HOB-blog
The Physics of a Perfect Backpack: How to Pack for Maximum Comfort
When you’re headed into the mountains on a trek, your gear becomes part of your body. Your backpack isn’t just a container—it’s a critical tool for comfort, efficiency, and injury prevention....
Featured Hobnailers: Jeff & Patricia Stewart
Our "Featured Hobnailers" series spotlights past and upcoming Hobnail trekkers. In this episode, we interview Jeff and Patricia Stewart of Monteagle, Tennessee. The Stewarts completed our Peruvian...
Adventure Travel for Retirees: 10 Reasons to Embrace the Journey After 50
Speaking as someone who is perfectly in the middle of this age range, I feel that I can make this statement with confidence: Adventure travel is the perfect reward for professionals and retirees...
Don’t over-complicate it: Hiking is just walking with boots and a backpack
Sometimes, we over-complicate things. It’s just human nature, I guess. Cooking? Over-complicated. Throw it in a pan and cook it over medium heat until it’s done. Politics? Over-complicated. Use the...
Featured Hobnailer: Christanne Kurtz
Our "Featured Hobnailers" series spotlights past and upcoming Hobnail trekkers. In this episode, we interview Christanne Kurtz of San Diego, California. Christanne is tackling Nepal's Everest Base...
Discovering the Balkans: A Hidden Gem for Adventure Seekers
When most people think of international trekking destinations, they tend to conjure the high-altitude routes of the Himalayas, the rugged Alps of Central Europe, or the Inca foot trails of the...
The Science of Staying Hydrated at Altitude: Why Water Alone Isn’t Enough
When embarking on a high-altitude trek, you’ll hear the same advice over and over from those in the know: “Drink plenty of water!” And while that’s solid guidance, it’s a bit like advising someone...
Featured Hobnailer: Larry Kintner
Our "Featured Hobnailers" series spotlights past and upcoming Hobnail trekkers. In this episode, we interview Larry Kintner of Oakland, Tennessee. Larry is tackling Nepal's Everest Base Camp + Gokyo...
Featured Hobnailers: Terry & Rhonda Gilbert
Our "Featured Hobnailers" series spotlights past and upcoming Hobnail trekkers. In this episode, we interview Terry and Rhonda Gilbert of Whitwell, Tennessee. The Gilberts are undertaking their...
Out of the cubicle and onto the trail
Scrolling through LinkedIn? Chances are fairly good you’re sitting at a desk, staring at a screen, sipping your third (or fifth) cup of coffee, and wondering where your productivity has gone. It's...
Top 5 Reasons Why an Overseas Trek is the Perfect Team-Building Experience
Picture this: Your team is stuck in another windowless conference room, sipping stale coffee with powdered cream, and repeatedly checking their mobile phones while pretending to enjoy an awkward...
Featured Hobnailers: Russ & Susan Moore
Our "Featured Hobnailers" series spotlights past and upcoming Hobnail trekkers. In this episode, we interview Russ and Susan Moore of Buhl, Alabama. The Moores are Hobnail's most tenured trekkers,...
Featured Hobnailers: Paul & Linne McGowan
We are excited to begin a new "Featured Hobnailer" series that profiles past and upcoming Hobnail trekkers. Our first Hobnailers are Paul and Linne McGowan, who are embarking on our Croatian...
Why an overseas trek costs what it does
If you've ever looked at the price of an overseas trekking adventure and thought, "Why the heck does it cost that much?", you're not alone. We get it and we've had the exact same reactions...
Diamox: What it is and why you should consider taking it
When planning a high-altitude trek with Hobnail Trekking — whether it’s Everest Base Camp, Kilimanjaro, the Inca Trail, or one of our other epic destinations — you’ll likely hear about Diamox...
The Top 10 Things Every American Trekker Should Know Before Their First Overseas Adventure
So, you’ve decided to take your trekking skills international and travel overseas — or to a new country — for the very first time with Hobnail (or some other, less-cool trekking company). Good for...
10 Reason why you should hike Ecuador’s Quilotoa Loop as soon as possible
If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path trek with breathtaking views, charming Andean villages, and just the right amount of challenge, then the Quilotoa Loop should be at the top of your list....
The Science Behind Trekking Poles: How They Make Every Step Smarter
If you’ve ever hiked with trekking poles, you know they’re more than just fancy walking sticks or something to fight off mean dogs with. But did you know that there’s actual science behind why they...
Five things to consider when choosing a rain shell for trekking
When you’re trekking in the great outdoors, rain isn’t a question of if—it’s a question of when and how much. Whether you’re trudging through the misty Scottish Highlands, dodging downpours in the...
Top 8 considerations when buying hiking boots
 I've written about hiking boots before, but decided to go a little more in-depth this time. After all, what's more important to trekking than boots? Not much. The right hiking boots can literally...
