All Content

Last month, two Las Vegas hikers tackled 11,916-foot Mt. Charleston via the 16-mile South Loop Trail, one of them in a pair of Crocs. It went fine—until the snow began to fall.

Made the butt of jokes and relegated to the discount aisle post-holiday, fruitcake may be the most disrespected confection of the Christmas season. But backpackers in the know understand this treat’s true power.

From a headlamp to a pint-size Nalgene to a combo bandana/pack towel, these affordable last-minute holiday gifts are here to save the day.

A retired Bureau of Land Management employee may well be the most-published outdoor photographer working today, with his jaw-dropping landscapes showing up everywhere from the New York Times to Patagonia ads. The kicker? Photography wasn’t even in his job description.

The 36.5-mile one-way hike lets you enjoy the park in near-complete solitude.

Fires, floods, and other extreme weather events are increasingly part of life on America's long trails. What should you do when they strike?

See the usual sights in a completely new way on these wintertime national park hikes, via foot, ski, or guided snowmobile.

Massive celebration of outdoor culture returns to Denver with an all-star musical lineup, a bigger footprint, and an energetic mix of speakers, gear, films, food and fun

Oversized and decidedly uncool, the poncho is still one of my top choices for rainy hikes.

Trail conditions on Mount Charleston’s South Loop Trail have led to a number of falls and serious injuries from hikers who Las Vegas police described as unprepared.

Eight years after the White House slashed its size by more than 85%, the recently-restored Bears Ears National Monument may be back on the chopping block—and legal experts say the entire national monument system could be in jeopardy alongside it.

The most dominant group in hiking history is fading to gray. But they’re not disappearing just yet.

No need to freeze until spring. These trails will keep you warm all winter long.

Our team of testers waded through feet of snow and battled sub-freezing temps to find the best snowshoes for every terrain, skill level, and price.

A solo hiker was wandering around Summersville Lake when he became trapped in thick mud.

Take your holiday celebrations outside this year with this gear, from a set of solar-powered string lights to a fire pit that fits on your pack.

Deep in the arctic tundra, our writer gets a lesson in what it means to go truly off-grid.

As a child, Soren West dreamed of hiking the AT. Sixty three years later, he and his golden retriever made it a reality.

From shelters to packs to gadgets, these 50 pieces of gear helped us go further, see more, and have more fun last year.

After her trail runners caused excruciating blisters, one would-be thru-hiker ditched them for sandals. It was a decision that would have serious consequences.

AT thru-hikers today are more likely to finish the trail and less likely to get their food stolen by a bear—and more than ever before are coming from outside of the United States.

It’s featherweight, but is it durable? We tested all summer to find out.

These duds have the insulation, waterproofing, and support to keep you on-trail through the cold season.

Could your worst miles create your best memories? After a hike on a rocky Pennsylvania segment of the Appalachian Trail, our editor ponders.

After two near-misses in the mountains north of Vancouver, a search and rescue team is urging hikers to research routes they find online more carefully.

An autumnal section hike of the 4,800-mile North Country Trail brought our writer closer to his ancestry, his home state, and himself. Here's how to hike it yourself.

In the Darién Gap, cheap boots from Colombia are tools for survival, not recreation. After a reporting trip to the notorious migration route, backpacker and journalist James Stout reflects on what it means when hiking is a path to a better life.

Leukotape changed the way one longtime backpacker deals with blisters.

We tested dozens of pads in an effort to find the very best on the market, ideal for everything from mild winters to the world’s most extreme climates.

With a touchscreen, built-in flashlight, breadcrumb feature, and unbelievable battery life, the Garmin fenix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar Edition has the chops to handle the roughest backcountry navigation.

From our favorite meals to essential kitchen tools, these are the presents your culinary-minded giftee wants most.

Two months after Hurricane Helene, miles of storm-impacted trail, including a stretch of the Appalachian Trail, have begun welcoming hikers back. Others remain closed until further notice.

Some newfangled hiking pants feature an extended zipper that allows users to squat and pee without undressing. While some hikers love them, others are set in their urination ways.

The xTx trail will cover 1,500 miles in the Lone Star State.

Gore-Tex is going PFAS-free. Does its waterproof tech still perform?

From an all-time favorite tent to a lightweight backpack that can handle a serious load, this editor-approved gear is on sale for at least 50%—and up to 70%—off today.

Transform leftovers into a protein-packed trail snack.

You’ll thank yourself once backpacking season rolls back around.

A super-light sleeping pad, a weight-saving gadget, and an editor-approved quilt are all on sale at a discount right now.

In the ’70s, Ray Jardine changed rock climbing forever when he invented Friends. In the ’90s, he teamed up with his wife Jenny to do the same for backpacking, kickstarting the ultralight movement with their innovative gear designs. In a rare interview, they explain why they left the industry they helped create.

An ultra-warm winter boot, a "heavenly" deck of cards, and a running vest that's up for anything: This is the gear that kept us moving this month.

A pair of Massachusetts hikers were prepared for winter conditions in the Whites until they fell into Lincoln Brook, while a local took a fatal fall despite wearing microspikes.

November is the prime hiking season on these trails. Here are four hikes to spend your holiday weekend in complete bliss.

Check out Adam Roy's author page.

The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy just purchased a parcel of land to permanently protect a small region south of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. 

The featherweight Gossamer Gear LT5s are on sale right now.

More and more manufacturers are transitioning to “forever chemical”-free water-repellent treatments on their shells.” But while those new outer layers are better for the environment and human health, they need to be washed twice as often to keep them performing at their peak.

From a $30 titanium pot to a $1,300, sub-6-pound raft, this is what’s on our editors’ wishlists this holiday season.

More than 80 firefighters and emergency personnel are currently working on the Butternut Fire in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

Our top picks will help you sleep soundly, whether you're in the Southwest, or on an Alaskan expedition.

In a park where black bear sightings were rare, Zion visitors saw more bears in 2024, specifically between May and June.

The X-Mid trekking pole tent and other groundbreaking ultralight designs have earned Durston an unmatched fanbase, with a 14,000-person Facebook group and in-jokes about stickers and sage at the center of it. M. John Fayhee dives into lightweight backpacking's most devoted "cult."

A friend to the thousands of hikers he fed, the late Ed Faubert helped Cheryl Strayed during the journey she chronicled in "Wild," and earned a place in PCT history along the way.

Stock up on your next tent, sleeping bag, and more this holiday season—without breaking the bank.

You only need three pieces of gear to prep your muscles for peaks.

The North Dakota governor has promoted outdoor recreation in his state. Opponents worry about his connection to the oil and gas industry.

From Dyneema doggy bowls to fuel-saving gadgets, these are the ideal presents for friends and family with baseweight in mind.

From an insulated bootie that can handle the rigors of the outdoors to a super-light, super-plush mummy bag, these are the deals we're most excited about from REI's big sale.

You haven't known happiness until you’ve worn alpaca hiking underwear. Find that and 11 more perfect small gifts ranging from $20 to $125 on our expert-curated list.

There's a perfect piece of gear out there for every backpacker. From socks to gadgets to a stellar sleeping bag, these are the gifts that will help the hikers on your list take their trips to the next level.

An outdoors podcast reports that the celebrated backpack brand will sunset its consumer line next year—but a source with knowledge of the company’s plans says that at least some products will be available longer.

When you pay attention, you'll be amazed by how much our canine companions can teach us

Joro spiders, a much-maligned species of arachnid with a leg span that can top 3 inches, have officially been spotted in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Scientists say they’re harmless to humans—but their effect on the environment is still up in the air.

Our all-time favorite four-season tents can handle anything you throw at 'em.

The group has run more than 20 trips in under two years, and shows no sign of slowing down.

At just over 2 pounds all in, the Moment is a sturdy, feature-rich solo tent that won't break the bank or your back.

The park won't enforce the timed-entry system between July 7 and August 27, 2025. 

Consider your holiday shopping complete with a new Osprey pack to fit any skier, snowboarder, hiker, backpacker, jetsetter, or day-tripper on your list

After SAR rescued two heavily laden, inexperienced hikers from the Lower 48's highest peak, they had some strong advice to share with anyone thinking of following in their footsteps.

Weaving nearly 70 miles through the Sekida Mountains, the Shinetsu Trail has become a crown jewel of Japanese hiking. And if it hadn't been for two backpackers' visit to the Appalachian Trail more than 20 years ago, it might never have happened.

Meet two artists who want you to be a maker, too

When Vanderloop set out to thru-hike the AT, she had no idea she was on her way to becoming the oldest woman on record to complete the feat.

Just because the mercury's dropping doesn't mean you need to start lugging a heavy pack. We collect our best tips for backpacking light in the fourth season.

Camp chairs have gotten small enough and light enough that's it's easy to bring one backpacking. But should you?

A "very small subset" of REI members flagged for misusing the outdoor retail giant's return policy will no longer be able to bring back or exchange their purchases.

The Big Agnes's Copper Spur line's mix of livability and low weight set a high water mark for our tent testers.

Wind screens and a slow burn are your best friends.

This unfortunate fatality was certainly an accident, but these three factors played into how she was killed (and how it could have been prevented).

Left holding the (candy) bag after not enough trick-or-treaters came to your house? Make the most of it with these creative s'mores recipes.