Summer

In summer or shoulder season, there’s nothing better than a water-view hike or one that ends up at a beach for lounging and swimming. From the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean and places in between, these are our favorites.

You’ll be shocked to hear we were outside

An unscientific journey to test Spy's new Discord shades

Heatstroke deaths are common and preventable. Here’s how to make safe decisions when you’re exercising in the summer.

The tough and maneuverable Roadie 48 is a winner

It’s light, durable, and breathable. What more do you want?

All-star garb for aquatic adventure

We’re for an official mandate: make this the season of long weekends. To help you out, we found the most fun new summer adventures.

The store isn’t just good for bulk buys or $1.50 hot dog combos. There are some great outdoor deals, too.

Here are the nine pieces from the 2022 Summer Gear Guide that our gear editors are obsessing over

We reviewed 341 pieces of gear. But these ones stood above.

341 products, 150-plus testers, and thousands of hours outdoors—this is your ultimate gear resource

The 440-mile route goes from the third-deepest lake in the U.S. to the jagged peaks of the North Cascades and the tulip-filled Skagit Valley

These seven destinations are the perfect summer base camps, with plenty of adventure on and off the water

It’ll take some miles to reach these eight remote, high-elevation lakes, but what better way to cap off a strenuous trek than diving into cool, crystal-clear water?

Across the country, hard-to-nab spots are sitting vacant. How do we make sure these coveted spaces aren’t going to waste?

Forget waking up at dawn to save your spot or navigating through crowds on Main Street. These coastal destinations are all about empty stretches of sand, activities for everyone, and ocean-view rooms that don’t break the bank.

It’s February, which means you’d better start reserving campsites for August now. We have a few tips for you.

Working as a camp counselor teaches you important skills that could jump-start your career

Hardcore cyclists are repulsed when a guy rides naked from the waist up. Why? During a long, sweltering summer, our writer defied the haters, risking all to bring blissful freedom to his sweaty torso.

Sprays, lotions, wipes, apparel, and devices to keep mosquitoes, ticks, and flies at bay

Summer is fleeting

We asked a pediatrician for advice on getting outside safely when temperatures soar

Merino wicks moisture, dries quickly, and is comfortable against the skin. These are my favorite pieces to sweat in.

Versatility is the name of the game with these yet to be released items

Our Outdoor Retailer Gear of Show picks are all items that make life outside easier

When COVID-19 hit, one Outside editor found solace in an unexpected hobby

It’s obviously summer

These pieces have been in heavy rotation for years

As events as big as the Olympic Trials get rescheduled because of heat, we went to the science to find out how you should decide when it is too hot to run safely

Thanks to the rise of engineered parks, it’s now easier than ever to learn to surf a wave in a kayak

Your body will thank you

We found the best places to pitch your tent in all 50 states, so you don’t have to.

Summer is here. This is what we’re using to stay cool—in every sense of the word.

Thanks to these boots, hiking went from painful to pure bliss

Crowds, lines, and permits. Here’s how to visit a park this summer without melting down.

Your hydration needs are as unique as your training schedule. Here are four picks for every kind of run.

When it comes to summer spins, a light, breathable kit can make all the difference

Stay healthy by protecting yourself from the sun

You don’t have to head to Europe to hike to a backcountry chalet. Here are the most spectacular stateside options, ranging from rustic to full-service experiences.

A shortage of places to camp is hurting the environment and limiting diversity in the outdoors. But there are some innovative solutions on the table.

Gear up for summer adventures with these killer deals

From surfing the coast of Maine to exploring slot canyons in Utah, these adventures will make the whole family happy

Tools to give anyone a green thumb

From a trail in Isle Royale National Park with spectacular views to a hike that hits four 6,000-foot peaks in 30 miles, these are our favorite classic routes in the U.S.

Our country’s open spaces are a sanity-saving antidote for this writer

Anticipating even bigger crowds this summer than last, public-lands officials have been grappling with how to manage the masses. For many, that’s meant introducing permit systems. But is limiting access the only solution?

Thanks to their proximity, these Airbnbs book up fast. Make your summer reservation now.

After a long year of staying put during COVID-19, families are dreaming of spring breaks and summer vacations. But should you book that flight? Our experts weigh in.

Permits, education, and increased fees are all on the table as possible solutions

Finding hiking pants for my curvy body was a lifelong struggle, until I tried Fjällräven’s High Coast Lite trousers

The best women’s denim for pandemic spring

Snag some of the best spots to pitch a tent during peak season

Think you already know everything about our nation’s most iconic park? Think again. There’s so much beyond its famed Yosemite Valley, from seldom visited waterfalls to the underappreciated backcountry beyond Tuolumne Meadows.

Sleep in a Navajo Nation earth home, a vintage camper, or a dome tent, all just a short drive to the South Rim

This Maine destination is a place of rugged coastal wonders and an immersion in Down East culture

Welcome to Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes and home to the Boundary Waters. Our 62 Parks Traveler found her own private island at her 28th stop on her quest to visit every national park in the U.S.

Our advice on which park to visit each month of the year to see peak wildlife, foliage, and flower blooms—and to avoid the crowds

A socially distant competition can be just the right amount of motivation

After a summer of testing, here are our favorite tools

From Washington to California, here are nine of our favorite short treks along the famous route

Work life got turned upside down this year, and many people are just thankful they have any job at all. But some companies have gone above and beyond to not just survive, but thrive.

Not only do we use this stuff for 130 days every summer—we're not exactly nice to it in the process

The ursine inhabitants of the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center test dozens of containers each year to see if they're worthy of bear-proof certification

This pastoral stretch of the Southern Appalachian mountains in Virginia is packed with hiking, fishing, road biking, and other adventures—if you know where to look

As summer gives way to fall, these are the items that our staff has been reaching for time and again

Given that most of us have stayed put for the past few months, the Outside staff came up with some exciting ways to make the most of being on the home front. Puppy, anyone?

Having fun on an overnight adventure with your kids is all about preparation

Fall is the perfect time to get out there

Make the most of the warm days with these river and lake essentials

There's a reason everyone's been wearing them the past few months

The books, TV shows, podcasts, and music that our editors couldn't stop talking about last month

From international hot spots to backyard breaks, here's where you’ll find the reigning women's world surf champ riding waves

This will be the best $10 you ever spend. Trust me.

You can make backyard-style meals wherever your adventure itch takes you

The ins and outs of staying clean (and safe) at camp