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ULA BLOG
10 Pieces of Gear Thru-Hikers Regret Bringing (and Lighter Alternatives That Actually Work)
Every thru-hiker starts their journey with a backpack full of optimism. Maybe you spent months watching gear videos, comparing fabrics, weighing every item to the gram, and convincing yourself that you had everything you needed. But once...
ULA 2025 Gift Guide
THE 2025 GIFT GUIDE IS HERE! Trying to determine the perfect gift for you or your loved one can be difficult, especially with the amount of options, accessories, and different use cases out there! We put together this gear guide to take...
Best Hiking and Backpacking Shoes: Trail Runners, Boots, Road Running Shoes & Waterproof Options
It’s important to note when talking about shoes and where they’re used in this article we’re mainly referring to the terrain that you’d encounter on maintained hiking trails in the US like the Appalachian Trail where conditions are...
How to Adjust to High Elevation: Symptoms, Risks, and Tips for Altitude
In continued pursuit of supporting those that live in the flat lands, and in case you didn’t read the title, today’s topic is elevation. Last week we posted an article about common trail injuries and how to treat them, and it was brought...
Trail First Aid: How to Treat Common Injuries on a Thru-Hike
When you’re out in the backcountry, far from town or trail support, knowing how to treat common hiking injuries isn’t just a good idea, it's essential! On a long trail, small issues can turn into trip-ending problems if left unchecked. A...
How to Train for a Thru-Hike Without Living Near Mountains
You don’t need a mountain range in your backyard to prepare for one. Most thru-hikers start training from cities, suburbs, and flat towns—places where the steepest climb might be a set of stairs or a ramp in a parking garage. The good...
Thru-Hike Success Starts in Your Mind: How to Mentally Prepare for a Long-Distance Hike
The following is a supplemental guide to all the gear lists, shakedown hikes, gear reviews, YouTube videos, hikers you're following on social media, books you've read, and all other stuff you're absorbing while you prepare for your first...
ULA Packing Cubes vs. Conforming Compression Cubes: Two Tools, One System
Earlier this year, we introduced our Dragonfly Packing Cubes, designed to pair perfectly with the Dragonfly 30L and 36L packs for those that utilize them for travel. Now, we’re expanding the lineup with the new Conforming Compression...
HIking the Arizona Trail with Mallory “Baja” Jackson
The following is a how-to guide for thru-hiking the Arizona Trail by our good bud Mallory "Baja" Jackson. All words and photos by Mallory unless otherwise noted. Gabrielle stuck her hand out her window and yelled “goodbye” as she drove...
How to Choose Your Backpacking Gear: Pt. 3 Cooking, Toiletries, and Everything Else
In part 3 of our "Backpacking Gear" series we cover all the other stuff that you'll need to consider when packing for something like a thru-hike or extended time out in the backcountry. In part 1 we covered selecting your backpack and...
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