Techy hikers unite.
Welcome to the Tech on the Trail section of the Atlas Guides blog! This series features stories told with data, reviews of gear, scientific experiments, and much more!
Blog Archive: Tech on the Trail
Browse through our chronological Tech on the Trail history or check out our most recent posts to see what we’re experimenting with with now!
Useful Knots for Hikers: The Sheet Bend Knot
One of the most important knots a hiker can learn is called the "Sheet Bend." This knot is great for joining two lines together and can be very useful while out on the trail.
Sawyer Mini, Micro and Squeeze Review
I wrap up my series of Sawyer filter reviews by testing the flow rate of the Sawyer Mini against the Squeeze and Micro.
How to Optimize Your Break Time While Hiking
What is the optimal break time when you want to hike big miles?
10 Quick Tips & Tricks for the Guthook Guides App
We have some tips and tricks to help you use our app to its full capability. Check them out and see if you learn something new!
How to Send a Check-In in the Guthook Guides App
Here are step-by-step instructions to send a Check-in in the new social feature in your Android and iPhone Guthook Guides app.
6 Instant Coffee Brands for Thru-Hiking
We taste-tested 10 different instant coffees and a few mocha mixes. Find out how they taste, how much they cost, and whether this is a good choice for your backpacking trip.
8 Ways to Make Coffee While Thru-Hiking or Camping
We tested eight different methods for making coffee in the outdoors, each with varying taste, cost, and weight.
How Long Will My Toothpaste Last On A Thru-Hike?
Have you ever wondered how long a travel-size tube of toothpaste should last? We did the research so you will know.
Why is our app called Guthook?
A lot of people ask why our app is called Guthook Guides and how it got its name. Guthook, himself, is here to explain everything from the beginning.
Review: We Sawed a Sawyer Squeeze Filter in Half!
We disassembled a Sawyer Squeeze filter to show you how it filters water and why you should backflush it to keep it clean.
The One Piece of Gear You Never Knew You Needed
Originally written for The Trek. Dental care in the backcountry often seems pretty self-explanatory but there are many options for dental care on trail.
Useful Knots for Hikers: The Round Turn and Two Half-Hitches
The round turn and two half hitches is a useful knot for backpackers.
Hiking Tip: What To Do When Your Phone Battery Gets Too Cold
Your battery indicator doesn't always tell you the truth. When hiking, here is what you should do if your phone battery gets too cold...
Review: Sawyer Mini, Micro and Squeeze Compared
I wrap up my series of Sawyer filter reviews by testing the flow rate of the Sawyer Mini against the Squeeze and Micro.
Review: Should I carry the Sawyer Syringe?
It is more effective to use the Sawyer coupler or a Smartwater bottle nozzle to backflush your Sawyer Squeeze filter than to use the Sawyer syringe that comes packaged with the Sawyer Squeeze filter.
Review: Sawyer Squeeze and Sawyer Micro Flow Rate Tests
We continue our review of the Sawyer Micro Squeeze and Sawyer Squeeze, this time with different squeeze containers, including the Vecto, Evernew, Smartwater Bottle, and Sawyer Squeeze Pouch.
Review: the New Sawyer Micro Squeeze
We review Sawyer's new Micro Squeeze water filtration system.
10 Affordable Lightweight Gear Options for Backpackers and Thru Hikers
Ten affordable lightweight backpacking items that are a must for any trip.
Choosing the Right Charger for your Thru-Hike
Since many hikers carry phones and portable batteries, we evaluated a variety of battery chargers and have some to recommend for long-distance hikers.
Trail Maintenance for Lightweight Backpackers
This set of maintenance tools is great and it fits easily in the side pocket of my pack.
Getting the Most From Your Phone’s Battery
You’re ready to hit the trail, your fully-loaded smartphone in hand. But how long will it last when you’re not near an outlet?
How Many People Hike the AT and PCT?
If you’ve been on the Appalachian or Pacific Crest Trail and thought, “there are a lot of people out here,” you’re not wrong.
Birds Eye Stories of the Appalachian Trail
I’ve been fascinated by satellite imagery of the the Appalachian Trail. It tells a very different story about the landscape.
What Are the Steepest Climbs on the AT, PCT, and CDT?
I analyzed elevation data to come up with an estimate of the steepest climbs.