Exped DownMat XP 9 M
Stay warm with this down-lined inflatable sleeping pad from Exped.
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Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Dream
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NEMO Canon -40 Sleeping Bag
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Editors' Choice Snow Award 2013: The North Face Thermoball Hoodie
A synthetic puffy that rivals the weight and warmth of down.
Mountain Equipment Snowline SL Sleeping Bag
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
The North Face Aleutian 3S Down
A packable synthetic sleeping bag with an extremely durable DWR shell
America’s Highest National Park Is Not Denali…
…it’s Yosemite, where rangers issued the most citations for marijuana possession since 2009.
Man punches grizzly IN THE FACE
Fairbanks man wards off a tent-invading bear with his fist.
Blobfish named “World’s Ugliest Animal”
Unfortunate critter wins online vote for homeliest creature, raises awareness to save other fugly creatures.
SAR teams remove obscene rock art near waterfall in Twin Falls, ID
More like “Twin Phallic.”
Alaska man donates amputated leg to search and rescue dogs
Fetch just got real.
Pumped for the Pacific Crest Trail
Bay Area hiker tackles half of the Pacific Crest Trail in high heels
Pig chugs 18 beers, picks a fight with a cow
A feral hog in Western Australia raids campers’ food cache, gets soused, and harasses the local livestock.
Ask Kristin: $300 tent or a $100 tent?
Sometimes they look the same, but there are several key differences.
Ask Kristin: Need a Sleeping Bag that will fit 6'7"
To get the best answer for your question, I went to two BACKPACKER staffers who can relate: Jon Dorn and Ben Fullerton, both 6’6”. Here are a few of their three-season picks.
Ask Kristin: Allergic to Wool
For long johns, there are plenty of polyester options. If it’s maximum warmth you’re after, look for higher lofted polyesters, with gridded channels that trap heat and accelerate wicking....
Gear Review: Brooks-Range Elephant’s Foot
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Gear Review: Sea to Summit Micro MC III
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Gear Review: L.L.Bean Down Mummy with DownTek
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Life List: Maya Mountains, Belize
Journey through a tropical jungle to discover exotic wildlife and ancient ruins.
Gear Review: Norrøna Roldal Warm1 Shirt
A versatile and breathable shirt from Norrøna.
Gear Review: Eddie Bauer First Ascent Bacon Pack
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Gear Review: Salomon Conquest GTX
A midweight boot with surprising protection and support.
Gear Review: Banks Expedition Fry-Bake Pan
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Gear Review: Outdoor Research Supercharger Pants
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Gear Review: Outdoor Edge Fish & Bone
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Gear Review: Patagonia Sweet Pack Vest
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Gear Review: Redington Sonic-Pro Ultra Packable Waders
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Gear Review: Orvis Clearwater Fishing Rod & Encounter II Reel
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Gear Review: Fenix HL30
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Gear Review: LED Lenser SEO 5
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Gear Review: UCO ARKA Lantern
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Gear Review: Snow Peak Lapel Torch
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Gear Review: Light & Motion Solite 250
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Gear Review: Princeton Tec Vizz
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Gear Review: Black Diamond Spot
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Perfect Wilderness Sunrises and Sunsets
From Rialto Beach to the Roan Highlands of North Carolina, our readers captured these stunning sunrises and sunsets.
Olicamp Electron Stove
A built-in electric ignition system makes the Electron a great option for those on the go.
Olicamp Kinetic Titanium Stove
For being such a light stove, the Kinetic boasts some serious firepower.
Olicamp Xcelerator Ultra Titanium
Ultralight and rugged remote canister stove.
Cat Mayor in Alaska Survives Assassination Attempt by Dog
Stubbs the cat, mayor of Talkeetna, AK, survives a vicious coup—but the canine perpetrator remains at large.
Just a little off the top: Denali gets shorter
In a recent scientific survey, North America’s tallest peak loses elevation — again.
11 Wolves vs. 1 bear
One lucky Grand Tetons visitor catches a crazy showdown between charismatic megafauna on video.
Sickest. Dog. Ever.
One dog, one minute, 20 stunts. Did we mention the razor scooter?
If Your Boyfriend Jumped Off A Cliff, Would You?
A reluctant woman gets a helpful shove off an epic Utah rope swing from her thoughtful S.O.
Kim Kardashian Hits the Trail
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
This SAR Dog May Save Your Life
Rixi, a 6-year-old German Shepherd, searches for lost hikers in Yosemite's rugged terrain.
Survival Lab: Caveman Skills
Learn to make basics tools with what you can find in the backcountry.
Hiking Skills: Learn the Rest Step
Use this technique to conserve energy and hike for hours on end.
Adventure Travel Tips
Our editors drop some basic adventure travel knowledge while on a recent trek to Chile.
Make a Homemade Repair Kit
Kristin Hostetter shows you how to put together a repair kit for the trail.
Photo Skills: Learn to Use a Histogram
Associate photo editor Genny Fullerton shows you how to use a histogram on your DSLR.
Gear Review: Westcomb Switch LT and Fuse LT Hoody
See why we love this do-anything shell.
Editors' Chioce Awards 2012: Smith I/O Goggles
Learn what made these goggles stand out from from the pack from Dennis Lewon.
Arc'teryx Alpha SV Jacket
Executive Editor Dennis Lewon shows off the Arc'teryx Alpha SV Jacket
Winter Skills: Pick a Winter Pack
Learn to pick the winter pack that's right for you with contributing editor Kelly Bastone.
Editors' Choice 2013: The Best Backpacking Gear of the Year
From a bomber ultralight tent to the best GPS watch we've seen, here are the 15 products that passed the ultimate field test.
50 Views, 50 States – The Best Views in the United States
We asked guidebook writers, backpacker field scouts, landscape photographers, and other local experts nationwide to rule on the sweetest backcountry vista in their corner of the union.
Thru-Hiking Los Angeles: 200 Miles, 312 Stairways, 3,000 Intersections
Check out Dan Koeppel's author page.
Gregg Treinish, 31
This adventurer-turned-ecologist is building an army of backcountry citizen-scientists.
Trekking Poles: Helinox Passport Tension Lock Adjustable
Improve your balance and save your knees.
Trekking Poles: Easton Hike Carbon 3
Improve your balance and save your knees.
Top Spots: The Best Views in The Country
See our photo gallery of some of the best views in the country.
Trekking Poles: Mountainsmith Glissade
Improve your balance and save your knees with this bargain set of trekking poles from Mountainsmith.
Trekking Poles: MSR Deploy TR3
Trekking poles from MSR you can adjust one-handed.
Trekking Poles: Leki Cristallo
If you can use a lighter you can adjust these trekking poles from Leki.
Hiking Los Angeles
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Camp Cocktails
Four recipes for camp cocktails on different occasions.
Test Kitchen: Backcountry Booze
A great ending to a good day on the trail? A tasty cocktail in camp. We consulted trail-savvy bartenders for their top recipes and tested more than 100 varieties of beer, wine, and liquor to find the most pack-friendly picks.
Master Class: Explore Slot Canyons
Use canyoneering techniques to hike, scramble, and swim through a red-rock wonderland.
Rip and Go: New Hampshire – White Mountain National Forest, Mt. Cabot Loop
Get a sneak peak of fall on this overnight in the northern Whites, where the leaves change early.
Troubleshoot This: Liquid Fuel Leaked into Food Bag
Now your chow is marinated in white gas. Are your edibles still eatable?
In Hot Water: Boil Water in Anything
A survival guide for backpackers who are desperate for clean water.
Gear Review: Arc'teryx Tecto FL Jacket
Tester Ted Alvarez reviews the Arc'teryx's minimalist jacket with Gortex Active Shell.
Gear Review: Boreas Bootlegger
The versatile gear-hauling system by Boreas Gear.
Gear Review: Kelty Ignite 20
The affordable three-season down bag from Kelty.
Gear Review: Stanley Adventure Nesting Mug
The space-saving and inexpensive mug by Stanley.
Gear Review: Millet Trilogy GTX Pro
The protective and durable hardshell jacket from Millet.
Gear Review: KEEN Marshall WP
The supportive hiking shoes by Marshall WP.