Editors' Choice

How can I keep glucose near me at night without attracting bears?

Custom fit snowshoes that are fast and fun

How should you purify water in the desert, since it is often high in heavy metals?

Is it safe to put icicles in my drink?

I have a friend going to an altitude much higher than where he lives. Is there any way to train to be better prepared?

I heard that the salt in sweat crystalizes and that's what causes chafing on your inner thighs. Have you heard this

Winter warmth doesn't always mean boring black beanies; here are four fourth-season hats whose fashion keeps pace with their function.

How to decrease knee pain and stay on the trail

Will bear spray work on a mountian lion?

Am I too old to take up hiking?

Does going to higher altitude make it difficult for your lungs to clear moisture?

I'm in the military and for deployments and long field ops, I am unable to wash my sleeping bag. I have adopted the practice of spraying the inside of my bag with Lysol and drying it in the sun. Do you see this ruining the bag in any way?

The rubber from the sole of my boots is starting to separate from the leather. Is there something I can do to mend this or are my boots toast?

My GPS works great in the Walmart parking lot, but in a steep valley, next to a mountain, or in the woods it can't get an adequate signal. How can I solve this problem?

Does campfire smoke degrade the properties of DWR or breathable laminates?

What should you do when the ground is frozen and you have to dig a cathole?

Starring the Dogs of BACKPACKER

Should ibuprofen be thrown away after the expiration date, or is it really still OK to use?

Do you need to worry about water purity when doing activities like shaving?

If I want to purify just 8 ounces of water instead of the recommended one liter or quart, can I just use a smaller amount of the recommended treatment dosage?

See the wild side of West Virginia's best backcountry.

Will my ankle pain worsen at altitude and can I take anti-inflammatory drugs for it?

I'm bringing my one-year-old camping. What meds and ointments should I pack?

Any suggestions for small, leakproof containers for carrying cooking supplies such as oil, syrup, sauces etc.?

What is the best way to repair a tear in my fleece?

What is the best way to add down to areas of a sleeping bag?

Clean up water for a group in minutes by using a gravity filter. Here's how one works:

I have Reynaud's syndrome. How can I keep my fingers warm?

Can I use nonpurified water to rinse my dishes?

I have an old The North Face expedition down bag. It has been in storage for 35 years. It looks good still, but will it fall apart?

I am looking for a hydration pack for day ski trips this winter–need to attach skis, shovel, probe, food, and a few pieces of clothes.

How can I keep from losing my toenails during long backpacks?

I am considering retro-fitting my old Kelty external frame backpack with new shoulder straps. Should I also replace the hipbelt?

Should people with high blood pressure eat freeze-dried meals?

Is it best to put gaiters on over or under rainpants?

I had my L4 and L5 vertebrae fused. Is there special equipment I should bring, or things I should modify when hiking? I know that Denali is out, but would like to hit some 14,000-foot peaks in Colorado.


If I spray a DWR finish on clothing, will that also increase its wind resistance? Specifically I'm thinking of a pair of light gloves and a headband.

Will an EpiPen help treat a snakebite?

What are the pros & cons of a single-wall tent to a double-wall?

Are there standards tents must meet to be designated 3- or 4-season?

If I've had a spinal fusion in my lower back, can I still backpack?

Somebody recently told me that climbing a Fourteener kills brain cells because of the low oxygen levels. Is this true?

This lightweight sport watch features a magnifying lens and an LED flashlight

Do you know of a good pair of beginner crampons for use in the Rockies? What's the price range?

What are the best trekking poles to use if you have arthritis in your hands?

Do you know any stretches that will help?

This jacket hits a backpacking trifecta sweet spot: ultralight, ultracompact, and ultrawaterproof.

A low-cut hiker that's stable and waterproof.

I'm a novice who's weary of spending his cash in the wrong places. Should I go with a softshell jacket or something with a sturdier outer shell?

What goes on first, sunscreen or bug repellent?

Will eating sulfur keep mosquitoes away?

Are titanium trekking poles dangerous in a lightning storm?

I was wondering if wearing two pairs of socks really helps prevent blisters/toe damage? If so, what do you recommend for the second sock?

I have found hiking in the sandals works for me because I can also use them as camp shoes, they dry fast, and they're so much lighter than my boots. Do you see any safety issues with do this?

Is it true your shoe size increases after hiking the AT?

On one hand it seems logical to bring an extra compass, flashlight, knife etc., but on the other it usually just turns out to be dead weight. What's your take on it?

I'm a Wilderness First Responder student with a SAR K9 team, and would like to know your experience with them.

What bug repellent do you recommend for my pup?

It's a backpack made of wool. Need we say more?

Destroy clutter and get your camp squared away with durable, bright, and unique organizational "envelopes".

Why do the sides of my knees always hurt during descents?

What other mosquito repellents work?

Is it possible to acclimatize to hiking in hot temperatures?

After long hikes or backpacking trips, why do I always feel exhausted two days later?

Why do I get blisters on the insides of my heels?

We were hoping to start thru-hiking the AT when our child reaches age two and half, but is that too young?

Which should be applied to clothing and gear first? Waterproofing or Permethrin bug spray?

How can I stop the elastic on my underwear from chafing me under my hipbelt?

Internchangeable soles allow this wading boot to double as a hiking boot.

What's the best way to close an open wound?

How can I recycle old polyester fiberfill sleeping bags to keep them out of the landfill?

What's the best way to remove a tick, and should I see a doctor?

Is there any one brand of hiking boots that you recommend that has excellent arch support? Currently I use an insole in my hiking boot which helps but I still have issues.

Why do my fingers swell when I hike?

How can you tell if your water filter is still working properly?

How to repel black flies

The Osprey Meridian is built for active travelers who hit the trails instead of the hotel treadmill.

Sure you can, but it's not as simple as throwing it into the washing machine.

Is it a sandal, a shoe, or a boot? Or maybe all of the above? You decide.

When water comes over the top of Gore-Tex boots it can't seep out again like in regular boots, right?