Fix Anything: DIY Gear Repair
Build yourself the ultimate gear-cleaning and maintenance kit to keep performance at its peak.
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How to Purchase the Right Tent
Purchase a tent that fits and make it last forever with these key tips.
Gear Review: REI Cirque ASL 2 Mountaineering Tent
A weather worthy two-person tent
Gear Review: Hilleberg Jannu Mountaineering Tent
A roomy, lightweight tent that can handle big weather
Gear Review: Black Diamond Skylight Mountaineering Tent
A strong, superlight two-person tent with lavish space
Gear Review: Sierra Designs Zolo 3 Tent
A palatial three-person tent with two giant vestibules
Gear Review: MSR Carbon Reflex 3 Tent
Weather-worthy three-person tents don't come any lighter than this one.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Drifter 3 Tent
A bargain three-person tent
Gear Review: Big Agnes Hager House Tent
This three-person tent can be pitched in a variety of ways, depending on your trip.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Skyledge 2.1 Tent
Check out Kelly Bastone's author page.
Gear Review: Kelty Gunnison Pro Tent
If you want a dependable three-season shelter that can handle light winter conditions, this is it.
Gear Review: Sierra Designs LT Strike 2 Tent
Choose this tent for its awesome space-to-weight ratio, and use it in moderate three-season conditions.
Gear Review: Marmot Haven 2P Tent
This roomy tent weighs less than four pounds yet offers 56 square feet of space.
Gear Review: NEMO Morpho 1P Tent
The Morpho is like three tents in one.
Gear Review: GoLite Eden 1P Tent
This durable tent wins "Best All Around" for the one-person category.
Gear Review: Big Sky Mirage 1P Tent
Goodbye bivy sack, hello headroom.
Gear Review: Eureka! Forte SQ 2XT Tent
With moderate weight and ample interior space for two, this freestanding double-wall hits a value sweet spot.
Ask A Bear: Breastfeeding Around Bears?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'
Recall: Ardica Mountain Hardwear Heating Jackets
Ardica recalls heating units in several jackets, citing potential for overheating and injury
Measure Your Torso for a Perfect Backpack Fit
Measure your torso to guarantee a perfect fit. Then hit the gear shop with our proven buying tips to find the best pack for your body type.
The 10 Survival Essentials
Update your survival kit for 2010.
Gear Review: Osprey Aether 70/Ariel 65 Weeklong Pack
Don't worry, the updates to these tried-and-true packs are worthy.
Gear Review: REI XT 85/XT 75 Weeklong Pack
These packs have everything but added weight.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Wiki 65/Nalu 60 Weeklong Pack
This pack is always comfortable regardless of weight.
Gear Review: Deuter ACT Lite 65 + 10/60 + 10 SL Weeklong Pack
This pared-down pack hauls big loads.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Infinity 60/Innova 60 Weeklong Pack
A dynamic suspension gives this pack all-day comfort.
Gear Review: Mammut Trion Guide 45+ Weekend Pack
Soft shoulder blade and lumbar pads ensure comfort no matter the payload.
Gear Review: Mountainsmith Lariat 65+/Juniper 50+ Weekend Pack
These Transformers-worthy packs sport convertible fanny packs and summit packs.
Gear Review: Deuter Spectro AC 32/28SL
This stable pack is made for rough terrain.
Gear Review: Granite Gear Escape AC 60/Escape AC 60 K Ultralight Weekend Pack
A great choice for mileage-oriented trekkers who want an ultralight pack that can handle any load.
Gear Review: Gregory Z55/Jade 50
This pack has total load transfer, comfort, and a conveniently laid-out packbag.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Fluid 32 Daypack
This daypack wears skis and ice axes as accessories.
Gear Review: CamelBak Vantage 35/Vista 32 Hydration Pack
Carry up to 100 ounces of hydration power with this comfortable daypack.
Gear Review: Kelty Lakota 4000 Weekend Pack
This pack hits a sweet spot for affordability and performance.
Gear Review: ClikElite Nature 35 Camera Pack
This is a true hiker's camera pack.
Gear Review: Marmot Eiger 40 XT Daypack
This workhorse pack has been redesigned with an easy-access opening.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Nitro/Pulse Daypack
This daypack is made for scrambling and holds up to 25 pounds.
Wildlife To Humans: 'Shut Up!'
New report shows human noise—even from hikers—can interfere with wildlife
Teton Boulder Project
Jackson residents, climbers, rangers, and pols join forces to establish community bouldering park
Another Fallen
Portland hiker's body found Saturday, ending a 9-day search
Green Scene Gear: Green Wax
all natural ski and snowbaord wax won't pollute
Fish Fall from the Sky in Australia
freak event or new hazard of global warming?
Backpacker Photo School: How'd They Get The Cover Shot?
BACKPACKER cover photographer Seth Hughes shares the tricks and tips that helped him land the cover for our 2010 Gear Guide.
Update: Officials 'Close To Certain' Wolves Killed Alaskan Teacher
Autopsy reveals likely second documented wolf attack in North America
Obama's Yellowstone Vacation Video
White House releases footage of the president's summer visit to Yellowstone. Guest starring: Ken Burns!
Trail Chef: The Secret to Perfect Cheese Grits
It's time to make breakfast the most important meal of the day.
Editors' Choice Awards 2010/Gear Guide 2010 Table of Contents
Check out The Backpacker Editors & Contributors's author page.
Possible Fatal Wolf Attack in Alaska
A bold wolf pack is being blamed for killing a teacher near Chignik Lake, Alaska
New Ansel Adams Photos On Display
The Interior Department displays 26 unreleased photos from the National Archives
Gear Test: Powder Day
BACKPACKER takes Black Diamond's new skis for a backcountry powder spin
Ask A Bear: Kids and Mountain Lions?
Our resident bruin expert answers all your questions in our weekly feature, 'Ask A Bear.'
Click And Send A Kid To Camp!
Mountain Hardwear donates $1 to get kids outdoors for every time you visit their site
Hunter Shoots and Kills Ranger Mistaken For Coyote
U.S. Forest Service officer shot while patrolling Georgia's Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
America's Greatest Conservationist Dies
Edgar Wayburn, five-time Sierra Club president and biggest protector of American wilderness, dies at 103
Late homework hand-in blog
Tough women, tender burgers and old hippies
Building A Compass Table
Navigation freaks will thrill to this DIY contraption
Lunchbox Disaster Roundup: 3-08
The beloved star of our in-book feature "The Predicament," Lunchbox the Cadaver Sniffing Dog, brings you a round-up of this week's outdoor predicaments, disasters, and near-misses
Backpacker Photo School: How to edit your photos
Shooting photos out on the trail is only step one. Step two is at your computer. Maximize the impact of your photos by making a few easy adjustments.
March 2010 Table of Contents
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Basic Hip Belay Instructions
Learn the proper belay and safety technique for scrambling on steep terrain.
Editors' Choice 2010: Climbing the Monch
BACKPACKER editors cap their Swiss gear-testing trip with a climb of the 13,474-foot Monch.
Gear Review: CamelBak Flow Meter
This digital device measures both how much you've drunk and how many ounces you have left in your hydration reservoir.
Liquid Assets: Hydration Gadgets
Quench your backcountry thirst with these new water (and wine!) products.
Headlamps Test: Lightest of the Lights
We hike and camped through 78 inky nights from Whitney to Katahdin to evaluate five featherweight headlamps--then ran a battery of controlled tests to rank brightness and longevity.
Shoot Photos Like a Pro: Photo Survival Guide
The outdoors can be tough on a camera, so be prepared with this survival guide.
Shoot Photos Like a Pro
Our top photographers share their secrets. Plus: 6 trail-friendly cameras.
Shoot Photos Like a Pro: Cameras
You can't shoot like a pro, if you don't have the right camera. Here, six models for every type of shooter.
Shoot Like a Pro: Cameras – Panasonic DMC LX3K
This point-and-shoot works great in low light and has manual controls.
Shoot Like a Pro: Cameras – Pentax Optio W80
This waterproof, freezeproof, crushproof camera produces vivid photos and video.
Shoot Like a Pro: Cameras – Olympus Stylus Tough-8000
This slim, waterproof point-and-shoot has great image stabilization.
Shoot Like a Pro: Cameras – Olympus E-P1
This Olympus has interchangeable lenses that take magazine-worthy shots.
Shoot Like a Pro: Cameras – Pentax K-x
This DSLR is under $700 and works great for landscape and wildlife shots.
Editors' Choice 2010 Videos: Zamberlan 760 Steep GT
This uncommonly comfortable boot tackles the biggest terrain in our video review.
How to Shoot Like a Pro: Cameras – Nikon D300s
This still and video camera comes complete with 10 in-camera editing features.
Shoot Photos Like a Pro: Photo Editing Software
Refine your work with these top programs.
Shoot Photos Like a Pro: Exposure
Learn the basics of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO.
Shoot Photos Like a Pro: Wildlife
Capture great wildlife photos with patience and know-how regarding their movements and your camera.
Shoot Photos Like a Pro: Night Photography
Avoid grainy nighttime shots by shooting at a low ISO.
Shoot Photos Like a Pro: Action Shots
Learn when to stop the action or pan along for the best shot.
Shoot Photos Like a Pro: Summits
Emphasize the steepness, and the accomplishment, with these techniques.