SAR’s Secret Weapon: An Ultra-Running Volunteer
Ultrarunner Jeremy Humphrey could move effortlessly through the mountains. But when a hiker went missing in his home range, he decided to put his skills to a higher use.
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For Years, I Put Off Backpacking With My Dad. Then He Got Cancer.
Jobs, trips, moves: Every time I tried to hit the trail with my dad, life got in the way. Then something happened that made me realize just how much time I had wasted.
The Best Men’s Hiking Clothes of 2021
Pick the right layers for the trail and you won't just look better: You'll feel better and hike better too.
For Singer-Songwriter Alt Bloom, There’s Music in the Wilderness
The musician spills on shooting in Death Valley and his new National Geographic collaboration ahead of his Earth Day concert with Backpacker.
This Camp Coffee Gear Will Make You a Backcountry Barista
Check out Corey Buhay's author page.
Making the Outdoors More Accessible Takes All of Us
From non-profits to trail builders, organizations around the outdoors are working to make the simple pleasure of a day in the woods available to everyone. And they need your help.
Grizzly Bear Kills Backcountry Guide Near Yellowstone
Investigators shot and killed the bear after it charged.
Yosemite Reservations Are Back (and Your Days May Be About to Sell Out)
The popular California park will soon require reservations for day use—and it expects them to go quickly.
Chaco Z/Cloud
This hiking sandal delivers plush comfort even when the terrain gets rough.
Easy Slot Canyons and Idyllic Camping in Grand Staircase Escalante
Grand Staircase-Escalante’s Little Death Hollow takes you into one of the most remote corners of Utah.
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“Zoom” Back to Nature by Visiting Estes Park
After a year of virtual meet-ups and less-than-ideal fresh air intake, this Colorado mountain town is the perfect place to fill up your adventure tanks.
Could Thru-Hiking Be Bad For Your Health? A New Study Makes a Troubling Find.
Exercise may not be enough to make up for thru-hikers’ bad diets, a new paper suggests.
These 5 Multisport Shoes Are Ready for Any Adventure
Double your fun with a pair of shoes that's ready to pull double duty.
Deal of the Week: Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Sock
This long-lasting sock will carry you down the trail in comfort for years.
Start Your Day Off Sweet With These Carrot Cake Pancakes
This remixed pancake recipe is the breakfast of your dreams.
He Fell 70 Feet While Thru-Hiking the PCT. A Month Later, He Was Back on the Trail.
In the wake of a devastating accident, a thru-hiker reflects on perseverance, community, and not letting go of his PCT dreams.
6 Hiking Exercises for When You’re Too Busy to Work Out
Finding time to train is hard. Get trail-ready while you go about your day with these do-anywhere exercises.
She Was the BLM Director’s Harshest Critic. Now, She May Be His Replacement.
Career conservationist Tracy Stone-Manning will be nominated as the next director of the Bureau of Land Management.
The 5 Things Our Gear Editor Brings on Every Backpacking Trip
Gear comes and goes, but these constants are always in his pack.
We Successfully Summited—But the Descent Almost Killed Us
Check out Louisa Albanese's author page.
This Load-Eating Pack Helped Me Thru-Hike in Comfort
It may not be the lightest pack on the market, but the Gregory Baltoro 65 kept me pain-free and making miles even on the longest hikes of my life.
Speed Hiking for Science
What does hiking 800 miles in less than two weeks do to your body? Ultrarunner and FKT holder Joe McConaughy hit the Arizona Trail to find out.
Why Patagonia Won’t Put Your Company’s Logo On Its Clothing Anymore
The company’s push to extend its clothing’s lifespan may be the final nail in the coffin for Wall Street’s unofficial uniform
Mountain Hardwear Shade Lite Hoody
The best UV-busting hoody of 2021.
Orvis PRO Stretch Long-Sleeved Shirt
The best town-to-trail shirt of 2021.
Rhone Mako Short
Check out Amelia Arvesen's author page.
Fjällräven Abisko Midsummer Zip Off Trousers
The most versatile pants of 2021.
prAna Alameda Pants
The best heat-busting trouser of 2021.
The North Face Summit L2 VRT FUTUREFLEECE Crew
The best ultralight long sleeve of 2021.
Mountain Equipment Lumiko Hooded Jacket
The most versatile fleece of 2021.
Mons Royale Yotei Powder Hood LS
The best toasty midlayer of 2021.
Patagonia Altvia Alpine Pants
The best alpine-ready pants of 2021.
Patagonia Capilene Cool Merino Shirt
The best quick-dry top of 2021.
Matek Serval Squared Sports Bra 2.0
The best fiddle-free bra of 2021.
Smartwool Merino Sport 8-Inch Shorts
The best mile-crushing shorts of 2021.
Blyss Trail Skirt
The best natural-striding skort of 2021.
Helly Hansen W LIFA Merino Lightweight Crew
The best sweat-moving shirt of 2021.
Mammut Aconcagua Light ML Hooded Jacket
The best heat-trapping midlayer of 2021.
Unightie
The best unconventional sleepwear of 2021.
Rab Ascendor Light Pants
The best do-it-all bottoms of 2021.
Outdoor Research Equinox Cape Cap
The best ray-beating hat of 2021.
Beyond Clothing Women’s Veil Midweight K2 Pullover
The best budget-friendly hoody of 2021.
Why Thru-Hikers Should Buy Their Food on the Trail
Skip the resupply box: There are better uses for your time.
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Be Bear Prepared
Bear Safety Gear for Every Scenario
Bears Ears: The Story of the Country’s Most Controversial Monument
With the Biden administration mulling whether to restore Bears Ears to its original size, we dive into the history of America's most controversial national monument.
Deal of the Week: Osprey Kamber 42/Kresta 40
Get a jump on rounding out next winter's kit with this near-perfect pack.
Your Local Library Has Books, Movies—and Maybe a Backpack for You to Borrow
At public libraries in Washington and Colorado, members can check out a state park pass—and even gear—for their next trip.
Experience Every Season in a Day in the White Mountains
An abrupt shift in the weather turns into the best kind of White Mountains experience.
Stopped Up on the Trail? Here’s How to Make Doo.
Sudden diet changes can leave backpackers in an uncomfortable situation.
Flower Power: Impress Your Hiking Partners By ID’ing These 10 Common Blooms
Become a trail botanist. Learn to identify ten of our country's most common wildflowers
My Ultralight Backpacking Setup Weighed Almost Nothing—and it Was Miserable to Use
Is lighter really always better?
They Wanted an Outdoor Wedding. They Got a Search-And-Rescue Operation.
Josiah and Amanda Powell planned an intimate, friends-and-family wedding in the Colorado backcountry. Then 60 surprise guests showed up.
She Was Solo on the Wonderland Trail With a New Pacemaker. Then Lightning Struck.
Check out Louisa Albanese and Zoe Gates's author page.
Say Bye to Stains With These Tips for Cleaning Insulated Bottles
Say goodbye to mildew when you give your water bottle proper care.
Want to Know What Backcountry Mistakes Will Get You in Real Trouble? Ask Search and Rescue
Once you leave the trailhead, your safety is in your own hands.
The Women’s Outdoor Summit Imagines a Better Future for the Outdoors
This year’s virtual event brought together women from throughout the industry.
How to Remove Tree Sap From Your Hiking Clothes
Getting pine sap on your apparel can put you in a sticky situation. Get yourself out of it with a little bit of elbow grease and know-how.
Explore Paramint City: This California Ghost Town is the Ultimate Risk-Reward Hike
Feeling adventurous? Take on the seven-and-a-half mile hike to Panamint City, an abandoned village deep within Death Valley’s Surprise Canyon.
How to Decide Which Hiking Shoes to Buy
Happy feet equal a happy hiker. Make strides toward your goals with the right shoe.
Summer Adirondacks Trip on the Books? You Might Need a Reservation
Adirondack Mountain Reserve to begin limiting hikers on May 1.
Deal of the Week: Granite Gear Blaze 60
Get into spring trekking by saving big on one of our favorite load-haulers.
You Can Get Into Your Favorite Park for Free on April 17 for National Park Week
The NPS will waive all entry fees to kick off its annual celebration of all things parks.
Here’s What Backpacker’s Editors Loved in March 2021
From a new pair of boots to an, ahem, unconventional sleeping bag, these were our editors' favorite things in March.
7 Ultralighters Share Their Worst Gear Decisions
From trying to make a bivy sack out of Tyvek to tarping it in mosquito country, going too light can land hikers in a lot of trouble.
Spared From a Forest Fire, Colorado’s Iconic Hanging Lake Will Reopen in May
Reservations for the popular hike will open on April 1.
Field Institutes Are the Best Education in the National Parks—and They’re in Danger
National park field institutes are important for Inclusivity and education, but many are ailing. Here’s what you can do to help.
Glade Prospect
The best overall eyewear of 2021.
Zeal Optics Avon
The most versatile eyewear of 2021.
Rheos Coopers
The best value eyewear of 2021.
Smith Lowdown 2 Core
The most eco-friendly eyewear of 2021.
The 4 Best Sunglasses of 2021
Enjoy the sunshine with these shades.
Women in the Backcountry Don’t Need Your Help
Every woman who hikes has been the target of mansplaining—and Backpacker editors are no exception.
5 Unexpected Things That You’ll Always Find in a Mountain Guide’s Backpack
What does mountain guide Charlotte Austin keep in her pack? Baling wire, some important information, and a home remedy for nausea.
Rei Co-op Flash Carbon
The best overall trekking poles of 2021.
Hilleberg Trekking Poles
The most durable trekking poles of 2021.
Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 Pole
The best value trekking poles of 2021.
G3 Pivot Trek
The trekking pole with best features of 2021.
Volunteers Keep Hiking Trails Passable. Here’s Why It’s Time for You to Chip In.
There are more hikers on the trail than ever—and that means more wear and tear. It's up to all of us to help fix it.
CrazyCap
The best purifier of 2021.