Hiking and Backpacking
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This summer at the southern terminus of the PCT, photographer Ian Tuttle asked a bunch of thru-hikers why they were hiking. Months later and 2,591 miles to the north, he found some of them again and asked what they’d learned about themselves. Turns out, six months in the wilderness is a pretty good crash course in philosophy.
Two hikers just set the only known times on the country's newest state-spanning trail system
What the new data says about how long the average hiker takes, what they drink, and how tired they get
Poles seem simple, but they're an important part of your hiking or backpacking kit. Here are our all-time favorites.
There's little a warm cup of joe won't solve
The former white-boy rapper and mega-successful serial entrepreneur has become a bestselling wellness author and Tony Robbins-style life coach. His latest venture, a highly social weekend of walking up mountains until you drop, called 29029, is pitched as a new breed of restorative endurance event. But is this just a brutal group hike with good marketing?
Finally, sleeping-pad insulation will be tested to a standardized methodology. Here's why that matters for all your camping trips starting in 2020.
Smartwool's Smartloft is a superior insulation
The 34-year-old teacher reportedly died at the hands of a drug cartel
Only five others—all men—have completed the thru-hiker’s Holy Grail in fewer than 365 days
These are an absolute joy to use, despite some inherent limitations
Photographer Tommy Corey spent the summer shooting Hiker Trash Vogue, a photo project featuring thru-hikers as models—minus wardrobe changes and plus a lot of dirt
This little crossroads in western Colorado has cycling, boating, hiking, and camping to rival any of those adventure towns we usually rush to
The 34-year-old from North Carolina hasn't been heard from in more than a week
The Altra Lone Peak 4 Mid RSM is lighter, more comfortable, and more supportive than any other boot I've tested. They're not stylish, but hey: Looking good in the woods is overrated.
As Wyoming debates whether to charge hikers, I wanted to issue a reminder that this whole pay-to-play concept on our public lands doesn't work
They really do matter just as much as your boots, so choose wisely
The Ruffwear Trail Runner bowl is a worthy addition to any dog owner’s kit
A crowdfunding project promises to bring smoother pack-carrying experiences to the masses
As your children get older, your trail strategies have to change. Here's some advice from parents who have been there.
This loop through Yosemite could just be the finest high-altitude thru-hike in the country
Ready to go backpacking but don't know where to begin? Start with buying the right pack.
If you're not a morning person, dawn patrol adventures can be a struggle. But have no fear, your new friend dusk patrol is here.
From breastfeeding while walking (it's possible!) to bottle feeding and pumping on the trail, here are the best options for parents on the go.
The 42-liter pack stood up to more than a week in Yosemite's backcountry
Ultrarunners Benjamin Clark, Timothy Olson, Anna Frost, and Chris Ord teamed up in Bhutan to run the Snowman Trek.
Classroom time isn't so bad when you're building fly-fishing rods in Virginia or barbecuing in the Lone Star State
Four women head into the wilds of Scotland seeking headspace and an opportunity to unplug.
Karel Sabbe set a new record of 41 days, 7 hours, and 39 minutes. And he did it without much money or fanfare, proving that you just gotta run like hell.
Keep baby safe and happy while hiking and camping
And I resent that I’m safer in the woods than I am in the place I live
Whether you're wondering what an outdoorsy life with a young child looks like or just want to see some really cute babies, you should get to know these families sharing their journeys through organizations and social media
From day trips to five-month treks, hiking is more popular than ever. But as the old standbys become more congested each year, there’s a new crop of trails waiting to be explored. Here are ten of our favorites, plus fresh finds for bikers, paddlers, and equestrians.
How much food do you need to bring? What kind? How do you store it? We've got answers.
Up at 4 a.m., then run the equivalent of two marathons before dusk. Now repeat that for 45 days.
From filmmakers Heliconia, Epic Trails follows adventurer Eric Hanson as he hikes through one of New Zealand’s national parks.
Boil water, drop a packet in, and start your day off with a piping hot cup of tea
Ask yourself: Is that french press really necessary for the backcountry?
After six months and 2,000 miles of hiking, Tenny Ostrem and Claire Wernstedt-Lynch finally reached the Gulf of Mexico
Our columnist has eaten this simple meal on hundreds of trips. He's still not sick of it.
Watch to see editor Bryan Rogala’s guide to lowering your base weight before hitting the trail.
Clip it to his collar, sync it with the app, and never lose your dog again
Summit fever, a lack of mountaineering skills, and the allure of social media are leading to serious accidents on the lower 48's highest peak. Can anything be done to stop the injuries and deaths?
It's all fun and games until you're hiking alone with Kevin
During that time of the month, this pack keeps everything clean, organized, and in one place
Take it from the people hoofing it between the Mexican and Canadian borders as we speak
This European gear giant is trying to disrupt the U.S. outdoor market with its $2.50 backpacks and $49 tents. But is the product any good?
When a father learns about his chronic heart condition, he decides to take his seven-year-old son backpacking in New Hampshire
The UberLite pad and Vesper quilt weigh just 23.8 ounces
The Quiet Mountain follows two hikers Neeraj Mishra and Mohan Danu as they approach Nanda Devi, India’s second-highest peak.
Five testers brought 20 pairs of underwear around the world. Here are their favorites.
The Tiger Wall UL was not designed to break records. Instead, it tries to do more with less, while keeping in check its weight and price and remaining very easy to use.
Even if you don’t own a dog! (Yes, this is possible.)
Gluten-free? Vegan? Paleo? There's a snack for that.
Wildfires are going to become bigger and more frequent in the future. If you find yourself caught in one, this is what you need to do.
There's no need to change after your day on the trail
Your best defense against snow, sun, and everything in between
Nobody likes to endure pain on the trail. A writer offers helpful tips to eliminate pinching, chafes, and soreness when wearing a pack.
A new collaboration with The North Face will offer programs to earn badges in outdoor skills like backpacking, rock climbing, and trail running
Whether you’re just getting into backpacking or want to upgrade your kit, you can't go wrong with this tiny cooking setup
We took a n00b friend into the backcountry and shot video
After thousands of trail miles, here's how our columnist makes sure he's prepared for whatever the terrain throws at him
Military researchers have spent years calculating the energy cost of hauling a pack in various conditions. Here's how to use what they’ve found.
Our favorite ultralight filter gets a welcome upgrade
The simple silk cocoon is a key piece of four-season gear
The founder of Native Women's Wilderness talks about how she developed her organization and how far we still have to go
Reporter Kathryn Miles and photographer Ian Tuttle caught up with some of the people hiking the Pacific Crest Trail this year and asked them why they're hiking
There are plenty of ways to lighten your load this season. These tips can help shave off the ounces before tackling a long trail.
Lighter, more packable, with better performance than anything you're used to
Seven tips to make everything from your tent to your hydration bladder work better for longer
Aislinn Sarnacki, a columnist for the Bangor Daily News in Maine, on her go-to hiking gear