Adam Roy

It's a pound lighter than other full-featured packs in its size, but the Exped Lightning 45 hauled more than 50 pounds of gear without leaving us aching.

It may not be the human-swallowing horror of Golden Age Hollywood films, but quicksand is a real-life hazard for hikers. It pays to know what it is and how to escape.

Need a light, weather-resistant shelter that won't break the bank? Don't overlook Outdoor Research's Helium Bivy.

While it's not clear what led to the incident, park officials said that the deceased man was located in "steep and hazardous terrain."

Fire ants, an imported insect just millimeters long, are generally more painful than dangerous. But a rare allergic reaction turned one hiker's encounter with them into an emergency.

A workhorse pair of wool socks, a tasty drink, and one of the best lightweight headlamps we've tried: This gear kept us moving through winter's last weeks.

Some new-gen ultralight backpacks redistribute weight as well as their heavier cousins. But that doesn't necessarily mean they feel the same on the trail.

Modern ultralight internal-frame backpacks can handle an impressive amount of weight. But what happens when you push their limits with heavy carries?

The Hoka Speedgoat 6 has the cushion and grip to handle miles of rough trail, but never weighed us down.

Compasses aren't just a practical safety tool—they're a ticket to a richer hiking experience.

Getting to the Apostle Islands ice caves in Wisconsin requires a multi-mile trek over the frozen surface of Lake Superior. This week, a handful of lucky visitors got the chance to see them.

From a wintertime proposal that ended with someone trapped in a hole to a "murdery" first date on the trail, a lot can go sideways when you go hiking with romance in mind.

We called REI's Rainier shell "an indisputable steal" for $100. Right now, you can get it for as little as half that.

A solo hiker is in the hospital after two other hikers found her unconscious near a popular waterfall earlier this week.

Rough trail on the menu? The cushy Altra Timp 5 has the stack height to handle it.

Avoid the dreaded "spring knee" by giving your joints some attention before the trails melt out.

From a ball cap that's made for the skin track to a shrunken-down classic board game, this is the gear that elevated our time on the trail this month.

The Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Pad is a whopping 4 inches thick and still light enough to tote on backcountry trips.

Are you a fitful sleeper on the trail? You don't have to be.

We answer readers' top questions about the NPS's new rules for visitors.

If signed into law, a new bill would strip protections from more than 350 square miles of the Boundary Waters's watershed and clear the way for a Chilean mining company to begin extracting copper and nickel.

Fourth-season backpacking doesn’t always mean buying new equipment.

When it comes to backpacking blades, less is more.

The white shell on Mountain Hardwear's Lamina AF 15 isn't just an aesthetic, it also saves about 80 liters of water per bag.

From making you gassy at altitude to destroying your toenails, a hard hike can affect you in ways you didn’t foresee.

The NeoAir XTherm NXT Sleeping Pad offers top-of-the-line warmth in a package and excellent durability in a package that barely cracks a pound.

The encounter is the state’s first fatal cougar incident since at least 1999.

From refusing to use inflatable sleeping pads to packing enough just-in-case gear for our whole group, here are the things Backpacker's editors don't plan to change in 2026 even if we should.

Stories of adventure, danger, and change from America's most vaunted long trails.

A fire lookout with a heavenly view, a a reunion with the desert landscape that changed us, and more.

From bringing back the hiking boot to declaring war on Recreation.gov, these are the most thought-provoking opinions our writers and editors shared this year.

To heck with Quitter's Day: These bite-size resolutions are simple to keep and are guaranteed to upgrade your hiking experience.

Layers, tents, meals: We asked our editors to pick their personal favorite backpacking gear of December and the year as a whole.

Want to start 2026 on the right foot? There's no better way to do it than to kick off the year with a hike.

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 10,000-mile hikes to the battle over public lands, here are the highlights we'll be thinking about long after the year turns over.

Some are dark. Some are thought-provoking. Some are just bizarre. These are the most-read hiking news stories Backpacker published this year.

Check out Adam Roy's author page.

From discount trail runners to gadgets, these are some of our favorite gifts you still have time to get.

Marmot's durable Tungsten tents are workhorses suitable for any level of hiker, and it's not too late to grab one by Christmas.

Yes, a knife is one of the Ten Essentials. But when it comes to picking a blade, you need far less than many hikers think.

Although authorities haven't formally identified the deceased, the Inyo County Sheriff's Office said that the clothing on the body appears to match what they believe 21-year-old hiker Joseph Brambila was wearing when he disappeared.

Winter hiking doesn't have to be uncomfortable. Not entirely, anyway. For less than $20, these accessories can help make it almost cozy.

Whether you're headed to the Pacific Crest or the Florida Trail, long trail alumni have something to teach you. Here, backpacker writers share their best thru-hiking wisdom from a collective 11,000 miles of walking.

From holiday treats to a full-featured headlamp to an earth-friendly sleeping pad, these last-minute gifts have big impact and only cost a little cash.

Don’t fall victim to the holiday hibernation: With these simple, outdoor-specific exercises, you can keep or improve your trail fitness for spring.

In a court filing, the Center for Biological Diversity says the government broke the law when it put the pictures of the president and George Washington on the 2026 park passes.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy's annual survey found hikers' tally of bear encounters rose by 75 percent, while the eastern seaboard remained the biggest source of AT thru-hikers.

From pocket-size accessories to dream tents and packs, we've pulled together the season's most sure-fire gifts for every kind of hiker.

You won't find a lighter mat than the 2.7-ounce Gossamer Gear Thinlight.

The incident is the fourth confirmed case of rabies in the state's southwest this year.

In the two decades, since her murder, police have never identified a suspect in the death of Louise Chaput. Now, they're hoping members of the New Hampshire hiking community could help to change that.

Some of the biggest hazards to your gear’s longevity aren’t on the trail—they’re inside your house. Dodge these traps to keep your sleeping bag, hydration gear, outerwear, and more in working order for next season and years to come.

From blizzard-ready tents to sleeping bags that can handle the coldest nights, this is the gear you can count on this season.

Winter sleeping bags aren't usually affordable—but right now, you can grab the reliable, durable Marmot Mad River 0 for a third off its list price.

There are a lot of great deals for hikers today, but at half-off, Big Agnes's "crazylight" Fly Creek HV 1 Carbon might be the best.

From flashy trail apparel to desert-ready hiking sandals, this is the gear that kept our editors moving this month.

From a beginner-friendly backpack to a tent any ultralighter can appreciate, these are some of our best picks for shopping for a backpacker.

International visitors will pay significantly more to visit some popular national parks next year, while annual passes rise to $250 for non-US residents.

A tent that's not built for the conditions can turn your chill winter camping trip into a disaster. Here's why and how to figure out if your shelter is ready for the challenge.

Authorities said conservation officers were still looking for the animal and urged local residents to avoid the area where the attack occurred.

The Marmot Guides Down Hooded Jacket puts the “puffy” in puffy jacket.

From a coffee upgrade to a perfect coat, these are our editors' personal picks for the best outdoor gifts of the season.

U.S. attorney says people caught with cannabis in national parks and other federal lands will once again face "rigorous" prosecution after DOJ rescinds policy of ignoring low-level offenses.

We break down the federal government's closure of Monument 102, the official southern end of the Arizona Trail.

When firefighters reached the victim, they found he had been punctured by a 4-inch-wide, 15-foot-long tree branch.

The Kelty Wireless 2 is a reliable tent for new or thrifty campers.

Why wait until you get to the trailhead? This deconstructed take on the new viral dessert comes together with just a backpacking stove, so you can sate your darkest culinary urges off in the woods where society can't see you.

The Arizona Trail Association says it expects the terminus's closure, which its executive director called "nothing less than desecration," to be permanent.

Between layoffs, funding cuts, and a government shutdown, it's harder than ever to be a national park ranger. Outside Articles Editor Fred Dreier talked to us about what he learned from investigating the national parks' current crisis.

Cherries flambé, mango sticky rice pudding, dark-'n-stormy s'mores: Enjoy these camp desserts now and apologize to your dentist later.

Enlightened Equipment is offering 20 percent off on its entire lineup through December 1, including its custom Revelation quilts.

The man told rescuers that he had been on the trail since the previous day.

Backpacking is for the people—and so are these dirt-cheap, delicious backcountry recipes that let you eat like a king without spending like one.

Check out Adam Roy's author page.

The MSR Access 3 can stand up to winter storms without requiring you to carry the weight of a mountaineering tent.

For too long, hikers have suffered under the yoke of trails that we have to do twice. I say: enough.

The gear is plentiful. The organization less so. Get a glimpse inside Editor-in-Chief Adam Roy's garage gear loft.

Need to grab a bag for sub-zero nights? Marmot's Lithium is on sale now.