One of the best parts of backpacking is settling around a campfire and enjoying a hot dinner after a long day of hiking. You may find it helpful to make a list of meals for each day you are out on the trail to ensure that you are not over- or under-packing for your trip. The Ozark Trail (OT) is one of America’s premier distance hiking trails. Mostly divided into linked sections, the trail winds through 390 miles of rolling hills, stone bluffs and cool streams in central and southern Missouri. Outdoor activities such as hiking and biking, and also for school. The front and hip straps make it very comfortable and takes alot of the pressure of your shoulders and back. The only thing I might add is a liner for wet days, like a small plastic trash bag. I can't imagine loading this up with a lot of bulky, heavy items. Fit and finish were pretty good — no loose seams or stitching. When you do have to answer the call of the wild, make sure to stay at least 100 yards away from a water source and bury any solid waste at least 6 inches deep. Backpacking stoves are a convenient way to boil water for dehydrated meals and instant coffee without adding a lot of weight to your pack. Trailspace's community of gear reviewers has field-tested and rated the top daypacks. We are ThriftyKing LLC and we offer the best prices on the internet. Our company started in the fall of 2022 when our founders Brittney & D’Andre Ruth decided it was time to do something great, not only for their child but for you as well. Make sure to let a friend or family member know what you’re doing and where you’re going. Tell someone how many days you’ll be gone and approximately where you think you’ll stay each night. Physically check in by filling out a backpacking card at dedicated trailheads. Also, learn the seven principles of “Leave No Trace” to keep the backcountry beautiful. I bought this pack recently on a whim while shopping Walmart. I needed a day pack and didn't really have lots of time to search at REI for the various styles provided having only gone to one store. This daypack ended up being the cheapest after a quick perusal. I was a little concerned with how the straps would distribute weight. Prior to taking it out on the trail, I did give it two coats of silicone spray so that it would shed water. Packing-wise, I chose to line it with a garbage disposal liner. On the small side, so it won't work for hikers who need a spacious pack. Order your 2024 Official Missouri Travel Guide and start planning your Missouri adventure today. Water sources like rivers and streams may only be available seasonally. OT maps are a great resource to help identify places where you can access water. I backpack in the backcountry of the Sierra Nevada. And I do day hikes in Sequoia National Park and on the coast. I sweated just a bit but not too much since the walk was short (and I didn't want to sweat after a shower). Here's another AWESOME thing about the Ozark Trail Atka day pack. It's sized to fit every airline's carry-on size requirements. My son and daughter each took one of these on a trip through Europe and they carried it on every plane, train, and bus they rode without any problems.