Hiking
ArchiveNothing says autumn like campfire s'mores. There is a certain delight in getting little bits of bark in your mouth from the stick you jammed your marshmallow on, and in the sticky fingers that come from smooshing your marshmallow, chocolate and graham crackers together. Unless, that is, you are camping…
Most of us have ditched our point-and-shoot cameras and we're taking photos with our phones. iPhone cameras are pretty darn good, and by using a phone as your camera, you carry one device and you can…
The holy grail of backpacking is a suspension system that makes your pack carry as if you have nothing on at all. It's an admirable goal, and pack designers are making progress toward it. Black Diamond made solid inroads with its reACTIV…
It’s not the first inflatable tent, but it might be the most affordable and easiest to use. By replacing traditional poles with inflatable “AirPoles,” Kelty’s family camping-sized shelters set up in under a minute with a dual-action floor pump, the kind you’d use to pump up an…
Light-is-right fanatics take heed: don’t bother cutting the handle off of your toothbrush just yet. If you’re going on a multi-day trip, look to your sleeping system to shave some serious weight. After 2,700 miles on the road, our cross-country walking tester Andrew Forsthoefel gave us the scoop on his…
Alberto Rosselli's Expandable Living Container. Photo: SHFT on Facebook In May of 1972, MOMA put on a five-month show highlighting some of the world's best new mobile environments. It was called “ITALY: THE NEW DOMESTIC LANDSCAPE” and featured a…
In October 2011, Andrew Forsthoefel walked out of his back door in Pennsylvania and started walking west, taking only what he could carry on his back. His project, called “Walking to Listen,” is to see the country at a walking pace, taking in the sights, the sounds and the stories.
Eddie Bauer First Ascent Alchemist 40L This shape-shifter might just replace every pack you own. Lashed down, the Alchemist is compact enough for one-day summit bagging. Unzip the top wedge and unfurl the hideaway lid, and it morphs into an entirely different beast—a roomy 55-liter hauler with plenty of space…
Trail shoes still fall into two basic categories: (1) heavier-duty, backpacking-boot-inspired high-tops that can handle off-trail travel and have serious ankle support, and (2) lighter-weight low and mid cuts that are designed to be worn either on less technical terrain or when you’re shouldering a lighter pack.
Ease your load with these packs, including the Gregory Sage 45, which testers loved for its back panel, which perfectly fits the lumbar spine; the North Face Minera 30, a simple daypack with a widely adjustable chest strap and lightweight hipbelt; and the Black Diamond Onyx 75, a no-frills, long-haul, remarkably light pack.
The wonky tech talk can get pretty heavy around here. Personally, I can go on for hours about air permeability, fabric denier, and how the number of lumens in a headlamp isn't the whole story. But it's not just me. There's so much geeking out in the halls of our…
Helle of Norway has made knives since 1932—beautiful knives, knives that are handcrafted works of art as well as practical tools. Each Helle knife a unique wood handle and a triple-laminated razor-sharp stainless-steel blade that won't corrode or break. But the company has never made a folding…
I'm moving to Puerto Rico and I need hiking boots to match the climate and terrain. Since I've got narrow feet, I've been considering the Vasque Breeze or Wasatch. What do you think?
My wife and I are taking our two teenage kids on a trip to Europe. We'll be traveling for 15 days and to avoid hassle, we’ve decided to carry only backpacks. How do I choose the right packs?
I recently purchased a pair of hiking boots online, only to discover that they make my feet blister and hurt. How can I make sure my hiking boots fit well?
First, assume an Australian accent. It'll help when you pronounce the name of this snazzy bike trailer setup: Midget Bushtrekka. This pimped out bike trailer has “duallies” (kind of) and is designed to pivot and absorb shock. It can be adjusted to fit on a range of bike…
Pinnacle Camper: Gourmet Kitchen on the Go According to the company, the specially-designed Radiance nonstick Teflon pots heat up 25% faster than regular nonstick pots “while withstanding absurd levels of abuse.” I can’t say that I tested either claim, but I was impressed with…
Beat the bulk of hard plastic, metal, and glass with a water carrying device that rolls up small enough to fit in your pocket when it’s empty. Vapur’s Element is high capacity (23oz-32oz) and high flow. The non-leaking, locking integrated carabiner cap flips open to let you…
When society breaks down, it’ll be every man for himself alone in the wilds fighting for food and survival. Whether it’s Zombieland, a nuclear holocaust, the 2012 presidential elections, or another day when you might need to fillet small mammals to survive, be prepared with Gerber’s Apocalypse…
If you're currently on the Outside Blog reading this, then it's more than likely that at one point in your life you've happened upon Dick Proenneke's Alone In The Wilderness on PBS. (Or you've seen it on all those blogs and Tumblrs on the ol' Internets.) My…
A year ago, Boreas was started by Tae Kim, the Creative Director behind Alite Designs. Kim showed he wasn’t afraid to take design risks, creating the two-legged balancing Monarch Butterfly Camp Chair and the zip-crotch Sexy Hotness sleeping bag. With Boreas,…
At the Outdoor Retailer and SIA shows last month, one thing was clear: more and more people are venturing into the backcountry on skis and snowboards. Whether you're dipping out of bounds at your local ski hill, or boot packing from the road to the summit, these done in a…
Let's cut to the chase. Here are a few of the most eye-catching new survival tools we saw at the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City. Wenger Hypex Jewelry: Having a multitool on hand at all times is ideal. But with airline restrictions and general paranoia about people carrying…
I received a zero-degree down sleeping bag over the holidays and I'm eager to do some winter camping in Colorado later this month. I've been on plenty of warm-weather trips, but this will be my first winter camp. What else do I need to stay warm?
Struggling to find a gift for the guy who has everything? Or perhaps you've been an exceptionally good boy this year, and you'd like to reward yourself. Either way, we rounded up a few of our favorite things, price be damned. A word of caution: while the list starts out…
Wondering what to get the favorite women in your life for the holidays? We’ve honed in on the best holiday gifts for your better half, whether she's a shredder, cyclist, or simply likes to stay warm. Nobis Farrah hat: If you're going to get her a warm hat, get her…
Versatile outfits, shoes, and other gear made with world travelers in mind.
For hiking in 110°F, what top would you recommend? I was once told the best choice was a cotton T-shirt with a wind-resistant outer shirt. Is there any truth to that idea?
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Merrell Wilderness Canyon boot.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Columbia Hoodster boots.
Intern Dave dives deep for Olympus’s waterproof, shockproof, and freezeproof point and shoot, the TG-810. For more of the right travel gear, check out our travel essentials.
My wife and I recently went car camping. It was her first trip. She enjoyed it a lot, but the mummy-style sleeping bag I borrowed for her wasn’t comfortable. Too restrictive. What do you suggest we try?
Why does a toddler need her own headlamp, you ask? When she can barely walk, and will most certainly not be straying solo from the tent on dark trails, for at least the next two years, maybe longer. (Hopefully.) Because: Otherwise she will ferret yours out from its secret hiding…
Call us soft (and many of our friends have), but we've always been a fan of Crazy Creek chairs. (Our tripmates have consistently sneered “Lazy Geek” chairs, and then promptly sat in them when we got up to pee.) We also like the contraptions that turn your…
I'm worried about spraining my weak ankles when I go hiking in the Adirondacks this fall. Do hiking boots provide enough support? What's the best way to keep my ankles safe?
Do you find sleeping bags too confining? Are you a sleepwalker concerned about frostbite on your late night excursions? Are you jealous of small children who have onesie pajamas with feet? Then do we have something for you. Introducing the Selk'bag. This Gumby-like, polyester-filled, insulating outfit is…
J.W. Hulme, the Minnesota-based bag company that's been making those handsome green and leather duffels in these United States of America since the turn of the 20th century, has made six exclusive items for the official charity of…
Dinner to go This one’s going to be brief because we're on our way out of town to raft the San Juan River for the second, and last, time this season. The preparations seem less daunting…
Finally, field water disinfection has become lighter. Never did I notice the bulk and serious weight of water filter more than when I had to pack for a week in rural Haiti. In my Patagonia MLC pack I had just enough room for a Sawyer water filter bottle, a…
How much gear do you really need on a three-day backpacking trip?
You want to have a little whiskey reward when you make to the lake. Or have some pinot noir along with your baked ziti on your next backpacking trip. We're with you. Platypus Platypreserve: For vino, we've been, ah, pleasantly field testing these pouches for years.
I need a shoe for hiking several miles in the heat that has sticky rubber for wet rock and comes in size 14. I've found that approach shoes are too hot and heavy, and the rubber on trail running shoes isn't sticky enough. Worse, brands like Sportiva and Salewa don't carry anything that fits.
Stanley has been making insulated drink products since 1913. Clearly, they've learned a thing or two over the past 98 years, as their new One Handed Vac Mug is simply the best to-go mug we've ever tested. Like dozens of other fancy to-go mugs, this 16-ounce, vacuum-insulated…
It's a wrap. The Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City is officially over, including it's pre and post demos and expos and events. We're still sifting through our notes and thumb drives, but here are a few more products from the world's largest gear…
Even if you're not a professional climber or cyclist, there are ways to get in on the action.
I'm planning to hike the Long Range Traverse at Gros Morne National Park, which is a four- to five-day trek without trails. I have Arc'teryx Alpha SL pants, but I'm wondering if I should to bring gaiters, too.
My fiance and I have never been backpacking or camping. We'll be doing day hikes and an occasional overnight. Our budget is important, but I also want to know that our gear will last. What do we need? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
By Stephen Regenold The sailboat bobbed in swells, our view to land obscured by a thick fog. It was early one morning this spring, and I was sailing along the Californian coastline en route from San Francisco to LA. Beyond cell-phone range, and out of…
Our Gear of the Year Winner crams a ton of features into a light backpack.
Yes, Thule makes luggage, and it’s just as tough as their roof racks. Presenting our 2011 Gear of the Year winner.
With an extra 15 liters of expandable space, our Gear of the Year winning pack, the Deuter ACT Zero 50+15, works for day hikes and multiday trips.
A commuter pack that can handle the toughest weather and keep your tech gear safe. $79…
Our Gear-of-the-Year-winning hiker stomps technical terrain with a toothy Vibram sole and breathes like the best of them. $110…
A tough new shoe developed with input from Appalacian Trail hikers.
An airy, mesh version of the waterproof Moraga OXT, this shoe is the perfect summertime day hiker. $110…
Ultralight backpackers will praise this 2,014-cubic-inch minimalist pack for its perfectly designed organizational pockets and breathable back panel. $175…
Doug Schnitzspahn on the best packs from the 2008 Winter Buyer's Guide.
An ultralight, go-anywhere backpack perfect for stuffing in a tight spot. $49…
A unique suspension system makes this Black Diamond pack ideal for movement. $140…
I'm looking for a two-person tent that can be used for backpacking or car camping. Something light but not ultralight, and easy enough for one person to set up. I usually camp alone but want the space of a two-person tent. Suggestions?
This year's versatile Killer Value can handle trails, travel, and town.
What hiking boots would you recommend for a several-month hike over varied terrain from the Mojave Desert to the East Coast? The boots I have now make my feet hurt. And go numb.
I planning a hike through the Narrows in Zion National Park, which involves wading up the Virgin River. What do you recommend to keep warm? Dry is obviously not possible. How about footwear? Connie New Haven, Connecticut
I do most of my backpacking when the bugs (mainly mosquitoes) are out. Last year, CNN said that there were two alternatives to deet, including lemon eucalyptus. But is there anything that comes close to deet's performance, without the plastic-destroying quality? Chuck Mount Morris, Michigan
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Lafuma Xmotion Leather Low hiking shoe.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Teva Forge Pro Event hiking shoe.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Scarpa Terra GTX hiking boot.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Keen Red Rock Low hiking shoe.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Merrell Covert shoe.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Montrail Mountain Masochist Mid GTX boot.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Vasque Taku GTX boot.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Garmont Zenith Mid boot.