Editor's Choice Green Awards April 2007
Pacific Outdoor ECO Thermo 6 Sleeping Pad, REI Global Warming Initiative, and the Timberland Green Index are tops to the green eyes of Backpacker
All Content
Editor's Choice Green Award April 2006
Patagonia implements the Common Threads Recycling Program to reuse your old Capilene long underwear tops and bottoms
How to Buy PVC-Free Gear
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is waterproof and durable, but the manufacturing process creates carcinogens
Phenomenon: The Life Cycle of Wildfires
Global warming creates conditions that invite larger and more frequent forest fires. Here's how.
Phenomenon: Snowmelt
Rising alpine temperatures and polluted snow are threatening snowpack–and the water it generates.
Minnesota's Boundary Waters Face Extermination By Climate Change
As temperatures rise, Minnesota's North Woods will likely go up in smoke.
I, Citizen Scientist
Learn how you can help combat climate change by researching everything from Alaska's Bering Glacier to tracking pumas in Argentina through citizen scientist programs
The Impact of Climate Change on Florida's Everglades, Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias
What do Florida's Everglades and Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias have in common? Both face uncertain futures as temperatures rise.
Can a Lime-Green Vegetable-Oil-Powered Beetle Save the Earth?
One writer ditches his S.U.V. for a vegetable oil-powered Volkswagon Beetle and drives into the Sierras to hike the Pacific Crest Trail and test his environmentalist platitudes
National Parks Report Card
We surveyed more than 40 scientists, conservationists, and professional adventurers, then ranked the 15 parks that are most in peril from climate change.
Stay Warm On the Trail and In Camp
On the trail and in camp, beat the cold with these tips.
How to Waterproof Everything
From your tent, to your bivy sack, to yourself, learn how to stay dry and comfortable.
How to Survive A Night Without Gear
When a day hike turns into an overnight, learn how to take care of yourself.
How to Treat Poison Ivy
Beat the itchy stuff with creams or homeopathic measures.
Survive a Snakebite
Learn the steps to take if you're bitten by a poisonous snake.
Escape From Unfriendly Natives
On the trail black bears, skunks, grizzlies, rattlesnakes, and ticks are not your friend. Learn how to side-step them.
How to Keep Bears Away
Learn your black bears from your brown bears then figure out how to keep them away from your camp.
Leave No Trace Principles
On the trail and at the campsite, there's plenty you can do to leave nature...natural.
7 Strategies for Keeping the Backcountry Pristine
Here are the seven guidelines to Leave No Trace
Packing List: Repair Kit
Don't let a busted strap or a deflating tent ruin your trip. Pack these essentials and at all times and you'll be covered.
Eating Well On the Trail
GORP is great...for a snack. Backpacker offers some pointers on keeping your energy up while on the trail.
Reader-Submitted Gorp Recipes
The trail-staple GORP gets a face lift with these reader-submitted recipes
How to Organize a Backpack
By loading your backpack properly you protect your gear and prevent back issues--plus it's easy to find the gear you need.
Calculate Trouble
Time is of the essence in the backcountry. Learn how long it will take an impending thunderstorm or avalanche to find you.
How to Read Topo Maps
Dotted, dashed, and curvy. Red, blue, and brown. All these colors and styles criss-cross a topo map. Learn what they mean.
Learn How to Stay On Course
By understanding your terrain, knowing your pace, and reading the map regularly you can stay on course wherever you are.
18 Sudden Threats: The Right and Wrong Responses
Things happen fast in the wilderness. It's important to learn the right and wrong actions beforehand so you can react accordingly.
Navigation 101: Understanding Your Compass
If you don't know what triangulation is, read this article.
How to Protect Your Map From the Elements
While you're cozy in your waterproof jacket, your map has to face the rain, or snow, or mud, alone. Learn how to protect this precious piece of paper.
How to Align Your Compass
Learn how to orient your map with a few basic compass skills
Backpacking 101: How to Get Started
Take these 21 trail tips to heart, and you're virtually guaranteed a good hike.
Pretrip Planning
A successful hike often starts with a bit of research.
Gear-Buying Tips
Before shopping for gear it's important to plan a budget, do your research, and prioritize.
Gear: Clothing
Clothing is gear that's just as important as a tent or sleeping bag. We'll help you choose wisely.
Gear: Choosing the Right Pair of Hiking Boots
Pick the boot that's right for you with this guide.
Gear: Tents 101
There's a bewildering array of tent options available, including hundreds of three-season tents and specialized models built for hot deserts, Arctic summits, and steamy rain forests.
Gear: Accessories
From water purifiers to first-aid kits, these accessories are also essentials.
Gear: Packs
It's important to consider loading, capacity, and pockets when choosing which pack to buy.
How to Build Hiking Endurance
Check out Clyde Soles, Climbing: Training for Peak Performance's author page.
Get Trail-Fit Indoors
Get ready for hiking season indoors with this training plan.
Editors' Choice Award Winner: Mountainsmith Phoenix Backpack
Dennis Lewon shows you why the Mountainsmith Phoenix won this year's Green Award at the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City. See why this pack from Mountainsmith went home with our Editors' Choice Award.
Editors' Choice Award Winner: Scarpa Kailash Boot
Editor in Chief Jon Dorn showcases this award winner at the 2008 Outdoor Retailer Show.
Outdoor Retailer Highlights: Merrell Gatherer Jacket
Backpacker Map Editor Kris Wagner shows off one of the cooler jackets at this year's show. The Merrell Gatherer has zipper access that allows you to stuff the jacket with your own insulation.
Editors' Choice Gold Award Winner: Marmot Sleeping Bags
Backpacker Deputy Editor Dennis Lewon reports live from the 2008 Winter Outdoor Retailer Show on why Marmot's tried and true sleeping bags were given an Editors' Choice Gold Award.
Why Backpackers Need to Eat Protein
Protein helps hikers regulate their metabolism, repair tired muscle, and boost their immune system.
The Workout: Hike Farther, Hike Stronger
Want legs that can tackle any climb, any heavy pack, any mileage? Well, don't work harder–work smarter. We grilled fitness experts and scoured the medical literature to uncover the latest, greatest strategies for building strength, endurance, speed, and flexibility.
Make Your Sleeping Bag Warmer
8 easy ways to fortify your sleeping bag
Waterborne Parasites
How long can waterborne parasites survive on the outside of a Lexan bottle?
Mosquito Prevention
Will eating match heads containing sulfur keep mosquitoes away?
Editors' Choice Award Winner: GSI Dualist Stove
Kristin Hostetter breaks down (and puts back together) GSI's killer cooking system at the 2008 Winter Outdoor Retailer Show.
Time To Go: Winter Tracking
Hit the wilderness in search of beasts big and small.
Sleeping Bag Repair Tips
Learn what you can and can't fix yourself on a sleeping bag.
180s Expands Presence in Global Marketplace
A leading US manufacturer of apparel and accessories announced a number of new distribution partnerships in Canada, Western Europe and Japan.
High Sierra Donates To Breast Cancer Research
High Sierra Sport Company Donates to A Silver Lining Foundation and Susan G. Komen For the Cure Chicagoland Affilitiate: The Company to Support The Third Annual "Dancing With Chicago Celebrities" Benefit.
Vibram Expands Group of Trail Running Partners
Vibram continues to expand on its successful mission of reaching a younger, broader audience with work for innovators in the trail running field.
South America, Europe To Host ATTA 2008 Adventure Travel World Summits
The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) today announced it will host two distinct Adventure Travel World Summits in 2008 on two continents.
SOLE Signs On As Title Sponsor of Baja Travesia Adventure Race
SOLE, makers of performance custom footbeds, socks and sandals, has inked a deal to be the title sponsor of the third annual Baja Travesia Adventure Race.
How to Sleep Soundly In a Sleeping Bag
On your next camping trip, be sure to heed these 10 tips for sleeping like a log
How to Store and Clean a Sleeping Bag
Keep your sleeping bag up to fluff with proper care and handling, including storing, washing/drying, and special considerations.
Sleeping Bag Terminology
Impress your friends–and understand any salesperson–by learning all sorts of sleeping bag lingo.
Become a Savvy Sleeping Bag Shopper
Five questions to ask yourself before you buy a sleeping bag
Learn to Patch a Sleeping Pad
Editor in Chief Jon Dorn teaches you how to fix a ripped sleeping pad in this skills video.
Swelling Hands
My wife's hands swell when she hikes. Is she in danger?
3 Ways to See Mexico's Pacific Coast
Secluded coastline and bikable rain forests are just two things waiting for you in Mexico
Pick the Perfect Pack: Measure Your Torso Length
One of the most critical pieces to finding the ideal backpack is your torso length. Backpacker Gear editor Kristin Hostetter shows you how to get started.
Calculate Your V02 Max
Learn to calculate this essential fitness metric.
Pack Fitting 101: Size and Buy the Perfect Backpack
Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter drops some knowledge on how to find, fit, and buy your perfect backpack.
Wash Your Sleeping Bag Correctly
It's not as easy as it sounds. Jon Dorn shows you how to wash your sleeping bag correctly to make it last as long as possible.
Find the Perfect Sleeping Bag
Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter breaks down the basics of sizing the right bag.
Climbing Longs Peak
Join the Backpacker staff as they bag Longs Peak in this exclusive on-the-scene video.
Clean Your Hydration Unit
Jon Dorn shows you how to clean and store your hydration unit after a long day on the trail.
2007 Editors' Choice Award Winners: MSR Reactor and Primus EtaPower Camp Stoves
Backpacker Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter breaks down two of the best camp stoves of 2007 on the trail.
The Backpacker Smackdown: Testing the CamelBak
Backpacker associate editor Shannon Davis puts the CamelBak hydration system through the wringer... Shannon Davis puts the CamelBak hydration system through the wringer...
Smash Your Fitness Barriers With Heart-Rate Training
Become a better hiker. Build speed, endurance, and strength all through heart-rate training.
Does Altitude Impact Alcohol Stoves?
How good are the alcohol stoves at high elevations and/or any elevation?
Seam Seal
What's the best way to re-attach seam seal tape that is pulling away from waterproof fabric items such as a waterproof stuff sack or tent fly?
Down vs. Synthetic
Down versus synthetic sleeping bags: What's the deal?
Purify Water
Can I safely purify water inside my CamelBak hydration reservoir?
Hypothermia Risks
Do high-blood pressure medications increase my risk of hypothermia while hiking in negative-40°F weather?
Shin Splints
How can I prevent shin splints when I hike downhill?