Latest Stories | A Hikers Friend

How to Use Hiking Poles Effectively while on the Trail

May 273 min read

How to Use Hiking Poles Effectively while on the Trail

Hiking poles, also known as trekking poles, are valuable tools that can really improve your overall hiking experience by providing...

Josh Welch

Nov 30, 20234 min read

Australia’s best hiking snack bars

It feels like almost every freeze-dry company or hiking food brand is coming out with their own snack bar. They’re all claiming to be the...

Josh Welch

Sep 3, 20233 min read

Is new technology the future of hiking?

Technology, both physical and digital has increasingly become part of the hiking experience. This technology includes everything from...

Are Some Outdoor Retailers Becoming Too Commercialised?

Josh Welch

Jul 30, 20233 min read

Are Some Outdoor Retailers Becoming Too Commercialised?

In recent years, the outdoor retail industry has seen a significant transformation. Once dedicated solely to promoting exploration,...

The Growing Footprints: Are Some Hiking Tracks Becoming Too Popular?

Josh Welch

Jul 11, 20233 min read

The Growing Footprints: Are Some Hiking Tracks Becoming Too Popular?

Hiking has always been a great way to escape our busy world, however, with the growing popularity of trails around Australia, many...

Hiking in a thunderstorm: tips for avoiding lightning

Josh Welch

May 6, 20233 min read

Hiking in a thunderstorm: tips for avoiding lightning

Let be serious, hiking in a thunderstorm is scary. Even if the risks are low, you can’t help but get sinking feeling every time you hear...

How to make a super simple meal plan for a day hike

Josh Welch

Apr 11, 20233 min read

How to make a super simple meal plan for a day hike

When you’re heading out on the trail for a weekend day hike, the last thing you want in the way is the obstacle of planning. Though it is...

Why ultralight packs aren’t as good as you think they are

Josh Welch

Mar 25, 20233 min read

Why ultralight packs aren’t as good as you think they are

The world of ultralight hiking can sometimes be obsessive (trust me, I’ve been there). Reducing pack weight can often be a really good...

Josh Welch

Mar 11, 20232 min read

4 Reasons Why Cotton is Bad for Hiking

We’re all told that cotton isn’t good for hiking but many of us, especially newer hikers, don’t actually know why. There is often a...

One of my best gear investments: a long hiking spoon

Josh Welch

Feb 25, 20233 min read

One of my best gear investments: a long hiking spoon

When you look back and think about some of the best pieces of gear you own sometimes the smallest things can be the best. Between...

A Guide to Hiking for Beginners: Tips and Tricks to Get Started

Josh Welch

Feb 11, 20234 min read

A Guide to Hiking for Beginners: Tips and Tricks to Get Started

Hiking for the first time can be an amazing way to explore nature, challenge yourself, and exercise but for many people, they simply...

Josh Welch

Jan 27, 20233 min read

Rating the Radix Nutrition Range

When it comes to freeze-dried hiking food, for most it doesn't get much better than Radix but not all their meals are smash hits in...

Walking the Northern Grampians Peaks Trail – one year after opening

Josh Welch

Jan 14, 20236 min read

Walking the Northern Grampians Peaks Trail – one year after opening

In November 2022 after months of planning and frantic campsite booking to capture that elusive Cup Weekend spot I set off to walk the...

Josh Welch

Dec 31, 20222 min read

Easy and delicious hiking tacos

After a full day of hiking, a filling, yummy and easy dinner is exactly what most hikers are after and this taco recipe I made on a...

Ultralight hiker – bringing the world of ultralight to Australia

Josh Welch

Dec 17, 20225 min read

Ultralight hiker – bringing the world of ultralight to Australia

The world of ultralight hiking has gone through a transformative change over the last few years but that change hasn't always been seen...

The top 5 reasons people hike – chosen by you!

Josh Welch

Dec 3, 20223 min read

The top 5 reasons people hike – chosen by you!

We all have our own reasons for hiking, mine started out with friends and has grown into passion which I will have for the rest of my...

Josh Welch

Nov 19, 20223 min read

How to organise transport to your hike

Hiking can be a lot of fun but before you can start to conquer the trail you've first got to actually get to the trail. Depending on...

How to clean and care for a water bladder

Josh Welch

Nov 5, 20223 min read

How to clean and care for a water bladder

Caring and cleaning your water bladder (or a Camelbak) is something important you need to do every time you use it but many people do not...

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