Hiking and Backpacking
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Common mistakes you’re probably making when your best friend takes off, and what to do next time
In the words of Brendan Leonard: “I did perhaps underestimate it a tiny bit”
Maintenance is easy with these eight items that won’t break the bank
The outdoors are all around you, no matter where you live
Pawel Szafruga recently did the unthinkable by summiting all of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks in a single thru-hike. Will others follow?
This feature from Gaia GPS allows you to search recent satellite images for the best leaf peeping in your area
This jacket was the best all-around midlayer in our year-long test. “Although it was designed for ski touring, the Zebru is ideal for any fast-paced winter activity where warmth and breathability are key,” our tester wrote. “This is the layer you put on in the morning, never…
Even if you don’t climb Washington’s highest peak, the spectacular views and scenery in Mount Rainier National Park will leave you invigorated, says our 63 Parks columnist of the 42nd stop on her quest to visit every U.S. park
Stories are about how human connections are made and kept in the outdoors, and how they’re evolving now—when community has never been more important or more at risk
Smart tips to make sure your new adventure partner has a blast and feels welcome outside
We’ve sweat in them, worn them on muddy trails, and through countless miles on pavement. Now they’re discounted.
“I’ve tested over 100 pairs of athletic socks during my time working as Outside’s Gear Guy,” wrote columnist Joe Jackson. “The best socks for blister prevention over long distances are Swiftwicks.” These Swiftwick National Parks Print socks held up during Jackson’s most recent 50-mile race.
“This sock did everything extremely well, but mostly it was just damn comfy,” wrote our Gear Guy. The Hiker provides a nice cushion for the heel and forefoot without being too bulky, and the fit is super snug. The merino-nylon-spandex blend is odor-resistant and never itchy.
We featured the Sol Defender in our 2021 Summer Buyer’s Guide roundup of the best climbing gear. “The Sol Defender looks like a normal hoodie, but it’s packed with technical qualities, like its UPF 30+ rating, durable polyester blend, and wicking grid interior,” we wrote.
Stock up for fall adventures with these killer deals on gear we’ve tested in the field
Now is one of the best times of the year to save on camping essentials
Oh socks, how we love thee. “Socks can make or break your hiking experience,” our tester wrote about the 50 percent merino Women’s Performance Hike Light Cushion Crew. “These Smartwools hug your feet in all the right spots, providing cushioning, compression and ventilation where it’s needed most.”…
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…
A long-distance rambler named Bearsun is walking from L.A. to New York, dressed like a very large Pokémon. This is his story.
With an innovative hipbelt and pockets (almost) everywhere I need them, this backpack is a quiver killer for multiday treks
An athlete and adventurer wants to summit the world’s highest peaks while advocating for inclusivity in the world of outdoor recreation
In the same way that backcountry skiers read avalanche reports and whitewater kayakers check water levels, anyone hiking in the West needs to start planning for fires as a baseline safety precaution
Hiking is for everyone—but as Kara Richardson Whitely, a.k.a. Mama Kubwa, discovered, not everyone has gotten the memo
Your partner’s planning an epic adventure with his ex, but you’d rather be his go-to travel buddy
Hunters and anglers say other outdoor users need to step up as the costs of conservation skyrocket
If you’re still rolling up your midlayer to use as a pillow on the trail, it’s time to upgrade. The Premium weighs just 2.8 ounces, but inflates to five inches thick in just a few breaths.
Here are some foolproof ways to ward off ticks, no-see-ums, mosquitos, and fleas—and to find relief if they get you anyway
As the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report made clear this week, we’re going to need to give up some of the things we love if we don’t want much more taken away
Those instructions on the brownie box? Feel free to ignore them. This simple technique will get you a chocolatey dessert in just a few minutes.
At Olympic, you can go from luscious rainforests, to snowcapped peaks, to the stunning Pacific Coast—all in one park. What more could you ask for?
Contributor Bryan Rogala summed it up best when he called the Baggies “classic all-arounders” in his roundup of the best summer travel clothing. “The 100-percent recycled, quick-drying nylon construction and DWR finish ensures that they perform as well on land as they do in water without adding weight to your bag,” he wrote.
Here it is: the best eco-shell in our Summer Buyer’s Guide jacket test. “The three-layer construction is more durable than its 2.5-layer predecessor,” our testers wrote. “Still, as with Torrentshells of old, it’s breathable (pit zips help), a high collar and brimmed hood seal out showers, and…
Injury forces ultra legend Scott Jurek off the trail
Leaf peeping in New England. Surfing California’s coast. Cruising Alaska’s Inside Passage (yes, Alaska, in fall). We scoured the world to find the absolute best destinations to satisfy your autumn wanderlust—especially this year, when we all have a little cabin fever.
Keeping our devices fully charged in the backcountry is a treat, and the Sherpa 15 is made for that luxury. “This sleek aluminum battery fits in the palm of your hand but holds enough juice to recharge a phone,” wrote tester Janna Irons.
Leaf peeping in Colorado. Surfing the Azores. Cruising Alaska’s Inside Passage—yes, Alaska, in fall. We scoured the world to find epic adventures and stunning destinations to satisfy your autumn wanderlust, especially this year, when we all have a little cabin fever.