Backpacker Editors

Scramble up classic redrock and take in the canyon country views on this 4-mile out-and-back.

This 2.5-mile loop in the Wichita Mountains nabs a summit and heads through a series of boulder-built caves.

Warm weather + short trip = a perfect chance to save time and hassle by leaving your cooking gear at home.

No need to skip your coffee just because you didn't bring your stove.

This roomy, versatile bag will benefit your sleep schedule and your bank account.

Show your pride outside during the month of June for a chance to win $2,300 in prizes.

Backpack a knee-trembling route through an active geothermal zone.

Late last December, Emily Ford, 28, of Duluth, Minnesota, took her first steps on Wisconsin’s 1,200-mile Ice Age Trail with a borrowed sled dog named Diggins. “I was laid off from my job as head gardener at the Glensheen Mansion, and I took full advantage,” she says. Ten weeks later, she became the first woman and second person ever to thru-hike the IAT in winter.

There's nothing quite like kicking back at camp with a good book. These eight are light both literally and figuratively, making for perfect campfire companions.

Treat your feet or dip them into a new hobby with this month's editors' picks.

The NPS will waive all entry fees to kick off its annual celebration of all things parks.

From a new pair of boots to an, ahem, unconventional sleeping bag, these were our editors' favorite things in March.

This month, we're asking Active Pass and Backpacker Pass members to weigh in the cover of our May/June 2021 issue.

Check out Backpacker Editors's author page.

A comfy camp chair, a tricked-out tent, one of the best free apps we've ever used, and more: this is the best gear of the season.

With more than 15 events in professional and amateur categories, athletes can enter to win over $120K in prize money. It’s good entertainment, too.

Our new sibling publication is essential clicking for anyone who wants a behind-the-scenes look at the outdoor industry.

This Editors' Choice-winning jacket is ready for all of your spring adventures. Grab it now for as much as 35% off.

Cold digits? These hand warmers can help—at 40% off.

A custom bike pack, a light-as-air ski boot, and some very handy velcro straps: Here are our editors' favorite things of the month.

When you have to carry a bear canister, it pays to pare down the rest of your gear. Active Pass member Matt Wise shows us how he does it.

Backpacker’s parent company acquires Outside magazine, Outside TV, Gaia GPS, athleteReg, and Peloton Magazine, boosting the depth and diversity of storytelling and services in our Active Pass membership.

Grab these backpacks, footwear, tents, and more for up to 45% off.

Shoulder season is around the corner and the days are getting longer—which means it's high time to start thinking about what you need to replace or upgrade to be ready to hit the trail when the snow melts and the mud dries. Save big—up to 30% off—on past-season styles with these smart picks from Backpacker.

Spending a day on the trail is one thing, but for those who have never camped before—or don't do it often—letting their guard down and snoozing in the great outdoors is a big leap. Make it a little easier with these tips.

Humans are notoriously bad at judging risk—and in the backcountry, that can screw up your priorities in a big way. Get them straight with this advice from our trail-tested team.

Yes, yogurt. Laurie March, author of A Fork in the Trail: Mouthwatering Meals and Tempting Treats for the Backcountry, serves up her three favorite yogurt-based recipes.

Train like a pro to perform like one. Bryan Pope of Earth Native Wilderness School recommends these exercises with high reps and low weight to build the strength and endurance of a mountain guide.

Tasty, fast, easy: What makes tacos great at home also makes them great on a backpacking trip.

Weather is always a trip’s biggest unknown. Wind and rain sap body heat in an instant, and a blizzard will challenge even well-equipped hikers. The solution? The right shell for the conditions.

Your warming layers can be different materials and thicknesses, but each one does the same thing: trap body-warmed air. Learn which ones are best suited to which conditions, and never be too cold—or too hot—again.

Which is good, because you'll need to hike it twice.

Hike through a wild water park in Enchanted Valley.

If you're a fan of waterfalls, then Arkansas's Richland Creek Wilderness is your dream trip.