Hiking and Backpacking
Archive
Bushwhacking, pack rafts, and a historic float down one of the world's most beautiful wildernesses.
This is a longterm relationship that will have a major impact on your lifestyle. It pays to choose wisely.
And meet the man who’s made it his mission to keep it that way
The Wikipedia (and Google Street View) of the outdoors will change your life
Nothing beats campfire cuisine, if you know what you’re doing
The former Appalachian Trail speed record holder responds to how she feels about Scott Jurek’s FKT and reflects on her time on the trail
Could this be the last rain jacket you’ll ever buy?
A space-saving design with that real water-bottle feel
Scrutinizing what kind of tent, sleeping bag, and pack you need for a multiday trip can be difficult. Here’s a comprehensive overview of how to find exactly what you need and assess it with confidence.
We used to write. Let's bring that back.
The stigma is gone. For years, canned beers were derided for their metallic taste. Worse, the options were limited—few breweries canned beer that you’d want to sample, let alone drink 12 ounces of. Then, Oskar Blues started canning its flagship Dale’s Pale Ale in 2002. And everything changed.
The best stories aren't just on paper anymore. Our (totally subjective) ranking assembles the millenium's 33 best new classics.
Smell like the great outdoors, no matter where you are.
Not long ago, there were three clearly defined categories for jackets: waterproof hard shells, stretchy and breathable soft shells, and wind shells.
This brew lovers’ dream camping trip lets you sip high-quality suds deep in the California wilderness
Can’t fit two to five months into your schedule to hike the PCT? No worries. These monthlong thru-hikes are just as good.
Our anonymous survey results are in. These are the genuine horrors and joys of leading strangers into the wild.
A different kind of close shave, inspired by one of the world's most famous alpinists and photographers.
We've cut the fat (and circumnavigated the crowds) so you can enjoy any of these thrilling parks in just one day
Get a jump on the crowds. Explore our favorite hidden corners, empty spaces, and wild places in ten iconic National Parks
Hiking boots get a long-overdue dose of style.
With trail traffic increasing following the release of 'Wild,' the association overseeing the PCT wants to block new races. The move has prompted a Change.org petition from some very angry runners.
Where to camp, how to navigate—and how not to get stuck
Don’t just throw money at the problem. Master layering—yes, even for summer!—and the outdoors will never be the same.
The most innovative multitool we've seen in years.
A new effort to add removable solar power panels to hard goods may finally make the tech indispensable for the outdoor set.
We asked an expert to watch the horror movie ‘Backcountry’ and break down the myths and realities of encountering one of the forest's most intimidating animals
Don't plan any vacations before reading this year's Best of Travel winners.
These adventure geniuses will make your next trip the one you never, ever forget.
A flashlight, a fitness tracker, a GPS...the list goes on.
Stuff these in your pack and head out of the country with peace of mind
Think Cheryl Strayed is tough? Meet these guys.
Control your sustainable energy on the go with a smartphone app
This year, go beyond Daytona Beach to surf Puerto Rico, fish the Bahamas, or explore an Ecuadorean rainforest. (Don't worry, skiers—there's neck-deep powder here for you, too.)
Discover Mount Hood at the bottom of your empty beer glass.
It doesn't take much to feel like you've gotten away.
Three new, surprising offerings from a heritage knife maker.
That's how Mark Twain defined a gold miner. But when our writer heard head-spinning treasure tales from a legendary prospector named Flint Carter, he organized a full-scale expedition into the mountains near Tucson, Arizona. Following a hand-drawn map, the team lit out for the harsh Sonoran Desert hopped up on gold fever in search of the fabled Lost City.
Barely-there shells for all kinds of conditions
Ever wonder what it’s like to be a droplet of water cascading off of a cliff? If you try waterfall jumping, you might just find out.
A portable sound system built for the demands of the outdoors
Among the benefits to hitting the trail in winter? No mosquitoes. But there are more!
Saddle up for brisk days and cozy fireside nights at some of the plushest digs in the West.
What to do when it's dark and frigid outside? We have some ideas. For starters, try building a backyard sauna, mixing up a powerful cocktail, joining a mountain race, mixing up a powerful cocktail, joining a mountain race, creating the perfect cabin fire, learning to dogsled, swinging a war hammer, kicking back with a classic adventure book, or escaping to a tropical island. Just hurry up—spring will be here before you know it.
If lingering holiday malaise and winter's cold, short days are knocking you off your game, look no further. One of these trips is sure to recharge you.
If you've never been to India, go with a company that knows the ropes, even in a well-traveled state like Kerala. Here's how to do it right.
That's what they call the southern Indian state of Kerala, a laid-back tropical paradise where you can paddle hidden backwaters, trek the rugged Western Ghats, look for tigers, indulge in Ayurvedic treatments, and chill out on unspoiled beaches. Just leave your manic Western self behind.
From that time Lance Armstrong showed us how to fix a flat tire to an investigation into USA Swimming’s sex abuse scandal, we look back at the stories that defined the year.
Photographer Ian Tuttle set up camp three times throughout the summer on the Pacific Crest Trail, capturing snippets of the 2,663-mile trail that stretches the length of the West Coast. He made portraits of those he met, asked them questions, and even followed up with a few after their time on the trail.
Canadian Kate Harris' sure-fire two-step guide on how to become a modern explorer.
Plus three more sheep-wool alternatives to keep you warm this winter.
For adventurers, explorers, athletes—and anyone else who's been really, really good this year.
The crude that would feed the XL pipeline comes from a once pristine part of Alberta that now resembles mining operations on a sci-fi planet. At places like Fort McKay, home to First Nations people who've lived there for centuries, the money is great but the environmental and health impacts are exceedingly grim.
The movie version of Cheryl Strayed's hit book features Reese Witherspoon like you've rarely seen her—tangled hair, ratty clothes, and dirt under her fingernails. But the backpacking film has a secret: it's actually a brutal story about loss and love.
Is there such a thing as the greatest vista on earth? The Japanese think so, and they've got the breathtaking Three Scenic Views, a trio of iconic landscapes that stand above the rest. One writer takes them all in on a breakneck tour.
Lightweight, durable, and comfy, this gear finds its way into Chris Solomon's pack every time he heads out the front door.
We'd known about the storm for days, so how come hundreds of trekkers were caught off guard?