The practice of fast-hiking is halfway between hiking and trail. It is an excellent complement to more targeted race training.

Fast-hiking models, designed for active mountain walking and outdoor practices, are more resistant than most trail boots. We could even consider them for the demanding ultra-trails, especially for those for whom comfort remains a priority over many hours of effort. Here are the five models that most appealed to us after our tests.

Lafuma Shift Knit: the most comfortable

Lafuma is innovating with this shoe dedicated to active walking, designed with Knitting technology that reduces seams and therefore friction. Indeed, it is very comfortable, and the stem fits well the foot. The unwinding is easy, the whole thing remaining flexible. Lafuma didn’t forget the protection with a strong enough stone guard. The result is a versatile and reassuring shoe for active trail walking, hiking, and active travel.

Merrell MQM Flex GTX: for sports walking trips

Designed for fast mountain hiking, this MQM is very versatile. It will be comfortable on the right trails, or its flexibility will be very valuable and keeps a good grip and sufficient protection on more technical terrain. Its comfort, lightness, and flexibility will be outstanding assets to take it far.

Garmont Santiago Low: an ally for all activities

This active hiking shoe, with a very reassuring sole, offers an enjoyable foot roll. If it has a sole close to the approach models, its flexibility allows it to consider sports walks of good distance and even mixed-use hiking, hiking and cycling. It can be a good ally for active walking trips, or even a comfortable choice for very long mountain trails, without aiming for performance.

Adidas Terrex Fast Mid GTX-Surround: Highly efficient grip and safe support

This shoe for fast hiking is a real concentrate of technology. First of all, we note, an exceptional lightness for this category of shoes and comfort worthy of trail shoes with a high upper that is forgotten, but perhaps hardly too much for a shoe in this category. The grip is indeed a strong asset thanks to its Continental sole, and the shock absorption is correct.

Lowa Aerox GTX: top of the range and innovative

A resolutely top-of-the-range and creative model, with its Gore Tex Surround membrane (still far from being “common”) that surrounds the foot to ensure perfect waterproofing. Better yet, the addition of a sole specially developed for this membrane, with air channels in the midsole part that provides cushioning, allows 360° breathability too, with air that tickles the soles of your feet. An excellent idea that will delight those who are always too hot on their feet, but who don’t want to sacrifice protection against rain and mud.

Many of us loathe the idea of not being able to take a shower during a camping trip. The few people who do bring a portable camping shower or any other related pieces of equipment to wash up will probably end up having a much better time since good hygiene and cleanliness are directly linked to our well-being and mental state.
Not all portable camping showers are created equal, so I will talk about some of the available models on the market that are built for different circumstances.

On your next camping trip, you may be going to a campsite where there won’t be a source of water to hook-up your portable camping shower. It may provide just the bare minimum, meaning the designated area where you’ll camp and that’s it. Some camping showers are designed for these situations. On the flip side, the campsite where you’re going may be equipped with a water hookup, and there are camping showers that can take advantage of this as well.

Texsport Privacy Shelter Camp Shower

It is an excellent example of a portable camping shower that requires no water hookups. It’s straightforward as it doesn’t have as many parts and doesn’t carry the weight as some of the high-end models.

You can take it deep in the woods, set it up anywhere you want and it is entirely free thanks to the solar shower bag that harnesses the power of the sun to heat the water contained inside; no need to carry heavy heating equipment such as propane tanks.

The Texsport Privacy Shelter includes a large 5-gallon shower bag, a shower tent with black polyethylene walls that attract warmth from the sun, a fiberglass pole frame system and durable web straps with a quick-release buckle that secures the frame for hanging. One major disadvantage that I find with this model is that you need to hang it somewhere at an acceptable height, like on a tree branch, as there is no self-support system.

Zodi Hot Tap Piezo Ignition Single Camp Shower

The Zodi Hot Tap is not a complete camping shower solution because it doesn’t include the shower tent but, then again, many of the camping shower solutions sold on the market require you to purchase the shower tent separately.

The Zodi Hot Tap’s sole purpose is to provide the means to heat the water, and it does so by using propane which allows water to be heated within seconds. Powered by 4 “D” batteries, the integrated pump provides high water pressure which can be useful to clean dishes as well as taking a shower. Included in the kit are a 4-gallon storage case, a stainless steel burner, a powerful water pump, an 8ft flexible shower hose and a 16.4 oz disposable propane cylinder. It’s a powerful camping shower solution, but it doesn’t have the portability of a solar camping shower. The Zodi is more suitable when going car-camping due to its weight.

Eccotemp Systems Portable Tankless Water Heater

If you mainly camp at campsites where water hook ups are available, it might be a good idea to look into a camping shower solution that can take advantage of that and which doesn’t require you to carry a shower bag or a water container.

The Portable Tankless Water Heater by Eccotemp Systems does just that. You only need to hook up the hose to a water source, and the propane will take care of heating up the water as it flows through the main module where the on/off and temperature adjusting knobs are located. The heated water flows out through the hose and out of the nozzle. This model also includes 2 “D” batteries used to trigger the flames that will burn inside the main module whenever hot water is needed.

Regardless of the type of camping shower that fits the bill, you can be confident that it will be a great addition to your camping gear. It may seem like a luxury item at first, but once you’ve gotten used to taking a shower anytime, anywhere, you probably won’t want to go back.

I honestly believe that camping showers will become a mainstream product eventually since we’re always looking for ways to improve our comfort level in any situation and the Internet permits us to have access to unique products like these which people around the world are becoming accustomed to.

Veteran or even amateur camp chefs throughout the world have different campfire food ideas that keep everyone asking for second helpings by the camp fire. The most popular camping recipes are not only easy to cook but need to be nutritious as well. These methods usually involved being wrapped in foil, roasted or grilled on hot coals, or the use of a Dutch oven.

Though the thought of cooking and eating outside sounds exciting, make sure you have packed enough food for the whole trip, and the best way to do this is to have a menu. You must also double check your supplies before leaving, and it sure wouldn’t hurt to pack a bit more extra food.

Here is a good example of a one-day menu for your next family camping trip:

Breakfast

Make sure your ingredients are stored properly

Western Beans & Texas Toast Recipe

You’ll need:

• 2 lbs Ground meat of one of a mixture of turkey, beef, venison, pork, mutton
• Two cans Pork in beans
• One large Onion
• Mustard, ketchup and BBQ sauce
• Brown sugar
• Garlic powder, salt, pepper
• Bread and butter

How to cook:

In a pot, skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground meat with the chopped onion, then drain off the excess oil. You can now add the pork n beans, garlic powder, ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, salt and pepper according to your preference.

Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, butter a piece of bread, sprinkle some garlic powder, and toast over a fire. This is good for 4-5 persons.

Lunch

Chuck Wagon Stew

Use a portable gas stove to cook

What you’ll need:

• 1 lb ground beef
• Two medium potatoes, unpeeled and diced
• One medium onion, minced (optional)
• Salt
• One tsp Instant beef bouillon
• 2 tbsps Worcestershire sauce
• One 16oz can diced tomatoes (do not drain)
• One 8oz can cut green beans (do not drain)

How to cook:
You will need a pot with a lid or a deep skillet as well as camp stoves or hot coals. Brown the ground beef and drain off excess oil. Add all the remaining ingredients. Mix, cover and let it simmer for 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Stir occasionally. Best served with cornbread. Serves four people.

Dinner

Swiss Cheese Chicken

What you’ll need:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
• Swiss cheese, sliced
• Cream of chicken soup (Campbell’s)
• Dry herbed stuffing (Pepperidge Farms)
• Butter
• Cooking oil
• Foil
• Paring knife
• Can opener
• Spoon

How to cook:

Spray a piece of foil with cooking oil. Put chicken, layer with Swiss cheese, then add 2-3 spoons of soup. Top with the stuffing and dab with butter. Securely wrap the mixture then place over hot coals or open fire.

Snack
Robinson Crusoe’s S’mores
What you’ll need:
Marshmallows
Chocolate
Graham crackers
Peanut butter
How to cook:

Place the marshmallow on a stick. Meanwhile, spread peanut butter onto the graham crackers then put the chocolate on top. Place this near the fire to help the chocolate melt better. Roast your marshmallow evenly until brown then sandwich it between the graham crackers.

There is a whole horde of camping recipes out there. You can even create your own to make your camping experience even more enjoyable. All you have to do is surf the web and copy the recipe you want to try. You can also take the recipe and modify it to suit your taste better.

A bit of history

Here is a little bit of history of the Propane Camping Stove. In 1923 the Coleman Co. introduced the Model-One a two-burner camp stove. When the American families were able to afford the Model T Ford, they were able to take vacations and travel around the country. Motor camping became very popular. The families would strap their camping stoves and other camping equipment to the running boards of their car. The American families would pull along the side of the road or in remote areas and pitch their tents and make camp.

In 1942 the GI Pocket Stove was introduced during WWII as the backpacking stove. The U.S. Army wanted a compact stove for their particular unit of ski troopers. The stove needed to be compact in size and be able to burn a variety of liquid fuels and gasoline. The Pocket Stove also needed to light quickly in temperatures ranging from 60 degrees below zero and 125 degrees above zero.

In November of 1942 during the invasion of North Africa, 5,000 pocket stoves accompanied the American armed forces. More than one million Pocket Stoves were sent to the battlefronts in Europe and the Pacific until the end of the war in 1945. The soldiers used the Pocket Stoves for many things other than cooking their meals, like warm up their bunkers, hot water for drinking or shaving and the Medics would use them to sterilise their medical supplies.

In 1969 the first propane camping stove was introduced to the American Public. To this day, there are many types and styles of propane camping stoves.

Depending on your camping needs and the size of your group, you can choose between a two burner or a three burner propane camping stove. Also available is a one burner propane camping stove which can be used as an extra burner or ideal for backpacking.

Using a propane camping stove is one of the easiest types to use. A propane camping stove uses small portable propane fuel cylinders that you attach to your stove. The cylinders weigh about two to three pounds. You can use the larger propane tanks like the one you use on your barbeque at home. There are adapters that you can purchase to accommodate for the larger propane tanks. If you are camping for the weekend, the small propane fuel cylinders are the best way to go. If you are planning on camping for longer than that, the larger propane tank would be the better choice.

Cleaning and Care of your Propane Camping Stove:

A clean stove is not only better looking but works better. The benefits of a clean stove include better fuel efficiency, flame control and has no rust or corrosion.

You should clean your stove whenever if becomes dirty or after a boil-over that causes buildup in the burners. It is recommended that you clean your stove between camping trips and before storing your propane camping stove at the end of the camping season.

Under most conditions, stoves can be wiped out with a warm damp cloth and dishwashing soap and dried before storing. If your stove needs a deeper cleaning here are a few suggestions for cleaning it:

If you have encountered a boilover, remove the screw from the centre of each burner and lift off the burner rings and bowl to check the manifold for fluid or debris. If there is a build-up, clean it with a warm damp cloth and dishwashing soap before rinsing with clean water.

If the stove has a large amount of grease or dirt build-up inside the case, on the burners or grill, you can use a high-pressure hose on it like at a car wash. Make sure that you don’t use any tire, oven or engine cleaner as it can cause damage to the paint on the inside of the case and the metal grate and manifold.

If the stove has been cleaned with any hose, turn the stove upside down to make sure all the water is removed from inside the manifold. Any water left inside the manifold can cause it to rust and disturb the flow of fuel to the burner. It can cause the stove from burning properly.

After cleaning your stove, it is important to store it properly. Put stove in a plastic bag and seal it with a twist tie to prevent spiders and other insects from getting into the unit. It can block the fuel and airflow.

Listed below are just several types of propane camping stoves available on the market.

One Burner Propane Stoves:

PowerPack Single Burner Propane Stove, 1-Burner Propane Stove

Here are a few two and three burner Propane camping stoves that I recommend:

2-Burner Propane Stove: It has consistent cooking performance even in cold weather and high altitudes. Individual burner controls from simmer to full boil for perfect outdoor cooking. Windblock shields burners for maximum heat or folds down for a convenient side table. Two high performance 22,000 BTU adjustable burners. This stove lasts up to 1.1 hours with both burners on high and 4.5 hours on low with one 16.4-oz propane cylinder. Heavy-duty nickel chrome grate, it removes easily for cleaning. Resist rust and easy to clean. Match light.

Propane Stove, Two-Burner, Standard: This stove has a high-pressure regulator and provides a constant output, regardless of weather conditions. It is equipped with two 10,000 burners. It can boil a quart of water in 4.5 min. One cylinder of propane (16.04 oz) will last up to 4.5 hours.

Propane Perfectflow Instastart Portable Skillet: This propane skillet is perfect for cooking large meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Consistent cooking performance in cold weather, high altitudes and when fuel is low. The 8,000 BTU tube burner provides more heat than an electric griddle. The 100 oz. Capacity is perfect for cooking chilli, chicken or any of your favourite camping recipes. One 16.4 oz propane cylinder will last up to 1.1 hours with both burners on high and up to
4.5 hrs. on low.