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Outside reviews the best adventure gear for man’s best friend.
Cramming a whole lotta adventure into one day doesn't have to be a sufferfest. Photo: Katie Arnold We recently took the kids to see a Brazilian jazz band perform outside at our local college on a hill above town. You can probably picture the scene: Everyone…
From paddling to biking to hiking, here are the top spots from Nova Scotia to the Northwest Territories
The stablest country in the Middle East also makes for the most action-packed getaway
There are dozens of hydration packs out there. Which ones are best for specific activities, such as mountain biking, running marathons, or a weekend hike?
Therm-a-Rest made the first self inflating mattress in 1971. Sleeping in the backcountry suddenly became way more comfortable and pleasurable for most campers. Next spring, the brand, which is part of Cascade Designs, claims it will radically improve your sleep again with a new…
If you’re like most people, your summer strategy probably looks like this: Dispatch the kids to day camp while you spend the sweetest season behind your desk. But research shows that while children may be quicker studies, adults benefit hugely from learning new things, too. Good news: Now you can…
In October 2011, Andrew Forsthoefel walked out of his back door in Pennsylvania and started walking west, taking only what he could carry on his back. His project, called “Walking to Listen,” is to see the country at a walking pace, taking in the sights, the sounds and the stories.
Google is bringing its image-mapping technology into the wilderness. On June 6, the company announced on its blog that it is sending a new Street View Trekker device into the backcountry. The 40-lb., 15-camera, backpack-like gizmo…
Calling all connoisseurs of fine foods. Just because you're camping, hiking, skiing, riding or otherwise adventuring doesn't mean you have to suffer terrible treats. Leave the Slim Jims behind on your next outing and snack on one of these tasty boutique jerkies instead. Slantshack Jerky, which scored…
Merrell just completed a new study on barefoot and minimalist running that inspired the company to redesign its barefoot runners, making them wider so that your foot has more connection with the ground. It also inspired Merrell to introduce two new minimalist collections: done-in-a-day Mixmaster shoes (below)…
Helle of Norway has made knives since 1932—beautiful knives, knives that are handcrafted works of art as well as practical tools. Each Helle knife a unique wood handle and a triple-laminated razor-sharp stainless-steel blade that won't corrode or break. But the company has never made a folding…
High on the trail in the Acadia backcountry. Photo: Kurdistan/Shutterstock By Michael Lanza Day Hiking Acadia National Park, MaineAges: All (depending on hike) Acadia seems designed for hiking with kids: Numerous trails deliver constant views many of the best hikes are…
Last fall, Gear Shed tester Andrew Forsthoefel set off on a momentous, sure-to-be-life-changing megatrip. He loaded up his backpack, laced his shoes, and walked out his back door in Chadd’s Ford, Pennslyvania, bound for the West Coast on foot. He’s not in it just to prove that he is…
Make the most of the warmer months with these weekend itineraries
We’ve all heard of prodigal athletes—the seven-year-old ripping free skier, the two-year-old boulderer, teen mountaineers, the baby who starts skiing before she can walk, and the 12-year-old skateboarder who becomes the first athlete ever to land a 1080. Some of these…
Rhode Island School of Design student Cam Brensinger came up with the idea for NEMO (New England Mountain Equipment) and his college senior project, high on the flanks of New Hampshire's Mount Washington. One weekend Cam went camping and got caught in gale force winds. Cam recalls:…
Dodging grizzlies and calving glaciers in John Hopkins Inlet, Glacier Bay National Park Yesterday I caught up with Michael Lanza, author of the season’s must-read new memoir about bringing up adventure kids in the age of climate change: Before They’re Gone: A Family’s Year-Long…
I work outdoors in some serious deer tick habitat. I saw that Outdoor Research makes the pre-treated BugOut gaiters. Do your recommend them, or do you have any other suggestions for staying tick free?
Frank Quan at China Camp Village Photo: Mary Catherine O'Connor I found Frank Quan at a picnic bench, just off the beach, as the waters of San Pablo Bay lapped gently on the shore. It was an unseasonably warm, windless April afternoon and…
Badlands bison Photo: National Park Service photo archive The Oglala Sioux Tribe may be granted management of the South Unit of Badlands National Park, which would create the country's first tribal national park. The…
Wildfire via Shutterstock Photo by Jon Beard This summer's wildfire season is already well underway, with tragic repercussions. The Lower North Fork Fire in Colorado last month claimed three lives and many homes. It prompted Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper to put a moratorium…
It turns out, quite a bit, if that company is Patagonia. This manufacturer of outdoor apparel and footwear that we've frequently written about here at Outside, in its quest to continue to make the world a better place, is introducing Wild Salmon Jerky in…
Photo: Flikr/tkd540 With their commercial use permits on hold, horse pack operators in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks aren’t taking trip reservations and are nervously awaiting a May 23 hearing at which U.S. District Court Judge Richard Seeborg will outline…
All aboard who's going aboard. Photo courtesy Linx Co-op In our May issue we rounded up 12 amazing off-the-beaten path National Park adventures. Trekking into Yellowstone National Park (oh, you've heard of it?) didn't make the cut. But that doesn't mean you should avoid the 3,472 square…
Mike Dion's first feature-length film, Ride The Divide, followed three cyclists on the inaugural Tour Divide, a 2,700-mile self-supported bikepacking race along the Continental Divide from Banff, Canada to Antelopes Wells, New Mexico, a dusty crossing on the…
Meet the men and women on the knife's edge of exploration
Shivling Peak via Shutterstock Photograper: Galyna Andrushko As mountaineers from around the world converge in Nepal and prepare for the 2012 Everest climbing season, Apa Sherpa, the porter-turned-professional-climber who has summited the mountain 21 times, is in the midst of…
Grand Canyon Photo: Grand Canyon NPS The East Rim of the Grand Canyon, where the Little Colorado River meets the Colorado River, is a remote, quiet area, especially compared to the crowded Southern Rim. But it might not remain that way. The 27,000 square-mile Navajo reservation…
If you're that guy who is always complaining that the sleeves are too short, the legs are too long, or the torso is too tight when you buy other outdoor apparel, a company called Beyond is waiting for your call. The Seattle company makes custom technical under…
Kate Kernerman on her way to a campground. Photo: Ryan Branciforte It was a brisk and sunny morning, typical for the dry winter we're having in San Francisco. As I locked my bike up to a sturdy fence and started down the escalator to the 24th…
Sticky approach shoes will get you to and from your projects, but they're not just for cragging. Approach shoes can have urban appeal—like when you want to impress your friends after a few beers by bouldering up the nearest sculpture/rock/tree. We don't necesarrily recommend this, we're just saying, we know…
Photo: Young Hoon Oh Young Hoon Oh, South Korean PhD candidate in anthropology at UC Riverside, is headed to Nepal at the end of the month to attempt his second Everest summit. But his itinerary extends well beyond the days he'll try to reach the top…
Does a “3-in-1” jacket seem like a gimmick that can't possibly deliver on all fronts? 3-in-1 jacket means that the inner insulating layer and the outer jacket shell can each be worn individually, or they can be worn together for a third dual layer option.Columbia shows that…
[all photos: Emily Shoff] Soon it'll be mud season–time to escape to drier ground. And there's no better remedy to the tail end of winter than dropping a thousand feet into the canyons of southern Utah. My husband, Andy, and I have traveled with…
I'm a photographer and cinematographer, and I'm looking for a backpack that can double as a photo bag for hiking, skiing, and mountain climbing. I've found that Lowepro bags are too small. What do you recommend?
Even if you dad chucked his old wafflestompers and canvas backpack before you were born, you can still have legit heritage gear that’s as functional as it is cool looking. Here are four of our favorite old-is-new pieces: LL Bean Maine Snowshoe: To celebrate its 100th birthday, LL…
Have you ever left your snowshoes home because they were too bulky to carry, only to regret it mid hike when you were postholing to your thighs in deep snow? Stories of stranded snowmobilers mired in the woods after they ran out of gas inspired Alaskan oil field worker Rick…
A year ago, Boreas was started by Tae Kim, the Creative Director behind Alite Designs. Kim showed he wasn’t afraid to take design risks, creating the two-legged balancing Monarch Butterfly Camp Chair and the zip-crotch Sexy Hotness sleeping bag. With Boreas,…
Okay guys: It's time to stop procrastinating, and start shopping. Stuck on what to get the outdoorsy lady in your life? Here's what we recommend: Kelty Supernova 30 Three-In-One Sleeping Bag: Zipping in together makes camping more fun. The Supenova 30° is made for spring and summer outtings.
A multimedia guide to seven of North America’s best adventure destinations—featuring Duct Tape Then Beer’s new videos series
If you know someone who thinks eating backcountry ramen with a fork seems culturally inauthentic, yet does not have the patience to finesse campsite mac and cheese from a bowl to mouth with chopsticks, GSI has the ultimate utensil for them. The titanium Kung…
Let's cut to the chase. Here are a few of the most eye-catching new survival tools we saw at the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City. Wenger Hypex Jewelry: Having a multitool on hand at all times is ideal. But with airline restrictions and general paranoia about people carrying…
Do you ever get tired of fiddling with your headlamp in an attempt to get just the right amount of light? You need more, but not so much that you drain your battery before your adventure is over? Now your headlamp can do that for you. Petzl,…
I received a zero-degree down sleeping bag over the holidays and I'm eager to do some winter camping in Colorado later this month. I've been on plenty of warm-weather trips, but this will be my first winter camp. What else do I need to stay warm?
Outside picks the essential tech tools, including the OtterBox Defenders Series case.
From the world’s most fuel-efficient commercial plane to foreign economic collapses to a cloud-tickling hotel, the biggest adventure travel stories this year
Struggling to find a gift for the guy who has everything? Or perhaps you've been an exceptionally good boy this year, and you'd like to reward yourself. Either way, we rounded up a few of our favorite things, price be damned. A word of caution: while the list starts out…
Wondering what to get the favorite women in your life for the holidays? We’ve honed in on the best holiday gifts for your better half, whether she's a shredder, cyclist, or simply likes to stay warm. Nobis Farrah hat: If you're going to get her a warm hat, get her…
Your mom is right: Everybody actually does need more wool socks. So get your favorite outdoorsy type a pair or two of those, but also consider the stuff below—they're some of our favorite gifts under $50. For the world traveler: A TSA compliant multitool? It’s true—such a thing exists.
Climbing 8 big mountains in 11 months required many things but proper gear was a must. In this post, I will review what I used, what worked, what didn’t; taking it a layer at a time. These climbs were to raise awareness and research money on behalf of Alzheimer’s disease.
Versatile outfits, shoes, and other gear made with world travelers in mind.
It's starting to snow, and I'm anxious to get out and do some winter hiking. What's a good combination of snowshoes and winter boots?
Love the idea of modeling, but don't have time for the agents, the makeup trailers, the long days on set in Hollywood? Send in a photo of yourself stripped down to your favorite Smartwool layer and a one sentence write up of what inspired you to do…
For hiking in 110°F, what top would you recommend? I was once told the best choice was a cotton T-shirt with a wind-resistant outer shirt. Is there any truth to that idea?
I need to update my gear closet for a weekend backpacking trip in Arizona. I can't afford to spend much, but my husband and I are aiming to hike upward of 15 miles each day and I don't want to be weighed down. Any suggestions?
Is there a good reason to buy a women’s-specific sleeping bag?
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Columbia Hoodster boots.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Salomon Quest 30 pack
You're ready to act on those good intentions, but how do you know the organizations you're backing deserve your trust? Here are the 30 best—smartly managed groups with transparent financials, efficient spending, and track records of on-the-ground success.
The new roll top Crown VC 60, $200, granitegear.com The company that gained traction on the backs of hikers on the Appalachian Trail and paddlers in the Boundary Waters is now producing packs for Navy SEALS special ops in Afghanistan and beyond.
On the heels of a speed record on the Pacific Crest Trail, I thought it'd be interesting to get out the old history book and have a little class time. There are a lot of trails in our great country (although few like the PCT) and, as…
Salomon-sponsored Jennifer Pharr Davis broke the Appalachian Trail speed record on July 31, 2011 when she hiked and ran the 2181-mile trail in 46 days, 11 hours and 20 minutes—26 hours and 11 minutes faster than the previous record holder, Andrew…
Ok, maybe that's a bit overblown. But if you love your Chacos as much as we do, we're pretty sure you're going to think this is pretty cool. Today, Chaco announced a new initiative, MyChacos. It's a custom order service that lets you pick your Chaco sandal style, choose your…
Not everyone needs a GPS with infinite maps, geocaches, and barometric altimeters. When all you really want to do is find your tucked away Bangkok boutique hotel after an afternoon mopeding through the city, use Brunton's Get Back GPS. It's a small, no-frills navigator that is perfectly…
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Tubbs Wilderness Snowshoe
Call us soft (and many of our friends have), but we've always been a fan of Crazy Creek chairs. (Our tripmates have consistently sneered “Lazy Geek” chairs, and then promptly sat in them when we got up to pee.) We also like the contraptions that turn your…
The American Alpine Institute (AAI) is a 35-year old mountain school best know for its advanced trainings, expeditions, and exceptional instruction, as well as its committment to protecting public lands. Of course, they also know a thing or two about gear, and this summer at the…
From Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine, the Appalachian Trail is almost 2,200 miles of White Blaze, Trail Angels and Lean-Tos. And somewhere in West Virginia, in a town named Harpers Ferry,…
For those of you adverse to getting into a sleeping bag with with mud caked on your legs, dirty and tired from a day in the woods, here’s a piece of gear will prevent that pre-sleep complaining. New Hampshire based Nemo plans to release its new Helio…
After competing in more than two dozen adventure races, Stephen Regenold breaks down his go-to outdoor gear
Glacier from Kili’s Summit Kilimanjaro was all I expected and much, much more. The climb itself was not the hardest but the descent was amongst the toughest when I twisted my ankle and had to be carried down from 15,000 feet. In my normal manner…
Do you find sleeping bags too confining? Are you a sleepwalker concerned about frostbite on your late night excursions? Are you jealous of small children who have onesie pajamas with feet? Then do we have something for you. Introducing the Selk'bag. This Gumby-like, polyester-filled, insulating outfit is…
There are plenty of great footwear companies out there. But over the past few years, we often find ourselves lacing up the ones that were made by the little company based in Bozeman—Oboz is shorthand for “Out of Bozeman.” The reason is pretty simple: they make burly…
When you’re traveling in the wilderness, a well-stocked med kit can mean the difference between a minor snafu and a major nightmare. This is true whether you’re adventuring alone or with a bevy of little rippers.
Tonight, Patagonia and eBay announced a new partnership, the Common Threads Initiative. Together, they asked owners of fleece and Gore-Tex everywhere to pledge to reduce consumption, reuse old gear, recycle, repair what's broken, and reimagine a world where people don't stress the earth with…
How much gear do you really need on a three-day backpacking trip?
Outside brings you the best adventure-specific dresses for your next late summer trip.