Gear Guide 2012: Sea to Summit Trek TkIII Sleeping Bag
A big-guy favorite that packs small despite the extra internal dimensions.
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Gear Guide 2012: Marmot Cloudbreak 20 Sleeping Bag
A synthetic-fill bag with ample loft that offers warmth and comfort.
Gear Guide 2012: Columbia Moonstone 15 Sleeping Bag
Feel the heat instantly with this bag as tiny dots in the liner reflect your body heat.
Gear Guide 2012: REI Igneo/Joule Sleeping Bag
An affordable, high-performance sleeping bag that keeps you warm and dry in the harshest of elements.
7 Worst Blister Photos
We asked to see your worst blister photos. Here's the best of the worst.
Gear Guide 2012: Sierra Designs Cloud 15 Sleeping Bag
Packability is what you will get with this bag. Durable, yet lightweight, Sierra Designs has created a insulated sleeping bag that is made for comfort.
Gear Guide 2012: Rab Genesis 3 Sleeping Bag
This eco-friendly, synthetic sack offers comfort and sustainability.
Gear Guide 2012: Selk bag 4G Lite Sleeping Bag
Wearable warmth allows you to stay warm in and outside your tent. The union-suit design gives you the capability to move around camp easily as well as sleep comfortably at night.
Gear Guide 2012: Sierra Designs Pyro Maniac 15/30 Sleeping Bag
Lightweight and warm, this sleeping bag has a roomy cut and core insulation.
Gear Guide 2012: Lafuma Extreme 600 Sleeping Bag
Affordable and ultralight synthetic, the Lafuma Extreme 600 performs to keep you comfortable in warm and cool temperatures.
Gear Guide 2012: Marmot Plasma 40 Sleeping Bag
Featherweight comfort and superior design allows for all-around warmth in the coldest of places.
Gear Guide 2012: Mountain Hardwear Mountain Speed 32 Sleeping Bag
A minimalist sleeping bag that weighs under sixteen ounces.
Gear Guide 2012 Table of Contents
The gear issue everyone's been waiting for is now online!
High-Flying Thyroid
Can altitude increase the effect of thyroid medications? I recently hiked four days in the Grand Canyon and had an experience which felt like an overdose of my thyroid meds. I skipped a dose and all the symptoms went away, even after climbing another 3,000 feet. What's up?
Cotton Head
The day after a long, tough, hike I often feel like my head is filled with cotton and like my eyes won't fully open. What can I do to prevent or cure this? I drink a lot of water, but that doesn't seem to help.
Is Snow Melt Safe to Drink?
If you melt snow for drinking water in the winter, do you need to boil it for purification?
Water (Treatment) Wars
Is an ultraviolet light, like a SteriPen, better for treating filtered water than iodine tablets?
Is Wicking Wicked?
I was recently introduced to "wicking" blisters--putting material under the skin to drain the fluid. I am a certified Wilderness First Responder, but I couldn't recall any mention of "wicking" blisters in my training, and I didn't find any in the Wilderness Medical Institute's training book. I think it is a great way to get a very bad infection. What do you think?
Warm Up with a Nightcap
What would be the best snack to eat just before going to bed to help stay warm? Would it be something high in fat and high in calories or something high in protein because you burn more calories digesting protein, which would increase your metabolism?
Shiver Me Timbers
Why do I get the shivers about 20 mins after along, hard winter hike, even after changing into dry clothes and blasting the heat? What can I do to prevent this?
Cramping My Style
I have two questions about cramps: How can I avoid or prevent cramps just above my knees, in my quads? And how can I stretch out cramps in that area?
Readers' Choice Honorable Mentions
We received so many great photo for our January 2012 Readers' Choice photo contest that we just had to share the runners-up.
Reader Photo of the Month
Here are the top 10 finalists for the Reader Photo of the Month.
March 2012 Table of Contents
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Backpacker iPad Subscriptions Surge; Reader Satisfaction at 96%
Interactive tablet editions reach younger, more affluent demographic
Hiking Switzerland: Around the Alps in 80 Days
Well, maybe 105. But who's counting? Contributing editor John Harlin defies conventional wisdom with a 1,400-mile circumnavigation of this mountainous kingdom.
America's Newest Long Trail
Don't have time to hike all 1,200 miles of the Pacific Northwest Trail? No worries: Our scout pinpointed the finest two-week stretch.
Died and Gone to New Zealand
Hiker heaven, redefined, is a month-long hike/paddle/camp in Adventureland.
Everest Confidential: Trekking Through Nepal's Khumbu Region
See the Himalayan giants--and cross three passes more than 17,000 feet high--on this off-the-radar route through the Khumbu region.
BACKPACKER GPS Trails PRO Trips
We've taken the best trips on backpacker.com and made them even better. Check out updated, interactive PRO trips and PRO bundles on GPS Trails. Use your Android or iPhone to discover these premium guides, or map your own adventures and share them with your friends.
Bear Attack: Q&A with Bear Grylls
The star of "Man vs. Wild" talks gear, luxury items, and survival advice.
Travel Like a Pro: Avoid Common Illnesses
Prevent six common adventure-travel risks.
Travel Like a Pro: The World's Best Budget Finds…
Don't miss these affordable services, local haunts, and cultural highlights recommended by adventure-travel experts. Plus, bargaining 101.
Travel Like a Pro: Get Wired
Stay charged and in touch abroad.
Travel Like a Pro: Choose What to Pack & How to Find Gear Deals
Pick and choose what to pack for long or multi-activity trips. Plus, three ways to avoid overspending when outfitting your next trip.
Travel Like a Pro: How to Pack Your Duffel
Carry more, protect your pack, and ease transit.
Travel Like a Pro: Prepare & Schedule
Get backcountry-worthy accident insurance and plan for good-weather windows and low-traffic trails.
Travel Like a Pro: Scout International Routes
Stay on track in exotic terrain with tips from adventurer Pete Takeda.
The World's Best Performance Shirts
We tested more than 100 samples to find the best tops that breathe, wick, resist wear and tear, and keep you looking smart wherever the trail takes you.
Adventure Travel Luggage
Our bags logged thousands of miles–through airports and atop donkeys–and we came back with these top picks, from gigantic rollers and impervious duffels to laptop carriers and packable organizers.
Three Backpacker-friendly Solar Chargers
These compact, hyper-efficient solar chargers will power your gadgets no matter where you travel.
Gear Review: The North Face Base Camp Duffel
A staff favorite, again and again.
Gear Review: Patagonia MLC Bag
This spacious shoulder bag holds a surprising 45L of goods.
Gear Review: Osprey Shuttle 32 Roller Bag
This cargo hauler is outfitted with a surprising number of organizational features.
Gear Review: Victorinox Altmont 2.0 Dual Compartment Laptop Backpack
If you're mixing business with adventure travel, this is the bag for you.
Gear Review: Gregory Alpaca 28 Roller Bag
This stable roller bag handles curbs and rough terrain with ease.
Gear Review: Sea To Summit TravellingLight Packing Cells
These ultralight storage sacks, made from water-resistant and strong Ultra-Sil fabric help you stay super organized.
Gear Review: Eagle Creek ORV Super Trunk 36
Going far and going big, hauling monster loads? This is your bag.
Gear Review: Pearl Izumi syncroFuel XC Trail Shoe
A trail runner that can handle day hiking with ease
Gear Review: SteriPEN Freedom
Our favorite UV light water treatment tool just got lighter, smaller, and easier to recharge.
Gear Review: MSR WindPro II Stove
A stable canister stove
Gear Review: Exped Mira 1 Tent
A freestanding, double-wall solo tent that's light and packable
Gear Review: Patagonia Simple Guide Hoody
A light, packable, and good-looking softshell
Gear Review: MontBell Wickron T
A super soft tee that feels like cotton but is really a quick-dry performance synthetic
Gear Review: SmartWool Teller/Cortina Tech Tee
A wool/poly blend that dries fast and doesn't feel itchy
Gear Review: White Sierra Kalgoorlie Long Sleeve Shirt
This long-sleeve top with UPF 30 keeps you cool and burn free.
Gear Review: Ibex Ace/Ciara Button-down Shirt
This stylish button-down shirt is loaded with performance features
Gear Review: Arc'teryx Motus Crew SS
This t-shirt was voted our "best synthetic"
Go Higher with Tips from Senior Editor and Professional Mountain Guide Shannon Davis
Tackle that big mountain with tips from our in-house mountain guide Tackle that big mountain with tips from our in-house mountain guide
BACKPACKER PRO Maps: Custom maps for your adventures
We've teamed up with map partner myTopo to create custom, pre-planned adventures printed on waterproof topo paper. No need to buy and carry multiple maps. Bonus: PRO Maps sync with your handheld GPS, your smartphone, or your tablet for a complete in-field mapping experience. Our archive is over 100 maps strong and growing.
Outdoor Retailer Roundup: Homemade Chalk Bags, A Beast of a Generator
Plus, another indestructible iPhone case and theft-resistant bags.
Outdoor Retailer Roundup: Goggles, Headphones, Bags, and Boots Made for Pow
As the snow falls in Salt Lake City, finally, BRR Steph makes the final rounds of the ski gear.
Outdoor Retailer Roundup: An iPhone case that's photo-taking friendly
Sea to Summit makes a fingers-friendly, waterproof iPhone case, and Arc'teryx unveils a new hoody to covet.
Outdoor Retailer Roundup: Tiger Tail, CAMP, & Old Favorites with New Products
BRR Nick, who is also a physical therapist, found lots of back- and budget-friendly gear on Day 3.
Outdoor Retailer Roundup: BACKPACKS!
On Day 2 this reporter had one focus: backpacks.
Outdoor Retailer Roundup: Mammut Safety Harness and Arc'teryx Life Shell Jacket
Plus, winter boots from Teva that fold as small as regular shoes!
Outdoor Retailer Roundup: Face First Travel Pillow and Saxx Men's Underwear
Day 2 had this reporter looking for comfort - gloves, hats, travel pillows, and undies.
Outdoor Retailer Roundup: Knives, Solar Chargers, and Dog Gear
Day 2 for this Reader Reporter featured upgrades to popular knives, solar chargers, and doggie gear.
Outdoor Retailer Roundup: Backcountry Ski/Snowboard Gear
A sweet ladies' splitboard from Jones and a collapsible pole from K2 to pair with it.
Outdoor Retailer Roundup: Climbing Gear
Shoes that stick, rope worth investing in, and a Grigri 2 overhaul.
Outdoor Retailer Roundup: SteriPen Freedom Bundle and Petzl NAO Reactive Lighting
Petzl unveils a very smart headlamp and SteriPen offers a one-drink bundle.
Passion Player: Q&A with Michael Franti
On Wednesday night, reggae-hip-hop-fusion artist Michael Franti was recording a new track for his follow-up to the hit album "The Sound of Sunshine." On Thursday night, he rocks The Depot at Outdoor Retailer in a concert presented by Wolverine. BACKPACKER's Jonathan Dorn and Anthony Cerretani spoke to Franti right before the show about how the outdoors influences his music, lifestyle, and clothing line.
Blister Wars
Don't get sidelined by these common and painful foes. Fight back with these tips and tricks for preventing and treating any kind of hot spot problem.
Outdoor Retailer Roundup: G-Form Protection, Piggy Backs Made Easy
From water bottles that filter (unobtrusively) to bomber foam for all your gadgets, see what our Reader Reporter scouted on the satellite floor.
January 2012 – Readers' Choice
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Backpacker Bible: Make Fire
When disaster strikes in the backcountry, don't pin your hopes on prayer. Your ability to spark a flame could be the difference between survival and six-feet-under.
Backpacker Bible: Never Get a Blister
Your body is a temple? Then your feet are the altar. Treat them right, and enjoy every hike from the first mile to the last.
Backpacker Bible: Stay Dry
Learn how to cope with relentless rain, and you can experience some of the Earth's holiest places–Alaska! Patagonia!–in comfort.
Backpacker Bible: Find Your Way
Join a long line of enlightened travelers who have navigated the wilderness–and discover a whole new world that lies beyond well-marked trails and guided trips.
Backpacker Bible: Seek Solitude
Want your very own Eden? Here's how to go where–and when–others don't.