Trail guides, camping with a toddler and gear that actually holds up — from the West Highland Way to Patagonia.
The Honest Version
These ones don't. Every trail guide, gear review and packing list on this page has been tested on an actual trip — in actual weather, with actual kit, with a small person who has opinions about everything. If it made it through Patagonia, it makes the list.
Trail Guides & Trip Reports
hiking-camping
by Stace · Mar 6, 2026
There is a version of the West Highland Way that exists on the official website. It involves covering 154 kilometres in around eight days, averaging close to 20 kilometres daily across some of the…
Read more →hiking-camping
by Stace · Aug 26, 2025
Traveling as a single mom with a toddler can sound impossible—but it doesn't have to be. With the right strategy, you can keep your load light, stay organized, and still have everything you need for…
Read more →hiking-camping
by Stace · May 21, 2020
No other country in the world offers such a wide variety of fantastic natural attractions so close together. You can climb volcanoes, explore glaciers, be amazed by geysers, and visit picturesque…
Read more →
hiking-camping
by Stace · Feb 10, 2017
So once you've checked off your [necessities for Ciudad Perdida](http://wanderingbajan.com/cuidad-perdida-before-you-go/) and packed as light as possible, it was time to start the hike. I ended up hiking to Ciudad…'ve…
Read more →
hiking-camping
by Stace · Sep 2, 2016
I always rave about my trips with GAdventures but I still haven't written about them. I've decided that I will do a little piece about my trip to [Machu…
Read more →
hiking-camping
by Stace · Sep 2, 2016
After a great evening at our Ollantaytambo Hotel we packed up our bags and got ready to jump on the bus for our big adventure. Today was the day to start hiking the Inca…
Read more →Free Tool
The Wandering Bajans trip planner lets you build your full itinerary, packing list and budget in one place — free, no sign-up required. Open it alongside any guide and plan as you go.
Packing lists
Itinerary builder
Budget tracker
Amazon Affiliate Links
Everything here has been on a real trip. Some links are affiliate links — if you buy through them I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The rectangular footprint is the thing. Most two-person tents are wedge-shaped which means one person ends up with their feet in a triangle. This one gives you a proper rectangle — enough room for me, Freddy and all the stuff that somehow comes into the tent. Sets up fast enough that he can't get into too much trouble while I'm doing it.
Wide enough that two people can actually use it without falling off the edge at 2am. The insulation matters more than you think — I used this in Patagonia where the ground is genuinely cold and it held up. If you are camping anywhere with a temperature drop, get the insulated version.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Grab the packing list master templates — every trip, every climate.
Get the Packing Lists →