Gear Review: SofSole Airr Performance Insole
Air chambers embedded in the heel and arch and polymer gel in the forefoot put extra cushioning exactly where you need it most.
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Editors' Choice 2011: Capitol Reef
BACKPACKER puts the gear of the year through its paces in the rugged desert
Rip & Go: Enchantment Lakes Basin – Alpine Lakes Wilderness, WA
Discover a hidden basin filled with wildlife, lakes, and granite peaks.
Rip & Go: Crow Pass Trail – Chugach State Park, AK
Cross the west edge of the Chugach for glaciers, bears, and wildflowers.
Inov-8 Roclite 400 GTX
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
'127 Hours': A History
Historian explains the history of the Blue John Canyon, where Aron Ralston was trapped.
Readers' Choice: Northwest
The undisputed local experts—you—choose the top parks, trails, campsites, and weekend getaways in the Northwest.
Tecnica Cyclone III Low GTX
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Readers' Choice: Alaska
The undisputed local experts—you—choose the top parks, trails, campsites, and weekend getaways in Alaska.
Asics GEL-Trail Sensor 4
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Inov-8 Roclite 288 GTx
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Columbia Sportswear San Gil Mid Omni-Tech
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Columbia Sportswear Daska Pass Omni-Tech
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Columbia Sportswear Shastalavista Omni-Tech
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Columbia Sportswear Shastalavista Mid Omni-Tech
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Gear Review: Satworx ISatphone
A bargain of a satellite phone.
Columbia Sportswear Descender
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Gear Review: Coghlan's Flint Striker
A simple magnesium rod that's an easy fire starter.
Gear Review: Vargo Titanium Hexagon Wood Stove
A wood or pellet-burning stove that doubles as windscreen.
Columbia Sportswear Master of Faster Low Omni-Tech
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Gear Review: Sawyer 4 Way Water Filter
A 32-ounce dip-and-sip filter that lets you refill in about 10 seconds.
Columbia Sportswear Master of Faster Mid Omni-Tech
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Gear Review: Snow Peak Hybrid Trail Cookset
An all-in-one titanium kitchen kit.
Columbia Sportswear Ravenous
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
ECCO Kolyma Semi-Mid GTX
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Gear Review: Snow Peak Crab LI Stove
A sturdy stove with claw-like appendages that grab most surfaces.
Columbia Sportswear Ravenous Stability
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Titan Camp Light
A camp light that you'll find yourself using everywhere.
ECCO Namco Mid GTX
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Columbia Sportswear Ravenous Stability Omni-Tech
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Gear Review: Coleman All-in-One Cooking System
A propane system that takes camp cooking to a whole new level.
Columbia Sportswear San Gil Mid Omni-Tech
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Columbia Sportswear Daska Pass Omni-Tech
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Columbia Sportswear Shastalavista Omni-Tech
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Columbia Sportswear Shastalavista Mid Omni-Tech
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Columbia Sportswear Descender
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Columbia Sportswear Master of Faster Low Omni-Tech
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Columbia Sportswear Master of Faster Mid Omni-Tech
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Columbia Sportswear Ravenous
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Columbia Sportswear Ravenous Stability
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Columbia Sportswear Ravenous Stability Omni-Tech
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Oboz Footwear Dash
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Oboz Footwear Yellowstone
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Oboz Footwear Sawtooth
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Oboz Footwear Wind River
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Oboz Footwear Yellowstone II
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Oboz Footwear Sawtooth Mid
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Oboz Footwear Sawtooth Mid
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Oboz Footwear Contour
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Oboz Footwear Contour
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Oboz Footwear Hardscrabble
Tackle any terrain in these midweights, and don't worry about blisters. We–er, they–guarantee it.
Gear Review: Baselayers–Rivers West Apex Base System
This merino wool layer keeps all your bases covered, without smelling like a sock drawer.
Backcountry Bartender: Box Wine Test
Box wine is back in a big--and quaffable-- way. Here are our favorites for the trail.
Gear Review: Icon Irix Headlamp
Icon attempts the impossible: to make headlamps cool.
Dishwasher's Dilemma
Can I use nonpurified water to rinse my dishes?
Rip & Go: King's Canyon CA, Shenandoah VA
From routes to food to post-hike brewski, we've got your weekend backpacking plans dialed. This week, we've got three killer adventures in Kings Canyon and Shenandoah. Ready? Read. Rip. Go!
ARC'TERYX Cierzo 18
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
ARC'TERYX Cierzo 25
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
ARC'TERYX Cierzo 35
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
ARC'TERYX Spear 25
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
ARC'TERYX Spear 20
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Sierra Designs Ministry
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Lofty Design
Our map of the day charts the nations's highest points.
Ask A Bear: Why Did You Destroy My Van?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'
Backcountry Bartender: Hot Toddy–Old and New School
Learn to make the classic cold weather cocktail and get a primer on a new version that's sure to impress your tent-mates
Does a down sleeping bag go bad?
I have an old The North Face expedition down bag. It has been in storage for 35 years. It looks good still, but will it fall apart?
Gear Review: Sherpa Thamel Hard Shell Jacket
Light on the wallet and on the back...and perfect for hunting salamanders.
Backcountry Ski Packs
I am looking for a hydration pack for day ski trips this winter–need to attach skis, shovel, probe, food, and a few pieces of clothes.
Gear Review: Aerobed Pakmat Camping Air Mattress
If you're going to sleep in the frontcountry, you might as well spoil yourself.
Prof. Hike: The 10 (Un)Essentials
Gear, gizmos, and doodads you never should buy
Everest Gets 3G Cell Phone Service
Private company installs eight cell towers on Nepal side of Everest.
Ask A Bear: Will A Flashlight Make You Mad?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'
Fall/Winter Gear Guide: Best Winter Trips
We traveled to Fjordland and discovered that nothing compares to skiing glacier-clad mountains above deep-water fjords. Plus: 20 winter adventures, from California to New York.
Top 25 Winter Trips: United States
Find the best skiing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and winter camping trips in the U.S.
Cure For the November Hiking Blues
Northwest editor Michael Lanza drops beta on his favorite fall trips
Fall Gear Guide: Norway Gear Test
Follow the editors as they test gear on Norway's Folgefonna Glacier.
Best Winter Trips: 10th Mountain Division Huts, Colorado
Get backcountry spoils--snorkel-deep pow on remote Rockies peaks--with frontcountry comforts (warm fire and hot toddies, anyone?) in this famed hut system. More than 350 miles of trails wind through prime winter terrain, connecting the 31 full-service cabins.
Best Winter Trips: White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire
Few places serve up fierce, unpredictable winter weather quite like Mt. Washington, the 6,288-foot capstone of New Hampshire's White Mountains. Battle hurricane-force winds--and 20-plus feet of annual snowfall--while tackling the East's best mountaineering, or choose from hundreds of miles of snowy trails for a lower elevation romp.
Gear Review: Zerogoo Fuel Injector System
A gel/water system for those hard efforts when stopping and refueling isn't an option.