Thermacell Backpacker
Brian founded Ultimate Upland in 2010 to be the most comprehensive resource for upland hunting enthusiasts. Since then it has grown into a community where bird hunters congregate and share their love for the sport. Brian shares detailed accounts of Ultimate Upland adventures in pursuit of wild birds in the wildest places.
Koch is joined afield by hunting partners Labs and Llews.
I own lots of tents for lots of different backcountry scenarios. I’ll be replacing every tent stake I have with Big Agnes 10” Dirt Dagger UL Tent Stakes. These stakes use a unique design that helps prevent bending in rocky surfaces and also promotes grip in soft soil conditions. Lightweight with high-vis color, they are…
Hunting in Alaska this year I went 20 days without a shower. Never again. NEMO makes the Helio Pressure Shower ($99) specifically for these backcountry adventures. It’s also a great solution for hosing off bird dogs that have rolled in mystery stench. Honestly, in Alaska I may have smelled worse than the dogs. The Helio packs up…
We’re perennial fans of Benchmade knives: high-quality, edge retention, one handed opening, reversible clips on most models. What’s not to like? But here’s what makes the Freek stand out: it’s crazy lightweight. Benchmade has found a way to replace some of the metal components with space-age materials that don’t compromise quality. Unlike other Benchmade models,…
Though I was cutting as much weight as possible for an overland trek, I allowed for two luxuries: a toothbrush and a pack of DUDE Shower Wipes. Call me a prima donna, but it’s just reinvigorating to be able to wipe away the dirt, grime and sweat of trail toils prior to tucking into…
I knew when we hit the trail this season that we had multiple river crossings in our future. There was a good chance I’d get soaked from the waist down, but I had to keep my gear clean and dry even if I became completely submerged. Nite Ize Runoff Cubes offer a great solution for…
Water. It’s proven to be one of the biggest challenges of our Way Upland trips. I’ve tested multiple solutions, but I’ve been most impressed by the performance of the Katadyn HIker Pro in our latest season. I’ve used Katadyn water filters in the past and they have always been solid gear. The biggest difference with…