Testing three sneakers that claim to hit the cushioning-boost sweet spot

Looking to rachet up your mojo, sans synthetics? University of Massachusetts explorer in residence Chris Kilham, 52, has spent 25 years traveling the world to study native uses of medicinal plants. Despite having zero formal training in botany, the plucky adventurer and author—known to fans of his herbal guides and…

I've spent too much time in front of the computer, sitting at the minituare aqua-green cafe table that overlooks my block, cold beer in hand, gazing at the Documerica photos that grace the National Archives' Flickr pages. The bright reds and oranges of the desert rocks, the old…

Week of August 15-21, 1996 Soaring over Cape Cod’s dunes Where can I take my pooch? Top U.S. kayaking schools Mountain biking in Steamboat Springs Canoe-friendly fjords near Vancouver Soaring over Cape Cod’s dunes Question: Have to spend a week on Cape Cod,…

How to see your stomping grounds as a concrete jungle.

We’ve learned a lot in a quarter-century of roaming the planet. This month, to kick off Outside’s silver anniversary, we’ve chosen 25 bold, epic, soul-nourishing experiences that every true adventurer must seek out—from the relatively plush and classic to the cutting-edge and hard-core. All that’s left for you is the…

I'm discovering that my late-fortyish feet are inexorably growing longer and wider, and the hiking boots that served me well two years ago are now giving me blisters and scrunched toenails. Companions on a recent Sierra backcountry hike were wearing low-cut trail shoes that looked only slightly more rugged than running shoes, and which allowed their wearers to pretty much dance over the rocks and scree without twisting ankles. For hiking relatively rugged trails without a backpack, what sort of characteristics should one look for in such shoes? And, while I'm here, can one backpack in 'em? Richard Truckee, California

Replica tall ship caught in Hurricane Sandy

This year marks not only the 50th anniversary of the first American ascent of Everest, but also the 25th anniversary of the first female ascent up the tallest mountain in the world. We sat down with the female summit record holder to discuss what it’s like to be a female climber in a man’s world, what her gear must-haves are, and what’s next.

The best articles, photos, and videos I didn’t post this week—until now. (Sorry for missing last week, I was concentrating on digesting my Thanksgiving meal, unlike this fool, who gave up.) If you only click on one link this week, make it “Learning to Accept, and Master, a $110,000…