Hiking and Backpacking
Archive
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
Smartwool discovered that women run at much different temperatures than men. Now it's using that data to reengineer its women's socks and base layers.
The stuff that keeps this adventure writer dry, safe, and dangerous
Plenty of people are hesitant to camp solo, but for women, many of whom deal with catcalls during mundane morning jogs, it's harder to dismiss imagined sexual predators lurking in the woods. The author explores why she heads out alone anyway.
Trained collectors are trekking into remote parts of the Southwest in hopes of discovering hardy new hops that can withstand warming temperatures
Winter camping doesn't have to suck if you carry this shelter from Seek Outside with you
One of our most iconic wild places is under threat from mining and development interests. Two journalists hiked 800 miles to remind people why they should care.
Lessons I learned from organizing a homeless-youth outdoors program and how you can apply them to improving your own corner of the world
Foursevens’ new Mini MkII is smaller than a chapstick, yet pumps out over 1,000 lumens. And it only costs $40.
How to find a partner who shares your passion for living bravely, build a relationship fueled by adventure, and keep happiness alive through kids, career changes, and really bad wipeouts
Six months, two trips to Thailand, and flirtations with madness have produced possibly the most forgettable fork ever
How to find the best tool for your pocket and wallet
In 1988, girlfriends Claudia Brenner and Rebecca Wight were attacked by Stephen Roy Carr on the Appalachian Trail.
Have you ever found yourself on a boat besieged by pirates? Aboard a derailing train? Former Navy SEAL Clint Emerson explains how to survive these crises and many more in his new book, 100 Deadly Skills: Survival Edition.
Two thru-hikers have taken it upon themselves to pull the trash—thousands of pounds and counting—off the Pacific Crest and Appalachian trails
From mountaintops to lakeside trails, this short film offers viewers a glimpse into the beautiful area around Cumbria, England.
Outdoor tradition or dangerous, polluting, wasteful relic of the past?
In our ongoing Weekly Escape series, we aim to transport you from your desk to an incredible place in two minutes or less.
The secret to ultimate fitness isn't all that complicated—just spend a month outside, hiking eight hours per day. Kyle Boelte breaks down how his body evolved into an efficient, fat-burning, testosterone-fueled machine over 29 days on the Colorado Trail.
Power sources small enough for you to carry that run on solar, fire, or water are heavy and don't produce enough electricity to warrant schlepping into the backcountry
For the ultimate in lightweight camping, ditch the tent and grab a tarp
For filmmaker Andrew Watson and his guide Emanuel Motta, hiking Kilimanjaro during the low season provided a rare chance for solitude.
On a 4 week long journey, filmmaker Dave Dworkind assembled Western Canada.
Want a dog for the trail, mountain, water, or city? Forget going to a breeder. The best companion for you is also the cheapest and most ethical.
From trailhead to summit, boots to keep your feet warm and dry. (Under Armour) Under Armour Clackamas 200 Best For: Deep Snow If you tramp through half a foot of fresh every morning to get to your car, take note. The 10.5-inch-tall Clackamas rises above the snow, while its water-resistant rubber-and-canvas…
In honor of the National Park Service's 100th birthday, Huckberry paid homage to Yosemite.
You'll regret cheaping out on this stuff. Trust me.
The updated communications tool creates a network for people to send and receive messages without cell service. But its success is entirely dependent on how many people buy into it.
Performance snacks get a natural makeover. (AlpineAire) AlpineAire Guacamole Thanks to the geniuses at Alpine-Aire, guac is no longer a luxury reserved for glamping with a well-stocked cooler—it’s a trail-ready hors d’oeuvre you’ve earned after hiking miles in the backcountry. Just add water to the 1.4-ounce package, filled with freeze-dried avocado, onion, and serrano…
Meet Seth Orme and Paul Twedt: these two make up the 'Packing It Out' crew and are bringing a new flare to environmental stewardship.
Developing flexibility is just as important as developing strength. Here are the best moves to make you a healthier, more efficient all-around athlete.
Light Between The Trees is brought to you by the collective behind Mile, Mile & A Half. For that film, the group of filmmakers, artists, musicians, and photographers gathered to spend a month walking the John Muir Trail. This time, the crew gathered for…
Plus, the differences between liquid fuel and pressurized canisters
An unknown hiker from Atlanta claims to have broken the Appalachian speed record. The question is: Can she prove it?
A lightweight backpacking stove that runs on twigs
The annual Fjällräven Classic is a trek tradition that the gear manufacturer has brought to Colorado for the first time
Belgian backpacker Louis-Philippe Loncke has taken down Death Valley and just abandoned his attempt to thru-hike Australia’s Simpson Desert. But he’s not done yet.
Nothing beats a hot meal after a long day on the trail, and Omeals makes things a whole lot easier with their self-heating packaged meals.
As good as the fishing was, this trip was more about breaking away from life's breakneck pace and living in the moment, which is a lot easier to do in the mountains.
Twelve years after disappearing on a hike in western China, David Sneddon is being held captive to teach English in North Korea, according to a Japanese news report
Celebrate (and support) the National Park Service's birthday with these 7 products
I figured anyone who's hiked hundreds of miles across the United States would probably have some useful advice, so I asked five Pacific Crest Trail veterans about the most essentials tools in their packs
Outsiders plying thru-hikers with sodas and chicken wings might appall purists, but trail magic is here to stay—and that's a very good thing
The 12-year-old Swedish trekking tradition comes to the United States with the goal of getting more novice backpackers into the wilderness
Everything you need to relax after a day of romping around in the mountains
All the ingredients and gear you need for real meals on the trail
Should we ban the construction of any more trails into the wilderness? Robert Moor, author of the new book, 'On Trails,' says we should build more.
Should we continue blazing trails into wild places? Kenneth Brower doesn't think so.
The shoestring-budget comedy is hipster fun in the backcountry, but sometimes takes the easy path
All organic, adult-palate-approved ice cream that melts in your mouth, not in your backpack—sold by a guy living out of his van
No indulgent selfies or boring landscapes here. These Instagram accounts showcase the trail like you've never seen it before.
The newest release from the world's most famous cooler company
Some argue that so-called trail angels, who hand out food and water (and beer!) to weary through-hikers, are cheapening what should be a life-altering experience
Part hammock, part tent, 100 percent awesome