The Best Women’s Shells of 2023
36 testers tried 40 jackets. These are the crème de la crème.
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Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan
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14 Things All Backpackers Should Do Before Hitting The Trail
Want to make your hike better? A little time before you depart will save you a lot of hassle later.
43 Essential Skills to Take Your Backpacking Trip to the Next Level
Backpacking really isn’t that complicated. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Bad weather. A heavy pack. Blisters. Bears. Hazards big and small can sabotage any trip. Avoid common mistakes with these 100 tips and tricks for planning, hiking, and camping, and make your first—or next—trek problem-free.
The Best Shells of 2022
Fend off water and wind with these breathable, packable jackets
How to Avoid Mosquito Bites
Stay itch-free this summer with these guide-tested tips.
4 Lightning Myths That No Backpacker Should Believe
Knowing fact from fiction can help you avoid—and survive—a 54,000℉ strike.
8 Easy Backcountry Dinners You Can Cook for Pennies
Quite possibly the easiest meals you'll ever make with three ingredients or less
The Best Cold-Weather Apparel for Getting Your Kids Outside This Winter
Keep your little ones warm and dry with this cold-weather kit.
Weekly Obsession: This Kids’ Hiking Shoe Will Survive The Playground and the Mountain
The Keen Newport Shoe is durable and versatile.
The 10 Best Softshell and Hardshell Jackets of 2022
Block wind, rain, and snow with these protective outer layers.
Weekly Obsession: Stop Packing Out Period Waste With This Easy-Clean Gadget
The Lumma disc is the answer.
What We’re Testing Now: This Lightweight Wool Shirt is a Summer Superstar.
The Ibex Journey offers impressive thermoregulation, even on hot days.
Paddle Through a Florida Zoo in the Everglades
Alligators, birds, and even dolphins will be your company on this paddle.
This Goldilocks Softshell Squashes Shoulder-Season Chill
The Marmot WarmCube Novus Hoody will keep you warm—but not too warm—on early spring hikes.
Black Diamond TreeLine
The best value shell of 2021.
The North Face Flight Lightriser FUTURELIGHT
The lightest shell of 2021.
Odlo FLI 2.5L Waterproof Jacket
The best price-to-weight ratio shell of 2021.
First Lite Vapor Stormlight / Cascade Stormlight
the most versatile shell of 2021.
Direct Alpine Deamon
The most durable shell of 2021.
Rab Kinetic Alpine 2.0
The most comfortable jacket of 2021
Maloja Beifuss/Birne
The most breathable shell of 2021.
Outdoor Research Helium Wind Hoodie
The best windshell of 2021.
Montane Featherlite Smock
The best bargain shell of 2021.
The 11 Best Hiking Shells of 2021
Rain, sleet, snow, wind: These are our favorite shells of the season for any weather.
Columbia OutDry Ex Nanolite
The most breathable shell of 2021.
Norrøna Falketind
The shell with best features of 2021.
Beyond Clothing K2 Celeris Pullover and Long John
Most versatile baselayer
First Lite Men’s Wick Longsleeve Crew
Best wicking
Woolx Merino Blizzard ¼ Zip
Warmest baselayer
Montbell Super Merino Wool Light Weight Round Neck
Best value baselayer
The 3 Best Softshell Jackets of Winter 2021
Find the sweet spot between weather protection and comfort with these flexible shells.
Maloja WangM / PunaM
Most versatile
The 4 Best Hardshell Jackets of Winter 2021
Stay warm and dry with this season's most bombproof shells.
Sponsored Content
Gifts Every Hiker REALLY Wants
Leatherman makes the perfect multi-tool for each type of outdoor enthusiast.
The Pacific Northwest Trail is Pitting Hikers Against Grizzly Bear Activists
In a remote corner of Montana, backpackers and wildlife advocates clash over the future of a bear population hanging on for dear life.
Repel Plant-Based Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent
DEET alternative
Thermacell Radius Zone Mosquito Repellent Gen 2.0
Bug-free basecamp
Gore Wear X7 Partial Gore-Tex Unfinium Tights
Most versatile bottoms
The 11 Best Hiking Jackets of Winter 2019-2020
Wind, rain, snow: No matter the weather, these jackets are ready to help you get outside and hit the trail.
Direct Alpine Revolt
Most versatile
Adidas Outdoors Primeknit Climaproof Jacket
Best mobility
43 Ways to Have Your Best Summer Ever This Year
From swimming holes to wild berries, it’s prime time for hikers. Tick off these 43 trips and experiences to make the most of the season.
Hike Like a Local in San Francisco's Golden Gate National Recreation Area
See butterflies, redwoods, whales, and some of the most beautiful coastline any major metro area has to offer.
Patagonia Houdini Air
Warmest windshell
Ortovox Merino Windbreaker
Most comfortable
Montane Lite-Speed
Best protection
adidas Agravic Windweave Jacket
Best all-around
Mammut Macun SO
Warmest softshell
The North Face North Dome Stretch Wind Jacket
Best value softshell
Mountain Hardwear Kor Preshell
Most breathable windshell
Black Diamond Deploy Wind Shell
Lightest windshell
Columbia OutDry Ex Reign
Best protection
Patagonia Stretch Rainshadow
Most versatile
Montbell Storm Cruiser
Best all-around
Marmot PreCip Active
Best value
Eddie Bauer BC Uplift
Killer deal
SITKA Vapor Shakedry Jacket
Most breathable
Helly Hansen Odin Minimalist 2.0
Best features
The Best Gear for Cross-Country Skiing
Glide through the backcountry with these time-tested picks.
The Insider's Guide to Moab
Skip the beaten path and make the most of your visit to southwest Utah with these tips from a local.
Hike New York's Homegrown Long Path
Step off the subway and into a wilderness sparkling with lacy waterfalls and craggy summits—all thanks to the Long Path, a 358-mile work in progress stretching from 175th Street to John Boyd Thacher State Park upstate and linking the Hudson Highlands, Shawangunks, and Catskills. The trail is inching its way to the Adirondacks (72 miles to go), but that’s no reason to delay a visit (or five) to its top-tier bits, all aflame with the fall palette this month.
The 10 Most Common Hiking Injuries and Illnesses and How to Treat Them
Learn how to treat the most common wilderness maladies with our guide to dealing with everything from bellyaches to broken bones.
51 Summer Camping Secrets Every Hiker Should Know
Maximize fun and minimize hassle with these essential tips on comfort, safety, cooking, and finding solitude during the high season.
Alpina BC Cross-Country Ski Pole
Sturdy pole
Fischer BCX 6
Supportive boot
686 GLCR Gore-Tex Paclite Multi Shell Jacket
Best for quick changes
Rab Sharp Edge Shell Jacket
Most breathable
Mountain Standard Terrain N’ Rain Shell
Best value
Patagonia Pluma Shell Jacket
Eco-friendly
Montane Ajax Shell Jacket
Most versatile
Dynafit Radical GTX Shell Jacket
Full-featured
Arc’teryx Beta LT Shell Jacket
Lightest
Smartwool Merino 250 Asym Bottom
Women’s pick
Helly Hansen Lifa Merino Seamless ½ Zip and Pants
Best wicking
The North Face Wool Baselayer Tight
Best ski bottoms
Under Armour UA Base 2.0 Hoodie and ¾ Legging
Bargain set
Terramar The Beast Half-Zip Baselayer
Most versatile