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The Five-Star Camp Kitchen

Car camping? Here's the ultimate setup for any chef.

Gear Field Test: Outdoor Watches

Map a route. Predict the weather . Record altitude data. Track your speed and heart rate. Today's outdoor watches do it all–and then they send it to your computer.

Gear School: Crampons

Traverse snow and ice safely with the right set of points.

Gear Lab: Boots Torture Test

Can any hiking boot survive 15 minutes in a cement mixer filled with rocks, sticks, dirt, and bricks? Gear Lab aims to find out.

Gear Lab: Tents Torture Test

Who wants a mountain tent that buckles under pressure? Not us--so we blasted four top tents with a carwash pressure washer to see which one comes out on top.

Gear Lab: Sleeping Bag Torture Test

Can any sleeping bag survive getting squished by a 4,000-pound car? Find out in this video.

How Do I Keep From Sweating While I Sleep?

I'm a sweaty sleeper. Any tips?

How Do I Sleep Warmer?

It's getting colder but there's no way I'm not camping. Any tricks for staying warm?

kristin hostetter gear chick

Towing Out Trash

What's your method for storing and hauling your trash on a multi-day trip? I usually just use plastic bags but there's got to be a more packable way.

kristin hostetter gear chick
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Gear Photos + Videos

Gear Lab: Boots Torture Test

Can any hiking boot survive 15 minutes in a cement mixer filled with rocks, sticks, dirt, and bricks? Gear Lab aims to find out.

Gear Lab: Tents Torture Test

Who wants a mountain tent that buckles under pressure? Not us--so we blasted four top tents with a carwash pressure washer to see which one comes out on top.
View all videos

Ask the Expert

Ask Kristin
Kristin Hostetter
Q.} I'm a sweaty sleeper. Any tips?
Submitted by: Eddie, New York, NY
A.} First, realize that naked is not always cooler. Bare, hot skin will stick to nylon sleeping bag liners and the feeling is very, um, unpleasant. You'll feel like a rotisserie chicken.

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TIP 13: Train Heavy

Wearing a weighted pack on your training hikes burns more fat and builds stamina.

Special sections - Expert handbooks for key trails, techniques and gear

BACKPACKER Food & Recipe Center
The ultimate trail-ready archive for all your recipe needs. Click Here

GearFinder
Find all the outdoor equipment you need. Columbia logo

Fix-It Center
Make your gear last forever with this ultimate DIY guide.

Backpacker's Gadget Guide 2009
Pathfinder logo The latest gadgets for technophobes, technogeeks, and everyone in between.

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