Derek and Carl have Gear Designer and Company Owner Dan Durston on the show to discuss advances in ultralight tents, upcoming gear and the origin story of a cottage gear company.

Check out Durston Gear for some great ultralight options.

Check out Dan's documentary on one of his Bob Marshall Wilderness Open adventures!

Check out Magnet Designs for the best, US-made backpacking clothing on the market!

Enlightened Equipment: Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market!

GET BONUS SEGMENTS & EPISODES ON PATREON: There are over 50 BONUS episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

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Instagram: @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast

Email: backpackingblisters@gmail.com

Please check out our website: backpackingandblisters.com

Our Favorite Gear

Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt

Outdoor Vitals Summit Down Sleeping Bag

Gregory Paragon/Maven Backpack (Full Comfort)

Nemo Tensor Sleeping Pad

Therm-a-Rest Neo Loft (for ultra comfort)

Jetboil Flash (for larger groups)

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 (for solo or smaller groups)

Katadyn BeFree

Black Diamond Spot

Garmin InReach Mini 2

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Watch

Big Agnes Copper Spur

Nemo Hornet

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Justin Outdoors joins the show to share the best of the best gear in the categories of ultralight, budget and fancy. What are his top 2 pieces of gear for these categories? And what is fancy gear? Also, it’s time to introduce the Backpacking Magazine support line. There is now a spot devoted to all of your tough trail questions.

Some of the Gear Discussed
-Fancy Sleeping Pad

-Ultralight Pillow

-Budget Trowel

-Budget Headlamp

Check out...

Justin Outdoors’ Top Pieces of Fancy Gear

15 Insane Budget Backpacking Deals

2025 Ultralight Gear Awards

Check out Magnet Designs for the best, US-made backpacking clothing on the market!

Enlightened Equipment: Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market!

GET BONUS SEGMENTS & EPISODES ON PATREON: There are over 50 BONUS episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

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Instagram: @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast

Email: backpackingblisters@gmail.com

Please check out our website: backpackingandblisters.com

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Derek and Carl discuss the growing backpacking trends of 2026…and why many of them should simply die. From the latest gear trends and hot sellers to backpacking ‘style’ and fashion there’s got to be at least 1 thing you both agree and disagree with. Also, did Derek have a meltdown during trivia?

Some of the Topics Discussed
-The Latest Backpacking Gear

-Backpacking Clothing

-Water Bottle Innovations.

Check out Mike’s video series on Isle Royal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joWhqGQMWrw

Check out Magnet Designs for the best, US-made backpacking clothing on the market!

Enlightened Equipment: Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market!

GET BONUS SEGMENTS & EPISODES ON PATREON: There are over 50 BONUS episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on…

Facebook

Instagram: @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast

Email: backpackingblisters@gmail.com

Please check out our website: backpackingandblisters.com

Our Favorite Gear

Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt

Outdoor Vitals Summit Down Sleeping Bag

Gregory Paragon/Maven Backpack (Full Comfort)

Nemo Tensor Sleeping Pad

Therm-a-Rest Neo Loft (for ultra comfort)

Jetboil Flash (for larger groups)

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 (for solo or smaller groups)

Katadyn BeFree

Black Diamond Spot

Garmin InReach Mini 2

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Watch

Big Agnes Copper Spur

Nemo Hornet

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dan Becker joins the show to discuss some of things your average YouTube watcher doesn’t know about the gear reviews and reviewers. He also shares the twists and turns of his story and how he continues to evolve as a content creator. Dan has a lot of different and unexpected things coming.

Some of the Topics Discussed
-The Behind-the-Scenes of Gear Reviews

-From Zero to Backpacking Hero

-The most important Dan Becker YouTube video

Check out the Bucket Ministry!

Check out Dan Becker’s Awesome YouTube Channel!

Check out Magnet Designs for the best, US-made backpacking clothing on the market!

Enlightened Equipment: Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market!

GET BONUS SEGMENTS & EPISODES ON PATREON: There are over 50 BONUS episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on…

Facebook

Instagram: @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast

Email: backpackingblisters@gmail.com

Please check out our website: backpackingandblisters.com

Our Favorite Gear

Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt

Outdoor Vitals Summit Down Sleeping Bag

Gregory Paragon/Maven Backpack (Full Comfort)

Nemo Tensor Sleeping Pad

Therm-a-Rest Neo Loft (for ultra comfort)

Jetboil Flash (for larger groups)

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 (for solo or smaller groups)

Katadyn BeFree

Black Diamond Spot

Garmin InReach Mini 2

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Watch

Big Agnes Copper Spur

Nemo Hornet

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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!

Some of the Topics Discussed
-Stove boiling times

-Water Filter Details

-False Advertising

Check out Magnet Designs for the best, US-made backpacking clothing on the market!

Enlightened Equipment: Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market!

GET BONUS SEGMENTS & EPISODES ON PATREON: There are over 50 BONUS episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on…

Facebook

Instagram: @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast

Email: backpackingblisters@gmail.com

Please check out our website: backpackingandblisters.com

Our Favorite Gear

Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt

Outdoor Vitals Summit Down Sleeping Bag

Gregory Paragon/Maven Backpack (Full Comfort)

Nemo Tensor Sleeping Pad

Therm-a-Rest Neo Loft (for ultra comfort)

Jetboil Flash (for larger groups)

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 (for solo or smaller groups)

Katadyn BeFree

Black Diamond Spot

Garmin InReach Mini 2

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Watch

Big Agnes Copper Spur

Nemo Hornet

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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?

Some of the Topics Discussed
-Trail social skills

-Odd Backpacking encounters

-Strange but true trail villain stories

Check out Magnet Designs for the best, US-made backpacking clothing on the market!

Enlightened Equipment: Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market!

GET BONUS SEGMENTS & EPISODES ON PATREON: There are over 50 BONUS episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on…

Facebook

Instagram: @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast

Email: backpackingblisters@gmail.com

Please check out our website: backpackingandblisters.com

Our Favorite Gear

Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt

Outdoor Vitals Summit Down Sleeping Bag

Gregory Paragon/Maven Backpack (Full Comfort)

Nemo Tensor Sleeping Pad

Therm-a-Rest Neo Loft (for ultra comfort)

Jetboil Flash (for larger groups)

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 (for solo or smaller groups)

Katadyn BeFree

Black Diamond Spot

Garmin InReach Mini 2

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Watch

Big Agnes Copper Spur

Nemo Hornet

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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?

Check out ‘There’s Treasure Inside’ to get all of the information!

Some of the Topics Discussed
-Treasure Hunting

-Skills required

-Weird Treasure items

Check out Magnet Designs for the best, US-made backpacking clothing on the market!

Enlightened Equipment: Check out the best Ultralight Quilts on the market!

GET BONUS SEGMENTS & EPISODES ON PATREON: There are over 50 BONUS episodes of B&B that you can get by supporting us on Patreon. It's safe and secure and it helps us put out more content.

To react publicly or privately to any of our episodes post/message on…

Facebook

Instagram: @BackpackingAndBlistersPodcast

Email: backpackingblisters@gmail.com

Please check out our website: backpackingandblisters.com

Our Favorite Gear

Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt

Outdoor Vitals Summit Down Sleeping Bag

Gregory Paragon/Maven Backpack (Full Comfort)

Nemo Tensor Sleeping Pad

Therm-a-Rest Neo Loft (for ultra comfort)

Jetboil Flash (for larger groups)

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 (for solo or smaller groups)

Katadyn BeFree

Black Diamond Spot

Garmin InReach Mini 2

Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Watch

Big Agnes Copper Spur

Nemo Hornet

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.

The heart of this episode recounts Hazel's terrifying near-death experience in a cave in China. Miles underground in what they believed was a dry passage, Hazel and her team suddenly heard the roar of approaching water as an underground river changed course. What followed was a desperate fight for survival against a raging torrent, requiring split-second decisions and extraordinary human cooperation to escape. Her vivid description of climbing across slippery ledges with certain death below will leave you breathless.

Beyond the adventure, Hazel reveals how her research carries profound implications for our everyday lives. Her team has discovered cave microbes capable of breaking down nylon—potentially revolutionizing how we handle this problematic plastic that often ends up as ocean pollution. Other microorganisms they've studied can extract rare earth elements from rock, offering potential solutions for securing these crucial components used in everything from smartphones to electric vehicles.

Hazel's journey from a working-class British family to becoming a geology professor who's explored caves across 37 countries and all seven continents is equally fascinating. She shares how an early experience watching pus shoot from a cat's abscess at a veterinary clinic sparked her interest in microbiology, while a childhood caving trip revealed her unusual comfort in underground spaces. Her career advice is refreshingly straightforward: focus on what makes you jump out of bed in the morning, not titles or salaries.

Whether you're fascinated by extreme exploration, cutting-edge science, or simply curious about extraordinary career paths, Hazel's story offers a perfect blend of adventure and inspiration. Listen now to discover the hidden worlds beneath our feet and the microscopic treasures they contain.
BOOK: Lechuguilla Cave: Discoveries in a Hidden Splendor - https://www.amazon.com/Lechuguilla-Cave-Discoveries-Hidden-Splendor/dp/3982171423
Hazel Barton wins the "Oscar" of Caving Award in 2025 - https://geo.ua.edu/2025/09/10/dr-hazel-barton-wins-prominent-caving-award/
Hazel's Lab Website - http://www.cavescience.com/
Follow Hazel on X - https://x.com/cavescience
Follow Hazel on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hazel-barton-4124148/
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