Derek is back and better than ever! Are we being deceived by gear companies or just general beliefs about certain pieces of backpacking gear? Derek and Carl pull back the curtain and reveal the TRUTH!

You might encounter a trail villain. There might be a trail villain in your backpacking crew. Or…you might be the trail villain! Take this 10-question test to prove otherwise. Also, Carl puts Derek through the Lightning Round. Will he even answer the questions correctly?

There are 5 treasure chests worth up to $3 million hidden for you to find. Jon Collins-Black joins the show to discuss some clues and insight into the treasure hunt that he created. What skills would you need to find the treasure? What highly interested valuables are hidden? What weird questions will be asked of him?

Meet Dr. Hazel Barton, a remarkable scientist who descends into Earth's darkest corners in search of microscopic life that could transform our future. Nicknamed the "Lara Croft of microbiology," Hazel combines cutting-edge science with death-defying exploration in some of the most remote cave systems on our planet.

Former CEO of Whole Foods and one of the most famous backpackers of all time, John Mackey, joins Derek and Carl to bust backpacking myths, discuss gear strategies and give some insider information about backpacking food. And Mackey has some very interesting answers in this week’s lightning round.

Gear expert Villain Jesse joins the show to discuss the top luxury items of 2025. Luxuries include items that are not necessities, upgrade of essential items or simply really expensive items that might be worth having on the trail.

Derek and Carl discuss all sorts of gear mistakes they've made, you've made, we've all made...and how to fix them. Derek gives Carl advice about first aid kits. And Carl doesn't understand adjustable trekking poles.

Derek and Carl discuss deranged, irrational, unusual, odd, weird and funky outdoor adventures that you might consider adding to your bucket list. Are you tired of loops, out and backs and point-to-point hiking trails? It’s time to increase the intensity, purpose and strangeness of your trips with this list.

Derek and Carl have gotten some serious troll comments, criticisms, critiques and strange requests over the years. They have compiled the most interesting feedback and will respond. Not surprisingly, each of them got riled up by somebody.

Steven from 'My Life Outdoors' joins the show to discuss a variety of topics that include weird backpacking/camping gear, the best and worst backpacking gear of 2023 and an amazing story that involves one of our favorite characters, the ranger.

Rob Pelton joins the show to pull back the curtain on cottage brands. Are brands like Zpacks, Hyperlite, Enlightened Equipment really worth the price? And Carl has a theory about why tent prices suddenly skyrocketed a few years ago.

Andrew Skurka – one of the most famous backpackers of all time – joins the show to discuss some 3 or 4 things professional backpackers do that most of us don’t. Also, what characteristics make the best guides? And how can trekking poles stop a bear attack? How will Skurka handle the lightning round? Derek and Carl also share the top 3 things they are experts at – not related to backpacking.

Derek and Carl 'break down' the data released by Garmin and share some of the interesting stories that involve pushing the red button. Also, somehow, Derek and Carl were able to get ahold of an actual SOS call made from a Sat phone.

Alex Hatlevig joins the show to discuss backpacking gadgets and trinkets that you might be buying that are useless (or mostly useless). Sure, you can come up with scenarios where they could potentially be useful. But are you really going to need them? Are they necessary?

What are the worst backpacking freeze dried meals? And are some of them really as bad as people say? Derek and Carl asked over 40,000 members of the backpacking community what their least favorite meals were. After compiling the results, they discuss, and even taste-test, the top (or bottom answers). There were some very surprising results…both ways. Also, Carl shares one of his best (or possibly worst) ideas ever.

What are 6 pieces of backpacking advice that are just plain bad? John Kelley joins the Backpacking & Blisters podcast to co-host and discuss a lot of information and mis-information you might be hearing.

If you’re looking to shave about a pound off of your pack weight without spending any money (potentially), Alisha McDarris from Terradrift will tell you how! Last year she was challenged by the B&B podcast to 3 video options. She is the first one to try and execute one of them.

Bizarre trail and camp experience stories are the backbone of the B&B community. Derek and Carl run down their top 10. Some you’ve heard, some you haven’t. Either way, they’re weird. Even more weird is the episode trivia. This includes the most bizarre stories you’ve ever heard.

One of the most experienced, adventurous, death-defying backcountry experts, Marty Morissette, joins the show to discuss some of the tactics he’s employed that one might consider ‘death wish skills’. And, strangely, they might actually be helpful for your future adventures.

What is the worst reviewed backpacking gear? And does that mean that reviews are terrible or that the gear is terrible? Maybe both. And how does a 20 minute task take 15 hours? One of the guys finds a way.