Taste Test: Beef Jerky
Rich flavors and moist textures take top honors with these trail snacks
All Content
Paddling's Greatest Getaways
16 wild ways to find backcountry solitude and big-time scenery. All this, and you can bring the ice chest, too.
The Specialist: Climb Better At Altitude
Feel good at 10,000 feet with advice from a Rainier guide.
The Trip: Swamp-Whacking
Pioneer a brand-new trail in Louisiana's Atchafalaya swamp, where the gators are friendly. Really.
Adventure Weekend: Hike Big Sur, California
Scratch the picturesque postcard surface of Big Sur...and there's far more than you imagined, including hot springs and high-rise trails.
The Works: Trek Tasmania
Up high and down under--Tasmania's wildest hiking route.
Backpack, Raft, and Sea Kayak Wild Quebec
Canada's outdoor playground par excellence
Sunglasses Review: The North Face Adrenaline Pack Glasses
Sunglasses built so strong they'd knock out ZZ Top--despite the price.
Tent Review: Big Agnes Sarvis SL1 eVent
If solitude is your thing, dish out the extra green for this spacious, sturdy solo tent.
Cooking Review: Flatworld Orikaso Dish
Multi-use cookware fit for gear geeks, geniuses, or anyone willing to sacrifice soup for space.
Backpack Review: Indigo Rox 60
A special pocket makes hydration easier for backpackers carrying this midsize.
Foot Fixes: How to Deal with 4 Common Boot Problems
Prevent blisters, hike grit-free, and find arch support in a lightweight boot
Boot Review: Five Light Hikers
Introducing a new breed of synthetic boots: fast, nimble, and surprisingly supportive.
The Fix: How to Reattach A Pack Strap
Repair a busted backpack with this simple sewing technique
Hike, Paddle, and Fish in Seattle
Appreciate Seattle's fresh and saltwater beaches, plentiful forests, and the 27-mile urban path as much as locals after a long, wet winter.
Epicenter: The Scene In Skagway, Alaska
The stampede is over--but not the fun--in this trailhead town.
The Cure: Beating Sunburn
Hot first aid tips for treating sunburn
Instant Weekend Menu
Cooking tips and recipes for easy backcountry meals
Next Level: Scrambling Steep Peaks
Don't let a steep hike keep you from the best views. Put these vital mountaineering tips to use this weekend.
The Specialist: Don't Get Sunburned
A lifeguard's guide to using sunscreen
Hot and Bothered: Wildlife and Global Warming
Climate change isn't just melting glaciers--it's messing with wildlife everywhere
Backpacking, Kayaking, and Mountain Biking in the Upper Peninsula
Michigan's Upper Peninsula has way more than big lakes. Explore it all by foot, paddle, or pedal.
The Works: Paddling The Maine Island Trail
Kayak island-to-island on the Maine coast
Baby On Board: Hiking with Infants
Simple solutions for backpacking with new babies
Conditioning Your Abs: Strong To The Core
Haul hefty loads more easily by strengthening your midsection.
Backpack, Paddle, and Climb in Idaho
Idaho is full of surprises--whitewater in the country's deepest canyon, endless climbing at City of Rocks, and high, wild scrambles in the Sawtooths.
Hike, Bike, and Row in Phoenix
Prolong summer weather by planning a vacation to the mountains and waters of heat-blessed Arizona. You'll soon understand what makes Phoenicians so proud.
Boot Review: Salomon Pro Sticky Mid 2
Channel your nimble-footed inner child with these grippy, hikeable shoes.
Boot Review: Lafuma Cross Tour GTX
Excellent fit, support, and waterproofing set a high bar for low-priced boots.
Water Bottle Review: Guyot Designs Gription
Prevent embarassing, water-wasting splashes by replacing your water bottle's lid with the Gription.
Trail Accessories Review: AntiGravityGear AT Mapdana
The Harry Potter hat for AT hikers: a bandanna that doubles as the key to the trail.
The Fix: Boots That Cause Blisters
Don't throw big-ticket boots in the bin when a quick makeover will do the trick.
Sleeping Bag Review: Mountain Hardwear Lamina 32
This sack earns high marks as an affordable, versatile summer bag.
Tent Review: Tarptent Cloudburst
This upgrade suits the fastpacker's need for a roomy, bugproof tent during hot and humid nights.
Ultralight Shell Review: Save Weight, Money, and Time
Keep your wallet and load a little lighter with Outdoor Research, Marmot, and Integral Designs
Boot Review: L.L. Bean Gore-Tex Ridge Runner Hiker Mids
These nimble shoes are a steal for hikers with narrow feet.
Boot Review: Salomon Extend Mid
On hot summer days, these breathable shoes beat the heat.
Boot Review: Hi-Tec Apex
A cushy sole makes these a good choice for long trail days.
The Lost Trail: Chasing Yellowstone's Nez Perce Path
Hike a historic long path through Yellowstone--if you're lucky enough to find it.
The Cure: Treating Bee Stings
Health tips for backpackers experiencing life-threatening or just plain annoying bee stings on the trail
Taste Test: Battle Of The Bars
31 flavors, 12 discerning testers, 4 clear energy bar winners
Preserving Paradise: Glen Canyon
Drought has brought the canyon back. Would national park status keep it that way?
Ultimate Summer Escapes: The Best Dayhikes and Backpacking Trips Near You
Coming soon to your city: far-out adventures that are shockingly close to home.
Liquid Energy: Hydration Tips
Improve your performance with the right drinking strategy
Epicenter: The Scene In Grand Lake, Colorado
Slide through Rocky Mountain National Park's mellower back door.
Top 3: Fishing-Hole Hikes
Classic hike-in spots in Wyoming, South Carolina, and Oregon let you ditch the trail mix for pan-fried fish.
Boston: Hike, Bike, and Paddle
Beantowners are seeing the light at the end of the Big Dig tunnel, and it's a beautiful shade of green.
Backpack, Paddle, and Mountain Bike along California's North Coast
See all (or any) of northern California's three faces.
Cooking Review: Splurge on a Spoon?
Two editors debate whether one stainless steel spoon beats many (much lighter) free ones.
The Works: Climb Mt. McKinley
Experience the nighttime sky from 20,320 feet up majestic Mt. McKinley -- but first read our guide to the trip.
Alive Again: New Findings in the 1972 Andes Plane Crash
Colorado climber Ricardo Peña's surprising discovery raises new questions in the infamous tale of survival
What Kind Of Digital Camera Should You Buy?
Not sure if you need a digital camera you can put in your pocket or one with all the lenses and accessories? No problem. Here's a guide to help you make the right choice.
Picture Perfect: Photography Tips
Troubleshooting tips for 9 common problems
Trail Tips: Outdoor Photography
6 tricks for successful backcountry shooting
Digital 201: Photography Skills
Add valuable intermediate techniques to your shooting repertoire.
Digital 101: Photography Skills
Learn your camera's capabilities by doing, not reading.
Digital Cameras: Frequently Asked Questions
Before you buy a camera, you have to get some details straight. Here's a list of the most frequently asked questions and their answers.
Outdoor Photography: Anatomy of a Digital Camera
At first glance, digital cameras can be intimidating. Use this guide to take the guesswork out of the features on your camera.
Three Ways To Save: Budget 3-Season Bags
Three field-tested bags and how they'll save money, space, and your feet
Backpack Review: Lafuma Pro 4810 Light
Cram all of your stuff and your hiking partner's five extra bags of gorp into this light daypack.
Footwear Review: Gear for Rainier
Stop dreaming, start planning with our top tips and picks for boots and gaiters
Post-Hike Massage: Here's The Rub
4 techniques to soothe trail-weary muscles
Night Hiking: A Walk In The Dark
A beginner's guide to after-hours hiking
Hike, Paddle, and Bike in Denver
Feel mile-high by hiking foothills, paddling downtown, and pedaling Mt. Falcon Park.
The Unbearable Lightness Of Being Scott Williamson
To hike from Mexico to Canada and back, a man needs strength and speed and luck. He needs something else, too. If only he knew what it was.
Trail Cooking: The Low-Impact Kitchen
9 tips for Leave No Trace dining
The Specialist: Breathe Easy
7 tricks for averting on-the-trail allergies
Top 3: Native Art Hikes
Explore burial effigies, seven-foot petroglyphs, and images etched in lava as you discover the ultimate mix of manmade and natural beauty.
Epicenter: The Scene In North Creek, New York
Hike, climb and fish the wild Adirondacks
Homeland Insecurity: Vermont's Long Trail
The Long Trail offers steep climbs and solitude-and a whiff of border intrigue.
Survival Gear: Ultimate Survival Kit
Want to make it out alive? Consider packing these 17 items carried by a veteran Yosemite search-and-rescue ranger.
Hiking Telluride's Blue Lakes Trail
It's not just one of America's best campsites. The Blue Lakes Trail below Mt. Sneffels is gorgeous the whole way.
Gear Reviews: Editors' Choice 2005
New Zealand is pretty to look at, but harsh on gear--making it just what we needed for our Kiwi challenge.
Next Level: Off-Trail Navigation
Use a map, compass, and GPS unit to plot an ambitious route with this beginner's guide to bushwhacking
Backpack Review: Gregory G Pack
This ultralight weekender stabilizes any load
Technology Review: Contact 3.0 Hiking Package
Satellite broadcasting gets light, cheap, and trailworthy
Editors' Choice Gold Awards 2005
Two tried-and-true favorites--the Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero and the Smith Sliders sunglasses--join our gear hall of fame
Apparel Review: Teko Socks
These Editors' Choice Green Award-winning socks are soft on the planet-and your feet
Accessory Review: New Balance Ultra Arch Support Inserts
Pamper your feet with the most supportive footbeds we've tested
Sunglasses Review: Smith Sliders
Winners of the 2005 Editors' Choice Gold Award, these innovative shades continue to lead eyewear evolution.