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Artwork for Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show

Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show

Carl Mandrioli, Bleav
Backpacking
Hiking
Ultralight Backpacking
Backpacking Gear
Camping Gear
Outdoor Adventure
Camping
Outdoor Gear
Hiking Gear
Outdoor Adventures
Appalachian Trail
Ultralight Gear
Enlightened Equipment
Adventure
Youtube
Outdoor Safety
Backpacking Essentials
Bigfoot
Yosemite
Pacific Crest Trail

Backpacking and hiking tips and tales...with a sense of humor. This is your one-stop show for backpacking, hiking and adventure entertainment. From backpacking gear to the trail situations you will encounter to popular guests, this podcast will deliver. Derek and Carl will hit on all of the backpacking and hiking topics you want with decades of good (and horrendous) experience.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes464Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsComedy

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Backpacking & Blisters: A Hiking, Backpacking, and Adventure Show

Latest Episodes

There are some hot backpacking trends that are helpful, some that are dying and some that are just weird. Lloyd Vogel from Garage Grown Gear will share what he’s seeing from the retail side of this story. And Carl will have Lloyd react to his own ide... more

One of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people, Dean Karnazes, joins the show to share some unorthodox trail hacks and crazy tales from the backcountry. This man has done so many adventures but that does not deter Carl from suggesting 3 more crea... more

10 Backpacking experts from Steven Smith to Eric Hanson to Dan Durston to company owners weigh in with their #1 Gear Company. Which ones do you agree with and which ones do you question?

Full Episodes Featuring the Experts

-Steven Smith

-Eric Hans... more

YouTube

You might be getting scammed by companies, the ultralight narrative, or even yourself. Jesse and Carl have 8 ultralight backpacking scams that you might be falling victim to. And some of them are also ripping off Jesse and Carl. Also, can ‘Scam Trivi... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Chase Fly
Emperor of the Outdoor Empire, guest on the show
Outdoor Empire
Episode: 2027 FUTURE GEAR That You'll Love - Sneak Preview w/ Outdoor Empire
Ray Aldridge
Owner of Igneous Gear
Igneous Gear
Episode: 3 Cottage Gear Companies You Should Check Out! (Bonus Thursday)
James Magnet Parsons
Through-hiker, gear designer, founder of Magnet Designs
Magnet Designs
Episode: 3 Cottage Gear Companies You Should Check Out! (Bonus Thursday)
Peter Longabardi
Owner of ULA Packs
ULA Packs
Episode: 3 Cottage Gear Companies You Should Check Out! (Bonus Thursday)
Bill Gamber
Co-founder of Big Agnes
Big Agnes
Episode: BIG AGNES Co-Founder Bill Gamber: The Future of ULTRALIGHT GEAR (Bonus Thursday)
Christine Reed
Author of Alone in Wonderland, outdoor advocate
Episode: Top 10 Reasons YOU WILL QUIT on a Backpacking Trip w/ Christine Reed
Michael Mann
Thru-hiker, gear tester, YouTuber
YouTube channel formerly known as I Suck at Hiking
Episode: We Tested the NEWEST, Most POPULAR Packs. Which One is BEST?
Eric Hansen
Adventurer and backpacking/filmmaking host who travels the world sharing gear reviews and adventures
REI gear testing/public figure
Episode: ERIC HANSON: REI's Best Selling Gear - What Passes? What Fails?
Brad Crow Felton
Backpacking content creator and ultralight enthusiast
Independent content creator / YouTube channel
Episode: 10 Ways to Go Super Duper Extra Ultralight Backpacking w/ Brad 'Crow' Felton

Hosts

Derek
Host of Backpacking & Blisters; introduces guests and guides interview
Carl Mandrioli
Co-host and host of the show; frequent presence and dynamic banter
Jesse Mantai
Co-host discussing ultralight concepts and trip planning

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 488 ratings
  • For the ladies?

    Any way you can find a few more ladies to include? I like the content but it’s mostly dudes and more than half the world is female!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    greenlaughter
    United States20 days ago
  • Really enjoy this podcast

    I’ve been listening to every episode! I’m only up to 123 but will most likely listen to all of them. There’s so much info on gear, handling people, planning, challenges, permits…soo good! Love Carl and Derek. I laugh every time I think about Derek’s intro of Carl when he says Carl uses his face mask as a swimming suit, (during covid era). Looking forward to the new hosts and ongoing info.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Quakefan
    United States24 days ago
  • Pretty solid backpacking pod

    The religious stuff was a little off-putting at first, but they don’t throw it in your face and if you can get past that, it’s a pretty entertaining and informative podcast. I especially enjoy their interviews with some of the big players in the UL gear industry.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Gnütsak
    United Statesa month ago
  • I mean Walker

    I’m looking for somehow to carry my water and my cell phone and maybe keys latest as possible

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    gonzo150413
    United States2 months ago
  • Some Episodes are decent!

    Some of the episodes I love but others are just so dumb. For example, even with a good sense of humor who wants to hear someone talk about being an ultralighter using marshmallows as a pillow or making a rain jacket out of fruit roll ups. Just dumb. I do enjoy the podcasts for the most part and enjoy listening to backpacking stuff but cmon, some of the episodes are just too stupid. I guess they make up for it by having some good interviews with famous YouTubers but sometimes I have to just next ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    spatattack
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate candid gear critiques and long-distance hiking stories.
Engaging gear-focused discussions with strong guest lineups.
A good mix of humor and practical backpacking insights.
Audience sometimes tweaks toward male audience; some desire more female guests.
Diverse guests from cottage brands and survival experts are a strength.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#191
Sweden/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#215
Denmark/Sports

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

We Tested the NEWEST & Most POPULAR Tents. Which One is BEST?
Q: Who sells the most backpacking tents by volume?
The hosts answer Big Agnes, explaining they are widely available in big box stores and recognized as a leading tent brand.
3 Cottage Gear Companies You Should Check Out! (Bonus Thursday)
Q: What makes the Circuit pack stand out among ultralight options, and how do you handle feature tradeoffs?
Peter Longabardi explains the balance of comfort, durability, and ultralight design, noting the Circuit's capacity, included features, and its durability advantages over lighter designs; he also discusses the value of standard features like hip belt pockets and integrated accessories.
3 Cottage Gear Companies You Should Check Out! (Bonus Thursday)
Q: How did Magnet Designs come to be, and what inspires your product line?
magnet Parsons recounts a thru-hiking background and a transition into gear making, detailing how the Alpha Direct fleece and other custom options evolved from his own hikes and testing mindset, along with plans for natural fiber iterations.
3 Cottage Gear Companies You Should Check Out! (Bonus Thursday)
Q: What's the hottest item Igneous Gear is making right now?
Ray explains the two-pronged popularity: their water bottle fills a market void and the Ultralight Pot Gripper (Pot Hopper) has a passionate user base; he also shares how the team experiments with advanced manufacturing techniques inspired by satellites and aerospace.
3 Cottage Gear Companies You Should Check Out! (Bonus Thursday)
Q: So joining us is the owner of Igneous Gear, Ray Aldridge. How's it going today?
Ray describes his path from making gear for personal use to a business after an enormous early order, emphasizing the importance of lightweight innovations and community feedback surrounding their products like the lightweight bidets and water bottle accessories.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on backpacking, gear, and trail stories with a lively, humorous banter between two main hosts and a rotating cast of guests. Episodes frequently dissect ultralight gear, test new tents, discuss cottage-brand products, and share long-distance hiking experiences, practical trip planning, and trail culture. A standout is the consistent emphasis on real-world testing, candid opinions about equipment, and guest expertise—from gear designers and cottage brands to survival experts and prominent through-hikers—delivering actionable tips with entertaining personality. Listeners likely enjoy practical gear discussions paired with relatable humor and strong emphasis on the outdoor lifestyle, making it attractive to enthusiasts who val... more

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this podcast launched 9 years ago and published 464 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Chase Fly
2. Ray Aldridge
3. James Magnet Parsons
4. Peter Longabardi
5. Bill Gamber
6. Christine Reed
7. Michael Mann
8. Eric Hansen

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