Hiking and Backpacking
Archive
Smart tips to make sure your new adventure partner has a blast and feels welcome outside
We’ve sweat in them, worn them on muddy trails, and through countless miles on pavement. Now they’re discounted.
Stock up for fall adventures with these killer deals on gear we’ve tested in the field
Now is one of the best times of the year to save on camping essentials
A long-distance rambler named Bearsun is walking from L.A. to New York, dressed like a very large Pokémon. This is his story.
With an innovative hipbelt and pockets (almost) everywhere I need them, this backpack is a quiver killer for multiday treks
An athlete and adventurer wants to summit the world’s highest peaks while advocating for inclusivity in the world of outdoor recreation
In the same way that backcountry skiers read avalanche reports and whitewater kayakers check water levels, anyone hiking in the West needs to start planning for fires as a baseline safety precaution
Hiking is for everyone—but as Kara Richardson Whitely, a.k.a. Mama Kubwa, discovered, not everyone has gotten the memo
Your partner’s planning an epic adventure with his ex, but you’d rather be his go-to travel buddy
Here are some foolproof ways to ward off ticks, no-see-ums, mosquitos, and fleas—and to find relief if they get you anyway
As the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report made clear this week, we’re going to need to give up some of the things we love if we don’t want much more taken away
Those instructions on the brownie box? Feel free to ignore them. This simple technique will get you a chocolatey dessert in just a few minutes.
At Olympic, you can go from luscious rainforests, to snowcapped peaks, to the stunning Pacific Coast—all in one park. What more could you ask for?
Injury forces ultra legend Scott Jurek off the trail
Leaf peeping in New England. Surfing California’s coast. Cruising Alaska’s Inside Passage (yes, Alaska, in fall). We scoured the world to find the absolute best destinations to satisfy your autumn wanderlust—especially this year, when we all have a little cabin fever.
Leaf peeping in Colorado. Surfing the Azores. Cruising Alaska’s Inside Passage—yes, Alaska, in fall. We scoured the world to find epic adventures and stunning destinations to satisfy your autumn wanderlust, especially this year, when we all have a little cabin fever.
This time the former AT record holder is heading southbound and shooting for a time of under 40 days
Challenge yourself, choose your own pace, and embrace nature all by yourself
And what to do when your fitness level doesn’t match your adventure partner’s
Can I cut switchbacks? What about smoking on the trail? And what do I do with all those rocks?
It takes patience and some trial and error to make new trail buddies
“You always think you’ll save the ones you love when the moment comes. But he didn’t save her.”
Create the ultimate wet-weather defense system with these six waterproof items
Because sometimes, you just want to get away from it all
No two waterfalls are exactly alike, but these will always capture our imagination
Sleeves still play an important role against the elements, even when it’s hot
That shiny sheet of plastic you have wadded up at the bottom of your daypack can help you stay alive. Will it help you stay comfortable? That’s a different story.
Take a break from NPS crowds by visiting these lesser-known designations, which we chose based on spectacular scenery, great hiking trails, and unique features.
Public lands have become more trodden and restrictive, but the pandemic-era craziness might not last
We’re eyeing these steals at Huckberry’s annual Summer Sale, which lasts now through July 26
You’re dead set on walking every inch of a trail, but your partner doesn’t mind skipping a section or two. How do you compromise?
History tells us why skiing—and the outdoors in general—lacks diversity. Thanks to the work of dedicated groups, this is slowly changing.
When hikers have leftover food or gear, they don’t trash it. They drop it in a box for the next person who needs it, forming a beautiful network of anonymous interdependence.
After a year spent inside with too much time on his hands, a writer survives two days in the woods with only the equipment available to his hobbit alter ego—rapier and lute included
Exercise may not be enough to make up for thru-hikers’ bad diets, a new paper suggests
On a backpacking trip through Utah’s Buckskin Gulch with ultralight gear legend Glen Van Peski, our writer learns about the Crotch Pot, an Oscar-winning actor’s anti-snoring technique, and that there’s a whole lot of shit you don’t need when you’re on the trail 1,000 miles from home
Master the shakedown for a smoother trek
Acadia National Park in Maine boasts 150 miles of trails on its official maps, but that’s only a part of what once existed. Matthew Sherrill tagged along with a couple of local history obsessives to explore some of the dozens of unmarked paths that lead to what were once major attractions—places some want to stay a secret.
Gates of the Arctic in northern Alaska is one of the last truly wild national parks. There are no roads or trails, and the park boasts the stunning Brooks Range, six wild and scenic rivers, and gets fewer than 3,000 visitors a year. Our 62 Parks columnist was awestruck by her 39th stop on her quest to visit every national park in the U.S.
From a long-distance thru-hike to exploring an urban park in your backyard, here's everything you need to know
Thanks to these boots, hiking went from painful to pure bliss
Chickfly’s innovative zipperless fly makes for pee freedom
We’ll be combing the site for the steepest discounts, so you don’t have to
Save on hiking and camping equipment with Amazon’s biggest sale of the year
Which backpack is right for you? Wes Siler is here to explain how they work.
All the essentials for crushing long days on the trail
Why reaching outdoor nirvana means journeying far from the beaten path
Having a disability and staging epic adventures can go hand in hand. You just have to be willing to ask for a little help.
We asked movers and shakers in different corners of the outdoor world about what people can do to make certain spaces and sports more welcoming for all
Whether you’re just dipping your toe in the water or pushing the outer limits of adventure sports, you can use this handbook for decades to come. Enjoy technical tips and words of wisdom from the pros, ranging from ways to stay warm while cold-weather camping to nurturing the inspiration to get out there every day.
If you're just getting started on the trails, don't be overwhelmed. This 101 guide breaks down where to go, what to wear, and everything you need to know to stay safe and have fun out there.
You deserve better than freeze-dried stroganoff
Now’s a great time to save a few bucks on hiking gear
The remarkable survival story of Claire Nelson, whose solo hike in the desert turned into a desperate fight for her life
In an excerpt from his latest book, ‘Freedom,’ the celebrated nonfiction writer describes a journey along Pennsylvania’s train tracks with friends he met while reporting on the war in Afghanistan
Every woman who hikes has been the target of mansplaining—and outdoor writers and editors are no exception
Gear up for summer adventures with these killer deals
Keen's Senior Vice President of Global Supply Chain describes how he got into the shoe business.
The research and development designer shares her story and inspiration
Top-notch gear for wrangling singletrack adventures
What to do when a significant other, or a friend, doesn't respect your decisions
For two years, I logged nearly 70 snack varieties in a spreadsheet on my search for the perfect adventure snack
When a group of friends decided to tackle Sentiero Italia, one of the world’s longest and forgotten trails, they had no idea that 1,500 others would join them along the way
In March, Emily Ford became the first woman to complete Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail in winter. She’s also become an unintentional ambassador of the outdoor industry’s quest for inclusivity.
After experiencing loss, a new mother races through grief at the edge of the world
Hiking can be a blast, but it won’t be if you're struggling every few feet. Here’s how to get ready for trekking, from easy day hikes to the longest thru-hikes in the world.
Sometimes the biggest threat in the wilderness is another human
Not much tops seeing the the massive glaciers and vast empty wilderness in Glacier Bay—that’s the verdict of our 62 Parks Traveler about the 33rd stop on her quest to visit every national park in the U.S.
Mother’s Day is May 9. She deserves some sweet outdoor gear.