Ask Kristin

For steamy hikes, I like ultrathin, stretchy fabrics that feel cool and breezy. Problem is, they often have durability issues...

If you love your current shoes and don’t want to shell out for winter-specific runners, add a strap-on cleat like the STABILicers Run ($40; 32north.com) and a pair of running gaiters, like the Outdoor Research Stamina ($35; outdoorresearch.com), which will keep snow and slush from penetrating the upper or sneaking in over the top.

Good timing, because I just came back from a week of desert hiking in Jordan, and I ran into the same problem. My prized Leatherman Juice S2 sounds like crinkling sandpaper whenever I touch it.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Sometimes they look the same, but there are several key differences.

To get the best answer for your question, I went to two BACKPACKER staffers who can relate: Jon Dorn and Ben Fullerton, both 6’6”. Here are a few of their three-season picks.

For long johns, there are plenty of polyester options. If it’s maximum warmth you’re after, look for higher lofted polyesters, with gridded channels that trap heat and accelerate wicking....

I'm allergic to down, but I like its compressibility. But do you know anyone who makes a hypoallergenic down sleeping bag or am I stuck with synthetics? 

It is finally here, we are taking our Boy Scout troop in the AT thru the GSMNP. The only question now is how to keep teenage boys motivated to complete the 76 miles?

Do I really have to buy my girlfriend a women's-specific pack if it seems like a men's would fit?

I'm pretty skinny and when I tighten my hipbelt I end up with lots of extra strap flapping around. Can I just cut this extra stuff off?

If I alter a pair of waterproof pants, how can I make the new seams waterproof?

I'm on a budget. Why shouldn't I substitute a $10 pool float for a sleeping pad that costs $100 or more?

What is a good backpacking soap that's environmentally friendly?

What’s the best way to patch a burn hole in my hiking pants and make sure it will not expand any bigger?

What can my husband and I do to protect our wedding rings when we are backpacking?

Why are European tent floors more waterproof than American ones?

I am getting ready to buy a lightweight canister stove. Is there a guide for which stoves use which fuel bottles?

One of my leather hiking boots has a cut across the toe box. It is not deep, but it is enough to cause tearing in the leather. Is there a way to close this cut?

I have an Osprey Ariel 55 backpack and am going on a trip that requires hard side bear vaults. Will I be able to get everything including the BV in my pack, and if so, how do I carry the BV?

I have a down parka that says "dry clean only". Do you think it would be fine to wash it as I do my down sleeping bag?

Is there anything I can do to ease the pain of a hot spot?

That’s a tough, but not impossible, task, Theo. Generally speaking, I’d consider 35 liters to be more of a day- or day-and-a-half pack at most, not a multiday pack.

Is there any special way I should wash my boots or can I just treat them like any other shoe?

What is the best way to find a slow leak in a self-inflating sleeping pad?

Get your gear ready for hiking season with these tips from gear editor Kristin Hostetter.

Can bears and other critters be a problem at night even if all our group has for food are, say Clif Bars - or any other similar kind of energy/protein bars?

Can sleeping bag liners be used as ultralight sleeping bags?

Do I really need to buy a tent footprint? Or are the newer tents tough enough that you don't need one?

I'm new to backpacking, should I buy all my gear then buy my pack? Or, should I buy my pack first? I will be doing some long distant hikes and some weekend hikes too.

Are there any "tricks" to keeping water liquid on an extended winter outing?

Is my sleeping bag's performance affected by what I wear when I sleep?

If a backpack fits you really well, does thin hipbelt padding make a big difference? If so, is there a way to improve it?

The issue is not knowledge of how to bear bag - it's the throwing! I have no arm and no aim. Tricks? Suggestions?

I have a long (13 1/2) and narrow foot and cannot find any boots to fit. Help!

Can you prevent cracking stove O rings?

How much weight can a 10-year-old boy comfortably carry?

I store all my gear in large plastic containers. My containers are large enough so there is no compression, but now I'm worried about breathability?

How do I bend the stays in my backpack?

What's the difference between titanium and aluminum cookware? Can you explain the pros/cons of each?

How can I prevent pebbles from getting in my running shoes while I run?

I am going to start backpacking again after many years and wanted to know about internal frame packs. How do you determine the correct size of the pack (I am 5' 10" in height)?

Next summer I will be transporting 4 people (2 adults, 1 toddler, and 1 infant) and 2 dogs (50 pounds each) into the great outdoors. What carries more gear? A roof basket like the Thule MOAB, or a roof box?

I am comparing the Kelty Gunnison 2.1, sold everywhere ($189.99) with the Kelty Zenith, sold at Target ($59.99). The basic dimensions are the same and there are a few obvious differences, but how can the price be so different?

Can a woman comfortably use a man's backpack? How much of a difference does it make?

My boyfriend always gets annoyed that I load our heavier items into his pack. I think that since he weighs 30% more than me, his pack can be about 40% heavier, adding 10% for M/F differences in hematocrit, VO2 max, etc. Reasonable?

Is Gore-Tex still the #1 all-time best waterproof material you can buy?

What are the best quick-dry pants to use in cooler temperatures?

I've heard that DEET is bad for sleeping bag fabrics. Since I use it on most camping trips, should I wash my sleeping bag after every trip?

My friend and I have a debate going about how to pack a tent: He says stuffing it is better, but I say folding and rolling is better. Who's right?

Tents have warnings to "maintain adequate ventilation. Death by suffocation is possible!" My tent has lots of mesh. What's the story here?

How can I be sure my water treatment equipment is doing it job. Is there a way to test this?

I am new to backpacking and have only made a few serious trips. Everyone I hike with always carries a gun. Do you carry a firearm when in the United States? Or am I just paranoid?

I am planning a thru-hike on the AT. Can you give me insight into the pros & cons of ultralight poles vs the old standbys?

If a rain fly has a few areas of mildew will it still work to repel rain, or do I need to get a new fly?

For a summer trek at Philmont, which is better, a wool sweater or a fleece garment?

I accidentally left my down sleeping bag in a stuff sack for two years! Is it ruined?

I have been away from backpacking for a while, why the shift away from external frame backpacks?

What's the best way to patch a tear in a siliconized Cordura pack cover?

I need prescription sunglasses, but can't afford them. Do you have any cheap sunglasses solutions that won't make me look like a geriatric?

I'm looking for a super packable rectangular sleeping bag–do they exist?

What is the best way to clean your hydration pack and tube?

What do you do with the water that is "backwashed" into the "dirty" bag? Discard the water or re-filter?

My baselayers say not to wash with fabric softener. Are dryer sheets out too? No dryer sheet = major static.

Can rechargeable batteries be used in LED and non-LED headlamps and flashlights?

How do the GPS apps for smartphones compare to a regular GPS?

I'm in the military and for deployments and long field ops, I am unable to wash my sleeping bag. I have adopted the practice of spraying the inside of my bag with Lysol and drying it in the sun. Do you see this ruining the bag in any way?

The rubber from the sole of my boots is starting to separate from the leather. Is there something I can do to mend this or are my boots toast?

My GPS works great in the Walmart parking lot, but in a steep valley, next to a mountain, or in the woods it can't get an adequate signal. How can I solve this problem?

Does campfire smoke degrade the properties of DWR or breathable laminates?

If I want to purify just 8 ounces of water instead of the recommended one liter or quart, can I just use a smaller amount of the recommended treatment dosage?

Any suggestions for small, leakproof containers for carrying cooking supplies such as oil, syrup, sauces etc.?

What is the best way to repair a tear in my fleece?

What is the best way to add down to areas of a sleeping bag?

I have an old The North Face expedition down bag. It has been in storage for 35 years. It looks good still, but will it fall apart?

I am looking for a hydration pack for day ski trips this winter–need to attach skis, shovel, probe, food, and a few pieces of clothes.

I am considering retro-fitting my old Kelty external frame backpack with new shoulder straps. Should I also replace the hipbelt?

Is it best to put gaiters on over or under rainpants?

If I spray a DWR finish on clothing, will that also increase its wind resistance? Specifically I'm thinking of a pair of light gloves and a headband.