Author: Daniel Globe

Hiking sticks, also called trekking poles, can improve balance on uneven ground and help distribute some of the load of hiking. Research has found that trekking poles can reduce some lower-extremity loading and may improve stability, although the benefit varies with terrain, technique, and backpack weight. The bigger question for travelers is whether those poles can come through airport security in a carry-on bag. Quick Answer Yes, the TSA currently allows blunt-tipped hiking poles in carry-on and checked bags at U.S. checkpoints. Sharp-tipped hiking poles are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be checked. Your airline can still impose…

Walking sticks, more commonly called trekking poles when used as a pair, can add stability, help you manage steep climbs and descents, and shift some work from your legs to your upper body. The biggest benefits come from choosing the right poles, setting them to the correct length, and learning when to plant, shorten, lengthen, or stow them. Quick Answer To use walking sticks for hiking, start with the poles adjusted so your elbows bend about 90 degrees on level ground. Plant the opposite pole with the opposite foot, keep a relaxed grip, shorten the poles on long climbs, and…

Cloudy skies can transform an ordinary hike into a dramatic outdoor experience. Mist can settle between ridges, overcast light can deepen the colors of forests and waterfalls, and cooler conditions can make strenuous walking feel more comfortable. The rugged cliffs and evergreen forests of the Pacific Northwest, for example, can look especially striking beneath low clouds and shifting light. That does not mean every cloudy day is automatically a good hiking day. A calm layer of overcast is very different from dense fog, steady rain, wet cold, or a developing thunderstorm. The best cloudy-weather hikes come from enjoying the atmosphere…

Knowing what to pack in a hiking backpack is less about carrying everything you own and more about preparing for the problems that could realistically happen on your route. The right kit should help you navigate, stay hydrated and fed, handle changing weather, treat minor injuries, see after dark, and call for help if your plans go wrong. Quick Answer Pack navigation tools, water and a treatment method, extra food, weather-appropriate layers, emergency shelter, a first-aid kit, a headlamp, fire-starting supplies where fires are allowed, sun protection, repair tools, and an emergency communication option. Adjust the exact gear to the…

Apo Hiking Society helped shape Original Pilipino Music (OPM) across several generations, and “When I Met You” remains one of the group’s best-known love songs. Written by Jim Paredes, the English-language ballad appears on True to My Music. Its lasting appeal comes from a simple idea: meeting the right person can give life a new sense of love, purpose, and connection. Quick Answer “When I Met You” is an English-language love song by Apo Hiking Society, written by Jim Paredes. Current Apple Music and Universal Records catalog metadata places it on the group’s True to My Music album in 1982.…

Hiking shoes do more than complete an outdoor outfit. The right pair can improve grip, protect your feet from rocks and debris, and make long days on the trail more comfortable. Style still matters, but fit, traction, weather protection and the demands of the trail should come first when deciding what to wear. Quick Answer Wear hiking shoes with moisture-wicking socks, secure your heel with snug but comfortable lacing, and leave enough toe room for your toes to move without hitting the front on descents. Choose the shoe’s traction, stiffness, weather protection and cut for the terrain rather than relying…

Hiking poles, also called trekking poles, can add stability on rough trails, give your upper body a useful role in forward movement, and reduce some of the forces placed on your legs during certain types of hiking. They are especially useful on steep descents, loose terrain, long backpacking trips, and stream crossings. The biggest benefits, however, come from choosing the right poles, setting them to the correct length, and using them with a natural walking rhythm. Quick Answer Hiking poles can improve stability and provide extra support on climbs, descents, loose ground, and uneven trails. Start with your elbows near…

Hiking shoes can feel comfortable on city sidewalks and concrete floors, especially if you already own a well-fitting pair. However, footwear designed for trails and footwear designed for pavement solve different problems. The best choice depends on how far you walk, how much time you spend on concrete, whether you also use trails, and which shoe feels comfortable on your feet. Quick Answer Yes, hiking shoes can be good for walking on concrete if they fit well and have enough cushioning, but they are usually not the best choice for long, pavement-only walks. A lightweight walking or road shoe is…

Choosing the best hiking backpack is less about finding one universally “best” pack and more about matching capacity, fit, load support, and features to the trips you actually take. A light daypack may be perfect for a few hours on a local trail, while an overnight or multi-day hike usually calls for more space, a supportive hip belt, and a frame designed to transfer weight comfortably. Quick Answer The best hiking backpack is one that fits your torso and hips, carries your expected load comfortably, and has enough space for your trip without unnecessary bulk. Roughly 20–35 liters works for…

Walking sticks, also called trekking poles or hiking poles, can make hiking feel more controlled on steep, loose, muddy, or uneven ground. The biggest gains come from choosing poles that fit you, setting them to the right length, and using a relaxed, natural technique. Used correctly, they can add stability and shift some work from your legs to your upper body without replacing good foot placement or trail judgment. Quick Answer For normal hiking, adjust trekking poles so your elbows bend about 90 degrees when the tips rest beside your feet. Use the opposite pole with the opposite foot, keep…

Altitude sickness can affect anyone who travels too high too quickly, including experienced and physically fit hikers. Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is the most common form, but severe altitude illness can progress to high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) or high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). The safest approach is to plan a gradual ascent, recognize symptoms early, and be willing to stop climbing or descend when necessary. Quick Answer To reduce altitude-sickness risk, increase your sleeping altitude gradually, take acclimatization days, avoid pushing higher when symptoms appear, and descend if symptoms worsen. Fitness does not protect you from AMS. Confusion, loss of coordination,…

Florida’s open-carry rules changed dramatically in September 2025, so hikers should be careful with older articles that still say openly carrying a firearm is generally illegal. In McDaniels v. State, Florida’s First District Court of Appeal declared the state’s blanket open-carry ban unconstitutional. Florida’s Attorney General then advised law enforcement and prosecutors statewide not to arrest or prosecute ordinary law-abiding citizens merely because a lawfully possessed firearm is visible. Important location, possession, private-property and firearm-use restrictions still remain. Quick Answer As of July 2026, a law-abiding adult who may legally possess a firearm can generally open carry while hiking in…