Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Venture WV Sleeping Pad
You get bigtime bang for your buck with this lightweight, two-inch-thick pad.
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5 Winter Sleeping Bags
You won't go camping in the winter if you're cold all night. These bags will help.
Big Agnes Boot Jack 24 Sleeping Bag
You get the performance of a three-season down bag at the price of a synthetic.
L.L.Bean Katahdin CT Sleeping Bag
It’s the most affordable 0°F bag we tested this year, and its temp rating is conservative.
NEMO Coda 0 Sleeping Bag
Two gills on top of the bag allow you to fine-tune the warmth for a variety of conditions.
Fjällräven Polar -30 Sleeping Bag
The relaxed mummy fit and unique zipper configuration boost comfort.
MontBell Burrow Bag #0
Get maximum comfort in this mummy—no matter how much you toss and turn.
5 All-Conditions Trail Shirts
From sizzling deserts to 14,00-foot summits, these long-sleeved layers shielded testers from extreme conditions.
Breeze Blocker Stio Kirby Windshirt
The Kirby offers more wind protection than a gauzier sun shirt.
Women's Heat-Buster Longsleeve Shirt by Simms
This longsleeve shirt has a UPF 50 and makes the hottest conditions feel tolerable.
Ibex OD Trinity/OD Heather Long Sleeve Shirt
A wool button down shirt that is super soft, looks cocktail ready and actually performs in the backcountry.
Howler Brothers Longsleeve Aransas Shirt
On hot-weather hikes, this poly-cotton blend shirt has great cooling effects.
Bluesmiths Kahana Longsleeve Shirt
This UPF 40 polyester crew one-ups other synthetic shirts.
Adidas Wandertag Shell
Can a shell that costs under $100 keep you dry in real rainfall?
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2014 – Table of Contents
223 field-tested products and skills to fuel your adventures this winter.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 2014: Baselayers
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Bomber Gear Halo 5.0 Top
Ideal for truly arctic conditions, it’s hands-down the toastiest layer we tested this year.
Hottotties Kashmir CS V-Neck
This layer works overtime regulating temperature during high-intensity outings—for a fraction of the cost of its competitors.
super.natural Base Tight 175
From subzero ski sessions to summer nights, these multisport bottoms proved superior.
Patagonia Capilene 4 Pro Zip-Neck and Boot-Cut Bottoms
Smart details make these layers ideal for skiing when temps plummet.
Mammut Go Dry Longsleeve
This affordable top makes sweat disappear.
Duofold by Champion Varitherm Baselayer
You get versatile, quick-drying performance for a song.
Sherpa Adventure Gear Vayu Hoodie
Lots of baselayers promise four-season use. This one really delivers.
Yellowstone Considers Expanding Wireless Coverage
The park is considering a $34 million fiber-optic line to improve bandwidth.
Vargo Outdoor Ti-Arc Packbag
Here's a blast from the past. An external frame that inflicts the least amount of impact on your body.
Backpacking Toddler Puts Rest of Us to Shame
This 2-year-old has hiked more than 300 miles.
3 Fire-Building Techniques
Teepee, Log Cabin, and Lean-to are three options for setting up a strong fire base.
Shop Smart: Winter Bags & Pads
What to think about when shopping for winter sleeping gear.
Book Excerpt: The Perfect View
In an excerpt from the new book The Art of Adventure, BACKPACKER's photo editor reflects on the magic of outdoor images—and the best ones that can never be printed.
Sponsored: Fjallraven– Man Was Made to Roam
Life moves fast. So pack. Pack for the highs. Dress for the detours. And always make sure that you’re outfitted…for adventure. Video by Chris Burkard.
Sponsored: Fjallraven– Embark on New Adventures
We believe that life should be demanding, but never dull. When the daily grind sets in, trade in your suit and your briefcase for gear that answers to a higher call. Video by Chris Burkard.
Sponsored: Fjallraven– Live Beyond the Breakers
Life is a journey. What you pack can take you to the outskirts. What you wear can take you to the edge. In fact, truly great gear can take you to places you’ll never forget. Video by Chris Burkard.
4 Backcountry Power Devices
Don’t get stuck with a dead smartphone or headlamp on your next weekend trip. Pack one of these and always have spare juice.
Hike Like a Pro
How do you get good at hiking? Hike a lot. And we haven't met anyone who's logged more miles than Cam Honan.
Lake Tahoe Warns Visitors to Stop Talking Selfies with Bears
Photo ops with black bears are becoming all too common.
The Complete Guide to Fire
From the dawn of history to dusk last night, fire is mankind’s oldest and most useful tool. Learn how to harness its strength to cook, survive, and connect to a primal force as old and powerful as time itself.
Build Your Own Fire Ring
How to choose and build the optimal fire pit; how to light a fire in windy conditions.
The Best Fire Story Ever Told
Jack London’s "To Build a Fire" scared me into adolescence.
Should I Have a Fire Tonight?
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
43 Things You Can Do With Fire
From fun to deadly serious this list just might save your life (or at least make camping even more fun)
Tinder Finder
No matter where you are, there's natural material for the taking.
The History of Fire
Nothing rekindles our primal connection to the open flame like a backcountry campfire.
Confessions of a Backcountry Pyro
Forgive me, Smokey, for I have sinned.
5 Rules for Foraging Firewood
Follow these tips for a crackling, low-impact fire.
3 Rules for Healthy Fires
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
What kids can teach you about enjoying a campfire.*
Check out Dennis Lewon's author page.
One Match, One Fire: Make a Kindling Bouquet
Down to your last match? This fast-to-make kindling “bouquet” will light the first time, every time.
How to Tell a Good Campfire Story
One of our favorites from the vault: a master entertainer spills his secrets for spinning unforgettable yarns.
The Good Kind of Hot Spot
Place your fuel wood in the right places to create a fire that behaves exactly how you want.
First Aid for Burns
Cool, clean, and treat with advice from Buck Tilton, Backpacker’s Medicine Man.
Why You Should Never Pee on the Fire
You’ll be very sorry—and very, very smelly.
Choose the Right Materials to Make an Outdoor Fire
Find the right logs, sticks, kindling, and fuel to make a campfire.
How to Put Out a Fire Properly
Campfires-gone-amok are the most common source of human-caused wildfires. Make sure yours is out cold.
The Essential Burn: The Healing Power of Wildfires
In a matter of minutes, wildfire can undo centuries of plant growth—and that’s a good thing.
Editors' Choice Snow 2014: Pat's Backcountry Beer
Pat’s solves the age-old dilemma of how to pack beer on your hiking trip with concentrated beer syrup and a carbonator bottle.
Survival School: How To Eat Your Hiking Partner
Would you resort to cannibalism if your life depended on it? A shocking number of our readers said "yes." Our expert shows you how to do the unthinkable.
Recipe: Green Curry with Salmon
Bold flavors for the backcountry.
Jamaican Turkey jerky
Jerky as an inspired way to treat meat and a great conduit for flavors.
Mushroom & Broccoli Vietnamese Noodle Soup
Light and easy to carry, but with gourmet flavors.
Dirtbag Dining: Quick-Prep Backcountry Dinners
Quick-prep, three-ingredient dinners.
Ultralight Backcountry Baking
No oven? No problem. Make cookies, muffins, bread, and more with these backcountry techniques.
No-bake Oreo Cheesecake
Upgrade traditional no-bake cheesecake with a cascade of Oreos.
Trail Tiramisu
It only tastes fancy.
Jelly Doughboys
This doughy dessert could also be great for breakfast.
Three Ways: Chocolate Bar
Chocolate bars are easily packable and versatile.
Vandalism Being Investigated in 10 National Parks
Images of the graffiti surfaced on Instagram.
Editors' Choice Snow 2014: SCARPA F1 Evo Alpine Touring Boot
Game-changing innovation in a ski touring boot.
Editors' Choice Snow 2014: K2 Route Ultralight Helmet
At 11 ounces, the Route is the lightest, most inconspicuous snow sports helmet ever made.
Editors' Choice Snow 2014: Dynafit Radical Speed Turn Binding
Costs $200 less than any other new binding we tested this year without compromising performance.
Editors' Choice Snow 2014: TSL Symbioz Elite Snowshoes
An innovation in snowshoe design leads to great traction and comfort.
Editors' Choice Gold Snow 2014: Wool Buff
This simple, 23-inch tube of supersoft merino wool is so much more than a neck gaiter.
Editors' Choice Snow Gold 2014: Nalgene 32 Ounce Ultralite Wide Mouth
A light, cheap, durable backcountry bottle - a perennial favorite.
Editors' Choice Snow 2014: Hanwag Omega GTX Mountaineering Boot
Hikers with hard-to-fit feet will love these customizable boots.
Editors' Choice Snow 2014: DeLorme inReach Explorer
DeLorme has finally made one tool that serves as a GPS device, backcountry messenger, and rescue beacon.
Editors' Choice Snow 2014: Good To-Go Thai Curry
A fast, dehydrated dish that's authentically tasty.
Editors' Choice Snow 2014: Jetboil Joule Canister Stove
A winter stove that's not finicky.
Editors' Choice Snow 2014: JanSport Klamath 55, 65, 75 Backpacks
A bargain pack that doesn't compromise.
Editors' Choice Snow 2014: Black Diamond JetForce Technology Airbag
A backcountry airbag that you can actually practice using.
Editors' Choice Snow 2014: MontBell Frost Line Parka
A full-featured, 800-fill goose down puffy for $220.
Yosemite to Increase Entrance Fees by 50%
It's the park's first fee increase since 1997.