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After a Chinese-based tech company released robotic exoskeletons last month, hikers got the chance to test them on a hike up the steep Mt. Tai.

After the largest layoffs in the history of public lands and with the high season—and fire season—around the corner, park and forest rangers and other federal employees say they’re worried about what comes next.

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Junction can take anything the trail can dish out.

Lots of people say they hike to change their lives. For some, that starts by changing their love lives.

We compared trekkers' pack weights, ages, total spend, and more.

No matter your kids' age or experience level, we've got the perfect trail for your family.

Start planning your getaway to the Ventura County coast and the Channel Islands with help from a local naturalist and adventure guide

A California couple suffered injuries on Sunday while attempting to hike the Sacred Falls Trail, which has been closed for 26 years.

From nutrition myths to getting protein, our experts break down how to stay fueled and feeling good on your next big hiking trip.

Don't fight light pollution to see the best shows our universe can produce. Feel the awe of the night on these dark sky backpacking trails.

Woo your beloved by planning an outing for two, complete with gourmet treats and dreamy views.

Are you and your partner the stargazing type? Or would you prefer a relaxing hot spring? Either way, these romantic campsites are for you.

The Northern Colorado Trail stretches 292 miles from Estes Park to Glenwood Springs.

Don't feel like shelling out for a carton of Grade A? These egg-free breakfasts are nutritious, camp-ready, and perfect for powering a day on the trail.

The MSR Hubba Hubba is a lightweight 3-season backpacking tent that's suitable for beginners and seasoned hikers alike—and right now, it's downright cheap.

Taranaki is an ancestor to nearby Maori groups and a popular hiking and skiing destination for visitors. Under a law passed unanimously by New Zealand's parliament, it now owns itself.

By working on your cardiovascular endurance you can up your mileage without hating your life.

Seeing Balto, a dog from my local animal shelter, experience true joy on the trail helped me process an unexpected future.

Four legendary thru-hikers share their favorite spots to train for long trails.

New Hampshire Fish and Game said that the two hikers from Massachusetts were experienced and well-equipped, but encountered “unforeseen conditions.”

Strong legs make for easy miles. Get yours ready for your next big trip with this advice.

Want to add some heat to your hikes? These six trails scale active volcanoes, from Japan to Italy to Guatemala and everywhere in between.

Canister stoves and cold temps don’t always mix. Here’s how to make your stove more efficient when the mercury drops.

The Haiku Stairs have been illegal to climb since the 1980s, but that hasn't stopped thousands of hikers from venturing there.

For a veteran thru-hiker, 1,200 miles across, down, and up Wisconsin sounded simple. Suffice it to say, there were unexpected obstacles.

Testers compared the Hoka One One Speedgoat to a full-suspension 29er mountain bike.

Two hikers may be stuck with the SAR bill after a winter hike went wrong in the White Mountains.

Top-shelf winter layers, perfect backcountry powder skis, and a FOMO-inducing, trip-generating collection of travel inspo: This is the gear that got our editors outside this month.

In a statement on Monday, the Canada Border Services Agency noted that the U.S. prohibits southbound PCT thru hikers from crossing into Washington from British Columbia.

Altadena Mountain Rescue is urging hikers to stay out of closed areas after the wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles—but says it's already preparing to rescue the ones who don't listen.

Properly washing waterproof gear can help it last longer and perform better. But do you really need to shell out on specialized wash?

We put the Chinese brand’s $164 Zpacks lookalike to the test.

Nonprofit will pay $1,000 for information leading to the vandal or vandals' arrest.

Northbound thru-hikers will have to backtrack to Harts Pass after Canada stops issuing permits allowing hikers to enter at the northern terminus.

The Helio LX Pressure Shower is a smart approach to cleaning off people, pets, and dishes on basecamping trips—and right now, you can get it at a steep discount.

Plus more surprising results from Halfway Anywhere's annual thru-hiker report.

Usually, America's southernmost long trail is a safe haven from winter weather. But this week, Florida Trail hikers along the Panhandle woke up to a once-in-a-lifetime sight: several inches of snow.

Looking for alternatives now that REI has canceled its class and trips offerings? These organizations do it best.

From an ostrich farm on the Pacific Crest to a lakeside oasis on the Colorado Trail, these off-trail adventures, chosen by thru-hikers, are well worth an extra hitch or a few more miles.

Don't waste your half-used hand warmers. Save them for later with this trick instead.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s thru-hike registrations are down by nearly 30% compared to this time last year—and a look at last season reveals a potential reason why.

Know when to hunker down, find shelter, keep warm, and wait out the weather.

This do-anything mid may just rekindle your love for the category—and it's on sale now.

A leak released chlorine, used for water treatment at the park, forcing park authorities to close several trails.

On these trails, you can have complete post-hike relaxation just steps from your campsite.

At less than 7 ounces per pair, they hardly register in your pack.

A pair of hikers took separate slides down the side of Hollyburn Mountain earlier this week, resulting in an ankle injury and a suspected leg fracture.

Backpacking in the snowy season doesn’t need to be an ordeal. We polled our colleagues to find out their best gear tips for packing for snowy adventures.

Every season in Marquette is the best. Here’s how to explore them all, according to the locals.

It has cypress swamps, shorelines, and an offbeat character all its own. What the Florida Trail doesn't have is crowds, or many thru-hikers at all. Could it be the winter adventure for you?

Not bringing ice cleats or crampons on an icy hike can be frustrating at best, and deadly at worst. Here's how to know what you need—and some staff-tested recommendations fo what to buy.

Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands are our country's two newest national monuments. Here's where you should explore them.

On January 7, Kai Cranmore was on a dayhike near Pacific Palisades with a group of his friends when one of them smelled smoke. Minutes later, they were fleeing as a wildfire spread through the canyon around them.

The MSR Access 2 is a light(ish) weight option for backpackers looking to make miles in full winter weather.

For hikers, toenail injuries are rites of passage, but they often indicate something wrong. Here's how to prevent bruised and injured toenails.

Its unique design creates a rare combination of stiffness and light weight.

In 2020, Colorado voters approved a measure to bring gray wolves back to the state. But as reintroduction efforts continue, opposition remains strong.

After four decades of running outdoor adventure trips and educational courses, REI is eliminating more than 400 jobs to focus on its core retail business, the company’s CEO said on Wednesday.

At 1,454 miles long, the Buckeye Trail is a grand tour of Ohio—and the government is considering adding it to the National Trails System.

The EXPLORE Act aims to address the housing crisis in gateway communities, increase outdoor access for veterans, kids, and marginalized groups, develop more long-distance bike trails, and about a dozen other issues

Timed-entry reservations are back. Our national parks columnist reveals how to get into these popular parks.

Couldn't get the PCT permit you were banking on? You still have options. From prepping for a fast-paced hike to skipping the Sierra to waiting for cancellations, here's what you can do.

Across Oregon, trail users and land managers are putting a focus on accessibility. They're blazing a trail for wheelchair hikers everywhere.

State officials say they're worried about bison passing on disease to cattle outside the park—but wildlife managers say it's never happened before.

Get your fill of “Awe and then Some”

Peakbagging not your thing? These hiking lists offer plenty of goals for the new year.

Here’s to a new year of adventure. Fill your 2025 calendar with day trips and thru-hikes to summit peaks, remote forests, and urban escapes with our picks for the best destinations of the year.

From dropping egos to taking a first-ever overnight trip, experienced hikers share their hopes and dreams for the new year ahead.

Hoarding gear, hiding our injuries, and packing way, way too much candy: These are the bad habits we have no intention of losing this year.

Need a hiking resolution for 2025? Pick one of these lists.

From an old-school hot toddy to a boozy take on the PSL, these perfect hot drinks from the Backpacker archives are ready to ring in the new year with you at your backcountry shindig.

From unforgettable dayhikes to crowd-free international treks, these were the best trips we wrote about this year.

From making your own shoes to making miles, these are our favorite skills stories that appeared in Backpacker in 2024.

Check out Adam Roy's author page.

From Alpha to Octa, we compare four of the best featherweight fleeces.

From exclusive interviews to heartwarming adventure tales, here are the most popular features we published this year.

From extreme ultralight tactics to the fate of a decades-old, Instagram-famous trail, these were the biggest controversies we wrote about this year.

From a spin around a local trail to a hike toward a Wonder of the World, these were our editors' favorite treks this year.

Most thru-hike attempts end short of the finish line. If that’s you, deciding what to do next is a tough question.

Your gear puts up with a lot of abuse on the trail. Here’s how to minimize the impact to make it last longer.