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Choosing the Right Puffy Jacket
Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter walks you through the array of puffy jacket options on the shelves.
Starry Sky Hikes
Take advantage of dark skies by hiking away from city lights to starry skyscapes that'd make van Gogh weep. Here's links to six of our favorites.
Gear Review: Asolo Moran GTX Hiking Boots
Lightweight boots that are comfortable enough to wear on dayhikes, yet burly enough to mount on to a pair of crampons for three-season summit efforts.
Is it Unsafe to Hike in Sandals?
I have found hiking in the sandals works for me because I can also use them as camp shoes, they dry fast, and they're so much lighter than my boots. Do you see any safety issues with do this?
Budget Apparel Guide: $100 Rainshells
Our testers endured a year's worth of wet, cold conditions to find six lightweight jackets that will keep your body dry and your wallet plump.
Budget Apparel Guide: Apparel – Insulation
From mild autumn evenings to winter's deep freeze, here's how to stay warm for less.
Budget Apparel Guide: Bargain Baselayers
For $35 or less, keep your core warm and toasty.
VIDEOS: Winter Test Fest
Video footage & backcountry skills tips from Backpacker's winter ski testing in Norway & Colorado.
Backpacker Photo School: Continuous Shooting
Sometimes it's hard to capture a photo of exactly the right moment in time. Get the best shot, by shooting on continuous mode. Keep reading to learn how.
Gear Review: Women's Active Bottoms
For those times on the trail when serious hiking pants are overkill.
Gear Review: Casio Pathfinder Solar-Powered Watch
With solar power and atomic timekeeping, you'll never be late for a summit bid again.
Recipe: Tuna Salad with Sprouts
A simple tuna salad gets a nutritional punch with the addition of bean sprouts.
Camp Chef Makeover: Scurvy Guy
If your backpacking menu excludes anything fresh, read on for a few helpful tips.
Recipe: Easy Coconut Curry
Bring some spice to backcountry cooking with this easy, flavorful curry recipe.
Camp Chef Makeover: Mr. Lite, Fast, & Drab
Backcountry cooking doesn't have to mean bland.
Camp Chef Makeover: 7-Eleven Shopper
Fast food leads to fast crashes trailside.
Recipe: Smoked Salmon Pasta
A decadent pasta dish built for the backcountry.
Camp Chef Makeover: Mess Sergeant
Cook for a group...with style.
Recipe: Pepper and Pesto Omelet
Breakfast for two, any time of the day.
Camp Chef Makeover: The Foiled Foodie
Prevent fresh food spoilage on the trail with these tips.
Ask A Bear: Can Wasp Spray Repel You?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'
Gear Review: REI MTS Polartec Power Dry Midweight Base Layer
Check out Katie Herrell's author page.
Recipe: Apple-Raisin 'No Freeze' Oatmeal Bars
An easy, year-round homemade snack.
Camp Chef Makeover: The Winter Hiker
Staying warm does require extra calories when hiking in the winter.
Camp Chef Makeover: The Sweets Lover
If you have a sweet tooth, you'll love this on-trail Cherry Cobbler.
Recipe: Smoked Trout with White Wine Sauce
A gourmet meal designed for the backcountry.
Camp Chef Makeover: Mr. Heavyweight
Packing the kitchen for a weekend away? We'll help you pare down.
NY Times: Wilderness Isn't Safe
Northwest Editor Michael Lanza refutes a recent NYT opinion column decrying safety hazards of federal wilderness areas
Recipe: Ginger Garlic Soba
Punch up boring noodles with ginger and garlic.
Camp Chef Makeover: Lady Blah-Blah
Break out of the boring one-pot routine.
Recipe: Falafel with Tahini Sauce
Boost your on-trail protein intake with this tasty dish.
Camp Chef Makeover: The Herbivore
Easy ways to take protein on the trail without involving meat or overly fortified energy bars.
Gear School: Merino Wool
This all-natural wonder fabric keeps you warm, cool, and stink-free.
Fit to Be Tied: Four Common Knots Every Hiker Should Know
From the power cinch to the clove hitch, here are four knots every hiker should know.
The Manual: Travel Off-Trail
Navigate across scree, snow, and rivers without getting blocked or lost.
Trail Chef: No-Burn Chocolate Fondue
A fast, simple way to make silky fondue that's easy to clean
Gear Review: Kenyon Eco-Therm Base Layer
Recycled polyester and bamboo makes this a super green baselayer.
Gear Review: Hot Chillys PeachSkins Performance Wear Base Layer
A fuzzy top that never smells.
Gear Review: Wickers Softsilk Thermal Base Layer
Lightweight and fast drying
Gear Review: Outlast Mid-Weight Base Layers
Outlast fabric regulates your body temperature for you.
Gear Review: PolarMAX Tech Waffle Crew Base Layer
Ski patrol approved
Gear Review: REI MTS Polartec Power Dry Midweight Base Layer
A baselayer made for high-exertion activities.
Should You Bring "Backup" Essential Gear?
On one hand it seems logical to bring an extra compass, flashlight, knife etc., but on the other it usually just turns out to be dead weight. What's your take on it?
Gear Bargain Hunting: Fleece
Check out Kristin Hostetter's author page.
Gear Review: L.L. Bean Goose Down Jacket
For the cost, you won't find a warmer down jacket.
Gear Review: Sierra Designs Toaster Jacket
A bargain waterproof insulated shell that is Rainier worthy.
Gear Review: Merrell Charade Puffy Jacket
A synthetic puffy that turns into a neck pillow.
Gear Review: L.L. Bean Cresta Wool Midweight Base Layer Crew
A cheap(er) merino crew that stays stink-free.
Gear Review: Sierra Designs Isotope Nano Rain Jacket
The lightest jacket in our under-$100 test.
Gear Review: Columbia Hail Tech Rain Jacket
A cold-weather rain jacket that's $90.
Gear Review: Helly Hansen Vancouver Rain Jacket
A $100 jacket which doesn't skimp on features.
Gear Review: Outdoor Research Rampart Rain Jacket
Ventilation on this jacket is top-notch.
Gear Review: MontBell Thunder Pass Rain Jacket
The most bomber shell in our test.
September 2010 Table of Contents
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Gear Review: Marmot PreCip Rain Jacket
There's nothing this bargain rain shell can't do.
Tree Jumping
Crazy fun for the crazy crazy.
ShaveMate Titan/Diva 6: All-in-One Razor & Shaving Cream
Hey porcupine face, your stubble troubles are over! This handy device makes shaving in the backcountry possible.
BACKPACKER Editors' Choice 2007: MSR Reactor and Primus EtaPower
These cooking systems offer remarkable power, efficiency, and wind resistance to gourmet cooks and noodle boilers alike.
Trail Chef: No-Burn Backcountry Fondue
Chocolate fondue for the backcountry that's mess-free and delicious.
Airwolf and the Grand Canyon
Do tourist-packed helicopters have a place in the Big Ditch's soundscape?
Beerpong! Kamakaze Cycling! Waterslides! Running! Guacamole and Cupcakes!
Team BACKPACKER does it all on MerrellÂ’s Oyster Racing Series in Denver
Gear Review: Sea to Summit Trash Dry Sack
This LNT-inspired Dry Sack helps you keep it clean in large groups.
What are the pros and cons of SAM splints and QuikClot bandages?
I'm a Wilderness First Responder student with a SAR K9 team, and would like to know your experience with them.
Ask A Bear: Which Park Has the Most Attacks?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'
'127 Hours' Trailer Debuts
Danny Boyle's adaptation of Aron Ralston story shows glimpses of beautiful deserts, high adventure, and that famous rock
Yellowstone Bears Are Hungry
A whitebark pine shortage has rangers worried about increased grizzly-human interactions
The Last Man On Earth
Brazilian officials create 31-square-mile wilderness zone around sole surviving member of uncontacted tribe
Backpacker Photo School: Getting Inspired
One of the best ways to improve your photography skills is to look at photography that's creative and inspiring. Think about what makes the photo attractive and why you like looking at it. Then try to do similiar things in your own photos.
Happy Friday: Print & Go Trip Planners
Our new, free Print & Go planners make your weekend adventure easy
Escaped Fugitives Caught in AZ Campground
Suspicious ranger in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest sics swat team on alleged murderers on the lam