Hiking and Backpacking

A far-from-comprehensive list

You’re dead set on walking every inch of a trail, but your partner doesn’t mind skipping a section or two. How do you compromise?

History tells us why skiing—and the outdoors in general—lacks diversity. Thanks to the work of dedicated groups, this is slowly changing.

When hikers have leftover food or gear, they don’t trash it. They drop it in a box for the next person who needs it, forming a beautiful network of anonymous interdependence.

After a year spent inside with too much time on his hands, a writer survives two days in the woods with only the equipment available to his hobbit alter ego—rapier and lute included

Exercise may not be enough to make up for thru-hikers’ bad diets, a new paper suggests

On a backpacking trip through Utah’s Buckskin Gulch with ultralight gear legend Glen Van Peski, our writer learns about the Crotch Pot, an Oscar-winning actor’s anti-snoring technique, and that there’s a whole lot of shit you don’t need when you’re on the trail 1,000 miles from home

Master the shakedown for a smoother trek

Acadia National Park in Maine boasts 150 miles of trails on its official maps, but that’s only a part of what once existed. Matthew Sherrill tagged along with a couple of local history obsessives to explore some of the dozens of unmarked paths that lead to what were once major attractions—places some want to stay a secret.

Gates of the Arctic in northern Alaska is one of the last truly wild national parks. There are no roads or trails, and the park boasts the stunning Brooks Range, six wild and scenic rivers, and gets fewer than 3,000 visitors a year. Our 62 Parks columnist was awestruck by her 39th stop on her quest to visit every national park in the U.S.

Finally, a comfortable hiking boot that’s sustainably crafted and versatile. HOKA ONE ONE took recycled materials, its acclaimed HOKA cushion and Vibram® Megagrip outsole and brought us the next go-to day-hiker: the Anacapa. Plus, it comes in a low or mid-rise, letting you customize your shoe to your comfort.

From a long-distance thru-hike to exploring an urban park in your backyard, here's everything you need to know

Made from the same polyester that Patagonia uses in its breathable shirts, this neck gaiter has UPF to protect your skin from the sun. We like to use it as a bandana or face covering to mop up sweat on sweltering days.

This bag’s resilient polyester shell will stand up to seasons of abuse, while its synthetic insulation continues to insulate even if you set up on soggy ground. Lofty synthetic insulation combines hollow fibers and denser, solid synthetic fibers to create a balance of warmth, softness, and compressibility for easy packing,…

The Sun Runner might look ridiculous, but it provides a crucial shield from harmful UV rays. In his roundup of sun protection hats, columnist Jakob Schiller wrote: “The Sun Runner is great because it keeps you fully protected but can also be turned into a ‘normal’ hat…

Thanks to these boots, hiking went from painful to pure bliss

Chickfly’s innovative zipperless fly makes for pee freedom

Made from the same polyester that Patagonia uses in its breathable shirts, this neck gaiter has a 50+ UPF rating to protect your skin from the sun. We like to use it as a bandana or face covering to mop up sweat on sweltering days.

An exceedingly unuseful guide

Save on hiking and camping equipment with Amazon’s biggest sale of the year

We’ll be combing the site for the steepest discounts, so you don’t have to

The Deva 60 won a Gear of the Year award in our 2018 Summer Buyer’s Guide. The pack features a U-shaped front panel for easy access to your gear, zippered pockets and compartments for organization, a hydration sleeve, and a ventilated back panel. The suspension frame is also designed…

Columnist Jakob Schiller loves these shades with removable side panels that block glare: “If I’m on the skin track all day, my eyes feel significantly less fatigued when I get back to the car,” he wrote. “When I’m on the road, freeway driving in the sun and…

Which backpack is right for you? Wes Siler is here to explain how they work.

The Moab Vent is one of the best hiking shoes, according to adventure guides. “It is a little sturdier than a trail runner, with a stiffer sole, and great traction,” wrote Dave Logan, owner and head guide for Four Seasons Guides.

Whether you’re just dipping your toe in the water or pushing the outer limits of adventure sports, you can use this handbook for decades to come. Enjoy technical tips and words of wisdom from the pros, ranging from ways to stay warm while cold-weather camping to nurturing the inspiration to get out there every day.

All the essentials for crushing long days on the trail

Why reaching outdoor nirvana means journeying far from the beaten path

Having a disability and staging epic adventures can go hand in hand. You just have to be willing to ask for a little help.

We asked movers and shakers in different corners of the outdoor world about what people can do to make certain spaces and sports more welcoming for all

We featured the Alpiner jacket in our 2020 Summer Buyer’s Guide roundup of the best women’s hiking gear. “The 10.6-ounce hooded Alpiner is our back­country ­secur­ity blan­ket,” wrote tester Stephanie Pearson. It’s currently 20 percent off for Outside readers with the code OUTSIDE-STIO-S21.

Springtime means rainstorms, and the Venture 2 is a budget-friendly way to stay dry, whether you’re dodging drops on your way to work or stuck in a torrential downpour miles from the trailhead. Its 2.5-layer DryVent waterproof-breathable laminate and underarm vents dump unwanted heat buildup.

If you're just getting started on the trails, don't be overwhelmed. This 101 guide breaks down where to go, what to wear, and everything you need to know to stay safe and have fun out there.

You deserve better than freeze-dried stroganoff

Now’s a great time to save a few bucks on hiking gear

This polyester microfiber neck gaiter is printed with a map of Grand Teton National Park. There are a dozen ways to wear sweat-wicking neck tubes like this one—we think it’s handy as a headband, too.

The remarkable survival story of Claire Nelson, whose solo hike in the desert turned into a desperate fight for her life

This shoe won our Gear Guy’s test of the best men’s light hikers. “This pair was so comfortable and capable during both the hike and scree-slide tests that I wore them on a bonus hike,” he wrote. “Credit the cushy midsole, coupled with an OrthoLite insole, the…