enjoy some cocktails in your hotel room before going out for the night; bring along a flask if you will be out for the evening; find a lovely park and bring a bottle of wine to enjoy (this is actually legal in most countries outside of North America, can you believe it?!).

Do you have any tips that help you save money in your food budget while traveling? Let us know in the comments below!

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*This post may contain affiliate links that help to keep this blog running. Read our disclosure for more information.

October 30, 2018

A travel guide to the pros and cons of car camping vs. backpacking. Why a camper vehicle vacation is best for budget, expenses, packing gear & exploration. Fuelforthesole.com

Why You Should Consider Overland Car Camping Travel

by Fuel For The Sole September 21, 2018

written by Fuel For The Sole

Whether you are a traditional traveler, brand new to car camping or an overlanding pro, it’s always opportune to review the perks of camper travel. In the beginning our of travel journey we were fairly ‘traditional’, traveling mostly by plane and backpacking through major cities. And although we have thoroughly enjoyed our past travels, we realized that car camping would allow us to see more, travel longer and give us a richer experience.

And so we chose to join the ‘Overlanding’ community. The term ‘overlander’ has a quite broad definition and there are plenty of ways to do this. But our first choice was car camping in our converted Acura SUV. Our first overlanding road trip lasted 5 months and took our camper van all over North America.

We think we made the right decision to switch from traditional travel to car camping travel. And we remain very enthusiastic on the subject. So let us take you through our journey. We will start with what we believe to be the biggest advantages to camper van travel. To do this, we will make a direct comparison between a more traditional way of traveling vs overland travel. And yes, we will be keeping score. 😉

Are you a pro overlander? What are your best car camping tips? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

Car Camping vs. Traditional Travel: Pros and Cons

1. Startup Camper Vehicle Cost and Expenses

In this category, overlanding takes a huge hit. If you are travelling on a budget, the cost of purchasing a van, camper or RV may just not be in the books for you.

From our research, the absolute cheapest way you could get yourself into a camper would be to buy a cheap cargo van and convert it yourself. Even this will cost you at the very least $2,500, with the added issue of needing the skill and the time. This alone will knock a massive group of people out of ‘Team Overlander’.

In spite of this, we chose to cough up the startup cost because we are looking at this as a long-term investment.

Needless to say, traditional travel, especially backpacking, can be extremely inexpensive. Your startup costs are really just finding a cheap flight somewhere. You may have to purchase some gear but generally these costs come nowhere near the $2,500 mark.

Backpacking: 1, Overlanding: 0

Are you new to car camping? Want to learn more about how to get started, what to pack and how to get around? Check out our other overlanding posts:

2. Lodging, Food & Transportation Budget and Expenses

Here is where overlanding took a huge lead for us and is perhaps the main reason we chose it. The cost of lodging, food and transportation are dramatically less when you are car camping. Allowing you to travel much further and much longer.

Cost of Lodging

You’ll save the most when it comes to lodging. You can find very inexpensive, and often free, campsites anywhere around the world. My favourite resource is iOverlander.com – this site displays a map view of the world and allows you to filter for ‘wild’, ‘informal’ and ‘established’ campsites (as well as hostels and hotels).

If you are overlanding on a budget, your camping fee could be anywhere from $0 to $25 per night (in North America) or $0 to $8 per night (in Latin America).

The other thing to realize is that this is the nightly fee for your whole group. In a hostel you will have to pay per person (even with just a couple travelling together these costs add up quick). If you are planning to stay in hostels, expect to pay between $10 and $30 per person, per night (in North America) or $7 to $12 per person, per night (in Latin America). Hotels and Airbnbs would obviously be even more than this. I’ll do the math for you: by travelling overland you could save $600/month/person in North America and $300/month/person in Latin America compared to hostel stays.

Cost of Food and Meals

Food cost is also a money saver. Because you will be able to store food and cook for yourself in your camper, you do not have to eat at restaurants as often.

By purchasing your own food and cooking your own meals you will spend about $10/day/person (in North America) or $6/day/person (in Latin America). If you are backpacking and have no way to store food or cook you will be eating street food, fast food or in local restaurants. This could cost anywhere from $20 to $40/day/person (in North America) or $10/day/person (in Latin America). You could save $600/month/person in North America and $120/month/person in Latin America by cooking rather than eating out.

Cost of Transportation

Transportation costs are a bit tricky to calculate since it depends on what cities you want to visit and what activities you are interested in. Gas prices in the US and Latin America come at a moderate cost of $3-4 USD/gallon. But it is safe to say that driving yourself and paying for your own gas will be cheaper than flying, taking a train or taking a bus.

Overall, by choosing to road trip and car camp, you could save $420 to $1200/month/person; add on additional transportation costs to these figures and you are looking at a very significant savings. The best part about saving this kind of money is that you are able to travel further and longer than you would through traditional travel.

Backpacking: 1, Overlanding: 1

3. Packing Gear, Equipment & Supplies

This was another huge one for us. By bringing our own camper vehicle, we are able to pack way more gear, equipment, and supplies. We can bring lots of clothes for cold and hot weather, camping and hiking gear, guitar, electronics (laptops, cameras, lenses, drones), sports gear (bicycles, skis, snowboard, fishing equipment), and room to buy souvenirs.

When we were backpacking through Europe we were so limited with what we could bring. If you are travelling for multiple months, through different terrain and weather, it becomes a lovely convenience (albeit a huge luxury) to have more gear for all the activities you hope to partake in. It also saves you from needing to rent or purchase equipment along the way. We’ve done the minimalist backpacking thing and loved it. But we thought it would be fun to travel in a way that gives us more options.

Backpacking: 1, Overlanding: 2 (I realize how bias this point is as it really just depends on your preference. But for the sake of our personal tally, overlanding gets a point).

If you think the overlanding camper vehicle life is for you, there are some essential items you will need to help you get off the grid, and to stay safe, comfortable and prepared. Here is our list of The Top 5 Essential Pieces of Camper Gear to help you get started on your journey:

Goal Zero Yeti 400 Portable Power Station – The ultimate, all-in-one portable power station.
HQST Solar Panel– Find a solar panel that can sit flat on the roof.
Mr. Heater Buddy – A safe and efficient way to keep you warm inside your camper vehicle.
Fan-Tastic Roof Vent – Keeping moisture out of your camper keeps the interior healthy and keeps condensation off your windows (helping to keep you stealth).
Anker USB Car Charger – To charge your phone & laptop on the go. An essential piece of gear on the road.

4. Comfort

By driving your own camper, you also have the added benefit of living in a comfortable (yet small) space. You can have the luxury of a quality mattress, privacy, a quiet place to work, the comforts of home (I’m thinking.. your favourite mug, pictures, your own smells). A hostel has its own charms but having a space that is your own offers a much more warmth.

Backpacking: 1, Overlanding: 3

5. Getting off the Beaten Path

Imagine a local gives you a tip on a must-see secret waterfall located outside of some tiny village you’ve never heard of. This is what it’s all about. This is why you travel to every corner of the world.

But how do you get there? Transportation can be very problematic while backpacking. At the very least, the search for transportation is stressful and expensive, and at worst you can’t find a way to get there at all.

If you have your own vehicle the possibilities are endless. You can get to the most remote of locations and all you need is a map. For us, seeing places that haven’t been seen by many is why we travel. Having our own camper vehicle will allow us to do this.

Bonus: This is another money saving tip as you will not have to pay for a bus ride or a tour company to take you there.

Backpacking: 1, Overlanding: 4

6. Ability to Travel to Destinations Around the World

As travel lovers, we don’t want to limit ourselves to where we can go. Obviously, with a camper van we are only able to travel on ground and therefore have essentially no ability to travel overseas (unless we want to spend an exorbitant amount of money to ship the vehicle). Since we live in Canada, our overland travels limits us to North America and Central America (even travelling to South America is tricky due to that pesky Darien Gap).

We’re okay with this because this still gives us an amazing amount of land to discover. And when we are ready, we will fly overseas. Having a camper van really gives you the ultimate flexibility because you can choose which type of travel is appropriate for that time in your life. Nevertheless….

Backpacking: 2, Overlanding: 4

7. Meeting Fellow Travellers

While overlanding and car camping every night, there is a potential to become isolated from other travellers. If you are looking for ‘wild’ (a.k.a. free) campgrounds, it’ll likely just be you and some locals. You’ll find more travellers at established campgrounds but you will spend more money on these types of sites.

On the other hand, hostels are a hot spot for meeting fellow backpackers. There are obviously endless benefits to meeting other travelers: connecting with like-minded individuals, meeting eclectic people, acquiring invaluable tips and advice on where to go, making lifelong friends! Clearly, the more exposure you have to other travelers the better.

Backpacking: 3, Overlanding: 4

Are you looking for other ways to travel the world on a budget? Check out our budget series to find cheap and affordable travel methods:

8. Meeting Locals

On the other hand, camper van life takes you out of the hostels and hotels and puts you right in the middle of true local life. This is especially true for budget overlanding which often includes speaking to business owners and families to gain permission to use their property for the night.

I have yet to experience this but from what I have read, this is where you get some real cultural experiences and connect with locals on a deeper level. Even established campsites will be full of locals to meet and converse with.

And of course, since you won’t have a hotel to stay in all day, camper life forces you outdoors where you will be constantly exploring and meeting people everywhere you go.

The ability to connect with locals is a huge asset while travelling. It is the only true way to experience their way of life. The more opportunity for this, the better.

Backpacking: 3, Overlanding: 5

9. Getting Outdoors and Into Nature

And this brings me to my next point. Although it does not apply to every traveller, of course.

But by staying in a hostel or hotel, you may be more tempted to hang around during the day and spend less time exploring.

With camper life, you have no choice but to explore the land and discover the people. The opportunities for adventure are amplified. And that’s what we are all looking for.

(It seems cheap to give this one to overlanding because it really just depends on what type of traveler you are. How about everyone gets a point!)

Backpacking: 4, Overlanding: 6

10. Travel Safety & Security

And finally, the point that is in the back of everyone’s mind.

I have to admit it, the odds of getting into an unsafe situation increase slightly when road tripping and car camping in certain parts of the world. It may be unlikely that anything would happen, the chance is still there.

Although, if you talk to any experienced overlander they will fight you to the death on this. Because, as long as you are prepared and smart, you will likely be just fine.

For us, we don’t let irrational fear hinder our main objective. We want adventure… so bring it on!

Backpacking: 5, Overlanding: 6

And voila! Overlanding reigns victorious! Well, for us anyway.

The idea behind this post was to open up some minds and explore some different ways of travel. Overlanding is not something we had heard of or considered until more recently. We were very enchanted by the idea, researched it and realized it could work for us.

But we encourage travel of any kind, in any way you can. Open your mind and your heart to the world. It will give you so much more in return.

If you are looking for more inspiration on overlanding, car camping and camper van travel, check out these other great bloggers:

What are your reasons for overland travel? Is there a main reason you choose car camping over traditional travel? Comment below!

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Road Trip Travel guide: Why a camper vehicle vacation is best for budget, expenses, packing gear & exploration. Pinterest Fuelforthesole.com

*This post may contain affiliate links that help to keep this blog running. Read our disclosure for more information.

September 21, 2018

Guide to hiking the West Coast Trail, BC, Canada. Tips on booking, reservations, training, transportation, WCT express, packing list, itinerary & campsites. Fuelforthesole.com

Eleven Tips for Hiking the West Coast Trail

by Fuel For The Sole September 17, 2018

written by Fuel For The Sole

We successfully completed the West Coast Trail a few weeks ago. We will hold here for applause.

Being relatively new to these multi day backpacking hikes, we had some hiccups, but overall the trip was absolutely beautiful, spiritual and life changing. I definitely think every single Canadian should be required to complete this trail and it should be a top destination for anyone visiting Canada.

For more information on how to prepare for and pack for a long hike, thru hike or backpacking trip, check out our other posts ‘Backpacking Essentials: What to Bring and What Not To’ and ‘Physical Training for Backpacking and Thru Hikes’.

This post is a quick rundown of what we believe to be the most important tips for the trail and what we wish we had known before starting the hike. As always, feel free to comment below with any other questions you may have about the hike.

Your Travel Guide to Hiking the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada

Tip #1: Preparation is key. Training on overnight hikes will perfect your packing list and checklist

This tip is mostly for inexperienced backpackers. The West Coast Trail is long, hard and dangerous. If you have limited experience with overnight hikes you need to get a few under your belt before attempting this “Great Walk”. Multiple practice runs will ensure you have a much more successful and enjoyable trip on the West Coast Trail.

Firstly, practice hikes will give you an idea for how your pack feels and what the weight feels like. This will allow you to switch up your pack or decrease your weight if necessary.

Secondly, you can test out the quality of your gear. If you happen to be using old, borrowed or brand new gear, this will give you plenty of time to test out the performance of it all. During our practice runs, we realized we had to swap out our sleeping bags for warmer ones, we switched from water tablets to a water filter, and we purchased better quality hiking boots that offered more comfort and support. Looking back at the swaps we made, we realize how critical those changes were. Once you pack your gear and start on that trail you are stuck with what you brought. Testing out your gear in real life circumstances is essential prior to your trip.

Third, you realize which items you wish you had brought along. During our practice runs, we had an ongoing list of items we wish we had packed. We made sure to add these items to our pack before beginning the West Coast Trail. Our list included chapstick, hand sanitizer, baby powder (for chapped areas), playing cards, a toque/beanie and warm gloves, painkillers, Blister Pads and Bafx Trekking Poles. Every single one of those items was used daily and made our trip much more tolerable.

Note: We went back and forth on whether or not to bring trekking poles with us. Andy decided to, I decided not to. And guess what happened, Andy got through the trail with no injuries, and my knees gave out on Day 3. No one should attempt the West Coast Trail without trekking poles. You will need them with every step you take in order to take impact off of your lower body joints, allow your upper body to share the work, get you up and down hills easier, and they can even be used to check the deepness of puddles and to ward off predators. Something like the BAFX Trekking Trail Poles the perfect for multi day hiking because they are lightweight, collapsible (so you can easily pack them away when you don’t need them) and super durable so they will last you through many hiking trips.

The last piece we learned on our practice runs was that we did not need as much food as we thought. We packed meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as snacks. However, we found we did not get very hungry on our hikes. The combination of heat and exhaustion does not amount to hunger. We decided to carry smaller and more lightweight breakfasts (essentially just oatmeal), we cut out lunch completely and just brought trail mix and beef jerky, and we kept our dinners simple and dehydrated. Even with all these changes, we had more than enough food on the trail. What we saw along the trail was that people packed way too much food which made their packs overweight. A practice run will give you a good idea of how much food you really need.

Tip #2: Find the most lightweight equipment and gear as you can

We talk a lot about this in our post Backpacking Essentials. Spending time (and money) on this may be the one thing that gets you through this hike and with less risk of injury. As stated in a previous post, the recommended weight for men to carry is 1/3 of their weight, and for women it is 1/4 of their weight. These are the maximum numbers and every pound less than this max will improve your hike immensely. Lightweight products with good quality performance tend to be quite expensive. But if you take your time looking online and in surplus stores, you will find some good budget options. If nothing else, ensure you have a lightweight pack, tent, sleeping bag and make sure not to carry too much food.

Gear Matters! Pack with care. You want to ensure you have everything you need yet you do not want to overpack. Do your research, plan it out, take practice hikes. Check out our other backpacking posts for tips. In order to help more novice backpackers – we have come up with our Top 5 Must Have Backpacking Items to ensure preparedness, comfort and safety:

BAFX Products Trekking Trail Poles – do not attempt an advanced trail without trekking poles. These things will save your joints from high impact which will keep you hiking longer, safer and happier.
Elmchee Rechargeable Headlamp – flashlights are so last year.
Geertop Lightweight Compact Mummy Sleeping Bag – our favourite budget sleeping bag
Trekology Camping Pillow
Sawyer Products Water Filtration System – lightweight and effective!

Tip #3: Advice on which campsites to sleep at

To keep things in numerical order, I’ll talk about the trail from 1 km to 75 km. However, if you are travelling from south to north, these stops may not make as much sense for you.

Skip Michigan Creek (12 km) if you can and go for Darling River (14 km). Two reasons for this: It will take an extra 2 km off your next day, and Michigan Creek wasn’t much of a campsite with little to offer. If you are able to push it even further, try to get to Tsocowis Creek (17 km). This campsite is much more beautiful and comfortable than 12 km or 14 km, and also has beautiful falls to sleep beside.
Most people will stop at Tsusiat Falls (25 km) because there are no other campsites from 30 km to 42 km. This is a stunning campsite with really cool driftwood set ups and more falls to gaze at (*Note – the falls are the only water source here, which means you have to get into the water and catch your water from under the falls. If you do not want to be submerged in glacier water, fill up before getting to this site). Because of the placement of this site, it is very popular and busy. My suggestion is to stay on the north side of falls where it is less busy, has it’s own bear bin and separate outhouse, is much closer to the water source, and has loads more driftwood.
If you can make it and if you are willing to spend the money, there is luxury camping at 30 km. I say this mostly because of the long stretch where there are no campsites available (other than this luxury camping spot) from 25 km to 42 km. Camping at 30 km will shave off 5 km for your hike the next day. I think it is worth it. Hiking from 25 km to 42 km is a long day and if you can break it up a bit you will enjoy it much more. The luxury campsite offers cute and updated cabins with generators and they are located on a beautiful and secluded beach.
Another way to break up that 25 km to 42 km stretch is by camping at Dare Beach (40 km). This is not an official campsite but it has lots of beach to use and its own fresh water source.
Coal Creek (42km) is also called “farting beach” because it sits across from an island of sea lions who bark all night – a little difficult to get the rest you need. Just a heads up to any light sleepers out there. Earplugs would be very useful here.
Walbran (53 km) is very lovely, very busy, has a nice spot to swim and lots of driftwood. However.. ⇨
Stay at Cullite Cove (58 km) if you can. It has very little campers due to the placement along the trail – you would either have to hike from Thrasher Cove (70 km) to Cullite which is a very long, very hard day, or you hike from Camper Bay (62 km) which makes it a very short day (about 2 hours) which some may see as a waste. Or if you are coming from the north you would be coming from Walbran (53 km) which would also make for a very short day. However, if you can figure out how to make it work, this is by far the most beautiful and secluded campsite of them all. This is the only site that is not directly on the beach and is set back into the woods a little bit with a quick path down to the ocean and to a fresh water source lovely for swimming in. It is in a cove and you are completely protected by huge rock walls. Because of the protection, this was the only night where the air stayed warm and everything remained dry.

Tip #4: Average time to complete the 75 km trail is 5 and 7 days. Your duration depends on your experience level.

If you are an inexperienced backpacker – plan on, and expect to take 7 days. We planned to take seven days for the trail and we ended up completing it in six days. But we ended up regretting this decision.

We decided to hike from Camper Bay (62 km) to the end. In hindsight, we should have broken this up and stopped at Thrasher Cove (70 km). The last 5 km of this hike are definitely the hardest and should be hiked over one day to ensure you are not rushing or injuring yourself. We pushed it too far and ended up very sad. Although it was nice to be in our beds a night early!

Taking seven days to complete the West Coast Trail ensures each day is broken up into easy to handle chunks, with appropriate downtime in order to rest and recover. You also get the time you need to enjoy the trip. It allows you time to take breaks and take lots of pictures.

This will probably be one of the most amazing trips you will complete in your life – my suggestion would be to take it slow and enjoy it!

Tip #5: Stop at the Crab Shack restaurant and Chez Monique’s for great food

We took full advantage of the two restaurants located along the trail. One good thing is that you can plan for these stops and pack in less food and less weight. You will also be dying for some tasty, hot food and a cold beer after a few days. You are also supporting the local people who are wonderful and have amazing stories to tell.

The Crab Shack was our favourite – located at 32 km at the Narrows ferry crossing . They serve fresh crab (literally taken out of the water as you order it), fresh fish with baked potato for about $35/meal. They also have snacks, beer and bottles of liquor ($30 for a 13oz). They only accept cash so make sure to bring lots.

The second stop is Chez Monique’s – located at ~45 km on the beach. They do serve breakfast, which we were hoping for, but they only serve it to the people who camp out on their beach. So the menu is essentially burgers and veggie burgers at about $20 – $25. They also have snacks, baked goods, wine, liquor bottles (cheaper here at $20 for a 13 oz). They accept cash and credit card.

Food is so important while hiking – we have to ensure we have enough (but not too much), that it is lightweight, non-perishable, energizing and tasty! If you are stumped for ideas, check out our post ‘Healthy Food Ideas for Snacks and Meals While Hiking‘. Our food guide reviews the best high energy food and meals for day hikes, as well as overnight, multi-day backpacking trips.

Tip #6: Information on best routes, itinerary and kms per day

Make sure to walk the beach path for the first .5 km of the north side of the trail – if you take the forest you will be on ladders and hiking up and down elevation for no reason.
In general, the beach path will be faster and easier, with less elevation changes, than the forest path. I cannot think of any areas where this is not true.
Take the beach path from 65 km to 70 km – it is much more direct of a trail and the forest trail is quite difficult here. This beach stretch includes “boulder beach” which is exactly as it sounds. Boulder beach is extremely difficult so you need to take it slow. It stretches from about 67 km to 70 km and can take 2-3 hours to complete but it is beautiful and includes amazing caves and surge channels.
As a general note – from 0-55 km you will be traveling at about 2-3 km/hr and after the 55 km mark you will slow down to about 1-2 km/hr. This is where the trail gets significantly more difficult due to quick and constant elevation changes, an increase in the amount of ladders, and very large tree roots to cross over. Make sure to plan your days out properly according to how fast you will be walking.

Tip #7: Getting there – tips on transportation, the WCT Express and bus schedules

First off, because the West Coast Trail is located on the endlessly beautiful Vancouver Island, you will need to take a ferry in from Vancouver, BC or Seattle, Washington; fly into Victoria, BC or Nanaimo, BC; or take a seaplane to Bamfield or Port Renfrew which are the two closest towns to each trail head.

Once you are on the island, you can either drive or take a bus to your trail head.

There are two options for a bus or shuttle:

1) The West Coast Trail Express provides shuttle bus service (May 1 to September 30) from Victoria and Nanaimo to the trail heads and between the trail heads of the West Coast Trail and the Juan de Fuca Trail. The West Coast Trail Express picks up and drops off passengers at Victoria, Sooke, Port Renfrew, Gordon River, Mesachie Lake, Honeymoon Bay, Nanaimo, Nitinat, Pachena Bay, and Bamfield. As of 2018, the cost is $90 to get from Pachena Bay to Gordon River (and vice versa), $55 to get from Victoria to Gordon River, and $125 to get from Nanaimo to Pachena Bay.

2) The West Coast Shuttle provides shuttle service (April 15th to October 15th) to the West Coast Trail, Juan de Fuca Trail, Cape Scott Trail and the North Coast Trail. As of 2018, the cost is $70 to get from Pachena Bay to Gordon River (and vice versa), $40 to get from Victoria to Gordon River, and $70 to get from Naniamo to Gordon River.

*Both services have a very limited schedule and you must make a reservation beforehand.

Driving directions:

Driving from Nanaimo to Pachena Bay via BC-19 S will take you about 3 hours. Driving from Victoria to Gordon River via Juan De Fuca Hwy/BC-14 W will take about 2 hours. Enter this on Google Maps before you leave. You will lose your cell service on the drive but Google Maps will continue to work as long as the trip was loaded beforehand. Both routes will take you on some rough roads. If you do not have a dependable car, do not attempt to drive yourself.

There is weekly parking available at both trail heads. There was a $5/day fee at Gordon River. It appeared there was no parking fee at Pachena Bay.

Are you interested in traveling more but have no money to do it? No worries! Just check out our posts on budget travel here:

Tip #8: Where to start & orientation – Entrances at Bamfield (Pachena Bay) or Port Renfrew (Gordon River)

I suggest staying overnight at your trail head in order to settle in and to get your orientation finished the day before your hike so you can wake up and start your hike as early as possible. Orientation is mandatory, is about 1/2 hour long and occurs twice daily – at 10 am and at 2 pm. Which means, if you get to your trail head the same day you are starting your hike, you can’t begin until at least 10:30 am. This cuts into a long hiking day if you are travelling North to South, and a very difficult hiking day if you are travelling South to North.

Staying overnight at Pachena Bay (North trail head): Bamfield is the closest town (about 5 km away) and offers multiple hotels to stay in, as well as restaurants. Or even better, and cheaper, Pachena Bay Campground offers full service camping with hot showers and a snack shop. Pachena Bay is a beautiful beach that you will want to wonder along for a few hours.

Staying overnight at Gordon River (South trail head): Port Renfrew is the closest town (also about 5 km away) and offers hotels and restaurants. Pacheedaht Campground is located right at the start of the trail head and right where you will take your orientation. There are also hot showers here, as well as a snack shop with a small restaurant menu, and amazing fry bread! This is located in a very popular fishing area with a beautiful view of Port San Juan.

Tip #9: Reservations and booking must be done in January

It is very important to plan ahead for this trip and book in January when the reservations open. As of 2018, standby spaces are no longer available. This means if you want to get on the trail you have to reserve a spot. These spots fill up very quickly once reservations open. So don’t procrastinate!

Tip #10: Which direction is best – North to South vs. South to North

There is so much discussion around this. We walked North to South for no real reason. We were rushed into the decision during the booking process and booked it without really knowing the difference.

The general idea is this – the south end is MUCH more difficult than the north end. So your decision will be: whether you want to tackle the hardest part right away when you are fresh and uninjured, but when you will be carrying the most amount of weight in your pack and therefore will be expending much more energy to get through it; OR you want to hike the easiest part of the trail while you have your heaviest pack and hike the hardest part when you are lighter, but you may potentially have much less energy or may have an injury.

Personally, I was happy we chose North to South and that is mostly due to my lack of experience with thru hikes. We found that the first three days were exhausting and painful but as we walked on we felt stronger and more energetic to keep pushing on. In the beginning, the idea of walking 6 hours a day was shocking but halfway through we gave it no thought at all. Also, most people decrease their pack weight by about 10-15 lbs during the hike due to supplies being used up (food, fuel etc). This made tackling the most difficult areas much easier for us.

If you are not very experienced, I would suggest taking the trail from North to South. If you are a strong and experienced backpacker, going South to North would be appropriate.

Tip #11: Talk to everyone you see

You will come across wonderfully diverse groups of people along this trail. Everyone has a different level of backpacking experience and you learn just as much from someone inexperienced as someone with lots of experience. While passing people hiking in the opposite direction, they will have invaluable advice and great tips for what’s coming up ahead of you. People come from all around the world for this hike and you will meet wonderful people, make new friends and have plenty of entertainment.

I hope these eleven tips will help with your preparation for the hike. The most important thing is that you research, plan and prepare as much as possible before starting your trip. Have fun, be safe and enjoy!!!

Have you hiked The West Coast Trail? What tips do you have for everyone? Comment Below!

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September 17, 2018

Your Packing List Guide for Gear, Supplies and Equipment Essentials on Thru Hike Backpacking Trip Fuelforthesole.com

Backpacking Gear Essentials: What to Pack and What Not To

by Fuel For The Sole September 14, 2018

written by Fuel For The Sole

We are here to guide you on the true essentials for backpacking gear. We remember how much help we needed when we were getting started. And we want to help you. Here we will talk about tips on what gear to bring, the best supplies to have and an essential equipment packing list for overnight hiking, thru hikes and multi-day backpacking trips. We will also review what items we have realized we wanted on our hikes and what we absolutely do not need.

And you are in a great position here. You get to learn from our experiences, and our mistakes, before you make the trek out into the backcountry yourself.

Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. Pack and gear weight.

Our number one concern on our first thru hike as beginners was packing as lightweight as possible. We really got into the idea of minimalist packing – and I was obsessed. Want to know how obsessed? My pack only weighed 21 lbs. To give you a basis for comparison, the packs we saw on the trail averaged about 50 lbs and ranged up to 65 lbs! That amount of weight is not recommended for most people.

In fact, experienced hikers and backpacking gear weight calculators suggest a man should carry no more than ⅓ of his weight and a woman should carry no more than ¼ of her weight. And the further away you get from that maximum weight the better. Even 5 or 10 extra pounds will make a huge difference.

A lighter pack will reduce your risk for injury, conserve more energy and just make you more willing to push yourself every day. Check out our post ‘Physical Training for Backpacking and Thru Hikes‘ for more on how to properly prepare your body and train for overnight and multi-day hikes.

Having trouble packing light? Here’s a great tip! Take all of the items you plan to bring and split them up into two piles – the first pile will be your absolute necessities (shelter, food, water system etc). The second pile will be everything else (things you “want” to bring, luxury items etc). Now, weigh the second pile to get an idea of how much extra weight you will be carrying around every day. Take a moment to realize you are carrying that weight around for things you do not need. You now have a better idea of how much you can cut out.
Tip #2 – Fill your pack and take a long hike with it on. If you don’t know what the weight feels like on your back before you start your trip, you are just asking for trouble.

As for that first pile, “your necessities”, you’ll want these items to be as lightweight as possible. The heaviest items you will be carrying are the pack itself, your tent and your sleeping bag. Try to find lightweight options that still provide the quality you need. This usually comes with a hefty price tag but we were able to find some great budget options (check out the links throughout this post).

We’re curious, how do you keep your pack weight down? Do you eliminate all luxury items? Do you try to find the ultra lightweight version of every item? What backpacking gear do you find essential? Tell us your best tips in the comments below!

Your Packing List Guide for Gear, Supplies and Equipment Essentials on a Thru Hike Backpacking Trip

If you are going to be hiking The West Coast Trail in British Columbia, Canada, make sure to read our post ‘Eleven Tips for Hiking the West Coast Trail’ for everything you need to know.

Hiking Gear Essentials List for Women

The Woman's Pack - A complete packing checklist of all essential gear and equipment you need to pack for a multi day backpacking hike. — The Woman’s Pack – Packing checklist for a multi day backpacking hike.

Reliable and Waterproof Hiking Boots for Women

Mountain Warehouse Summit Women’s Boots Purchased from Amazon. Waterproof and lightweight.

I did not spend big money on my boots. That made me a little nervous since every review I read suggested boots in the $300-$400 range. I made sure to break these bad boys in really well before I got on the trail. Luckily, I never once had a problem with these boots. They are super comfortable and almost feel like you’re wearing a normal shoe rather than a hiking boot. I never had a blister. I never got wet feet. They are durable and held up against all terrain. A great purchase.

*Sidenote: I have been reading about swapping out hiking boots for trail runners. I did see some people on the West Coast Trail wearing trail runners. The advantages would be a lighter weight shoe, a more comfortable feel and more ability to be agile. This seems like an interesting swap that I think I will try out. Although, I would not suggest trail runners for anyone with ankle issues as they do not offer the support you need.

Lightweight 45L Backpack for Women

MEC Flair 45 Backpack – Women’s. Purchased at MEC.

I originally bought this pack to backpack through Europe but it served both purposes very well. A 45L pack is generally not recommended for a seven day hike, however, my obsession with lightweight products and my lack of luxury items allowed for a smaller pack. I love this pack because it contours your body well so it feels very natural to wear. It has plenty of pockets, sections and straps for all of your extra items – my favourite being the two pockets on the hip straps for easily accessible items.

The Best Lightweight and Budget Sleeping Bag

Geertop Lightweight Compact Mummy Sleeping Bag. Purchased from Amazon. Weight: 790g (27.8 oz). Temperature range 32F to 59F / 0C to 15C.

This sleeping bag was a bit of a risk since I had never heard of the brand and there were very little reviews online. But as usual, the budget price tempted me enough to order it. The bag turned out to be perfect for all of our backpacking trips. It was warm enough for the cool nights (at night the temperature went down to 10 degrees C) and the mummy style really helped to keep you warm from head to toe. When the bag is compressed it gets super small and takes up very little room in your pack. It is also extremely lightweight and waterproof. Everything we needed.

If budget sleeping bags are right up your alley, see our complete list in our post ’10 of the Best Cheap Sleeping Bags for Camping and Hiking’.

Lightweight and Compact Sleeping Pad

Outdoorsman Lab Ultralight Sleeping Pad. Purchased from Amazon. Weight: 480g and folds to the size of a water bottle.

We spent a little more than we wanted on this but we were determined to get a sleeping that folded down to a small size. Overall, the pad is pretty good. It fills up with only 10-15 breaths and deflates very quickly. It is fairly comfortable but I would have liked something a little wider and thicker. Both Andy’s and my sleeping pads sprung a leak during the hike. Luckily the pads come with a repair kit that worked perfectly and held for the remainder of the trip. Andy found the pad comfortable enough, however, I think I will invest in something a little heavier which will offer a bit more padding.

Compact and Inflatable Pillow

Trekology Camping Pillow. Purchased on Amazon. Weight: 2.75oz (78g) and folds down smaller than a can of soda.

This is definitely the purchase I am most excited about. A pillow could be considered a luxury item but we deemed it a necessity after many sleepless nights during our backpacking training. These pillows took up almost no room or weight in our packs so I would recommend them to anyone. They make your sleep so much more comfortable and sleep is the most important thing in order to rest, recover and continue on the next day.

Hiking and Trekking Poles are a Safety Necessity

There is huge controversy here in the backpacking world. Some people love them and some people argue that they are not necessary.

I was very stubborn and decided not to bring any as I thought they would not be needed often enough and would get in the way. Well, guess who ended up with extreme knee pain on day three?? I am convinced if I had used hiking poles from day one that I could have avoided that level of pain.

My uncle ended up leaving the trail halfway through so I was lucky enough to snag up his poles and used them every step I took for the remainder of the hike.

These saved my life! The thing with the West Coast Trail is that the path has never ending ups and downs and with up to 50 lbs on your back, your hips, knees and ankles take a beating. Being able to control your ascent and descent with the poles and take some weight and shock off your joints is necessary on this trail. The only time they get in the way is when you are climbing ladders but it was easy enough to strap them onto my wrist in order to climb hands free.

Women’s Clothing Checklist Tips

All of my clothing was kept in a dry sac. I went minimalist with this and brought a very small amount of clothing for the hike. You don’t need much in the way of clothing and it’s a great way to free up space in your pack for more essential backpacking gear. I basically had one set of clothes for hiking and one set for camping, as well as rain gear to keep me warm and dry.

This is what I typically pack for a 7-day thru hike:

2 tank tops
2 pants
1 pair of shorts
1 fleece
1 thermal long sleeve top
2 merino wool socks
2 sports bras
7 underwear
1 raincoat
1 toque
1 pair of warm mittens

All of my clothing was made of synthetic materials (mostly polyester and nylon, but some merino wool) to ensure lightweight and quick drying clothes. Avoid cotton – it is heavy, bulky and will stay damp the whole week. I had more than enough clothes for the trip and I wouldn’t change a thing about what I brought.

Water Filter and Water Bottle

Sawyer Products Water Filtration System. Purchased a 2-pack from Amazon.

We were very happy with this product! Along the trail, we saw many different types of filters and we thought ours was the best choice.

First off, a water filtration system far outperforms water tablets. Filters are instant and leave no weird flavour behind. You get quick, clean and delicious water.

Second, compared to other filters it seemed ours poured out at a faster rate. I saw many people struggling to drink water from their filters because they filtered so slowly. Trust me, after hiking km after km in the August sun you need fast and reliable water.

Third, our filters were small, lightweight and attached directly onto the outside of our water bottles. We saw many water filters that went inside the water bottle which takes up precious room that could potentially hold more water. And other types of filters required you to pump your water from the filter into your bottle which is time consuming and awkward.

Our little Sawyer Filter worked perfectly. We filled up our bottles with any fresh water we could find (even some sketchy, non-flowing water at times), attached our filters onto the mouth of the bottle and were drinking clean water in seconds (and never got sick in the slightest). And the cherry on top – this system was much cheaper than any other system I could find.

Ultralight Cooking Stove Gas Burner

BRS Camping Gas Cooking Stove purchased on Amazon. It’s super small and lightweight (only 25g!) and also packs a huge punch and heats food up fast. You do not need anything more complicated than this.

Butane Cooking Gas

Jetboil Jetpower Fuel Blend. These beauties attach right onto your burner and one canister has a very long life. We were getting about six meals out of one 230g canister. Since we were not cooking lunches, we only needed about 3 canisters for a whole week of cooking.

Lightweight Cooking Pot

TOAKS Titanium 750ml Pot purchased from Amazon.

This 750 ml pot will be enough to cook for 2-3 people. The pot only weighs 3.6 oz and you can save space by filling the pot with other pieces of gear like your burner.

Longlasting LED Headlamp

Headlamp Elmchee Rechargeable Headlamp. Purchased from Amazon.

If you have never used a headlamp before you need to start now – they are a camping game-changer! They shine just as bright and far as a handheld flashlight and the battery will last longer. They also take up much less room than a flashlight. And the best part is that you are hands-free and the light will shine wherever you are looking. I love these things and I can’t believe I camped my whole life without one.

First Aid Kit and Safety Items

Medication (Advil, Aleve, Muscle Relaxer, Antihistamine, Gravol), blister pads, athlete’s tape, bandaids, Polysporin, Hydrocortisone cream, Voltaren.

*A note on Gravol: I brought this along in case someone got sick or nauseous. Luckily we didn’t need it for that. However, one night I was having trouble sleeping and Andy suggested I take one. It put me out right away. From then on Andy and I split a gravol right before bed and it helped to get us to sleep quickly and stay asleep all night. This is not something I would do regularly but on this hike we needed to make sure we got our rest.

Other Necessities and Basics for Safety, Survival and Comfort

Collapsible silicone bowl – Used for all meals from breakfast to dinner. No plate was necessary.

Collapsible silicone mug – For coffee and of course, whiskey. No need for a full sized metal mug (heavy much?).

Lightweight fork and spoon

Cycling gloves – To keep our hands baby soft while climbing ladders and walking with hiking poles all day. We decided to go with a cycling glove because they have built in padding and keep your fingers open for airflow.

Gaiters – The trail isn’t too bad for mud in August (although it is bad at some points). Gaiters are 100% necessary for the mud anytime before or after August. I am glad I had them however, because they helped to protect my legs from branches, thorns and bug bites, and they also helped to keep dirt, sand and mud from getting into the tops of my boots. I wore them daily.

Camping shoes that can act as water shoes– Once you’re at camp you will want to get your hiking boots off ASAP. Bring along a lightweight set of camp shoes that could double as water shoes. You will want something with airflow that can dry easily. I brought some sandals with sturdy straps on them. A cheap pair of crocs would do it too.

Small microfiber towel – This was easy enough to bring along as it took up almost no space or weight. These towels absorb water very well but also dry very quickly. Do not bring along a full sized or cotton towel. This will add bulk and weight to your pack and you will be carrying around a damp towel your entire trip.

Duct Tape – I wrapped a bunch around a pencil in order to save space. We used this to help prevent blisters but it really has a million uses on a trip like this.

Waterproof pack cover – An essential piece of rain gear. Some packs come with this built into the bag but I had to bring my own. You want this – even if it doesn’t rain on your trip, mornings can be very foggy and dewy and you will want to protect everything in your pack. Wet = bad!

A large Ziplock bag – This is a “leave no trace” pack in, pack out trail. Which means there are no garbage cans along the way and you have to pack out any garbage you make. A large ziploc bag is a nice, neat way to keep your garbage separate from the rest of your items.

Toiletry bag – I found a great bag at an army outlet store that hangs from the ceiling of your tent. It also had an attached mirror in case you’re curious how horrible and dirty you look. I packed cleansing cloths, face lotion, a few pieces of makeup, travel sized sunscreen, bug spray, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes, hand sanitizer, a small piece of natural soap, toilet paper and a small comb.

Cash – $200 for Andy and I. We used this for the park fee collected at the start of trip. We also went all out at the restaurants along the way. We had an insanely delicious (and insanely expensive) salmon lunch at the Crab Shack, burgers at Monique’s and we also stocked up on whiskey and chocolate bars at both.

Visit our Travel Resources page for a carefully curated list of the best outdoor gear, travel gadgets, and helpful travel apps.

Hiking Gear Essentials List for Men

The Man's Pack - All your essentials for your packing list for a multi day backpacking hike. — The Man’s Pack – All the essentials you need for your packing list on a multi day backpacking hike (food not pictured here).

Men’s Waterproof Hiking Boots

Mountain Warehouse Boulder Men’s Waterproof Trekker Boots – Purchased from Amazon.

Andy lucked out too. These budget boots were comfortable and durable. They remained waterproof the whole trip and gave him zero blisters.

Men’s Durable 65L Backpack

MEC Forge 65 Backpack – Men’s. Purchased at MEC. 65L was the perfect size and this budget bag has everything you need.

Ultralight and Compact Tent

Outbound Dome Tent, 3-Person (Note: this is definitely just a 2-person tent). Purchased at Canadian Tire. Weight: 5 lbs 12 oz/2.61 kg.

This tent was a few pounds heavier than what we wanted but for the price we couldn’t resist. We were very happy with the tent. It had room for two adults and our packs. It was durable and warm enough for the cool West Coast Trail nights. Everything seemed to stay pretty dry. This was a great purchase and we will continue to use this tent for our backpacking trips.

Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, pillow, water filter, headlamp, cycling gloves, gaiters, towel

All the same products as listed in the women’s backpacking gear section.

Trekking and Hiking Poles

BAFX Products Trekking Trail Poles. Purchased on Amazon.

Hiking poles are vital in surviving advanced level multi day thru hikes. Just make sure you have poles, of any kind, in order to complete the hike with knees that still work. We love the BAFX poles because they are lightweight, durable, collapsible and a good price.

Lightweight Backpacking Food Ideas

We had a great set up for the food situation because we travelled with a group of 6. Since we had 6 nights at camp, we decided that each person would take care of one dinner each. This way each person only had to pack one large dinner, along with their own breakfasts and snacks.

If you are traveling in a large group this might be something to consider. It decreased our weight significantly.

For breakfast we decided to only pack instant oatmeal. We chose this because it is light, easy to cook and very filling. Luckily we didn’t get sick of oatmeal after a week of it.

We also decided to pack no lunches. During our training we noticed we were not hungry throughout the day. It may seem strange to not be hungry when you are burning so many calories but it is a common occurrence among backpackers. Instead of bringing meals for lunches and wasting precious space in our packs, we just brought mixed nuts and beef jerky. It was the perfect amount of food and we did not feel deprived at all.

From what I have read online and from what I saw on the trail, people tend to pack way too much food. It is so important to accurately calculate how much you will need because food is one of the heaviest things in your pack.

You will not need as much food as you think. Keep it simple and try not to get too fancy. It’s only a week, you can eat like a king when you get home.

For a more in depth look at food ideas for hikes, check out our post ‘Healthy Food Ideas for Snacks and Meals While Hiking‘. Our food guide reviews the best high energy food and meals for day hikes, as well as overnight, multi-day backpacking trips.

Men’s Clothing Checklist

Here is Andy’s typical clothing backpacking gear list for a 7-day thru hike:

2 pairs of hiking pants (1 pair had zip off bottoms that turned into shorts which he ended up wearing the whole time. He ended up not needing the other pair)
1 pair of thinsulate long johns to wear at camp – they kept him nice and warm.
1 fast dry t-shirt
1 fast dry full sleeve shirt
1 rain coat
1 nylon zip up sweater
1 pair of gloves
1 warm toque
2 pairs of merino wool socks
7 pairs of boxers

Water Shoes – Andy brought true water shoes, which he only used once. He regrets having brought them, and wishes he had just brought sandals. The main reason water shoes were the wrong decision is that once they got wet they would not dry out and had no air flow. Therefore, he ended up walking around bare foot at camp (which actually felt good as the sand soothed his feet). Instead, he wishes he had some cheap flip flops to slide on.

15 meters (50 ft) of synthetic rope – To hang your food bag in case the bear bins are full and to make a clothesline to dry out your clothes.

Storm proof matches

Small pocket knife

Camera – We decided not to take our nice, expensive camera with us. We took along an older digital camera which we wouldn’t have minded if it got damaged. A digital camera is a great option for this trail. You’ll get decent pictures and the battery is likely to last the week.

Playing cards – We brought these along to ensure I could kick Andy’s ass at Gin.

Beginner Mistakes and What Things we Wish we Brought

A book – There is a lot of downtime on these types of hikes. The downtime is needed in order to rest your body but we wish we had a little more entertainment at times. A book would have been the perfect distraction.

Hot chocolate – This is a common food item on thru hikes. After a long day and perhaps a lacklustre dinner, it is lovely to have a warm, sweet treat. Hot chocolate mix is a great option because it is lightweight and easy to prepare.

A thicker sleeping pad – I saw some people with gorgeously thick sleeping pads and I was extremely jealous. As I mentioned before, comfortable sleeping is so important in order to rest and recover each day. I would happily have carried a little bit more weight in order to have a more comfortable sleep. Something like the ENKEEO Inflated Sleeping Pad appears to be more my speed. I may just order it right now.

Burner and cook set in one – If I were hiking solo I would definitely switch to something like the Optimus Crux Lite Cook System which is super compact and allows you to cook and eat out of the same container so you don’t need to bring a bowl and cup. I saw a lot of people cooking with these on the trail and thought it was ingenious.

Repair kits – We had duct tape and repair kits for our sleeping pads but not much else. What we really wish we’d brought was extra bag straps and clips. This is something we never even considered prior to the trip.

Unfortunately, Andy’s hip strap broke on the third day in. The clip completely shattered when he was tightening the belt. This was devastating as he now had 40 lbs sitting directly on his shoulders for the rest of the day. Once we got to camp we were able to construct a makeshift clip with some extra carabiners but it would have been brilliant if we had brought along some extra straps and clips for repairs along the way.

Prepare yourself properly by considering what could go wrong and bring along what you might need to fix it.

Paper to start fires – The West Coast Trail tends to stay a bit wet and damp the whole year and we found it difficult to start a fire because all the kindling and driftwood was a bit soggy. We ended up using paper from a book my dad was reading to help start the fires. In hindsight, we should have had some newspapers or pieces of cardboard which wouldn’t have added too much bulk to our packs.

A wrist watch – Knowing the time is important in order to plan your day out around the tide schedule. It is also handy in order to figure out how many kms/hour you are travelling to help you plan out your next day. We did not have a watch and were constantly bugging people for the time.

Earplugs – To allow for a restful nights sleep (especially on “farting beach” where sea lions are barking all night long).

Hiking poles – I’ll say it again, bring them along! Do it! Do it!

Things you do not Need to Pack

Cellphone – Don’t bother bringing your phone. There is no cell service on the West Coast Trail and there’s no chance your battery will make it a week. Plus with the wet weather and extreme difficulty of the trail, your phone is likely to get damaged.

Satellite phone – There are many ways to contact someone in case of emergency – lighthouse keepers, First Nation trail guardians, ferry operators and Parks Canada staff are present along the trail for your safety.

GPS – You will be provided with a trail map which is extremely detailed and the trail is very well marked along the way so you are unlucky to get lost. And if you do get lost, it is not hard to find your way back to the path.

Weather radio – Really? You cannot control the weather and don’t have much of a choice but to hike through rain storms if that is your fate.

Chair – This is definitely a luxury item and is not needed on this trail. The campsites are situated on beaches with limitless amounts of logs to use as a chair. Also, make use of your sleeping pad for some cushioning to sit on outside. Save the space and leave the chair at home.

Axe or saw – These are heavy and bulky and never necessary. Every campsite has driftwood you can burn for your fires. Some sites have more wood than others but you can always gather up enough for your fire.

Multi-tool/Large Swiss Army knife – These are very heavy! All you need is a small, lightweight knife.

Canned food – I cannot believe how many people I saw carrying around canned foods. Canned foods, and really any food that contains liquid or sauces, adds so much weight to your pack. Plus, you’ll have to carry a can opener too! Spend the time to dehydrate your own food (you can do this in your oven) or buy dehydrated and freeze dried foods.

Coffee Maker – Even the highest of coffee connoisseurs can suck it up and drink instant coffee for a week.

Frying pan – What exactly are you needing to fry up on this hike??

Hammock – I saw people with hammocks, not for sleeping in, just for chilling in…. I don’t know…. it looked cool AF but I think we can all agree this is a pretty elaborate luxury item. And since all campsites are on a beach, there are very few trees to set them up.

Beer/Wine – This should be obvious. Although we came across people carrying multiple bottles of wine (cringe). If you want a little late-night glow, bring along some 13 oz plastic bottles of rum or whiskey. We chose Fireball Whiskey because it’s great to sip on and you don’t need a chaser or mix with it.

That’s it, that’s all! Your fate is now in your hands. I will say one last thing – if you have never backpacked before, please heed our warnings! It is very easy to be naive to the struggles and dangers of a hike like this. It is very easy to shrug off advice from others. However, until you actually do a thru hike yourself, you will not have an understanding of what is important and what is not. Take the advice you get and run with it! You will thank us in the end.

What is on your list of backpacking gear essentials? Let us know in the comments below!

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Your Packing List Guide for Gear, Supplies and Equipment Essentials on Thru Hike Backpacking Trip

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September 14, 2018