Vargo Outdoors Is the Most Influential Gear Brand You’ve Never Heard Of
The iconoclast has become a staple in the ultralight community by refusing to follow trends.
The iconoclast has become a staple in the ultralight community by refusing to follow trends.
A trail-running pack that's fit for autumn, a savory breakfast, and an accessory for eclipse-chasers round out our favorite gear of the month.
Grappling with loss and the singular desire to be a father, one hiker turned to the trail for solace.
The weather's getting colder, and that means your packing and planning strategies have to change. Steer clear of these backpacking mistakes for a smoother transition to fall.
Kristian Morgan set a new southbound FKT on the Appalachian Trail, but he’s not done yet
As the permit window to climb the lower 48’s highest peak closes, remember that winter conditions are still present
…including a Rice Krispie Treat for adults.
Think you only need to strengthen glutes and quads to be a better hiker? Think again.
David Cicotello and his brother embarked on an adventure that was meant to be a thrilling day of canyoneering. But their journey took an unexpected turn as a rappelling accident claimed David's brother's life, leaving him stranded on a narrow ledge for 6 days.
Ready to hike to the highest point in Hawaii? Ascend Mauna Kea's volcanic slopes to a summit high above the clouds. This challenging day hike is among the most spectacular on the planet.
For most AT thru-hikers, Katahdin is the finish line. For Will French, it was the halfway point on a 25-year, 4,320-mile journey along the prehistoric spine of the Appalachians.
Because willing to hike with you for 14 sweaty, stinky hours (and still have a good time) is the biggest green flag of them all.
A searching mother, a headless gunslinger, a mysterious light to show you the way: these national parks are home to hair-raising tales
One of the hottest, driest places in the world has a brand-new lake festooned with wildflowers—but park officials say it won't be around for long.
After beating gray zone lymphoma (twice), Alec Sills-Trausch hit the trails to relearn what it meant to feel alive.
Make your headlamp pull double-duty as a warm, inviting light for camp gatherings with these low or no-weight techniques.
Gerber’s new Assert balances functionality, quality, and price point.
A grizzly-curious writer decides to train as a bear guide in British Columbia, and surprises himself along the way
We tested dozens of baselayers to help you choose the best one for your winter adventures
What you put closest to your skin and make or break your day on the mountain. Don’t mess this one up.
We picked the nine best new fleeces, puffies, and heavyweight layers to block out the cold this season.
These weatherproof gloves and mitts are designed to outlast your stamina on the slopes
Like the lunch meat in your sandwich, your midlayer should suit your personal taste and complement the conditions
Not just any pants will do when you're braving the elements in the backcountry. These live up to the challenge.
Ski touring and high-output activities in the backcountry require a different kind of armor. Suit up with our favorite picks of the season.
In a category that’s innovation-averse, Cumulus Outdoor Equipment has the competitive edge.
Saufley, who passed away after a battle with brain cancer earlier this month, spent decades hosting hikers at her home in the desert of Southern California—and touched thousands of lives along the way.
A draft plan would introduce 3 to 7 bears per year into the North Cascades over the next decade.
The rise of social media has created a new breed of influencers who tackle the world's longest trails with their audiences in tow. But success isn't guaranteed on a thru-hike—and bailing with thousands of eyes on you is more complicated than it looks.
Every hiker needs a reliable, trail-ready button-up. From cozy fleeces to high-tech sun shirts, these are five of our reviewer's favorites.
In a new social media post, the National Park Service said the trend threatens to harm California condors, one of the rarest birds in the United States.
Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant's harrowing encounter with an elephant offers a unique perspective on the real dangers she faces.
Signed into law earlier this week, Assembly Bill 618 aims to make it easier for campers to snag a site—and will allow the state to punish visitors who don’t call to cancel.
Our testers put 15 cold-weather rucksacks through the wringer—and crowned six champions
Just finding their way to their journey's starting point is a challenge that few new thru-hikers think about until they have to do it. But there are resources—and generous people—to help them.
An outbreak of norovirus on the Pacific Crest Trail proves that hikers’ hygiene routines need an upgrade.
Meet the pack sleek enough to turn our backpacking princess into an ultralight convert.
After Oregon agreed to provide wolves to Colorado, state officials say they will be ready to begin releasing the animals between late 2023 and early 2024.
We tested more than 300 products to help you separate the best from the rest
Six testers tried 75 bomber products, and these were the ones that rose above the rest
Stay safe in the backcountry with these six items
With the summer temperatures cooling down and the leaves turning, it's high time for an adventure. Make the most of your autumn with recipes, trips, and skills stories for the third season.
California's Channel Islands are a wonderland of biodiversity just an hour or two from Los Angeles.
Officials found the victims on Saturday morning and euthanized a bear that exhibited aggressive behavior
Starting on October 2 week, 12 of Alaska’s chubbiest bruins will face off in a bracket for the title of Fat Bear Week Champion. Here’s what you need to know about the history of the competition, the science behind bears’ fall feasting, and the tournament’s undisputed GOAT.
The annular eclipse is in the morning, so how else should you spend the rest of the day? By hiking, obviously.
Hike a long trail without spending a night in a tent or lean-to? It may sound silly. But a veteran thru-hiker says it’s more than doable—if you know where to look.
Can you educate other hikers without being a mansplainer? Our ethics columnist weighs in.
Enjoy an easy-to-make spin on a classic campfire treat—no kindling necessary.
This vegetarian campfire dessert comes together with two convenience-store ingredients.
Have you seen the viral video of this near-miss? Here's how to survive if you find yourself caught by rockfall, too.
A long spoon, two ultralight staples, and a pair of gloves from Home Depot: Here's the gear we used to inaugurate autumn.
Veteran hikers call it the “Middle Blues.” You have already hiked an impossibly long distance, and somehow still have an impossibly long distance to go.
A bizarre rescue in Michigan has eerie similarities to a 2022 incident in Washington State
Psychology plays a large role in survival. Here's how to leverage it to your advantage.
This month, nonprofit The Conservation Fund announced it had acquired 300 acres of land on Colorado’s popular Mt. Democrat, permanently opening it to hikers after a series of closures. But the future of its neighboring mountains is anything but certain.
In this episode of Out Alive, join friends Dan and Jim as a routine glissading in the Tetons swiftly turns perilous, plunging one into the concealed depths of a hidden ice cave.
The Whisper splits the difference between tarp and tent.
It’s back to the basics with these tried-and-true brews
Our list includes a pair of doughnut thieves in Alaska, a selfie taker in Colorado, and the tripod of Orlando
To celebrate National Public Lands Day this month, the Secretary of the Interior reminds readers why stepping up for public lands has to be a priority.
Nick Fowler averaged 50-mile days through unfavorable conditions in an already complicated year for PCT thru-hikers.
She was tormented by homophobia—her own, and society’s. Then she took a fateful step at the top of a cascade in the Smokies.
"When you have a very fat 400-pound bear, it will take it ages to starve to death. That’s a horrific way to die, decaying from the inside out."
Our Pacific Crest Trail correspondent has finally reached the northern terminus. Here are his final thoughts from his time on the trail.
The top nonprofits win a customized Land Rover Defender 130 and a pile of cash. Cast your vote starting on September 15 to help choose this year’s winners.
Late season snow damaged trails and delayed start to the season, pushing hikers into hotter summer conditions
It's the ultimate Leave No Trace dilemma for a backpacker: What will become of your mortal remains, once you reach trail’s end?
We sat down with this year’s PCT correspondent to learn about the highlights (and lowlights) of his hiking season.
As rutting season begins, officials warn hikers to take extra caution around the wildlife.
During a summer of unnerving animal encounters making headlines, we dive in with bear experts Dr. Tom Smith and Wes Larson and explore this wild narrative.
Nothing powers me up the trail like the promise of lunch with a view.
Dr. Hitesh Tolani created Gays of National Parks to create community, but it’s become so much more than that.
From choosing the right water filter to evaluating your gear list, AT hiker Michael Perry shares his advice for getting trail-ready
These week-long backpacking trips are the perfect length to squeeze into a vacation.
Find adventure out your own back door. Here are 10 urban hiking trails—each under 2 miles—worth exploring.
In July, Colorado’s popular Decalibron Loop, a 7.5-mile trail that crosses private property to tag multiple Fourteeners, reopened to hikers after a months-long closure over liability concerns. Last week, someone got their pickup truck stuck on it.
Usually, viewers on Explore.org's Katmai National Park live streams expect to see giant grizzlies and wide-open natural views. But on September 5, a wet and cold-looking hiker walked up to the camera and appeared to mouth "help."
The budget ultralight brand's shelters beat their competitors on price—but what about performance? We tested the Lanshan 2 Pro to see how it stacks up.
Authorities used DNA analysis and "other characteristics" to identify the bruin after the incident.