Wes Siler is your guide to leading a more exciting life in the great outdoors. As Outside’s outdoor lifestyle columnist, he writes about the intersections of science, news, politics, gear, vehicles and travel, empowering readers to better understand the world they’re recreating in. Wes lives in Montana with his wife, Virginia McQueen, and their three rescue dogs.
Published
The Supreme Court nominee wrote a troubling diatribe in 2013 against workers' rights
A sincere discussion about the ethics, practicalities, and responsibilities of packing heat on the trail
Statistics from Los Angeles County demonstrate just how deadly doing it for the ‘Gram can be
The Time to Vote campaign, which includes almost 150 companies, gives employees time off to vote in the midterm elections
The conservative Utah Congressman wants to fully fund our national parks and our public lands. Huh?
Made from Polartec NeoShell, the Reliance performs peerlessly, yet still looks stylish
Hugo was the worst hurricane to ever hit the U.S. Florence could be worse.
How to turn Tinseltown into a mountain town
Altra's zero-drop, wide toe-box trail runners—which have become insanely popular with thru-hikers—are designed to mimic your foot's natural shape
Nominee Raymond David Vela seems to care about making our national parks more accessible
Last week, the Bureau of Land Management released plans that would have opened up thousands of acres of former national monuments to mining and drilling—despite Zinke's promises to the contrary
Want to serve the tastiest meat ever at your next dinner party? This is the (significant) investment it will take to make that happen.
Yosemite National Park closed for three weeks because of the blaze. Here's how much revenue the region lost because of that.
Last week, the Interior Secretary outlined his ideas on what causes wildfire. Here's what he's right and wrong about.
At 475 square miles, the Mendocino Complex Fire is the size of Phoenix
Turns out you can't believe everything you read on Trump's Twitter feed
The organization posted two videos in response to an article I wrote last week. Let's review what its representatives said about me and the story.
Want to ride around the world? In 2020, you’ll be able to do that on a Hog.
All three of the state's major blazes are making rare pyrocumulus clouds right now
The UberLite pad and Vesper quilt weigh just 23.8 ounces
America's proudest tradition should never be used as an excuse for anti-American politics
As wildfires get worse, these powerful new tools will help keep you safe
Cars are designed to keep humans safe, but at what cost to our canine companions?
Comfortable, secure, and convenient, the Scat Belt works with any type of clothing
Dirt bikes and 4x4s aren't nearly as bad for the environment as you might think. (Hear me out.)
One-upmanship on social media reaches its logical conclusion. Again.
Sure, it's brutal on the highway and mechanically unreliable, but that only adds to the sense of adventure, right?
It took the team a year just to figure out the 3,212-mile Arctic route
Do this and never die from dehydration in Death Valley
This incredibly useful skill gives any old car the capability of a full-size truck
Everything you could possibly want to know about the various car-camping sleep setups out there. Plus, when to just use a freaking tent.
Want to go off-road? Here are options at $10K, $20K, and $30K.
What all those buttons, levers, and knobs actually do in your 4x4
We took a n00b friend into the backcountry and shot video
Following actions from three major U.S. air carriers, the DOT has announced a review of the Air Carrier Access Act, the law that allows emotional support animals to fly so freely
Lighter, more packable, with better performance than anything you're used to
The experts' take on what happened last Saturday when a mountain lion killed one cyclist and injured another outside of Seattle
It protects you from ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas, but it does come with risks
The ins and outs of not dying from Lyme disease
What does the end of the 105-year partnership mean for Scouting's future?
A new book breaks down the skills required for dealing with 40 different creatures
The latest images, videos, and information from the scene
As it opens membership up to girls, the 107-year-old organization will now be known as Scouts BSA
[Insert exasperated Jean-Luc Picard meme]
This summer, the First-Time Camper program aims to bring 65 families who have never camped before into the woods
Here's how to do it without breaking the bank
What is it and would it really stand up to bitter storms ravaging an alien planet?
They're not all head rubs and face licks
Part of the company's unique new workwear line, this apron is made from heavy hemp canvas and is just right for summer barbecues
Design, luxury, and practicality—all for $600 per month
Dress for success when you get snow, rain, and sunshine, all in 24 hours
These things from Go Fast Campers can actually go off-road
Our first impressions of the motorcycle maker's attempt at bikes meant for singletrack
But better isn’t always faster
Pet waste has become a major pollutant, both outdoors and at home
The trucks, SUVs, and crossovers that keep going when the pavement ends
And global warming could bring more of it to the surface
Technically advanced outdoor gear can make traveling for your next business trip easier, more comfortable, and more efficient
With an environmentally friendly firefighting gel called Strong Water
I’m also an avid sportsman and one of my firearms is an AR-15. So you might be surprised that I've never joined the NRA—nor ever will.
The indie French brand reissues its classic aviator-shaped mountaineering glasses
The new Vasque Clarion 88s work as good as they look
Lies, damned lies, and "fantasy" White House budget proposals
This new Jaguar E-Pace is also the roomiest small crossover
We found that line with the 60 mph HPC Revolution
The outdoor community made filtration a must for a reason
Forget expensive new gear. Here’s how to have more fun—for zero dollars.
Big SUVs are a necessity for some families. Finally, they drive as well as they haul.
Both my girlfriend and I have basically lived in these versatile, tough pants for two months now, for all sorts of outdoor activities
