Gear: Eyewear
High summer is no time to go without shades. These models will protect your eyes no matter where your adventures take you.
All Content
Gear Review: Smith Gibson
Frontcountry looks meet backcountry performance with these shades.
Gear Review: Julbo Tensing
With vented wrap-around sidewalls, dark lenses (5 percent VLT), and a face-hugging frame, the Tensing provided high-altitude sun protection rivaling heavier, spendier mountaineering models.
Gear Review: Zeal Zeta
Full-coverage lenses without the huge frames.
Gear Review: Spy Quanta
These sunglasses will stay in place and won't mist up, even during your most difficult hikes and climbs.
Gear Review: Dynafit Feline Superlight
A lightweight trail runner that hits a sweet spot of precision, comfort, and protection.
Gear Review: Coleman Sportster II
This tank-tough stove is easy to use and boils water fast, even in below-freezing temps.
Gear Review: MSR SureLock TR-3
A trekking pole that's easy to adjust on the fly.
Gear Review: Gerber Dime
A 10-piece multitool that weighs only 2.3 oz.
Gear Review: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Porter Pack
A backpack made for ultralighters who travel in wet climates
Field Test: Do-it-All Boots
Upgrade your footwear: We found seven models that can take you from dayhikes to thru-hikes, and from desert to rainforest to peaks.
Gear Review: Improve Fit, Boost Comfort
These after-market insoles control motion, fill excess volume, and more.
Gear Review: Keen Alamosa Mid GTX
Comfortable, sneaker-like feel with a roomy toebox.
Gear Review: LOWA Scorpio GTX Mid
Flexible support and instant comfort; great for trips with lighter loads.
Gear Review: Chaco Tedinho Waterproof
This supple leather boot has top-notch shock absorption and nearly an inch of arch support.
Gear Review: Scarpa Moraine Mid GTX
Running-shoe-like comfort, fit, and breathability.
Gear Review: Merrell Chameleon4 Mid Ventilator GTX
For hikers in blazing climates who need well-ventilated, waterproof protection and all-terrain traction.
Gear Review: Vasque Talus UD
Testers prized these all-leather boots for their tenacious traction, superior comfort, and midsole support.
Gear Review: Salewa Mtn Trainer Mid GTX
Named the best all-around boot by testers because of its unusually strong combination of protection, support, and nimbleness.
Local Hikes: East
Follow a winding New Jersey river, see fawns in Shenandoah, speed-hike 100 Pennsylvania miles, and other must-dos.
Local Hikes: Central
Nab an instant weekend in Ohio”s Zaleski State Forest, find solitude in Indiana”s Deam Wilderness, escape Chicago”s summer on a cool dayhike, and more.
Local Hikes: West
Explore Idaho’s high country, snag an easy-access view near Seattle, climb Half Dome the right way, plus 10 other hikes.
Back Strengthener: Lower Back Complex
Strengthen your lower back for a more comfort on the trail.
Back Strengthener: Loaded Step-Ups
Build a strong core for better injury prevention.
Back Strengthener: Kneeling Halfmoon
Build your pack-hefting back and core.
How to Make Cowboy Coffee
Which method of making cowboy coffee works best? Deputy Editor Anthony Cerretani discusses the brew-worthy results of our findings.
Photo Tips: Capturing Lightning
Staff Photographer Ben Fullerton reviews the steps to safely catching a bolt of lightning on film.
Rip & Go: Citico Creek Loop, Cherokee & Nantahala National Forests, TN/NC
Plunge deep into quiet Appalachian hollows and traverse narrow ridgelines with views across row upon row of forested peaks.
Rip & Go: Superior Hiking Trail, Beaver Bay to Gooseberry Falls State Park, MN
Wander through maple-birch-pine forest with pace-slowing views of the world's largest freshwater lake.
Manually Adjust Declination
Change declination to navigate more accurately over long distances.
Rip & Go: Pyramid Peak Loop, Great Basin National Park, NV
Climb out of the desert heat to breezy alpine solitude.
Recipes: Cooking with Salami
Try these camp-friendly breakfast recipes using summer sausage and salami. They're delicious ways to add protein to your trail menu--and finish an opened serving of sausage before it begins to spoil.
The Troubleshooter’s Handbook
Murphy’s Law, meet your match. Our experts offer trip-saving fixes for 44 mishaps, from bug bites to bad partners to broken bones.
Heroes: Kyle Maynard, 26
Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is plenty hard with two strong legs. Imagine crawling to the top, like the first congenital quadruple amputee to reach the summit.
Gear Review: 3 Sweet Deals
Get performance summer apparel for less.
Gear Review: Ultralight Layers
Stay comfortable in summer and beyond with these lightweight, high-performance pieces.
Reel Deal: Charting Big-Wall Movie Scenes
Hollywood climbing: Survivable or surreal?
The Other Way In
Hike to life-list hot spots without waiting in life-list lines. These under-the-radar trails deliver everything but the crowds.
The Last Bus
A former Denali ranger shares her secrets for finding solitude, scoring the most coveted permits, seeing wildlife, beating the weather, and more. Follow her from-the-field advice for the ultimate trip in America's wildest park.
Survival Lab Knife Test–The Final Cut
We test to find the toughest, most versatile, best survival knife.
Mountain Map: Coast Range – Olympic Mountains
Explore peaks and forests in this coastal range.
Life List: Buckskin Gulch, Utah/Arizona
Yes, all wilderness is sacred. But this mystically beautiful slot canyon is holier than most.
Best Day: Jenny Lake and Hanging Canyon Loop
Circle a glacial lake, see a waterfall, and explore a forgotten trail.
Best Weekend: Death Canyon Loop
Sleep in a lake-dotted basin and scale an 11,000-foot peak.
Best Week: Granite Canyon to Paintbrush Canyon
Take a grand tour of the Tetons on a six-day trek past pinnacled peaks, wildflower meadows, and secluded lakes.
Grand Teton Adventure Guide (2012 National Parks Series: Part 3 of 6)
Our map scouts scaled 13,000-foot peaks, trekked to hidden lakes, and explored glacier-carved canyons to bring you our 21 favorite routes in America's most vertiginous range.
2012 Father's Day Gift Guide
Skip the new wrench sets and the flowery ties. Give the man on your list something that he’ll really be stoked about. We’ve got a slew of great dad-tested gift ideas starting at $20
Out Alive: Survive a Rattlesnake Bite
A dayhiker fights for her life—as her body shuts down.
Test Kitchen: Coffee
We perked more than 100 caffeinated cups to find the best trail-brewtechnique. Here’s how to choose your method, gear, and grounds.
Expert Panel: 11 Pro Tips and Backpacking Exercises
Pro Tips: Boost Performance, Planning, Safety, and More
Survival Lab
Our man-in-the-field, Drop Dead Ted, tests lifesaving gear and equipment with ingenuity and elbow grease. You can trust his results to provide the truth that every backpacker needs to know in a survival situation.
Survival Lab: Carve a Feather Stick
Drop Dead Ted shows you how to carve a feather stick to help start a fire in a surivival situation.
Survival Lab: Carve a Feather Stick
Drop Dead Ted shows you how to carve a feather stick to help start a fire in a surivival situation.
Survival Lab: Ultimate Knife Test
Drop Dead Ted puts the latest and greatest survival knives to the test.
Grand Teton NP: Death Canyon Shelf and Alaska Basin
See the highlights of a classic, six-day trek in Grand Teton National Park.
Tugging at ticks
What’s the best way to remove and treat a tick bite? My recent attempt severed the head, which required a hospital visit to remove.
Gear: Stanley Ninteen13 One-Hand Vacuum Mug
Multitasking dads will love this easy-sipping cup.
Gear: Otter Box iPad 2 Reflex Series Case
What’s better than having an iPad? Not having to worry about what’ll happen to it when it gets into little hands.
Gear: Mophie Juice Pack Powerstation Pro
A rugged battery pack that will let him stay charged up and connected.
Gear: Eton Rukus Solar Sound System
Turn an iPod into a campground sound system.
Gear Guide 2012: Waterproof iPhone Case
Protect your valuables on your next paddling trip with this iPhone case.
August 2012 Table of Contents
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
May 2012 Table of Contents
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Heros: Becca Stubbs, 21
Student and president of the Hiking Club at the University of Colorado, Boulder
Hiking Makes You Smarter
Yes, the views and fresh air and exercise make every backpacking trip worthwhile. But now, new research shows, staying home is just plain dumb. Learn why backpacking boosts brainpower in this exclusive report from the frontiers of environmental neuroscience.
Sponsored: Casio features Pete Weber
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Case Study: Surge Survivor
Name: Neil Perterson, 63 Predicament: Swept into a surge channel; stuck in a cave
Survive Coastal Dangers
Waves, currents, and tides threaten thousands of miles of American trails (any within a quarter of a mile of a waterway), and hikers can get caught in the barrage. Headland-sculpting, beach-pounding waves can swallow an unwary trekker without so much as a burp. Learn how to recognize, negotiate, and avoid nearshore hazards
Trail Mix: Central
Explore Chicago's wild places, seek out solitude, and experience three perfect days, all this summer.
Trail Mix: East
Explore wilderness bounty, see fawns in Shenandoah National Park, and experience three perfect days, all this summer and all in the east.
Trail Mix: West
Explore high points, see astronomical rarity and experience three perfect days, all this summer and all in the west.
From the Field: West
Explore the west coast in a whole new way with these five summer hikes.
From the Field: East
Experience the east in a new way this summer with hikes that each offer a special glimpse of what the east coast has to offer.
From the Field: Central
Looking to relax this summer? These central hikes offer beautiful lakes, great views, and a breath of fresh air.
Recipe: Quinoa Taco Salad
Gourmet Southwestern salad, perfect for that light afternoon meal.
Recipe: Black Bean Tortilla Casserole
Super quick and full of flavor. Perfect for a fast and easy meal.
Dirtbag/Gourmet: Savory Southwest
Black beans and a heaping dose of flavor make for tasty, fiber- and protein-rich meals
Gear Guide 2012: One-Person Tents
Find lightweight shelter for every budget and weather scenario.
Gear Guide 2012: Two-Person Tents
Find lightweight shelter for every budget and weather scenario.
Gear Guide 2012: Three-Person Tents
Find lightweight shelter for every budget and weather scenario.