Trail Chef: Blue Cheese-Stuffed Dates
Power up the trail with these healthy energy bombs.
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Gear Guide 2011: Light Duty Boots/Trail Runners
If light and fast is your hiking/trail running motto, these are your kicks.
Gear Guide 2011: Mid Duty Boots
Two of BACKPACKER's 14 Editors' Choice Award winners fall into this all-purpose hiking boot category.
Gear Guide 2011: Heavy Duty Boots
For big mountain climbs, these are your boots
Gear Guide 2011: Boots
From fit to grip, this year's shoes do everything better.
How Far Do Mosquitoes Range?
What is the mosquito's hunting range?
Gear Review: Terra Nova Solar Photon 2
Tax return burning a hole in your pocket? How about blowing it on a feathery-light shelter for two?
Gear Review: Montrail Mountain Masochist MID GTX Hiking Boot
Bedroom-slipper light and instantly comfortable
Gear Review: SCARPA Terra GTX/Luna GTX Hiking Boot
The Terra's soft PU midsole, gives the boot a cushy, shock-absorbing feel.
Gear Review: Patagonia Scree Shield Hiking Boot
One shoe for everything from dayhikes to dog walks to peakbagging epics.
Gear Review: La Sportiva Quantum Trail Runner
This shoe excels when 'trail' is a generous description.
Gear Review: New Balance 101 Trail Runner
This barely there trail runner has the perfect blend of breathability, support, and durability.
Gear Review: Pacific Outdoors Peak Elite AC
This pad delivers low weight and low cost, making no more grumpy mornings.
Gear Review: Exped SynMat UL 7
Stay warm and comfy with this insulated sleeping pad.
Gear Review: Ahnu Montara Women's Hiking Boot
Women love this comfortable, stable and affordable boot.
Gear Review: Garmont Zenith Hike GTX Hiking Boot
Lightweight book with a lightweight price.
Gear Review: AKU Suiterra Suede GTX Hiking Boot
One of the most versatile boots around.
Gear Review: Merrell Refuge Core Mid Waterproof Hiking Boot
It crushed the competition in terms of support.
Gear Review: Vasque Bitterroot GTX Hiking Boot
A classic looking boot with above average support and stability.
Gear Review: Kayland Vertigo Dual Hiking Boot
This boot offers maximum performance and durability.
Gear Review: La Sportiva Delta GTX Hiking Boot
A great lightweight boot for heavy duty hiking.
Gear Review: Mammut Mountain Cascade GTX Hiking Boot
The perfect boot for big, unpredictable mountain adventures.
Ask A Bear: Old Vomit in a Tent?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'
Raise the Adventure Bar
10 tips to make an average hike extraordinary
Tough Guy Challenge Week 2
Build on week one's regimen by mastering even more survival and navigation skills and improving your overall fitness level.
Tough Guy Challenge Week 1
Rev up for the first week of our plan to make you the ultimate tough guy, or gal.
Knee Arthritis
How can reduce the pain from knee arthritis so I can still hike?
Mother's Day Gift Guide: CAN'T GO WRONG
Socks to hats to sports bras–the essential gear for any female hiker.
Mother's Day Gift Guide: WEEKEND HIKER
Outfit your mama with the perfect overnight gear.
Mother's Day Gift Guide: PEAK BAGGER
If the lady on your gift list likes to go hard or go home, we have eight pieces of gear calling her name.
Mother's Day Gift Guide: TRAIL DINNER DATE
A backcountry setup for the maestro in the kitchen.
Mother's Day Gift Guide: BUSY MOM
Bring the kids and keep 'em happy with these backpacking gift ideas.
Gear Review: Geigerrig Hydration System/Pack
Never suck again with this unique hydration system.
Trail Chef: Backcountry Easter Eggs
Make hard-boiled eggs without even boiling water. Plus: Why a marshmallow Peep has never climbed Everest
Mother's Day Gift Guide 2011
Whether you're shopping for your wife, mom, girlfriend, or BFF we've done the heavy lifting for you with 40 picks that are sure to make her Mother's Day.
How To: Build an Emergency Fire
You've done it now. Gone on a simple walk and gotten lost, or broken your ankle. It's cold. You didn't bring gear. Don't just curl up and wait. Get a fire going.
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Outdoor Research Solar Roller
Fool-proof sun protection for her noggin
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Smith Optics Heyday Sunglasses
Good-looking performance shades that fit a woman's face.
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Moving Comfort Alexis Sports Bra
Finally–a flattering sports bra
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Prana Burnout Headband
Say goodbye to hat head
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Montbell Alpine Light Down Parka
Maximum warmth for minimum weight
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Dahlgren Hiking Socks
Plushly padded socks for all-day comfort
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Coco-Zen Truffles To-Go
Portable and delicious chocolate truffles
Mother's Day Gift Guide: The North Face Venture Jacket
An eco-friendly jacket that performs and won't break the bank
Mother's Day Gift Guide: LEKI Cressida AERGON Speedlock
Save your knees with these lightweight poles made especially for women
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Granite Gear Nimbus Trace Ki
An ideal weekend pack for women
Mother's Day Gift Guide: The North Face Women's Hotlum 3-Season Sleeping Bag
A tough, warm, bargain down sleeping bag
Mother's Day Gift Guide: DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w with SPOT Satellite Communicator
Manage your social network from anywhere
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Equal Exchange Organic Spicy Hot Cocoa
Hot cocoa, with the emphasis on "hot"
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Mountain Hardwear Super Power Hoody
This mid-weight fleece is ultra-comfy, stretchy, and warm.
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Ahnu Montara Hiking Boot
All-terrain stability and all-day comfort in this women's only hiking boot.
Treating Water with Bleach
Will bleach make water safe to drink?
Tax Rebate Gear: Build a Better Backpacker
This year, spend that extra dough on at-home workout gear that will make it easier to get out and log miles. Basically, you're investing in you.
How-To Slideshow: Learn to Build an Emergency Fire
Lost and alone without your gear? Don't just sit there. Get a fire going.
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Snack This Veggie Medley
Grab your veggies on the go
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Smartwool Spring Glove
Breathable merino wool and rugged leather make for happy hands
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Bobo's Oat Bars
Yummy organic trail bars
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Mammut Ultimate Hoody
A featherweight softshell with the biggest pit zips you've ever seen
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Patagonia Multi Use Skirt
A cute, comfy, and functional hiking skirt
Mother's Day Gift Guide: REI Traverse 30 Daypack
Perfectly sized and organized for done-in-a-day outings
Highgear Axio Mini Altimeter Watch
A feature-filled altimeter watch sized for the female wrist
Petzl Tikka2 Headlamp
A tough, dependable nightlight
Mother's Day Gift Guide: TrekSta Evolution Mid GTX Hiking Boots
Incredible traction, light weight, and zero break-in
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Outdoor Herbivore Sprout Kit
Grow your own food on the trail, no gardening or greenhouse required
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Alice White Lexia Moscato
A very tasty box wine
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Packit Gourmet Trail Meals & Baking Set
Eat well without all the fuss with these prepackaged camp meals
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Coghlan's Multi-Spice Shaker
Improve the taste of any meal
Mother's Day Gift Guide: GSI Gourmet Backpack Kitchen
Measure it, whisk it, and serve it in the backcountry with these kitchen accessories.
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Optimus Terra HE Cook Set
A gourmet cook set for fancy feasts
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Jetboil Sol Advanced Cooking System
Smaller, lighter, and even better performing than the original
Mother's Day Gift Guide: MSR DragonFly Stove
Don't just boil water, cook up a masterpiece
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Horny Toad Tranquil Hoody
A comfortable, cute, easy-to-wear top
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Kelty Diaper Daypack
An everyday diaper pack that goes from trail to train with ease
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Olympus TG-310 Point-and-Shoot Camera
Shockproof, waterproof, and freezeproof means it's kid-proof
Mother's Day Gift Guide: Goal Zero Guide 10 Adventure Kit Battery Charger
Rechargeable, portable power for all your mobile devices
Deuter Kid Comfort III Kid Carrier
Our favorite toddler-hauler
Mother's Day Gift Guide: ERGObaby Performance Infant Carrier
The best way to tote your infant on a hike
My Toughest Gear: Gregory Z65 Backpack
If you lack the cash, storage space, and/or desire to own a quiver of packs, get the ultraversatile Gregory Z65.
Itchy, Numb Hands
Will trekking poles help prevent my hands from falling asleep and getting itchy when I hike?
Trekking Poles for a Thru-hike
I am planning a thru-hike on the AT. Can you give me insight into the pros & cons of ultralight poles vs the old standbys?