Kelly Bastone

Thirteen testers hiked, scrambled, and power-napped to find the very best pants and shorts for hiking and backpacking.

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.

At 101, Kelty is one of the oldest outdoor industry pioneers alive today.

Nine testers donned dozens of tops to find the best shirts, midlayers, and wind shells for hiking.

Eight testers ran, trekked, and squatted in dozens of products to find the best bottoms for hiking.

Nine testers donned 32 shirts, jackets, and hoodies for hiking. These five came out on top.

From a trail-ready pourover setup to some smart (and light) spices, these 10 gifts will help up any hiker's cooking game.

The smallest gifts are sometimes the most useful. Snag one of these three-ounce-or-less upgrades for the hiker on your list.

Go beyond the standard-issue spork with these trail-ready items.

We picked the nine best new fleeces, puffies, and heavyweight layers to block out the cold this season.

Charm him with these delightful gear upgrades

Plus: near-perfect hiking underwear.

Twelve testers donned 36 tops to find this summer’s best new shirts, midlayers, and baselayers.

Twelve testers ran, trekked, and squatted in 45 products to find this summer’s best new hiking pants and shorts.

Led by one of the outdoors' biggest retailers, some manufacturers may soon ditch women's and men's sleeping bags for nonbinary ones made to fit a wide variety of bodies.

This portable, packable device will repel mosquitoes no matter where you take it

The best gear for staying put outside

Make the most of your precious weekend freedom. These hikes deliver epic views and fun to all types of time-crunched hikers.

From climate change to drilling and mining, various threats promise to wipe out what’s best about America’s 12 most endangered trails. Hike them now to admire ancient glacial ice, hear howling wolves, splash at pristine beaches, and admire ancient art galleries.

These difficult hikes will challenge you no matter who you are.

You could cast to lunkers from alongside the road—but hiking to wild streams and lakes pushes the bliss factor even higher. Outfit your next angling mission with these gear picks.

Hike from St. Mary Lake to McDonald Lake through some of the Lower 48's best bear country.

From grizzlies to falling rocks to maze-like canyons, you'll want to come prepared for these tricky trips.

Like your life and limbs intact? Then you'd better get skilled before visiting these trails.

This hike will tempt you to pack a parachute as sandstone peaks reach 1,500 feet above Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area's valley floor.

The forbidden fruit of Arizona, Coconino's Agassiz will mesmerize and tempt you.

Trace the seam between land and sea on Vancouver Island.

The Appalachian Trail in Maine will take your breath away, both as you climb 3,662 feet to the summit and then your 360-degree view.

Try your luck at finding solid ground—in order to see a Technicolor sunset and flocks of cormorants.

This desert gem is an explorer’s heaven.

Visit Craters of the Moon to see this lava-tubed wonder under an azure sky.

Hiking this 8,007-foot peak will bring you peace and solitude, as well as breathtaking views.

Navigate your own route through grizzly terrain in Elias National Park, all to access seldom-seen panoramas of the 16,000-foot Wrangell Mountains.

Explore the Adirondack's valleys along New York's Northville Placid Trail, the most historic long-distance trail you've never heard of.

From the power cinch to the clove hitch, here are four knots every hiker should know.

Want strong knees when hiking season starts? Work your hamstrings now.

Drowning in beauty

Kalalau Trail on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, follows the path of a fast-eroding seaside cliff.

Go Italian—with a Pacific Northwest twist—by serving this seafood pasta.