Beat Pack Strain
Hauling a heavy load can do a number on the neck, back, and hips. Stay pain-free with these tips.
Gear
Gear
Gear Review: Chicobag DayPack15 rePETe
A "green" daypack that fits your daily life.
Gear Review: Monatauk Gnat Stove
This 1.6 oz. canister stove has our tester neglecting his regular go-to stove.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Men's Ravine Long-Sleeve Shirt
A backcountry performance top that performs as good as it looks.
Keen Hood River Boot
Is it a sandal, a shoe, or a boot? Or maybe all of the above? You decide.
Do Gore-Tex Boots Drain?
When water comes over the top of Gore-Tex boots it can't seep out again like in regular boots, right?
Gear Review: Man-Pris
Our tester took a pair of Patagonia Borderless Messenger Shorts (a.k.a Capris) on the trail, begrudgingly. But he came back a happy man.
Gear Review: MontBell Ultra Light Spiral Down Hugger Thermal Sheet
MontBell's lightest sleeping bag at 13.8 ounces.
Patagonia Borderless Messenger Shorts (a.k.a Capris)
Are you man enough to wear man-pris? Our skeptical tester discovers that he is.
Gear Review: Vibram FiveFingers KSO Trek
Barefoot running with shoes.
Start Mapping: Tools To Help You Map Your World
5 ways to embark on your own cartographic adventure
Gear Review: Backpacking 3-weight Fly Rods
Hit the trail, and the streams, with these backpacker-friendly, 3-weight fly rods.
Gear Review: Goodhew Lifestyle Outdoor Light & Medium Hiker Socks
These American-made socks have super support and wicking capabilities at a reasonable price.
5 Cool Tent Upgrades
Make your tent a little sturdier, a little handier, and a little more visible with these five accessories.
Osprey Manta 25 Daypack
This smartly designed daypack carries well, protects itself from rainstorms, and makes sure you stay properly hydrated.
Eddie Bauer
At Eddie Bauer, we've been outfitting adventures since 1920 everything from family camping trips to historic mountaineering expeditions and epic first ascents. That tradition inspires everything we do, from our casual sportswear to our guide-built First Ascent mountaineering gear. Like the revolutionary BC-200 ultra light hard shell. A 3-layer, waterproof/breathable hard shell with 20K/25K performance that's under 11 oz AND under $200.
Gear Review: Osprey Manta 25 Daypack
Need a well-designed daypack that doubles as a hydration pack? This Osprey fits the bill.
Sleep Apnea and Backpacking
Can I still go camping if I sleep with a CPAP machine?
Navigate: Whiteout, Darkness, and Fog
Just because you can't see in front of you doesn't mean you can't navigate.
Navigate: Forests and Mountains
Skirt forests and mountains with ease with these tips and gear.
Navigation: Canyons and Deserts
Learn how to stay on track and find water safely in the desert and canyons.
Navigation: Lakes and Oceans
Triangulate, forge through wind, and learn the tides with these water-bound navigation tips.
Navigation: Exploring Off-Trail
When your route takes you off-trail you can still be on course with these navigation tips.
How to Navigate Any Condition, Terrain
Field-proven skills for wild weather and terrain.
Gear Review: Female Urination Devices
Women's equality takes on a whole new meaning with these seven contraptions.
Gear Review: Kuhl Skuhl eVent Shell
When Mother Nature threatens to thwart your outing, foil her plans with the Kuhl Skuhl eVent rain shell. This heavy duty shell will keep you cozy for three seasons, and may last four if you insulate it well.
Airline Travel Options for a Loaded Pack
What are some packing options for checking a loaded duffle on an airplane?
Sweet, Sweet Sweat
Is it safe to drink your own sweat?
Gear Review: Numa Sport Optic Point Ballistic Sunglasses
These tough, ultra-lightweight sunglasses are Special Forces worthy–literally.
Table of Contents: May Maps Issue 2010
Check out The Backpacker Editors & Contributors's author page.
Win BACKPACKER's App For iPhone!
Starting May 17, we'll give one away every weekday for a month on our Facebook page--if you can be the first to post the correct answer to our daily map trivia question.
Gear Review: Gear Aid Repair Kits
Whether it's a torn pack, cracked buckle, ripped tent mesh, or leaky sleeping pad, these kits can pretty much restore anything that breaks.
Brunton Flip N' Drip
The Brunton Flip N' Drip is a fast-paced coffee maker for packers who want a cup of joe on the go.
Gear Review: Brooks Range Field Kit
An excellent avalanche resource in the field and on the couch.
Gear Review: The North Face Men's Paramount Peak Convertible Pant
This upgrade to The North Face's tried and true convertible pant makes the grade.
Sun Exposure Up High
Do you need extra-strength sunscreen at high altitude?
Do Soda Can/Alcohol Stoves Work in Hot Climates?
Soda can stoves can handle heat...but they aren't right for all cooking scenarios.
Mystery Headaches
Is altitude sickness causing my headaches or something else?
Gear Review: Spenco PolySorb Total Support Performance Sandal
The official report from our resident sandal junkie: "My feet are ecstatic!"
Smoke Signals
Can you predict the weather by looking at campfire smoke?
Best Gear & Practices for Camping With Baby
My wife and I are going to take our baby hiking and camping with us. Do you have gear recommendations for the main gear: baby carrier, baby sleeping gear, dirty diaper containment, etc?
Gear Review: Yummy Camp Snacks
Cheese spread, bars, drinks, trail mixes–there's more variety than ever in trail snacks.
Charcoal for snakebites?
Does activated charcoal help remove venom from a snakebite? If so, should you put it directly on the wound or swallow it?
Gear Review: High Peaks Alpamayo 55 Backpack
The Alpamayo 55 is a solid year-round performer at a competitive price.
Gear Guide 2010: Sleeping Pads
Get a good night's rest with these sleeping pads ready for any hard ground.
Gear Guide 2010: Summer Sleeping Bags
Our testers put a ton of summer bags through the ringer to bring you these five favorites.
Gear Guide 2010: Three-Season Sleeping Bags
Want a bag that you can use most of the year? Take a look at these picks from our intense testing sessions.
Gear Guide 2010: Winter Sleeping Bags
From the best all-around bag to the one that's easiest on your wallet, these sleeping bags will help you battle cold winter weather.
High Peaks Alpamayo 55 Backpack
The Alpamayo 55 is a solid performer at a competitive price.
Gear Guide 2010: Heavy Duty Boots
Go the distance with these tried and true heavy duty boots.
Gear Guide 2010: Mid Duty Boots
From the most versatile to the best all around, these mid-duty boots pass the test.
Gear Guide 2010: Light Duty Boots
Go fast and furious with these light duty boots.
Editors' Choice 2010: The Best Backpacking Gear of the Year
After 15-hour trail days with 50 pound packs on 100-miles of Switzerland's Via Alpina, we're proud to present the best gear of the year.
Gear Guide 2010: Weeklong Backpacks
These load-haulers have all the space you need for an epic week-long trip.
Gear Guide 2010: Weekend Backpacks
Pack everything you need for the perfect weekend trip with these backpacks.
Gear Guide 2010: Daypacks
Heading out for a solid dayhike? These packs have you covered.
Gear Guide 2010: Solo Tents
Going it alone? Go with confidence in these solo tents.
Gear Guide 2010: Two-Person Tents
Need a tent for you and your favorite camping partner? These two-person tents will do the trick, and then some.
Gear Guide 2010: Three-Person Tents
Need a little more room? Check out these three-person tents--the best of the year.
Gear Guide 2010: Mountaineering Tents
Our picks for the best mountaineering tents will help you battle the elements not matter what your expedition.
Gear Guide 2010: Essentials A to Z
Having the right boots, packs, bags, and tents is never enough. Here, a roundup of all the other "essential" pieces of gear you'll want in the great outdoors.
Editors' Choice 2010: Arc'teryx Altra
Carry the biggest loads with shocking comfort.
Gear Guide 2010: Backpacks
These packs allow hikers to travel fast and comfortably thanks to dynamic suspensions and weight-saving materials.
Gear Guide 2010: Tents
These tents offer more headroom, lighter weights, and lots of strength and durability.
Gear Review: ZRK Outdoor Zipper Rescue Kit
Fix a zipper on the fly with this repair kit.
Gear Review: Z-Medica QuikClot Sport
Stop big bleeds fast.
Gear Review: Cloudveil Run Don't Walk Boxers
Winter skivvies at their finest.
Gear Review: SteriPen FitsAll Filter
Strain and filter your water with this SteriPen product.
Gear Review: Katadyn Base Camp Gravity Filter
Filter water for a group with this big bladder.
Gear Review: NEMO Ditto Wallet
This ultralight wallet is made from recycled tent scraps.
Gear Review: Sony HDR-XR520V
Photos, videos–this Sony Handycam is an HD beast.
Gear Review: Exped Vista Organiser
Zip-top bags that are super waterproof.
Gear Review: SealLine Electronic Case
A clear, waterproof case for your iPhone.
Gear Review: Aquapac SLR Waterproof Camera Case
Protect your DSLR camera with this waterproof case.
ALITE Sexy Hotness Sleeping Bag
The Sexy Hotness has more than just a catchy name. This 20°F mate-able sleeper has features that leave other bags blushing.
Gear Guide 2010: Boots & Footwear
Whether you need a trail runner or a burly mountaineering boot, here's the best of the year.
Gear Review: ALITE Sexy Hotness Sleeping Bag
The Sexy Hotness has more than just a catchy name. This 20°F mate-able sleeper has features that leave other bags blushing.
Could I Get The Plague On My Hike?
I am concerned about fleas and the plague. How is is transmitted? Should I not take my dog hiking with me? Can I get it if he doesn't come?
What's Your Favorite Trail Pant?
I am having a very hard time finding the right pair of trail pants. I've searched online and found what seems to be a thousand pairs and none are the right pair. Do you have a favorite?
Gear Guide 2010: Sleeping Bags & Pads
Sleep tight in any season with these summer, three-season, and winter sleeping bags.