Technique

The Basics of Backcountry Ski Touring

See more–and have more fun–this winter with these gear and technique trips.

Gear Review: Fischer BCX 6 Rugged Nordic Touring Boot

NNN-compatible with exceptional side-to-side stability.

Gear Review: Rottefella BC Magnum Rugged Nordic Touring Binding

These bindings are surprisingly sturdy, great for cruising on sturdy terrain.

Gear Review: Fischer Snowbound Rugged Nordic Touring Ski

This all-around Nordic ski both glides and grips for awesome touring.

Gear Review: Garmont Excursion Backcountry Touring Boot

This boot has the best of both worlds: The comfort of a Nordic boot, with the warmth of telemark boot.

Gear Review: Voile HD Mountaineer 3-Pin Backcountry Touring Binding

Simple and user-friendly, these Voile skis are also built to weather the abuse of varied terrains.

Gear Review: Karhu XCD Guide Backcountry Touring Ski

Ideal for turning and climbing on rugged backcountry day trips.

Gear Review: Dynafit Zzeus TF-X/Gaia Alpine Touring Boot

Stiff on the downhill, flexible when skinning up, this boot has it all.

Gear Review: G3 Onyx Alpine Touring Binding

Adjustable and easy to use, traveling through varied terrain is a breeze.

Gear Review: Black Diamond Justice Alpine Touring Ski

Whether it's touring, powder or inbounds, this ski does it all.

Gear Review: Black Diamond Push/Stiletto Telemark Ski Boot

The perfect blend of comfort and performance, this boot is great in all conditions.

BACKPACKER First Aid Center

From splinting a broken leg to duct taping a bloody wound, the BACKPACKER First Aid Center is an invaluable resource for backcountry first aid.

The Boy Scout Quiz

Could you earn a merit badge in wilderness travel? Better ace this test, taken straight from the Scouts' own backpacking manual.

Are You Smarter Than a Boy Scout?

Scoutmasters wrote the book on camping, and built an army of pack-toting teens. But do the troops truly rule when it comes to outdoor skills? We pitted three Scouts against three average readers to find out.

Editors' Choice 2009: Gibbon Slacklines

Here's a cheap, crazy-fun way to build mountain skills.

Get An Edge on Knife Safety

A knife expert's guide to blade selection and safety

How to Do Everything - Camping

Find water anywhere, make a fire in five minutes, learn secrets for battling mosquitoes, and more.

How to Do Everything - Packing & Planning

We'll show you how to be ready to the the trail in 20 minutes, guaranteed. Now gear up!

ESSENTIAL OUTDOOR SKILLS SPECIAL: How to Do Everything

Want to be a better hiker? Look no further. Our comprehensive guide is packed with the backcountry secrets that separate average campers from true wilderness experts.

America's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes - Buckskin Gulch, UT

Gambling in the slots

America's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes - Huckleberry Mtn., Apgar Range, MT

Fatten griz for winter

America's 10 Most Dangerous Hikes - Muir Snowfield, Mt. Rainier, WA

Where winter strikes year-round

Who's the Ultimate Survivor?

We settle the debate with winner-takes-all smackdown: Meet history's true hard man.

Life-or-Death Decisions - Caught in a Storm

Life-or-Death Decisions - Injury

Life-or-Death Decisions - Lost

Life-or-Death Decisions

Survival depends on more than dumb luck–to live to see another day, you must correctly navigate a tricky series of choices. Here's how to do it when the consequences couldn't be higher.

Custom Training: Exercises for Every Body Type

Get stronger and hike longer with a workout that matches your physique.

Flex Time: Trail-Specific Stretches

Yosemite National Park wilderness ranger Mark Fincher shares his secrets for staying fit and healthy

Danger Signs: Flash Flood

July to mid-September is prime time for heavy rains in the Southwest, where fast-rising water in narrow canyons can turn trickling streams into deadly torrents. Don't get swept away.

Start Smart: Take Action Photos

Capture fast-paced summer adventures with these image-improving tips.

Reader Tip: Night Rounds

This reader recommends packing hospital scrubs when camping.

Secure a Choice Campsite

You'll need strategy, luck, and a little guile to reserve a spot at the country's most popular parks this summer. Here's how to game the (permit) system.

Film Your Own Hike, Then Go Behind-the-Scenes

Want to make adventure films? Emmy Award-winning director Michael Brown shows you how. Plus, go behind the scenes as BACKPACKER staffers learn from the masters at Adventure Film School.

Next Level: Survive an Emergency Rappel

Learn the Dülfersitz rappel and safely lower yourself off of a steep pitch with only a rope.

See More: Great Blue Herons

This dignified giant stands four feet tall, making it North America's largest heron.

Share and Share Alike?: Top Five Photo Sharing Sites

Your adventure is ready for primetime. Here are 19 ways to reach the audience in your living room–or around the world. Web-based photo sites aren't all created equal. Here are our top 5.

Photos 101: Save and Share Your Photos, Produce a Slideshow, and Print Your Images

Learn how to save your photos, print them, get published, and produce an audio visual slideshow.

Post Your Video Online

Learn how to upload your video to YouTube and tap a social network like Facebook or MySpace to post links to your movie. Your adventure is ready for primetime. Here are 19 ways to reach the audience in your living room–or around the world.

Share Your Trip; Make and Show Off Your Map

Your adventure is ready for primetime. Here are 19 ways to reach the audience in your living room–or around the world.

Share It: All the World's a (Cyber) Stage

Your adventure is ready for primetime. Here are 19 ways to reach the audience in your living room--or around the world.

Start Smart: Shoot Low-Light Photos

Master dawn and dusk photographs with these pro tips.

Slice and Dice: Build Your Own Cutting Board

Follow this reader tip to custom-build your own backcountry cutting board.

The Specialist: Heat Doctor

Stay cool with expert tips for boiler days.

Survive This: Separated From Group

If you get lost from your hiking party, here's how to get found–fast.

Organize Your Gear Essentials

Does your pack's lid pocket resemble a junk drawer? To help you eliminate the mess–and find stuff fast when you need it–we created lightweight, custom systems to store and organize two vital stockpiles: gear repair tools and emergency provisions.

A Glow in the Dark: Starting a Campfire

It's hard to beat a campfire after a long day on the trail. Here's how to enjoy the moment even when conditions are against you.

Danger Signs: Painful Plants

Sure, you know the mantra "leaves of three, let it be." But that warning alone doesn't help you detect those irritating plants that change colors, grow as vines, or mimic harmless species. Heed these tips to keep your summer itch-free.

The Cutting Room: Editing Programs and Storage

Here's how to turn raw data into finished files that will wow your friends and preserve trip memories better than any photo album.

The Cutting Room: Video

Here's how to turn raw data into finished files that will wow your friends and preserve trip memories better than any photo album.

The Cutting Room: Photos

Here's how to turn raw data into finished files that will wow your friends and preserve trip memories better than any photo album.

The Cutting Room: GPS

Here's how to turn raw data into finished files that will wow your friends and preserve trip memories better than any photo album.

Organize It: The Cutting Room

Here's how to turn raw data into finished files that will wow your friends and preserve trip memories better than any photo album.

Field School: Trail-Tested Tech

Take your new tools to the trail to master the skills you'll need to navigate, record, and share your best adventures. The best new digital tools for every budget and skill level.

Field School: Essential Tips

Take your new tools to the trail to master the skills you'll need to navigate, record, and share your best adventures.

Field School: Make a Movie

Take your new tools to the trail to master the skills you'll need to navigate, record, and share your best adventures.

Field School: Capture Classic Images and Record Your Hike

Take your new tools to the trail to master the skills you'll need to navigate, record, and share your best adventures.

Document It: Field School

Take your new tools to the trail to master the skills you'll need to navigate, record, and share your best adventures.

4 Trip-Planning Sites and Top Tech Tools

Every great trip boils down to this: Picking an ideal location, capturing memorable moments, and bragging about it.

New Tools, New Rules: Get Maps and Go

Every great trip boils down to this: Picking an ideal location, capturing memorable moments, and bragging about it.

New Tools, New Rules: Plan the Perfect Trip

Every great trip boils down to this: Picking an ideal location, capturing memorable moments, and bragging about it. Here's how to get started the high-tech way.

Plan It: New Tools, New Rules

Every great trip boils down to this: Picking an ideal location, capturing memorable moments, and bragging about it.

iHike: Hiking in the Digital Age

A Complete Guide to the Digital Revolution–and How to Join It

Better to the Last Drop

A hiker cannot live on water alone. Next time out, try these coffee, tea, and wine updgrades.

Next Level: Prep a Fish for Dinner

Add fresh-caught trout to the menu with these 6 easy steps.

Start Smart: Team Paddling

Improve your speed and efficiency by synchronizing your strokes.

Reader Tips: Big Burn

Need to start a fire fast? Try a flammable cupcake.

Emergency Repair Knots

Duct tape isn't always the best fix for busted gear. When a torn strap or blown seam halts your hike, try these strong and simple ties.

The Specialist: Plan Away Pounds

Shed useless pack weight, not luxuries

Casting Call

Fly-fishing is part meditation, part ultralight technique (catch, don't carry, your dinner), and all fun.

See More: Deer

Learn the difference between elk, white-tails, and mule deer.

Danger Signs: Burn Zones

Here are the top three wildfire dangers and how to avoid them.

Trip Doctor: Best National Park Bus System

Tired of commuting in a car around our national parks? Catch the best backcountry bus.

Start Smart: Stay Clean and Healthy

4 strategies to feel and smell better

Survive This: A Plunge into Raging Whitewater

Learn how to battle your way out of a raging river with these tips.

Spring Cleaning Your Gear

We know. You meant to scrub and scour your gear last fall. But...[insert excuse here]. Now, set aside one weekend afternoon to get your gear back into action and promise to be better next year.

Trip Doctor: Theft-Proofing Your Car

Clear out your car before heading into the woods.

Your Weeklong Dream Trip

Your Next Big Peak

Your Longest Dayhike Ever

Next Level: The Rest Step

Learn the mountaineer's secret for hiking up steep, high-altitude terrain.

Secrets of the Guides

Camp like a pro with 83 field-tested tips and techniques from experts who earn their paychecks in the backcountry.

Trip Doctor: Shopping For Guided Alaskan Treks

How can I comparison-shop for a guided trek in Alaska?

March 2008 Sleeping Bag Review: Start Smart Sleeping Bag Tips

March 2008 Boots Review: Start Smart Boot Tips

33 Top Tips From Trail Pros

Here's how Aron Ralston, Ed Viesturs, Les Stroud, and others get out and back again–and how you can, too.

Quiz: Would You Survive?

The wilderness can be deadly if you don't know what you're doing. Take our test to rate your survival IQ—and learn a few skills that might save your hide.

Winter Camping: Building a Snow Shelter

Expert tips for a safe, sound night's sleep

Winter Skills: Warm Toes Forever

Keep your feet toasty with these 6 tricks

Health Tips: Beat Winter Blues

Fend off a cold-weather slump with these expert strategies.

Backcountry Skiing: Master The Telemark Turn

The tele turn requires careful technique and some practice. Work on these moves at your local slope before venturing onto untracked snow.

Essential National Park Skills: The Ultimate Park Pass

Write your own ticket to new adventures with these 10 territory-expanding skills.

Start Smart: Build The Perfect Campfire

Four steps to a lights-every-time blaze

Next Level: Scrambling Steep Peaks

Don't let a steep hike keep you from the best views. Put these vital mountaineering tips to use this weekend.

Post-Hike Massage: Here's The Rub

4 techniques to soothe trail-weary muscles

Tune Up: Your First Adventure Race

Get ready for your first race with a fitness plan from a world champ

Leave No Trace: The Low-Impact Hiker

7 strategies for keeping the backcountry pristine

Snowshoeing 201

3 tips for conquering snowy hills and steep climbs

Start Smart: Trip Planning

Forget that get-up-and-go spontaneity--great planning only enhances your experience.

The Savvy Shopper

5 questions before you buy new gear.

Night Vision

Bats have nothing on this nocturnal hiker.

Burn, Baby, Burn

3 surefire ways to light a reluctant fire

Repack Your Bag

Sometimes gaining balance is as simple as adjusting the load in your pack.

Survival Starts With A Kiss

Learn the latest survival smarts with this military acronym

Under Strain

Is there a maximum weight you can safely haul?

Trail Stale?

Freshen up stinky clothes with this homemade, portable washing machine.

Body Essentials

10 Ways Backpacking Changes Your Body

The Hiker's Diet

Do hikers have special nutritional needs?

Bone Up With Backpacking

Does backpacking build up your bones?

Balancing Act

Secrets for staying on your feet from dancers, tightrope walkers, running backs, and more.

Mars Vs. Venus

Who's better suited for backpacking--men or women?

Go Light, Not Hungry

The One-Pan Gourmet shows how to eat like a king.

Highlander Genes

Why are Sherpas so studly?

Get A Spine

No frame, no pain--if you try these simple backpack solutions.

Eye Dropper Storage

Carrying around those little extras just got easier with this trick.

Ultralight Warmth

Keep arms and legs warm with gear invented by cyclists.

Cap Keeper

Keeping a close eye on those binocular caps.

One Good Thing About Golfing

Who would have thought a piece of golf equipment could be really useful to backpackers?

Winter Fuel Saver

Keep water flowing with this simple technique.

A Speedy Recovery

Sidelined by injury? Get back on the trail fast with this easy treatment plan.

My Crest Is SPF 30

Preventing sunburn is as simple as brushing your teeth.

Sticky Pads

How to avoid slipping and sliding in your sleeping bag.

South Is Thata Way

Determine direction without your compass.

That Zesty Taste

Liven up your purified water.

Fetch Me Water

No need to bring along a big, bulky container for your water in camp when you have this great compact suggestion.

A Better Mouse Trap

Rodents can be real pests in campsites. Use this trick to stay rodent-free the whole trip long.

Sock Toss

Put some rocks in your socks.

Jiffypop Pan

This classic snack offers more then just a tasty treat for backpackers.

Find Gear Fast At Night

This trick will help you find just what you're looking for in the dark.

Stinky Bag No More

Make your sleeping bag smell laundry fresh.

Mountain Miles

Calculate real mileage by accounting for slope in the mountains, and you'll avoid getting into camp after dark.

Passport Protection

Always carry extra identification when traveling internationally.

Supercharge Your Legs

7 ways to kick your stride into overdrive

Think Outside The Bottle

10 surprising uses for your water bottle.

The Sock Fits: Trail Sock Buyer's Guide

Socks are as important as the footwear we buy. Follow our two-step buyer's guide.

Common Hiking Boot Lacing Techniques...

...From The Experts At Montrail

Make your trekking poles last forever

Try these easy cleaning tricks to keep using your hiking poles out on the trail longer.

Homemade, High-Tech Gear

A do-it-yourself guide for sewing space-age hats and other performance outdoor gear.

Stop Your Sniffling: Allergy Advice

Don't let itchy eyes and a sneeze-machine nose ruin your hike. Here's our guide to keeping allergies at bay.

How To Waterproof Your Boots

Waterproof boots can make the difference between a sick hike and a miserable slog.

Dead Flashlight Battery Blues

Keep your flashlights and headlamps alive longer with these trail tips.

Tips For Slow Hikers

Shortcuts that'll help you keep up with faster hikers.

Stay Warm In Winter

Winter warmth is easy with these tips from arctic explorers, cold-weather experts, and army docs.

Finding Food For The Long Trail

We tortured 51 trail snacks and staples to pick the longest lasting foods for backpacking.

Broken Crackers? Keep The Crumbs

Three ways to salvage broken crackers and pulverized bread.

Winterize Your Camp

Tips to take with you when the snow flies.

The Hiking Gourmet

The hungry hiker's foolproof plan for eating like a king in the backcountry.

Make Backpacking Meals Better

No refrigerator, no problem, says this cooking instructor. Here's her secret to making every meal better.

Gear For A Dayhike

10 essentials for long day adventures

Emeril Spices Up Camp Food

Cuisine expert Emeril Lagasse shares eight tips on how to liven up your camp cooking.

Hot, Light, And Cheap: Homemade Camp Stove Contest Winners

The best ultralight cookers built by BACKPACKER readers.

Healthy Hiking For Men: Preventing Jock Itch And Other Problems 'Down There'

A wilderness guide to proper care and maintenance of the family jewels.

Calling The Shots: Be A Better Backcountry Photographer

Camera hints for bringing home hard-to-get photos in the backcountry

Itch-Free Summer

Ten ways to avoid bug bites and what to do if bitten.

How To See More Animals

To get closer to the critters, you need to look like a tree and smell like a raccoon.

Tips For Safe Travel

Planning an overseas backpacking trip? Here's a few tips to prepare you before you go.

Cheap Camping Tools For Eating

How to complete your backcountry kitchen for $5 or less.

Turn Small Sacks To Favorite Packs

Nine features that can turn a small sack into your favorite backpack.

Your Backwoods Pharmacy

When illness or injury strikes, the medicine you need is in the plants alongside the trail and at your feet.

Challenge The Backpacker Editor: The Ultralight Report

Torrential rain and wind expose chinks in our author's ultralight armor, but don't dampen his enthusiasm for the pleasures of unencumbered trekking.

Ultralight Backpacking Do's and Don'ts

Jon provides first-hand advice for ultralight beginners.

Fast Food: A Backpacker's Guide To Grocery

A soup-to-nuts guide that'll get you through the supermarket and on the trail faster than you can say "express lane."

The Science Behind Trekking Poles

Now here's scientific proof that trekking poles are a hiker's best friend.

Weak In The Knees

12 ways to get more miles out of your legs.

The Camper's Grocery Express Lane

These tips will have you in and out of the grocery faster than a runaway cart.

On Thin Ice: Safe Hiking On Frozen Lakes

How to hike safely across frozen lakes and ponds

Understanding GPS

Using your GPS is easier than you think.

Tidy Seam-Sealing Tips

Applying seam sealer neatly is easy with the right applicator.

Rash Decisions: Fighting Backcountry Itches

Here's what I keep in my first-aid kit to battle the itchiest rash known to medical science.

Quick Tip: Tarp Tactics

Tarp tips for the tactical hiker.

Rainy Day Skills

To stay dry in a downpour, carry the right wet-weather gear and know how to use it.

How To: Dehydrate Your Own Trail Food

Make your own dehydrated trail food with these simple techniques.

Frustrate Bears With A Rock Sack

This homemade rock sack will help you hang your food bag faster and better.

Eating On The Runs

To keep trekking when you have the trots, feed your body the right fuel.

Packable Salads

These crunchy, easy-to-prepare side dishes will make your hiking buddies green with envy.

How To Speak GPS

Common GPS terms you should know.

Stretching Your Hiking Boots' Life Span

Lengthen your boots' life span by following this simple maintenance plan.

Reader Tip: In The Wick Of Time

Follow this BACKPACKER reader's tip to get the most out of your candles on the trail.

Field Fix: Tent Poles Apart

Tackle your tent pole problems with this quick tip.

Reader Tip: Bladder Bowl

Try this homemade, ultralight bowl for long distance treks.

Quick Tip: Rainfly Right

Quick tips to set your tent with the right rainfly.

Guide To Sound Sleeping

On your next outing, be sure to heed these 10 tips for sleeping like a log.

Paddling Skills

Take your hike into the river with these paddling, kayaking and boating tips.

Mind Over Mileage: Breathing Techniques For Hiking

Feeling pooped at the end of the day? Try these relaxation and breathing techniques to put more pep in your step.

Fighting Backcountry Asthma: Waiting To Inhale

If you have asthma but don't have an inhaler, follow these procedures to breathe easy in the backcountry.

Tips For Camping With Kids

Nuggets of knowledge from those who have brought their youngsters into the backcountry.

Jacket vs. Vests

Going sleeveless might save you weight, but will a vest keep you as warm as a jacket?

10 Simple Ways To Get To Sleep In Camp

Getting a good night's sleep on the trail is easier said than done. Our experts show you how to get your 20 winks.

Drinking Risky Water

If disaster leaves you deep in the backcountry without any means to disinfect drinking water, what do you do? Follow these methods to stay hydrated without getting sick.

Different Strokes: Paddling Techniques For Hikers

For a different wilderness experience, try floating down the river in a kayak or canoe.

Sleep Comfort In Camp

Trouble sleeping in camp? Try our tips for a good night's rest.

Rx Drugs On The Trail

Prescription drugs you should carry on the trail.

Scouts' Honor: Teaching Leave No Trace Ethics

Boy Scouts are at the forefront of teaching Leave No Trace ethics.

Ultralight vs. Ultranormal

How light can you go? Six friends face off to determine whether carrying less gear makes you half as macho, or twice as smart.

Winter Camping Tips: The Perfect Tent Pitch

How and where you should set up your winter tent for maximum comfort and shelter longevity.

Saddle Sore? Tips To Heal Your Rear

Experiencing a sore butt on the trail? Try these healing tips.

Coping with Leeches

How to deal with and treat those bloodsucking leeches.

Leave No Trace: Water Disposal

Here's how to Leave No Trace when you dump water in camp.

Bug Bite Evasion Therapy

What's the best way to treat bug bites? Don't get bit in the first place.

Scrub Pans Without A Sponge

Forgot a sponge? No worries -- clean your camp with these everyday wilderness substitutes.

Spotting The Elusive Wolf

Our guide to spotting wolves on Michigan's Isle Royale.

Chicken Soup For The Trail

Some trailworthy soups can even help you heal.

Planning Your Route

Use these navigational tricks, gleaned from champion orienteers and U.S. Army's Special Forces, to stay on track.

Frisbee: The Perfect Camping Tool

How to make your Frisbee function as a camping tool.

Navigating From Lost To Found

How one perpetually disoriented hiker found her bearings, thanks to some backwoods navigation pros.

Bushwhacking: Go Up The Creek

Trouble crossing the trail? Try the creek.

Leave No Trace: Mind Your Footprint

Take a look at what your sole is doing to the ground.

Compass Tips: Bearing It All

Just to be safe, keep that compass handy.

Bushwacking: Get High, Stay High

When bushwacking a trail, go high altitude and stay there.

Stride Right, Feel Better

Tips to improve your hiking stride.

Skills For The Upwardly Mobile

Everything you need to know about hiking in the high country, from talus hopping to finding the right gear to dealing with wind and glaciers.

Bushwacking: It's A Jungle Out There

From North Carolina to Alaska, bushwhacking is easier with the proper preparation and attitude.

Lightning Survival Update

If you're caught in a lightning storm on the trail, head for the hills.

Safe Trekking After Wildfires

Follow these tips when hiking in burned country.

Bushwacking: Pole Position

Stow your trekking poles to get an advantage when bushwacking a trail.

Route-Finding Tips: Stay On Course

Follow these six route-finding tips, and stay found.

Stop Camp Snoring

If you have a problem with snoring (that is, if you have a tentmate who snores), try this remedy on your next night in camp.

Teepee Tent Setup Secrets

Hard-won tips for pitching tepee tents on any terrain

Save Your Hiking Sole

You can experience heavenly hiking even if you lose your boot sole.

Leave No Trace Trash Tips

Help keep trails clean by picking up your own and other people's trash.

Bug Bites: Close Your Clothes

Use these tips to bug-proof your clothes.

Walking On Water

Face it: you aren't Moses and the waters won't part, so here are ways to cross wild rivers safely.

Be A Dried-Food Gourmet Chef

Create tasty trail meals like fish chowder, lasagna, and seafood with pasta.

Treating Backcountry Swimmer's Ear

How to identify and treat swimmer's ear in the wilderness.

Make The Big Jump

Are you a dayhiker who's ready for an all-nighter? A weekender longing to try a 5-day trek? Or are you ready for a thru-hike? Regardless of your skill level, here's the information you'll need to go that extra mile.

Approach Shoes Instead Of Hiking Boots?

Consider these points when deciding if an approach shoe is right for you.

Stop Trail Chafing

Stop chafing with these tips.

Tundra Trekking Tips

Just because it's flat and treeless doesn't mean it's easy hiking.

Dehydrate Your Trail Food

Who says you need water in your food? Dehydrate your vittles and you'll carry less weight, save money, and eat better.

Survival Of The Fittest

Wish you could leap tall mountains in a single bound? Here's an exercise program designed for backpackers.

How To Dry Your Sleeping Bag

Add some ribbons to your sleeper to speed drying.

Blister Prevention: Hiker, Heel Thyself

Think blisters are a sure thing when you hike? Think again: Here's your ticket to preventing and treating the dreaded sores.

Identifying Wildlife Holes

There's a fascinating world of fur and claws underfoot. Here's how to tell who's down there.

Tundra Tip: Farther Than You Think

Distances can appear farther in the tundra.

Field Fix: Pole Patch

Tent pole problems? Here's an easy fix.

Guarding Your Grub

Above treeline, there's no easy way to hoist your vittles.

Boot Sizing Chart

Before you get a new boot, make sure the shoe fits with our sizing chart.

Buying A Better Sleeping Pad

Half of your "good sleep" equation is a comfy pad (the other half is your bag). Look for these 10 essentials when you buy.

Filtering Vs. Chemicals Vs. Boiling Water

Water treatments defined.

Buying A Better Pack

There's no single piece of equipment more crucial to your backwoods enjoyment. Here's how to make the right choice.

European Pack Size Conversion

Buying a European backpack? Use our conversion chart before you buy.

Buying A Better Filter

It's simple: Unless you like getting sick, treat all of your water. Follow these 10 essentials to find and maintain the right filter.

How Big Should My Pack Be?

Pick your backpack before your hike with our sizing guide.

Buying A Better Stove

After a long, hard day, nothing is more disappointing than a stove that refuses to fire. Follow these 10 essentials for foolproof stove features and techniques.

Hiking Dreams Really Do Come True

Easily said and done, when you have a constant reminder at bedtime.

Winter Tips For Cold Hands And Feet

A little motion brings the heat back.

Burn Treatment: A Heated Situation

To stem the pain, act fast when treating burns.

Sleeping Bag Care: A Lofty Goal

Keep your sleeping bag up to fluff with proper care and handling.

Millet, Kasha, Quinoa: Against The Grain

Rice and pasta are nice, but if you want variety, add some millet, kasha, or quinoa to your trail menu.

Organize Your Backpacking Trip

Meet Jamie and Joe, who need help with everything from planning to packing to eating well. Enter our team of experts, with a few simple tricks designed to turn them-and you!-into well-oiled backpacking machines.

Snow Smarts

How to travel safely across four seasons of white.

Boosting Backcountry Meals

With simple planning, you can turn your bare-bones backcountry meals into satisfying, energy-boosting successes.

Tent Pole Wisdom

Quick Tip: Preserving tent poles

Tent Stake Solution

QuickTip: How to stake tents on hard ground.

Preserving Your Poles

Trail-proven ways to keep your trekking sticks healthy and strong.

Baking Soda Solutions

Eight reasons to pack baking soda on the trail.

Avoiding Caffeine Withdrawal

Your daily cups of java seem innocent-until you hit the trail and don't get your normal caffeine buzz for a couple of days.

Compressing Your Pack: It's A Cinch

17 tips for better compression

Wired For Anything

Texas reader says plastic-coated wire ties are essential item for backcountry emergency kits.

Cleaning Pads With Medicine

Keep scrapes clean with lightweight cleaning pads.

Natural Toothbrushes

Forgot your toothbrush? You can still practice good hygiene.

Before You Snowshoe

Follow these tips when you embark on your next snowshoeing journey.

Planting Pole Pointers

How to make sure you stay upright on your poles.

Desert Cool Customer

Keep fresh and cool with this clothing tip from one of our readers.

Before You Go Snowshoeing

Follow these tips before you embark on your next winter snowshoeing journey.

Reading Backcountry Animal Scat

A good pile of scat speaks volumes about your backwoods animal neighbors, if you know how to read the calling card.

Too Cold For Comfort

How to improve your tolerance for cold and enhance your outdoor performance.

Backcountry Body Odor: What's That Smell?

Body odor can get pretty bad on the trail. Here's how to make sure you never again hear the words, "What's That Smell?"

Hiking While Pregnant

With a few precautions, expecting hikers can hit the trail.

Wrinkled Hats Ward Off UV Rays

New trail-tested advice for shading your face from the sun.

Before The Trail, Cut Your Toenails

We're not saying you need a pedicure, but a toenail trim doesn't hurt on the trail.

Smashed Finger Relief

Your finger got crushed between a rock and a hard place. Here's what to do.

Horsepacking: A Leave-No-Trace Guide

Here's our guide to environmental etiquette while horsepacking.

Treating Achilles Tendinitis

Hikes with a lot of elevation gain and loss are prime for getting tendinitis in the Achilles tendon.

Gaiter Grooming Tips

Before you cinch up your gaiters, consider the best way to keep the wicked weather and bits of terrain at bay.

Old-Time Camp Food

Tired of freeze-dried? Try hardtack and corn dodgers for a tasty change of pace.

H2O-No: Water Bottle Tips

How to fill a water bottle without getting all wet.

Sew A Key Pouch In Your Pack

Sewing a key pouch inside your pack is the best guarantee of a quick ride home.

'Biner Basics

If I had to pick, I'd take a carabiner instead of a pocketknife when I hike.

Only You Can Avoid Forest Fires

Here's what to do if you're caught near a wilderness wildfire.

Let Your Fingers Tell Time

Telling time without a watch is just a few digits away.

Dessert Time: Use Nature's Fridge

Use streams, snow, rivers, and ponds as chilling grounds for enticing backcountry desserts.

How To Deal With River Crossings

Crossing rivers can be treacherous -- unless you know what you're doing.

Sea Kayaking: Putting Paddle To Water

Sea kayaking might not be difficult, but follow these tips to make the most of your ocean voyages.

Mountain Safety

Make sure you know how to stay safe in the mountains.

Make Your Own Walking Stick

Ease the load on your knees and shoulders by making a hiking stick.

Homemade Tool Tube

A tool tube answers the age-old packing dilemma: Where do I put the long, skinny stuff?

Alternative To Bug Spray: Permethrin

Another bug-beating option.

Avoiding Mosquitoes

Ah, spring, the season of the blessed bloom-and maddening mosquitoes. If you don't like slathering yourself in DEET, then you'd better learn how to avoid the pests.

Bug Off: Tips To Keep Away Insects

Tips to beat the most annoying backwoods biters

Bonus Backcountry Bug-Off Tips

Other tips to beat the most annoying backcountry biters.

Sew Like A Surgeon

Five stitches every backpacker should know.

Gear Rx: Clothing

Everyone knows good outdoor clothing is expensive. See if you can save your old hiking apparel.

Gear Rx: Stoves And Water Filters

See if your stove or water filter is safe to repair.

Gear Rx: Packs

Can you revive a sputtering pack? With this diagnostic checklist, you may be able to breathe new life into a tired old backpack.

Wilderness Wind: Blown Away

The wind can save you from bugs or drive you mad. Here's how to enjoy the benefits and avoid the downside of a good stiff breeze.

Gear Rx: Sleeping Bags

Has your sleeping bag lost its loft? Zipper off its track? Check to see if your bag is worth repairing or if it's time to buy a new one.

Gear Rx: Tents

Mildew. Torn mesh. Broken zippers and poles. Is it worth fixing your home away from home? Find out for yourself.

Gear Rx: Boots

Know what can and can't be repaired on your boots, and who to call.

A Long Life For Your Trekking Poles

Keep your trekking poles clean and maintained with these tips.

A Long Life For Your Boots

Insiders' tips to keep your hikers on the trail longer.

Improve Your Sense Of Direction

Scientists now believe that the navigationally challenged can retrain their brains.

Backcountry Bathroom: How To Go In The Snow

When the ground is frozen or 3 feet under snow, use these backcountry bathroom techniques.

Winter Calorie Count

Winter activities demand more of your body's energy.

Homemade Stove Platforms

Or anything else, for that matter, once you use this easy-to-make stove platform.

Hunting For Meteors

Know what to look for and you can simply pick one up off the ground.

Sun Solutions

Winter sun damage can be just as bad as in summer.

Steady Rock Hopping

If rock hopping or log crossing triggers panic, maybe you need to fine-tune your balancing act.

How To: Boot Cleaning

Take care of your hiking boots and they'll take care of you.

On-The-Trail Balance Drills

Shaky on logs or rocks? Try these exercises to steady your feet.

Your Homemade Survival Kit

Make your own backcountry insurance policy.

Building Shelter

How to build a shelter if you get stuck in the backcountry.

Signaling For Help

How to signal for help if you get lost.

BACKPACKER Reader Cooking Tips

Cooking tips from readers.

Survival Skills: Finding Water

How to find emergency water in the backcountry.

Trailworthy Recipes

How to make dreamy drinks and crispy chicken in camp, and lots of other trail-tested cooking tips from readers.

Foot Fitness

Stronger foot muscles can end ankle sprains and aching arches.

Fixing A Blister

A simple blister remedy gets you back on the trail fast.

Wash Your Feet

Clean and rub them, and feet will go the distance.

Dry, Cool Feet = Happy Feet

For maximum comfort, keep your feet drier and cooler.

Tarps: High And Tight

Setting up a tarp? Follow these techniques depending on the situation.

Break In Your Boots

Log some easy "city" miles in your new hiking boots before that epic trip.

Fixing Tents: Don't Despair...Repair

What can and can't be fixed on your tent.

For Broken Gear, Don't Despair...Repair

What you can and can't fix: How to breathe new life into tired old faithfuls.

Water Filter First-Aid

Make sure your water purifier doesn't leave you high and dry.

How To Splint A Bum Knee

Pretend Your Leg Is A Jelly Roll.

Protect Your Pack Food

The inside of a pack is a rough place for poorly packaged food. Protect your grub so it emerges intact.

Load Lifters: Homemade Sherpa Straps

When pack weight drags you down, homemade Sherpa straps can help ease the burden.

Trout Fishing: Reel Fine Dining

When the trout are thick and the ethics resolved, catch-and-eat is the tasty way to go.

Snowshoes Terrain Techniques

Techniques for winter trekking. Find out the advantages snowshoes provide for getting over hill and dale.

Winterize Your Camping Habits

Tips to take with you when the winter snow flies in camp.

Make Your Own Shade

When it's hot outside, keep cool with this sunscreen for your head.

The Backcountry Cupboard

Stock these 25 essentials for grab-it-and-go meals.

Wildlife Watching: Spring Peeping

Look on the south sides of mountains to catch animals coming out in spring.

Getting Your Gear Fixed

It's hard to give up your tried and true gear after so many miles together. So don't! These repair shops can keep your favorites in tip-top shape.

Rainy-Day Camping Games

Beat the rainy-day blues by playing sleeping-pad chess or checkers.

Water Filter Maintenance

Tips to keep water filters filtering.

Sizing A Sleeping Pad

Thickness, length, width, and weight options make choosing the right pad more involved than you might think.

Fixing An Inflatable Sleeping Pad

A few simple precautions will prevent punctures and preserve the foam in your self-inflating pad.

Ultralight: The Ray Jardine Way

He rocked the world of climbing, challenged the accepted wisdom in sea kayaking, and now Ray Jardine turned his renegade way of thinking to backpacking.

You Can Leave Home Without It

Putting the Ray Jardine ultralight way to the test.

Homemade Bear Bag

A homemade bear bag will make sure your provisions stay safe from hungry critters.

'Seams' Dry: Weatherproof Your Tent

Learn how to weatherproof your tent -- before it rains.

Bear Bagging Your Food

Keep your food away from hungry bears.