Whether you’re planning your first hiking expedition or have been exploring the outdoors for decades, the same truth applies: There’s always something new to learn. No matter your level of experience, hiking is more than a hobby. It’s a sport that requires preparedness, perseverance, and an open mind. Apply these 10 hiking hacks for your next trip, and we hope you’ll find the experience easier, safer, and even more fun.

1. Keep Items Weather-Protected

You never know what kind of rain, snow, or other inclement weather may hit. Even humidity and condensation can create unexpected dampness and wreak havoc on your belongings. Keep any electronic devices or must-stay-dry essentials in Ziploc bags to ensure they do indeed stay dry no matter what the day brings.

2. Set Hydration Goals

You might assume you won’t need any hydration reminders, as your exerted energy and tired body will do all the nudging you need. However, even experienced hikers will tell you they sometimes forget to drink enough, particularly in cold weather hiking. Mark sections of your water bottle with times of the day to remind you how much you should be drinking and ensure you’re properly hydrated.

3. Keep Blisters at Bay

Coat typical problem areas with petroleum jelly before putting on your socks and shoes to help prevent blisters. Alternatively, you can place a pre-emptive bandaid or moleskin on the areas you know will start bothering you. Once blisters form, it makes it hard to continue, so you want to prevent them as much as possible.

4. Don’t Forget the Duct Tape

Duct tape can be used to remedy a world of ailments, including applying to blistered feet to prevent further irritation. You can also use it to repair tents, shoes, backpacks, and more. Always have a roll handy in your backpack — you never know when something will tear, snap, or fray.

5. Learn the Botanical Basics

Whether you’re hiking on a well-marked trail or off the grid, chances are you’ll encounter some new vegetation. Some plants produce berries that will be a little sweet gift, while others are poisonous and should certainly be avoided. Brush up on your botanical studies to distinguish which plants are friends and which are foe. Also, refresh yourself on the look of common plants to avoid, like poison oak and ivy, to ensure you stay far away.

6. Prevent Accidental Battery Drainage

Both novices and experts have likely experienced the frustration of a torch or headlamp left accidentally switched on in the backpack and drained of life when you need it the most. Flip a battery the wrong way when not in use to prevent this from happening.

7. Use a Trash Bag for a Waterproof Barrier

Trash bags may not be among the glamorous line of hiking must-haves, but they work as waterproofing materials in a pinch. If you have any qualms about the durability of your backpack under heavy rain, line the inside with a trash bag to ensure the contents stay dry regardless of the weather.

8. Learn How to Read the Sun

If you don’t know when sunset is, you can use your hands to determine about how much daylight you have left.

With your palm facing you, extend your hand and arm straight out in front of you. Line up the bottom of your pinky finger with the horizon.

Each finger is equal to 15 minutes. So, if the sun is at the top of your four fingers, you’ll have about one hour of daylight left (4 x 15 minutes). If the sun is higher than that, you can “stack” your hands to figure out the total. By knowing how much light is left in the day, you can make wise decisions about when to turn back to set up camp before darkness falls.

9. Always Be Fire-Ready

Any hiker will know the importance of carrying matches or a lighter with them to be campfire ready at a moment’s notice. But if you’re searching to improve your firestarter kit, consider adding a highly flammable addition such as cotton balls doused in petroleum jelly or vaseline. These will start a rip-roaring fire in no time.

10. Learn Your Knots

Finally, don’t skimp out on learning the basics of a few good knots. Take a few YouTube tutorials or ask a friend to teach you. You never know when you’ll need this skill on the trail, but when you do, you’ll want it ready in your back pocket.

Gear up for Your Hiking Trip With Dutchware

Stock up on everything you need for your upcoming trip with our line of quality and lightweight hiking must-haves. From rope and rolled goods to breathable fabric and waterproof backpacks, shop at Dutchware to set off feeling fully prepared for the adventure ahead. Browse our gear inventory to get started.

Written & Reviewed by Dutch

After many years of providing wholesale materials, reliable services and expertise to businesses, DutchWare® is adding new capabilities to provide high-quality contract services for sewing, laser cutting, custom printing, and more. As a trusted supplier of innovative, high-quality products and materials for outdoor enthusiasts, we’re known for our attention to subtle details that ensure every item we deliver is reliable and resilient.

Are you looking for professional-grade sewing, laser-cut fabrics, and custom-printed branding on hammocks or other gear? We’re happy to offer the following services to meet your needs!

Sewing Contract Services

There are many operations you can handle in-house, but hand sewing your products doesn’t need to be one of them. Contract sewing services allow you to get the products you need while freeing your hands to work on running other aspects of your business. The DutchWare® team of sewing professionals, based out of our sewing facility in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, can provide a range of full contract sewing services for all of your commercial needs. When you need high-quality fabrics sewn by extensively trained seamstresses who commit their talents to every stitch, turn to DutchWare®.

Benefits of Personalized Sewing

With personalized sewing services, your project gets the individualized attention that results in high-quality products. The time and attention to detail that’s dedicated to each project mean improved results and fewer mistakes. When your project gets done right the first time, you avoid order delays and can save money in the long run. Our skilled seamstresses devote time and attention to each product, and we perform thorough quality-assurance checks before shipment, helping to ensure that your order is completed correctly.

Why Fabric Choices Matter

Handsewn and quality-controlled machine sewing services are indispensable resources. Another critical factor in getting the results you’re looking for is your choice of fabric.

The fabrics that we use for our DutchWare® products are all specifically designed to withstand the heavy demands of the outdoor industry. We source every material we use from mills around the world that deliver only the best fabrics to our exact specifications. Our diverse fabric options include:

• Breathable Nylon Fabrics: These fabrics are lightweight and able to rid the body of moisture.
• Waterproof Fabrics: Waterproof fabrics range from lightweight to a heavier weight and are available in water-resistant and completely waterproof options.
• Calendared/Downproof: Calendared fabrics provide extra wind protection and allow them to be downproof. 
• Mesh: Mesh options include No-See-Um bug netting that protects users from annoying, potentially disease-spreading pests.
• Printed Fabrics: Fabrics with customized imaging are available in breathable, waterproof, calendared, and downproof options.
• Technical Fabrics: We also offer a variety of technical fabrics, including Dyneema® Composite Fabric, ROBIC® and X-PAC®, that offer superior strength while remaining lightweight.

Our expertise in providing and developing top quality rolled goods has made us a leader in the outdoor industry. With a large selection of strengths, sizes and capabilities, we offer an unmatched inventory of industry-leading rolled goods. Whether we’re sourcing our fabrics from reliable companies like Dyneema® and X-Pac® or using our own in-house branded materials, you can rest assured that our custom hammock fabrics are ready to deliver unbeatable comfort and performance.

Our Handcrafted Sewing Services

Handcrafted — it’s often the difference between premium quality and preventable mistakes. That’s why we sew every stitch in all of our products by hand. Using industrial-grade sewing equipment, our professional sewing department creates every hammock, hugger, strap, and accessory with precision and patience. The seamstresses on our dynamic team have mastered their craft and pride themselves on their strict attention to detail. Each piece of finished gear is initialed with confidence and thoroughly evaluated in our final quality assurance checkpoint.

At DutchWare®, our highly trained, passionate, and versatile sewers are dedicated to your complete satisfaction. We have one of the largest custom fabric selections in the outdoor industry and are prepared to deliver a full range of contract sewing services. Don’t chance ruining your production run with low-quality materials or poor stitching. Allow our team of seamstresses to put their talent and passion to work on your project. We guarantee you’ll be satisfied with every stitch.

Laser Cutting Contract Services

While we pride ourselves on the work of our talented seamstresses and their mastery of industrial-grade sewing machinery, we also know that some operations require the precision of the latest technology. Along with our contract sewing services, DutchWare® is also pleased to offer contract fabric cutting services. Unlike other manufacturers who contract laser cutting machines, we have our own in-house fabric laser cutter to meet your exact needs efficiently, accurately, and without extended production times.

What Is Laser Cutting?

When you need ultimate precision for fabric cutting projects, every fraction of an inch counts. While traditional fabric cutting machines can accomplish many fabric cutting services with smooth results, contract laser cutting machines can achieve a much closer, cleaner cut. Using advanced technology, laser cutting begins with a digital, 2D file created through vector graphics software. The file acts as an informative guide for the laser to follow, making the precise cuts requested on any fabric type.

The lasers used are extremely accurate, achieving a level of precision far beyond traditional fabric cutting machines or even fabric cutting by hand. Many lasers can cut through thick materials aside from fabric, including metal, leather, and wood. These machines can also etch designs into the material. Laser cutting is an exceptional production method that can achieve physical results based on intricately detailed computer designs, allowing you to bring to life nearly any product idea you create.

Benefits of Laser Cutting Services

Why should you contract laser cutting machines for your product order? Contract laser cutting has numerous benefits, including:

• Accuracy: The most notable reason for using contract laser cutting machines is its enhanced level of precision. Small, powerful lasers can achieve within 0.003mm and 0.006mm of the desired cut.
• Versatility: Another notable benefit of laser cutting technology is its versatility. These machines can be programmed to create intricate designs in a number of diverse materials.
• No Wasted Materials: The precision of these small lasers ensures that each cut is as close as possible, allowing us to salvage any excess unused material.
• No Damaged Materials: The laser’s precision minimizes the number of mistakes made.
• No Minimums: Because laser cutting machines rely on computer software to deliver information and direction, we can quickly modify designs, allowing us to create low minimums of even a single item.
• Quick Production Turnaround: The laser cutting process is fast and efficient, enabling us to provide quick production turnarounds for our customers.

Our Fabric Cutting Services

Our production facility is equipped to handle your production needs with our fast and efficient in-house fabric laser cutter. After each cut, the laser seals the edge of the fabric, and we reuse any excess scrap fabric. Our fabric cutting table includes a built-in conveyor that accommodates fabric as large as 60 inches wide with no limit on length. We offer quick turnaround times and can fulfill and ship many orders within a matter of days.

Custom Printing Services

When you place a large order for customized, branded printed products, you need a reliable contract printing service that uses high-quality printing methods. Our printing process results in accurate colors and images that will last, even when exposed to high temperatures.

Dye Sublimation Printing

At DutchWare®, we use a dye sublimation process for our contract printing services. This superior printing process is ideal because there is no limit on coloring or image quality, the design is embedded into the fabric fibers themselves, and the finished result never fades, washes out, or runs. There are two parts of this process, both of which involve printing. First, we print the design onto a paper designed for heat transfer applications. We then place this paper into a machine with the fabric. The paper and the fabric are heated to nearly 400 degrees, which changes the ink to a gas that adheres to the fibers of the fabric.

Unlike other fabric printing techniques such as screen printing, the colors do not bleed or fade over time. The fabric also retains its texture, softness, and breathability. Dye sublimation printing is perfect for printing on fabrics used in outdoor activities. Dye sublimation works best on polyester and also works on nylon. Higher polyester content tends to result in better prints.

CNC Milling Finishing

Computer numerical control milling, also called CNC milling, is a type of CNC machining production process similar to cutting and drilling. While a production method using a drill is limited to moving in a single motion, CNC milling can move on multiple axes. It utilizes a cutting tool that can move in various directions to create detailed impressions in a material. This machine is great for finishing prototypes and products. What advantages do CNC milling machines provide over traditional machining?

• CNC milling machines reduce manufacturing and production costs. These tools requiring limited maintenance throughout their lifespan and significantly reduce their output of waste.
• These resources increase the speed of your production run by eliminating time-consuming steps. For instance, the CNC machine can create multiple parts in a shorter amount of time than it may take an operator to create a single part.
• CNC milling machines are also safer due to automation. With no operator required, these machines virtually eliminate the risk of injury to personnel.

At DutchWare®, we use a top-of-the-line CNC milling machine for both the prototyping and finishing of rough-cut items to ensure a great final product. Our full control of this process enables us to achieve a quick turnaround time for our orders, getting you your product as swiftly as possible. Just like we have committed seamstresses for our sewing operation, we have a talented machinist who is well versed in AutoCAD software who can produce and cut anything you desire, as well as finish rough-cut items.

Titanium Hardware

For years, adventurers have relied on Dutchware gear to endure even the harshest weather and heaviest use. We are known as the go-to source for outdoor gear because every material used to construct our products is made to last. One of the materials that has solidified our reputation is our titanium hardware, or as we like to call it, our “bling.” Each piece of titanium hardware is manufactured domestically to the highest standards. We designed the innovative no-knot titanium hardware and continue to earn revolutionary patents.

Take one look at our titanium hardware, and you’ll notice that it’s designed with a unique flair that makes it stand out from the crowd aesthetically and functionally. Using our CNC machine, we round the corners of our hardware and polish it to a smooth finish that improves efficiency. Once you use a product made with our titanium materials, you’ll immediately see that our CNC milling finishing process far exceeds that of the competition.

Quality Assurance and Shipping

Along with our exceptional machinery and technology, we also use high-quality equipment during our quality assurance process. Before we even create our products, we inspect every piece of material we receive to ensure it meets our standards. For our in-house quality assurance check, we utilize a rolled good pull strength tester, fabric tear tester, and waterproof tester. To fully confirm that our products meet your standards, independent tests are also performed. Every order is hand-checked against our stringent quality standards before being shipped to you.

Our shipping team hand-picks and packages every single order. They personally weigh, double-check, and verify that each item is correct before giving it the go-ahead to ship to you. This thorough team is also trained and experienced in splicing and assembling orders so that they can fulfill your order without hesitation. Although these meticulous men and women leave no detail unchecked, they confirm and complete each order as swiftly as possible to ensure prompt delivery.

DutchWare® is ready to ship orders worldwide, including all orders placed for our fabric cutting, custom printing, and sewing services. Each order is weighed and reinspected if it’s not within 20 grams of the weight listed on the packing slip. All orders are packed in-house and shipped within two to four business days so you receive your products as quickly as possible. You’ll also find a short message from our founder Dutch which conveys his laidback gratitude for all of our customers — “Thanks, peace.”

Contract Fabric Cutting, Sewing, and Custom Printing Services From DutchWare®

Do you need reliable contract production services for your custom-printed, stitched, or laser-cut products? Allow DutchWare to deliver exceptionally made custom-printed hammocks, backpacks, and other gear to your business. Our reputation for producing high-quality, innovative products using a minimalist approach has made us an industry leader in outdoor gear. We have a full production facility ready to create the ideal product for you.

To learn more about our contract sewing services, fabric cutting services, contract laser cutting, and custom printing services, contact us today to speak with a member of our helpful production staff.

Written & Reviewed by Dutch

Long hikes can be a fantastic way to connect with friends or family. There’s just something about the fresh air, physical endurance, and scenery that inspires memory making and unfiltered communication. If you’re searching for a way to make the most of your next long hike, try these nine conversation topics that cover the gamut from wild and wacky to poignant and philosophical.

1. Would You Rather — Backpacking Edition

Give the classic “Would You Rather” game a hiking rendition by challenging everyone to pick one option from two suggestions. Would you rather sleep in a tent or camping hammock? Hike in scalding heat or freezing cold? Camp in the mountains or by the lake? Hike in bear country or far from it? The sky’s the limit with the conversation topic, which will keep you entertained during your long hike.

2. Most Memorable Camping Experience

Camping stories aren’t just for swapping around the campfire over bites of melted marshmallow. They make a great topic for long hikes as well. Share your most memorable camping experiences, whether good or bad, giving you a chance to laugh over mishaps and reminisce about golden memories. If your hike will end in a camping experience, this will help set the mood for what’s to come.

3. National Parks

Stick with the hiking theme by striking up a conversation about National Parks. Which ones has everyone visited? Which one is top of everyone’s dream list? Can you name each of them? Is there one you think is over- or underrated?

4. One Backpacking Item You Couldn’t Live Without

This relevant hiking conversation topic gives everyone the chance to share their go-to must-have hiking item. Think of an unexpected or surprise item you’ve learned you can’t live without and share it with the group. You’ll likely learn some good tips from listening to the suggestions of your companions.

5. Zombie Apocolypse Survival Strategies

This off-the-wall topic is sure to spark creativity and an interesting conversation. If you’ve hit the grueling part of the hike and want to shift the focus away from your aching feet, get a chat going about everyone’s best strategies for surviving an apocalyptic scenario. From where you’d flee to the people you’d want on your team, the topic lends itself to an endless well of conversation.

6. Favorite Food to Eat After a Long Hike

Even with snack bars in tow, long hikes can lead to grumbling bellies. Talking about food may make the hunger worse — but what better time to debate the best restaurants or post-hike snack than when you’re in the middle of one?

7. Two Truths and a Lie

This age-old game challenges each person in the group to think of two truths about their life, mixed in with one lie. Everyone within earshot can take turns guessing which statement is the lie before the storyteller reveals the answer. This game is a creative challenge, particularly if you’re hiking with people who know you exceptionally well — but there are guaranteed laughs involved.

8. Where Would You Go?

Pose the classic international traveling question — with a hiking twist. If each person in the group could have the time, means, and opportunity to backpack anywhere in the world, where would it be?

9. Proudest Accomplishment

Keep it backpacking specific, or open it up to include general life accomplishments that each person in the group is particularly proud of. You’ll have a chance to learn something meaningful about your companions and reflect on your own success stories as well.

Bring These Conversations to Life on Your Next Hike With Dutchware Gear

Now that you have enough conversation topics to last you a long hike, make sure your gear can last, too. Browse our Dutchware selection to stock up on all the waterproof, lightweight, durable gear you need, for all the treks to come.

“What should I bring when camping with my dog” is a common question that many pet owners who camp ask. Every camper’s list may include slightly different things based on your dog’s needs, but certain items should be on every pet owner’s list.

Equipment To Bring When Camping With Your Dog

These things will help you and your dog have a fun trip while staying safe.

Doggy Backpack

Strap on your favorite pair of reliable hiking boots and start loading the car with your camping supplies, including your dog’s very own backpack. On this camping trip, your trusted K-9 companion can help carry the load. If you often hike with your pet, a pack is an excellent investment.

These backpacks are quite handy because they have storage space for smaller items such as treats and poop bags. They’re designed to be comfortable with a sturdy ring to attach a leash. Dog backpacks usually have reflective material, as well, so that your K-9 pal is easy to see for added safety while hiking and around your camp. 

Some dogs don’t like wearing a backpack, so it’s entirely up to your pet’s preference. Let them wear the bag around the house so that they can get used to carrying it with a few supplies, and then they should be fine on longer trips. 

ID and Temporary Tags

Safety for your pet is a priority, and you want to make sure that your dog doesn’t get lost. However, they may slip out of the tent in the middle of the night or wander away from camp. So, make sure that your dog has a collar and tag with current contact information. Many people move and don’t update this info, and that’s a problem if someone finds your dog but can’t find you. Make sure that the tag has your current phone number and address. 

Even better, get a temporary tag that has your camping location. Include the name of the campground or area, the phone number of the closest forest ranger station, and your campsite number.

Having your pet microchipped is a great idea and adds another layer of protection against losing your dog. If your pet slips their collar, then the microchip increases the chances of their safe return.

First Aid Kit

The good news is that most of the items in your first aid kit work on your pet as well, and you’re carrying a kit for yourself, right? However, canines have some different needs than humans. You’ll need equipment to take care of any injuries until you can get your dog to the vet. There are pre-made first aid kits for dogs, or you can create your own. Essential supplies include:

• Vet Wrap
• Cotton Swabs
• Gauze
• Medical Tape
• Non-stick Pads
• Heat and Cold Packs
• Tweezers
• Gloves
• Oral Syringe or Eye Dropper
• Benadryl
• Antibiotic Ointment
• Styptic Powder
• Hydrogen Peroxide

Portable Water and Food Bowls

Of course, food and hydration are essential, and collapsible water bowls are easy to carry because they save space. Bring enough for your pet to eat and drink out of, as well as extras to leave in different areas of your camp for water. These bowls are much more convenient than using whatever you may have lying around camp.

You may not have a reliable source of clean water, depending on where you’re camping. It’s wise to purchase a filter or bring another water purification method to ensure you have clean water that’s safe for you and your pet to drink. 

Food 

This item should be obvious, but feeding your pet at a campsite is slightly different from feeding them at home. They are likely more active while on a camping trip and require more food because of the energy they burn. To ensure you have enough food, bring double the amount that they usually consume. 

You likely have your pet’s dinner plans down pat. However, some people want to know what to feed their pet when camping, and it’s generally the same as what you feed them at home. Kibble that’s high protein and grain-free, supplemented with a raw diet, provides a quality meal for your dog. 

Dehydrated raw food is an excellent food source for a camping trip, and many K-9s enjoy it. It’s also lighter and more comfortable to carry on the trail. You can also re-hydrate it for extra hydration for dogs that don’t drink large quantities of water. To keep the bugs out of your pet’s food and keep it fresh, think about buying a kibble carrier. To keep the bears away, store it in a bear-proof container.

Long and Short Leashes

It’s critical to pack leashes of varying lengths to keep your pet safe while camping. Include a short leash that doesn’t retract, to keep your dog safe on short walks in the woods. Non-retractable leashes help keep your dog from getting wrapped around trees. Use a long line if you’re camping in an open clearing. It still controls your pet while allowing them the freedom of movement. 

Sleeping Bag or Dog Bed

Your K-9 friend needs something warm to sleep in at night. Sure, they can snuggle with you in your sleeping bag, or you can bring a sleeping bag made just for dogs. Another option is to set up an inflatable sleeping mat and blankets. Just make sure that your pet stays warm.

You can even set up a tent just for dogs. It provides a great napping place during the day when it’s hot or a warm place to cozy up in near the fire. A tent also blocks wind and keeps your pet warmer.

Additional Items

Here are some other items you can bring on your camping trip:

• Water Cooler
• Long-Lasting Treats
• Booties
• Comb
• Poop Bags
• Extra Towels
• Safety Light
• All-Weather Tarp
• Pet Camper
• Balls and Toys
• Hammocks

These items are some of the primary outdoor doggy gear to bring with you on a camping trip with your K-9. You can set up a sturdy duffle bag to carry all of your pet’s necessities that they aren’t carrying in their backpack and simply unload it at the campsite. These things shouldn’t take up too much room, and they ensure that your camping adventure is the safest and most fun trip yet.

4 Tips for Hiking With Your Dog

1. Prepare Your Dog for Outdoor Adventures

To prepare for a long hike, we take short backpacking trips. Likewise, your dog may need time to get used to many hours of trekking on unfamiliar terrain. Plan small hikes with your dog ahead of time in a similar environment as your longer trip.

Start with short walks and see how your dog responds — watch for excessive panting, drooling or visible exhaustion. Then add difficulty and distance to build your dog’s strength and stamina.

2. Carry Enough Food, Water and Dog Supplies

In a well-fitted harness pack, your pet can carry much of its own supplies. Pack extra kibble, plenty of water, a collapsible water bowl, a first aid kit and poop bags. Make sure to exercise Leave No Trace by collecting and carrying out your dog’s waste.

Depending on the length and difficulty of your trip, you can also bring heatstroke prevention supplies, dog booties and a lightweight pup tent. Whatever dog gear you decide to bring, your dog’s pack should not weigh more than one-third of its body weight.

3. Know Trail Etiquette

The most important tip for hiking with your dog is to exercise proper etiquette on the trail. Remember to keep your pet under control at all times. Step off the trail to allow other hikers to pass. When in doubt, hike with your dog on a short leash to help ensure the safety of your pet, the native wildlife and other hikers.

4. Research Your Location

It’s crucial to get to know the rules of a specific trail, campsite or national park. For most trails, plan to have your dog on a leash at all times. Keep in mind that many national parks do not permit dogs at all.

Familiarize yourself with the wildlife and common threats you could encounter while hiking. If you’re heading into the backcountry, add a bear bell to your dog’s harness pack or carry bear spray. In any natural environment, prevent your dog from drinking stream water, which could contain pathogens.

Hit the Trails With Essential Backpacking Gear From DutchWare

At DutchWare, we have everything you need for hammock camping and do-it-yourself (DIY) gear making at competitive prices. Our high-quality products are ultra-light so you can enjoy a minimalist approach to backpacking, hiking and camping with your dog.

Take a look at our extensive inventory of gear for your next trip. You can rest assured that you’re choosing top-notch backpacking equipment for a safe and adventurous experience, no matter your skill level.