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.

Lloyd Vogel, CEO of Garage Grown Gear, joins the show to discuss 2025’s best backpacking gear and trends. He also shares items that are losing steam. And Carl, of course, has a couple of “innovative” gear ideas he’s willing to share.

What are the 10 things that only advanced backpackers do? Huck Outdoors joins the show to discuss skills, gear and knowledge that only advanced backpackers have. Rocky also chimes in with a list of his top 5.

There were 5 Backpacking Crises on the Timberline Trail Patreon trip this year! Five might be a stretch but you be the judge? How would you handle them? How would Derek have handled them (if had the courage to attend)? Veteran backpacker Christine Marsh joins the show to discuss the color she added to the trip. And this is probably not something you’ve seen or heard before.

What are the 8 deadliest creatures known to mankind? And how can you avoid them on a backpacking trip? Derek and Carl discuss the method these creatures attack humans as well as simple ways to avoid and survive these attacks. Maybe it’s time to micromanage your friends and make sure their tent zipper is closed.

On this Throwback Thursday episode, Justin Outdoors joins the show. He is our #1 seed for gear expertise on YouTube. Check out what he has to say regarding the game-changing gear that’s the best he’s ever used.

Veteran Search and Rescue Yosemite team member Moose Mutlow joins the show to evaluate 6 famous movie scenes. He brings his expertise to rate the plausibility of the outdoor stunts pulled off by Rambo, Indiana Jones and others. He also shares some crazy SAR stories of his own. Moose is one of the top B&B guests over the years. This is one you won’t want to miss!

Derek and Carl discuss the lies that you, fellow backpackers, believe. Some of them have been told to you. Some of you have convinced yourselves to believe these deceptive backpacking details. But don’t panic! Derek and Carl will clear things up and give you alternative courses of action to live a trail life independent of the backpacking matrix.

TV Star, homesteader, Denali guide…Marty Raney joins Derek and Carl to discuss a story he’s never shared before: a fateful trip to the highest peak in America and the unfortunate disaster that ensued. What happened on the mountain? Why did the rangers target Marty? And how did a small fortune go missing in the process? Also discussed is a crazy story from Marty’s adventure series ‘Ultimate Survival, Alaska’.

The trusted authority on going ultralight over long distances, Jeff Pelletier, joins the show to discuss how you might be cutting corners to go ‘stupid light’. Or how Carl continues to take calculated risks that are unwise in Jeff’s opinion. Also, gear suggestions, hiking efficiencies, and pro tips are shared.

Derek and Carl are joined by the most recent National Park Service Director, Chuck Sams. Topics include everything from getting blacklisted to Bigfoot to 3 suggestions Carl makes to improve the NPS system for backpackers and visitors. And, of course, there’s National Parks trivia.