Hiking and Backpacking
Archive
Those folks up in the PNW know how to make nice-looking outdoor toys
What you eat while on the trail can make or break your ability to make it to the finish
In short, it's smartly designed and great looking
Our former editor on the craziest and least taste-defensible piece he ever assigned
Sure, it's fun and relaxing—but it can also be a key part of a fitness routine
This basic piece of gear is a must-have for any adventure
Essentials for a basic kit to get you far, far out there
Having a better backpacking trip starts with a good list of essentials.
Andrew Bob Harris, also known affectionately as Ducky, is officially the first person with Down syndrome to summit the Grand Teton.
What we’re most excited about, plus five runner-ups
After years of testing, I've determined that these must be the most versatile approach shoes around
Like running shorts, but tough as nails, these bottoms are made for hard hiking
Big portions of Highway 1 are closed—which means there's never been a better time to explore this coastal paradise on foot and bike
Pack the cooler. From surfing in Rhode Island to fishing the newly reborn Elwha River in the Northwest, these are the season’s quintessential weekend escapes.
The thing is tiny, reliable, and could very well save your ass
Our savvy, Norwegian-folk-school-trained writer shows you how to craft your own skijoring belts and mid layers
We embrace the stereotype to salute the characters who add a little personality to all the backpacking trips we’ve ever taken
We stopped six trekkers passing through Oregon to find out what they love most so far
Rural Appalachia is the unhealthiest place in the country by almost any metric. Steve Bowling, a 45-year-old library director in Kentucky, has a simple remedy: nature walks.
Outside's love guide answers your most pressing questions about dating, break-ups, and everything in between. Today, we discuss significant others who are scared of insects and intimacy.
Four products I use all the time that were built here in the USA
Inspired by iconic American long trails, a new generation of pioneers are creating paths for hikers and bikers the world over
We wanted to see just how light we could make our summer backpacking setup—money and comfort be damned
The Great Eastern Trail spans nine states and 1,600 miles just west of the Appalachian Trail, but private landowners, meager funding, and sluggish construction are holding up the completion of America's next big wilderness route
If you want to make an adventure buddy, the first few weeks are critical
California's banner snowfall plus a record number of hikers have kept local search and rescue teams very, very busy
Why good old leather shit kickers like the Oboz Wind River II BDry still matter
Robin Pecknold was in no rush to follow up his band's 2011 hit indie album. In the six-year break leading up to the band's forthcoming record, he's been hitting trails and waves around the world.
Make the most of summer with these 48-hour adventures, from surfing in Texas to tasting your way through Oregon’s wine country
Nemo’s 1.75-pound Hornet Elite 2P is shockingly livable for an ultralight shelter
Most of us really only need one internal-frame pack. Here's why it should be the Osprey Aether AG and not one of its super high-end, tech'ed out competitors.
To find out, I put both chemical and mineral formulas to the test
Spend enough time in the backcountry and you're bound to have a scare, as our writer recently discovered. Here's how to teach kids what to do when that happens.
Sacks for a comfortable night’s sleep, wherever you lay your head.
The men's shoes, clothes, and equipment you need to stay comfortable on the trail
I tested eight options to find out which will actually keep your stuff dry
During the Spring of 2015, video editor Peter Hochhauser hopped on a plane from Austria and flew out to Southern California to hike the Pacific Crest Trail.
As summer approaches, the risk of deadly heat stroke grows. Here’s a list of gear and advice on how to avoid it.
Hydroflask's 32-ounce offering might be the perfect H2O carrier
As a professional skier and adventurer, Kalen Thorien spends much of her time in the mountains. Watch as she embarks on an 18-day trek across the high sierras that would take her a total of 270 miles.
Everything you need to play mixologist in the backcountry is likely already in your pack
This plant is just coming into season. Be prepared.
Not all lotions are created equal. Choose wisely.
This salty snack has taken center stage as a healthy, protein-laden endurance fuel
Dale Sanders is an 81-year-old Kentucky-born retired civil servant who's leaving his wife and dog at home for the next five months to claim a record on the country’s most popular wilderness trail
Ever wonder what type of person takes six months off to hike the famous trail? Well, here's your answer. Presenting the average AT hiker, based on data from a 2016 survey.
This year, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy estimates that 3,400 individuals will attempt a thru-hike, making it one of the busiest years in the trail’s history. We met up with a few of these hopefuls as they set out.
Exploration of these mountains isn’t new, but it wasn’t until five years ago that the first traverse of the entire range was completed, by Chase Norton, then a PhD student at the University of Hawai’i.
An ode to backcountry birth control in a time when the conversation around it is more fraught and politicized than ever
Finally, ultralight couple’s gear is not just good—it’s better than the one-person alternatives
Here's what we learned about the state of the outdoorswoman in 2017 and the still-prevalent gender gap in the outdoor world
At the cover shoot for the May issue of Outside, we asked 10 of the most influential women in the outdoor world a handful of questions about life, success, and happiness.
The tools and strategies you need to maintain proper hygiene on long camping trips
Tried-and-true stuff that will let you go farther and stay out longer
As more hikers take on the 2,190-mile route each year, Lyme disease intensifies its spread across the eastern U.S.
In honor of Outside's 40th anniversary, we're selecting our all-time favorite gear, places, accomplishments, and people. This month, we rounded up 40 of the best products we've ever tested, from legendary classics (Ed Pulaski's famous firefighting tool) to the newest kids on the block (DJI's crazy new do-it-all drone).
Trail crews have carved out hundreds of new miles for hikers, runners, and riders from New York to California. It's time to freshen up your route.
No need to wear your canary-yellow mountaineering jacket on Boston streets. These raincoats translate outdoor tech to urban style.
Our favorite hidden-gem outdoor blogs and websites
Andrew Skurka’s updated guide is a masterclass in how to enjoy the outdoors comfortably
Sound crazy? Not to Bekah and Derrick Quirin, who are embarking on a thru-hike with their one-year-old this March
Love playing on our public lands? It's time to help pay for them.
Two friends built an empowering community that encourages everyone to focus on trails, not scales
Stuff that's only good for frustrating you and causing fungal infections. Probably both.
Advice from people whose lives depend on good organization
High-tech hunting brand Kuiu wants to make a mountaineering boot you can wear for day hiking
Everything you need to survive for 72 hours, stuffed into a single waterproof bag
High in the Himalayas is where filmmaker Alessandro Rovere found what he was looking for, a breath of fresh air.
Our hard-earned lessons (clean up the van before a first date) and the advice we still stand by (sex in a portaledge—great idea!)
Alternative lodging has one distinct advantage: putting you close to the adventure that brought you there in the first place