Apparel Guide 2009: Puffy Jackets
Ever seen a cold goose? Slip into one of these cozy down (or synthetic down) heaters, and you'll understand why you haven't.
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Apparel Guide 2009: Baselayers
From fit to fabric, this year's shirts upgrade performance on every front.
Gear Review: Cloudveil Run Don't Walk Light Shirt Baselayer
This tester favorite was popular for climbing, mountain biking, and layering. The Polartec Power Dry fabric aided quick drying.
Gear Review: Mammut Zip Longsleeve All-Year Baselayer
Using body-mapping and blended merino wool/synthetic fabrics, this innovative baselayer is warm and versatile.
Gear Review: Patagonia Merino 1 Baselayer
This hybrid is part merino wool and part recycled polyester&ndashthe result being a fast-drying, non-stinking baselayer.
Gear Review: SmartWool NTS Midweight Zip T Baselayer
This merino midweight baselayer is soft, stretchy, and naturally anti-stink.
Gear Review: GoLite DriMove BL-2 Longsleeve Zip Baselayer
This fast-drying shirt has a special ingredient&ndashCocona Minerale fabric.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Compressor PL Puffy Down Jacket
This midweight synthetic packs small and repels light rain and snow.
Gear Review: Patagonia Nano Puff Down Jacket
This quilted pullover was a go-to jacket all year round.
Gear Review: First Ascent Downlight Sweater Down Jacket
This puffy is perfect as a midlayer for skiing or a springtime camp coat–and comes in a wide variety of sizes.
Gear Review: Mammut Pilgrim/Vinson Puffy Down Jacket
This overstuffed puffy was the warmest of the bunch with a high-collared hood and hand gaiters.
Gear Review: RAB Microlight Alpine eVent Down Jacket
This microlight puffy will keep you warm no matter the rain, sleet, or snow.
Gear Review: The North Face Crimptastic Down Jacket
This close fitting jacket is great for winter cragging, or fast trips from spring trough fall.
Gear Review: GoLite Mckenzie Reflexion Jacket
Waterproof and breathable, this hard shell is perfect for cold places and pursuits.
Gear Review: Millet Super touring Jacket
This all-around soft shell keeps the drizzle on the outside and warmth on the inside, right where it belongs.
Gear Review: Mammut Lobuche Shell
New technology makes for a super breathable, go anywhere hard shell
Gear Review: Marmot Nano Shell
Weighing less that 10 ounces this ultralight shell withstood 3 days of torrential rain.
Rabies from a Hydration Unit?
Can you get rabies or other diseases by using a bite valve that some animal has been nibbling on? Will alcohol sanitizer "sterilize" it?
Gear Review: REI OXT Airflyte Running Jacket
This high intensity, breathable jacket is perfect for fast day hikes and cross training.
Gear Review: First Ascent BC-100 Shell
Bargain shell for rainy weather
What's the Perfect Camp Pillow?
I've got a great sleeping bag but I can't sleep without a pillow. Do you have a recommendation for a lightweight pillow or some kind of trick for making one with my gear?
Can An Electric Shock Neutralize Snake Venom?
Can an electric jolt from a DC source (i.e., spark plug wire, hand-held stunner) neutralize snake venom? I recall a series of articles on this published in the late '60s by an outdoor magazine.
Any Suggestions on Good Outdoor Advice Books?
I've read many outdoor books to get up to speed on camping, cooking, hiking, etc. I would like to hear what your choices of books might be in the outdoor education area.
Going to the Bathroom in the Woods 101
Going to the bathroom in the wild. What do I need? Do I need to pack out my waste? How? I'm going on a multi-day trip and am not sure what I need.
Sugar for Open Wounds?
I once heard that pouring granulated sugar into a deep, bloody wound would aid in clotting–but I've always heard that putting anything into an open would is bad.
How Do I Get Sap Off My Gear?
How do I remove pine sap from my down sleeping bag (and other gear for that matter)?
DIRTBAG to GOURMET SANDWICHES
Flavor-infuse your lunch menu with these pesto tuna, ham, Gouda & apple, and spicy chicken salad recipes.
Will Diapers Attract Bears?
Camping in bear country with children and diapers: Do diapers inside the tent, wet or dry, attract bears?
Which is Worse, Diarrhea or Dehydration?
I saw an episode of Survivorman where he drank water knowing it was contaminated and would cause him to have diarrhea. He said that having diarrhea would be better than being dehydrated. Would you agree?
Ultralight Done Right: Light Reads–Low Weight Books
You need a good read on any over-nighter. Just don't pack War and Peace. With these books, you'll stay on the ultralight track.
Hundred-Dollar Hikers
Can you really get high performance on a shoestring budget? Our testers found five pairs of light-duty synthetics that deliver huge returns.
Warm Weather Sleeping Bags
Lighten your load with a warm-weather bag that packs small bug goes big on comfort.
How Can I Mentally Prepare to Camp Alone?
love hiking and camping, but not alone. I'm one of those people who think about running away when I hear one stick break in the woods. Is there any way I could mentally prepare myself for sleeping alone in the wilderness?
Do I Have to Boil Water To Purify It?
I heard somewhere that it isn't necessary to bring water to a boil in order to purify it, as long as you get the temperature up to 140 degrees or more. Is this true?
Gear School: Ultralight Tents
Looking to cut shelter weight in half this summer? A featherweight tent is just the ticket.
Gear Review: Therm-a-Rest Ventra Down Comforter and Fitted Sheet
This quilt/sheet combo covered a range of temperatures.
Gear Review: REI Aura Sleeping Bag
Even during a damp, tentless night our tester stayed dry.
Gear Review: Lafuma Warm 'n Light 600 Sleeping Bag
This affordable bag is great for above-40s temps.
Gear Review: GoLite Venture 40 Sleeping Bag
800-fill down keeps this bag toasty, while breathable nylon shell fabric and a two-way zipper prevents stuffiness in warmer temps.
Gear Review: Backcountry.com Stoic Jacket
This "magic coat" is great for changing conditions.
Gear Review: Gerber Crucial Multitool
This midsize multitool lacks excess.
Gear Review: Gregory Palisade 80 Pack
This big-load pack carries heavy weight with ease.
Gear Review: The North Face Adversary Trail Runner
Traveling trail runners will be all over this The North Face shoe.
Gear Review: Columbia Firelane Mid Boot
This midcut hiker is great for wet conditions.
Gear Review: La Sportiva Exum Pro Boot
This boot earned our best all-around mark, and fits a wide range of foot shapes as well.
Gear Review: Scarpa Axis Boot
This fast and light boot weighs in at 1 lb. 11 oz.
Gear Review: Oboz Sawtooth Boot
If you're hiking rugged terrain, this $100 boot is for you.
Can I Get Altitude Sickness Below 10,000 Feet?
After I return, I'm somewhat tired, short of breath and sickly feeling for days after. I'm in great shape. Any ideas?
Navigation Newbie: What Equipment Do I Need?
I'm a navigation newbie. Basically, I just head to the trailhead, look at the map there, and go. Is there essential, basic navigation equipment that I should have at all times, even on a dayhike?
How Do I Treat Heat Exhaustion?
What are the best options for treating heat exhaustion in a remote area (no cell phone service) with no one else around? Is there something I can add to my first aid kit that would help?
Are Trekking Poles Necessary?
Trekking poles are not for every occasion.But, man, my poles sure saved the day (and my knees and ankles) when I descended from the rim of the Grand Canyon to the Colorado River.
Tent Terminology Revealed
Could you explain what "minimum weight," "packaged weight," and similar terms mean?
Does Sunscreen or Bug Repellent Attract Bears?
Q: Does using sunscreen or bug repellent attract bears?
Family Camping: Tips & Stats
How many miles, and how heavy a pack, can your kid handle? Plus, big tents, first aid, and newbie adults.
Family Camping: How to Pull it Off
87 tips for making your next family trip easy, fun, and comfortable
Family Camping: Good for the Whole Family
Why a life outdoors is so important for your kids–and for you.
Backpacker's Guide to Family Camping
A realistic, hassle-free handbook for taking kids outdoors
BACKPACKER.COM CLUBS
Welcome to our list of clubs, environmental groups, retail shops, and other groups who are using our map tools to plan and share trips, to save wilderness areas, or to meet other hikers.
Sleep Easy: Find Your Perfect Gear
Whether you're looking to go ultralight or stay cool on a hot summer night, here's the gear that will help you sleep comfortably.
Gear School: Water Filters
Remove most micro-nasties, draw water from barely-there puddles, and quench thirst fast with the versatile pump filter.
Canned Heat: Stove Reviews
Tiny. Featherweight. Simple. Affordable. From the windy peaks of Colorado's Rockies to the icy summits of New Hampshire's Presidentials, these canister stoves kept us fat and happy.
Weekend Planner: Go High-Tech
Go wireless, get dialed in, and navigate like a pro with these gadgets.
Gear Review: Light My Fire Spice Box
Keep your salt, pepper, and sugar in this rugged, ultralight case.
Gear Review: Sea to Summit AlphaLite Cutlery
Get these light knives, forks, and spoons without breaking the bank.
Gear Review: Sea to Summit Delta Insul-Mug
This pack-friendly mug keeps drinks hot and hands cool.
Gear Review: MSR Exo 2 System Cook Kit
This cook kit provides a light solution for two-person dinners in the backcountry.
Gear Review: GSI DukJug Bottle
This better bottle survives freezing temps, doesn't absorb food smells, and can take a beating.
Gear Review: Evernew Color Ceramic Non-Stick Deep Pots
Camp cooking and cleanup goes much faster with Evernew's ceramic-coated pots.
Gear Review: Big Agnes Gore Pass 2
This two-person palace isn't ultralight, but it is ultracomfortable.
Gear Review: Vado Pocket Video Camera
For quick-and-easy, YouTube-ready videos, this inexpensive camera won't let you down.
Gear Review: Osprey MapWrap
This map case is the best way to tote your map into the backcountry since the Ziploc bag.
Gear Review: Cloudveil BPM Jacket
This rainshell excels with weekend warriors who dabble in a bit of everything.
Gear Review: Soto Micro Regulator Stove
This stove comes tailor-made for winter campers and high-altitude mountaineers.
Gear Review: Brunton Raptor Stove
Few stoves are tougher or more stable than the Brunton Raptor.
MSR Pocketrocket Stove Review
This tiny, fast stove performs great in poor weather.
Gear Review: Optimus Crux Lite Stove
The Optimus Crux Lite is meant for backcountry foodies who need precise cooking control.
Gear Review: Primus Express Stove
If you need speed, this boil-test champ is your stove of choice.
Gear Review: Snow Peak LiteMax Stove
Extremely lightweight and versatile, this stove can handle just about anything.
Can I Develop a Giardia Immunity?
Regarding Giardia and crypto: Can one develop a tolerance or immunity to them? I remember drinking from streams as a child while fishing and hiking in the backcountry. Surely I couldn't have been lucky than many times.
Bear Canister Alternatives?
I know I'm supposed to use a bear canister all the time in bear country but they're really bulky. If I'm going on an overnight trip, do I really need one? And if I do, is there a sealable bag option that might work