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Ask Kristin

Real readers’ backpacking and hiking questions answered by Backpacker Magazine’s outdoor expert Kristin.

Ask Kristin

Ask Kristin: Your Gear Questions, Answered

Gear editor Kristin Hostetter answers reader questions about backpacking gear.

BACKPACKER Editors

Latest in Ask Kristin

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What’s your favorite summer tee?

Katie Herrel

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How Do I Keep Running All Winter Long?

Katie Herrel

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Help! Sand in My Multitool

Katie Herrel

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Gear Pro: Quick Zipper Fix

Katie Herrel

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Ask Kristin: $300 tent or a $100 tent?

Katie Herrel

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Ask Kristin: Need a Sleeping Bag that will fit 6'7"

Katie Herrel

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Ask Kristin: Allergic to Wool

Katie Herrel

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Allergic to Sleeping Bags

Katie Herrel

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Keeping Teenage Boys Happy in the Wilderness

Katie Herrel

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Gender-Specific Packs

Katie Herrel

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Shorten Hip Belt Straps

Katie Herrel

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Seam Sealing Pants

Katie Herrel

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Pool Float for Sleeping Pad?

Katie Herrel

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Biodegradable Camp Soap

Katie Herrel

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Patch a Burn Hole in Pants

Katie Herrel

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Wedding Rings & Backpacking

Katie Herrel

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European vs. American Tent Floors

Katie Herrel

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Which Fuel Bottles Go with Which Camp Stoves?

Katie Herrel

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How-to: Fix a Cut in Leather Hiking Boots

Katie Herrel

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How Do I Carry a Bear Vault on My Pack

Katie Herrel

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OK to Ignore "Dry Clean Only"?

Katie Herrel

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Help with Hotspots!

Katie Herrel

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Packing Prudently

Katie Herrel

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Cleaning Your Boots

Katie Herrel

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Leaky Sleeping Pad

Katie Herrel

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Gear Pro's Guide to Spring Cleaning

Kristin Hostetter

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Do Bears Like Energy Bars?

Katie Herrel

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Sleeping Bag Liners as Ultralight Sleeping Bags?

Katie Herrel

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Tent Footprints

Katie Herrel

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Beginning Backpacking: What Gear to Buy First?

Katie Herrel

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Preventing Freezing Bladders

Katie Herrel

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Sleeping Bag & Pajamas

Katie Herrel

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Thin Pack Hipbelts

Katie Herrel

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Help with Hanging a Bear Bag

Katie Herrel

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Fitting Long and Narrow Feet

Katie Herrel

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Cracking Stove O-Rings

Katie Herrel

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Kids and Backpacking

Katie Herrel

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Sleeping Bag Breathability

Katie Herrel

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Bending Backpack Stays

Katie Herrel

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