Emma Veidt

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.

Who calls for help in the backcountry most often, and why? Here's what a year of Garmin inReach data say.

Photos provided by the Continental Divide Trail Coalition show that a 26-mile stretch of what was formerly a rough four-wheel-drive track has now been graded in preparation for barrier construction.

Having a smelly WAG Bag is gross for your and your friends. Here’s how to avoid it.

Watch next month’s lunar eclipse from your tent in these remote spots across the U.S.

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.

January's bear sighting is one of the earliest Yellowstone National Park has had on record. Here's how to stay bear safe, even in the winter.

Risk management is a big part of hiking, but it's time for us to consider the digital footprint of our experiences before pressing “post.”

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.

Our protein-averse editor tries RecPak, a 700-calorie meal replacement shake with 42 grams of protein on a recent hike up Granite Peak in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Wellness can still include hiking rugged trails. The key is that those trails can also include hot springs or lead you to luxury cabins.

The hiker was found dead this week on the “Final 400” section of Mt. Whitney's Mountaineer's Route.

Over 200 of California's state parks are open for free on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Looking for one to visit? Start with these five.

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.

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

The fatality occurred in the notorious Devil's Backbone area of Mt. Baldy. The recovery mission is still underway.

These were the most-read trips articles we published in 2025, from an essay on backcountry loneliness to a guide to our editor's recent hike.

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

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.

Just 13.6 percent of hikers are using bear canister while nearly a third sleep with their food, The Trek's annual Appalachian Trail survey found.

Nothing's as good as the real thing, but if you're stuck inside this winter, these treadmill workouts will keep you trail-fit all the same.

Since Continental Divide Trail's official designation in 1978, it hasn't had an official continuous footpath. This act wants to change that.

One uber-lightweight piece of foam can really improve your comfort in the backcountry. Here's why our editor loves hers.

Hiker hangtags will read 2,197.9 miles in 2026.

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

The hikers in your life definitely have these midlayers bookmarked for their wish lists. Here's why.

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

No need to muscle through the fourth season anymore. These tips don't take much work and keep you feeling cozy all night long.

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

Never split up on the trail. And if you do, never take all the gear with you.

What gear's worth the weight, what gear's TSA-approved for flights, and more.

Nobody wants to run out of hot water, and nobody wants to carry around extra fuel canisters. Here's how to calculate exactly how much fuel you have in your can, and how much you'll need on your next trip.

Our editor tested a new backcountry-focused search engine that's currently in beta. It's an interesting idea, but often a frustrating product in practice.

With national parks facing furloughs and reduced visitor services, many conservation organizations are urging hikers to be good stewards by heading elsewhere. Check out these 20 underappreciated state parks instead.

An alpaca-wool hoodie, an ultralight and ultra-comfy backpack, and a headlamp that shines in 3 different shades of white: This is the gear that helped our editors live their best lives in September.

The lightning-sparked Dragon Bravo fire has devastated the Grand Canyon since July. Starting October 1, the North Rim will partially reopen to the public.

A backcountry cocktail kit in a box, a 5-ounce library, and a cornhole set you can fit in a daypack: This is the gear our editors absolutely don't need to pack, but keep bringing anyway.

Falcon Guides's new book, "Surviving the Trail," taught our associate editor how to survive better. In this review, she explains what she learned.

On your days off the trail, would you rather get a slice of pizza with your tramily? Or relax all on your own? Take our quiz to identify the best trail town for you.

These adventures are perfect for class 2 and 3 first-timers.

A comfy sleeping pad, an insulated bottle to keep your drinks chilly, and a pile of fantastic backpacking food: This is the gear that helped our editors make the most of this past month.

From wild animals to dangerous terrain, the outdoors has its fair share of hazards. Test your survival knowledge against a Backpacker editor and see how you fare.

Plus tips on how to spend your golden years on the trail.

Watch as Associate Editor Emma Veidt walks through her gear closet and answers some questions.

On a recent hike of the Trans Catalina Trail, I left camp around 11 a.m. each day. And I loved it.

A day on the trails would lead to a period of foot and ankle soreness afterward. That is, until this tool came into my life.

Grippy shoes, quality sun layers, and an ultralight backpack that can handle a load: This key gear made our adventures better this month.

If summertime outdoor workouts have you melting by the time you've completed your warm up, you need these indoor alternatives.

This Editors' Choice winner guarantees warm, comfortable nights for side sleepers. And it can be yours for a fraction of the price.

To write the San Jacinto Trail Report, Jon King hikes 5,000 miles and a million feet of vert each year.

A near-miss on a popular Utah trail serves as a reminder to stay alert in the area.

Summer's here, and from a pocket-size caffeine spray to trail-to-town footwear that's ready to travel, this is the gear that's getting us out there.

Even after preparing and training for months, I made mistakes. Here's what I'll do differently on my next Mt. Whitney summit.

Aaron Blaise is one of the animators behind your favorite Disney films. His latest solo short, "Snow Bear," is a story about loss and isolation—and a plea for the Arctic and its denizens in the age of climate change.

From sculpted desert rock formations to high peaks to the mossy rainforest of the Oregon coast, these three long-trail segments are a treasure trove of gorgeous views—and you can do each of them in a day.

Every hiker has a summit that they can't stop thinking about. In honor of National Trails Day, the Backpacker editors are sharing ours.

Never-blister socks, a perfect trail tee, and more: This is the gear that Backpacker's editors loved this month.

Check out Emma Veidt's author page.

Sometimes you travel without a rental car, and sometimes trailhead parking lots fill up quick. Whatever the reason, you can access these trails via local public transit.

The grizzly—the first since 2017 to be trapped and killed for safety reasons—repeatedly broke into bear-proof dumpsters to gain access to human food.

When you're traveling on firm snow, an ice axe is an essential piece of gear. A certified mountain guide tells us why.

Cinnamon, the black bear, is a known presence around Kings Beach, but had never before broken into Tahoe Time Ice Cream & Coffee Shoppe.

Take-anywhere tamales, burly radios for the backcountry, and one great guidebook: Here's the gear we loved this month.

Over the years, we've written countless stories about survival. These are a few that we will never forget.

This fall, we're going to Nepal twice for service and trekking trips. There are still spots open for you to join us.

This year, National Park Week runs from April 19 to 27.

Some are blooming now, and others don't reach their peak until early fall.

This is your official invitation to join us on our life-list service and trekking trips to Nepal this fall.

Former pastry chef Baylee Chapo's trick to keeping hiking snacks interesting? A piping bag.

From a trail runner made for the toughest terrain to an app that literally forces you to "touch grass," this is the gear that got the Backpacker editors outside this month.

Everyone has a favorite national park. But when it comes to hiking, some just do it better than others.

You're already stinky. Why does your gear have to smell bad too?

The Spotify Wrapped of backcountry survival is here.

An ultralight first-aid kit, a cheap pair of gloves, and a luxe sleeping pad: This is the gear that's getting our editors through the tail end of winter.

Big Agnes's Tiger Wall UL2's easy setup and spacious tent floor is perfect for hikers trying to lighten their load without sacrificing comfort. The best part? It's now 30 percent off.

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.

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.

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.

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