Hiking and Backpacking
Archive
You can set up your own, off-the-cuff version of summer camp in one of these stellar settings
My first backpack trip of 2019 is this month. These are the critical and interesting items that I'm taking with me.
Nadia Iris Mercado grew up in nature but not in the traditional-summits, red-rocks, and deep-canyons kind of nature
Beyond Clothing is turning protective combat uniforms into stylish outdoor gear
Perfect (but pricey) underwear for long days on the trail
The logic behind requiring permits on Yosemite's famed Half Dome was sound: smaller crowds equals fewer accidents. In this case, the opposite is true.
The sweeping John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act could mean great things for our national trail system, but it may take a while
Don鈥檛 bring a tree tent to Antarctica, and other sound advice
Frequent fliers spend a lot of energy trying to avoid long layovers. But with these tips, the right attitude, and a bit of ingenuity, you can turn your layover into another adventure.
This new calorie calculator uses an equation developed by the U.S. military to estimate energy expenditure while hiking
Inspiring stories by badass adventurers
Make your kids love the trails as much as you do
Proper storage means you get outside faster鈥攚ithout forgetting anything important
How a father-son trip to Yosemite conquered my fear of hiking, bears, and falling off chairlifts
We asked hikers for advice on how to readjust to life after the trail
New to backpacking, or never been? Make your next trip (or your first) a success by answering these questions beforehand.
Olde Virden's Red Hot pepper flakes turn even the rankest dehydrated meal into mouthwatering fare
The Garden State doesn't usually bring to mind bucolic wilderness. But if you ask people in the know, that's only because you've been looking in the wrong place.
New owners are revitalizing Shaw's, the beloved hostel on the Appalachian Trail
Looking for a vegan gorp recipe? We've got you covered. Classic gorp recipe? We've got a delicious version of that, too. These DIY trail-mix recipes will supercharge your next hike.
Don't rely on convenience stores and junk food to fuel your miles
Alpine scrambles and beachfront strolls; multi-day singletrack adventures and quick urban escapes; soaring trees and rolling sand dunes鈥攅very state in the country has something to offer intrepid hikers. So we rounded up a bucket-list-worthy, best-of-the-best guide.
As outdoor-recreation tourism booms, these places have been forced to find innovative (and sometimes desperate) ways of adapting to and curbing the steady stream of tourists each season
Katie Arnold, author of the new memoir Running Home, talks about the unique healing power of endurance sports
These babies keep you warm, block wind, and shout from the depths of your closet, 鈥淟et鈥檚 go already!鈥
From Yosemite to the Green Mountains, these are our favorite lodge-to-lodge treks this side of the pond
How will a snowy winter affect your summertime high-country plans in the High Sierra and southern Rockies?
The beloved max-cushion brand is branching out with its new Sky collection
Ancient European pilgrimages. Coastal treks along jungle isles. Surprising Rocky Mountain summits. Checking off any of these bucket-list hikes is sure to be the experience of a lifetime.
Companies like Outdoor Voices and Nike have already signed up for the new in-app shopping platform
It's so good that you'll start making it at home, too
On July 17, 2017, thru-hiker Joe McConaughy set out to claim the fastest known time for a self-supported traverse of the Appalachian Trail
Test five items and pay only for what you keep
Spice up your on-trail diet with these creative vegan recipes
Size has something to do with it, but it is more about why the land is being preserved
A peek at Hydro Flask鈥檚 Journey Series hydration pack, Mountainsmith鈥檚 Zerk 40L Fastpack, and OluKai's Hawai鈥檌loa boot collection
The Venture Out Project is doing more than just teaching outdoor skills. It's creating a community.
The hiking duo Her Odyssey highlight their journey from Patagonia to Colombia by nonmotorized travel
In her new memoir 'Thirst,' the celebrated thru-hiker delves into the physical and mental struggles and triumphs she experienced on the trail
Featuring that time when our Tough Love columnist got dumped because of a dream about cinnamon rolls
Retro tech meets modern looks in the new Kelty Zyp and Zyro
We know a serious sale when we see one
Watch for our tips on how to choose the right backpacking stove before you hit the trail.
Hip shape and torso length matter, and a pack that fits right will save you energy on the trail
Setting an FKT is already badass. But what these Fastest Known Time award winners pulled off on the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail is downright awe-inspiring.
When your backcountry partner was your romantic one, a breakup can totally alter your relationship to the outdoors鈥攂ut don't let it
In 2018, thru-hiker Tyler Lau set out to be the first person of color to complete what鈥檚 known as the triple crown in one year
A bear's sense of smell is seven times better than a bloodhound's. Outsmart them with this food-storage bag.
Chances are they'll outlive most of your other clothing
Take our advice and don't become a statistic
This summer at the southern terminus of the PCT, photographer Ian Tuttle asked a bunch of thru-hikers why they were hiking. Months later and 2,591 miles to the north, he found some of them again and asked what they鈥檇 learned about themselves. Turns out, six months in the wilderness is a pretty good crash course in philosophy.
Two hikers just set the only known times on the country's newest state-spanning trail system
What the new data says about how long the average hiker takes, what they drink, and how tired they get
Poles seem simple, but they're an important part of your hiking or backpacking kit. Here are our all-time favorites.
There's little a warm cup of joe won't solve
The former white-boy rapper and mega-successful serial entrepreneur has become a bestselling wellness author and Tony Robbins-style life coach. His latest venture, a highly social weekend of walking up mountains until you drop, called 29029, is pitched as a new breed of restorative endurance event. But is this just a brutal group hike with good marketing?
Finally, sleeping-pad insulation will be tested to a standardized methodology. Here's why that matters for all your camping trips starting in 2020.
Smartwool's Smartloft is a superior insulation
The 34-year-old teacher reportedly died at the hands of a drug cartel
Only five others鈥攁ll men鈥攈ave completed the thru-hiker鈥檚 Holy Grail in fewer than 365 days
These are an absolute joy to use, despite some inherent limitations
Photographer Tommy Corey spent the summer shooting Hiker Trash Vogue, a photo project featuring thru-hikers as models鈥攎inus wardrobe changes and plus a lot of dirt
This little crossroads in western Colorado has cycling, boating, hiking, and camping to rival any of those adventure towns we usually rush to
The 34-year-old from North Carolina hasn't been heard from in more than a week
The Altra Lone Peak 4 Mid RSM is lighter, more comfortable, and more supportive than any other boot I've tested. They're not stylish, but hey: Looking good in the woods is overrated.
As Wyoming debates whether to charge hikers, I wanted to issue a reminder that this whole pay-to-play concept on our public lands doesn't work
They really do matter just as much as your boots, so choose wisely
The Ruffwear Trail Runner bowl is a worthy addition to any dog owner鈥檚 kit
A crowdfunding project promises to bring smoother pack-carrying experiences to the masses
As your children get older, your trail strategies have to change. Here's some advice from parents who have been there.
This loop through Yosemite could just be the finest high-altitude thru-hike in the country
Ready to go backpacking but don't know where to begin? Start with buying the right pack.