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
If you exchange money for a dog, you’re doing it wrong
The outdoor brand unveils the newest iteration of its car-camping products. We came away convinced it's all most of us will ever need.
Using a phone outdoors? This is what you need to know to stay in touch.
The men's shoes, clothes, and equipment you need to stay comfortable on the trail
Look normal? That’s because every component has been made giant, including the 36-inch wheels.
Mexico’s Wild West is best seen from two wheels
The gear that will fix your problems when you’re a longways from nowhere
The long-term impact of the president's first 100 days could destroy an industry with more jobs than oil and gas and automotive combined. Yep, you guessed it: outdoor rec.
If you've never picked up a gun before but are interested in harvesting your own healthy, sustainable, humane meat, here's why you should get started with birds
One man’s quest to avoid bad coffee and dirty bathrooms
The door handles are water bottles and the arm rest is a sleeping bag
Finally, ultralight couple’s gear is not just good—it’s better than the one-person alternatives
Having a good time outdoors has gotten a lot easier thanks to technical innovations in the party camping space
Survival isn't about copying the stuff you see Bear Grylls do. Here's what should you do if you're caught outside in extreme weather.
Hold your nose: we need to play dirty if we want to protect our public lands
Startup CampCrate will mail you everything you need to go camping
The bags, clothes, tools, and drugs that make regular long-haul flights survivable
First a massive wildfire, then record flooding, and finally the Pacific Coast Highway was knocked out
Andrew Skurka’s updated guide is a masterclass in how to enjoy the outdoors comfortably
Military-style heat-sensing “night vision” monoculars now cost just $600. Should you buy one?
The perfect car for outdoor lovers just got even better
When Ford sent a new Raptor to test, it obviously made sense for me and the 61-year-old adventurer to take it into the desert for two days of high-speed power slides, campfire-cooked steaks, and tequila.
Stuff that's only good for frustrating you and causing fungal infections. Probably both.
High-tech hunting brand Kuiu wants to make a mountaineering boot you can wear for day hiking
The stuff you need to have in your 4x4 at all times
Want to save money? You won't do it by buying a cheap car.
Federal lands belong to all of us—it's time to unite to fight crooked politicians
The next big trend in trucks can still be had for cheap
And how you can prepare for the apocalypse better than a billionaire
And they're not the only species that should be afraid
Experience in extreme wind chill can teach all of us outdoor recreationists about proper layering—without breaking the bank
Trump's pick for Secretary of the Interior gets grilled in the confirmation hearing about federal land management, resource extraction, and Smokey the Bear
The latest pictures, videos, and statistics from the epic winter storm, which has brought record flooding and dramatically assuaged the drought
Volkswagen’s desperate. Van buyers shouldn’t be.
Snow, ice, and slush—oh my! Presenting five basic tips on how to navigate inclement weather this season.
Why winter-specific rubber is the most important thing you can buy to make driving in inclement weather safer
The stuff that keeps this adventure writer dry, safe, and dangerous
Former Navy SEAL Ryan Zinke opposes the Republican land heist. He may be the best environmental hope we have in this administration.
Being prepared with Everyday Carry
The pioneering astronaut was the first American to orbit earth. He died Thursday.
Our Latin American neighbor remains the last bastion of total freedom outdoors
Lessons I learned from organizing a homeless-youth outdoors program and how you can apply them to improving your own corner of the world
Don't get me wrong: it's a fantastic truck. But if you really want to get it dirty, cutaway bumpers and complicated suspension won't make up for the lack of aftermarket support.
Subaru’s new Viziv-7 concept previews a seven-seat crossover
Foursevens’ new Mini MkII is smaller than a chapstick, yet pumps out over 1,000 lumens. And it only costs $40.
From picking the right vehicle to carrying the right stuff to planning the right itinerary
What's the best knife for you? The answer is simpler than you might think.
Next year will bring massive delays to passport issuing and renewal
Your intrepid lifestyle gives you an advantage on Tinder. Now don’t blow it.
How to find the best tool for your pocket and wallet
Six months, two trips to Thailand, and flirtations with madness have produced possibly the most forgettable fork ever
This guy got arrested for sending it off tall buildings into deep water. Here's what he gets really, really wrong with his jumps.
We went cliff diving and rock climbing with the stunt-person, athlete, and daredevil
The Wyoming state government recently released a study weighing the pros and cons of transferring federal lands to the state. The results were unequivocal: it's a terrible idea.
Old-school toughness takes on modern performance in the Australian Outback
Outdoor tradition or dangerous, polluting, wasteful relic of the past?
Power sources small enough for you to carry that run on solar, fire, or water are heavy and don't produce enough electricity to warrant schlepping into the backcountry
This concept bike predicts motorcycle technology in 2116
Last week's viral video illustrated how dangerous bears can be—and taught us a few lessons on how to survive such an attack
Deaths, injuries, and helicopter rescues are a regular occurrence on Longs Peak, but that doesn’t stop people from trying to climb it
Want a dog for the trail, mountain, water, or city? Forget going to a breeder. The best companion for you is also the cheapest and most ethical.
Portland, Oregon-based CiloGear promises to sell you the most bomber, versatile alpine packs on the market
For its fifth generation, Land Rover returns off-road capability to the Discovery
Living in a one-man tent that weighs over 23 pounds
Life in the slow lane, with a first-generation Land Rover Discovery
In some states, individuals who start forest fires, even accidentally, are facing multimillion-dollar fines
Police searching for people who destroyed Cape Kiwanda’s famous Duckbill
New-for-2017 tents expands mountain livability
Everything a beginner needs to know to become a competent marksman
The tech company is launching apps, virtual tours, and online exhibits designed to virtually immerse you in our natural heritage
A rare FJ45LV, immaculately returned to its original condition
Pagosa Springs-based Voormi takes cool and dry to the next level