Vargo Outdoors Is the Most Influential Gear Brand You’ve Never Heard Of
The iconoclast has become a staple in the ultralight community by refusing to follow trends.
Displaying 721 - 800 of approximately 1673 results
Her Thru-Hike Went Viral. Then She Quit.
The rise of social media has created a new breed of influencers who tackle the world's longest trails with their audiences in tow. But success isn't guaranteed on a thru-hike—and bailing with thousands of eyes on you is more complicated than it looks.
Ask a Thru-Hiker: Can I Thru-Hike Without Camping?
Hike a long trail without spending a night in a tent or lean-to? It may sound silly. But a veteran thru-hiker says it’s more than doable—if you know where to look.
The Hardest Part of a Thru-Hike: the Midpoint
Veteran hikers call it the “Middle Blues.” You have already hiked an impossibly long distance, and somehow still have an impossibly long distance to go.
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How to Start Planning Your Next Thru-Hike
From choosing the right water filter to evaluating your gear list, AT hiker Michael Perry shares his advice for getting trail-ready
I Hiked Across the Ozarks Looking for Adventure—and Got More Than I Bargained For
On a winter thru-hike of the Ozark Highlands Trail, Jeff Garmire contended with snowstorms, swam a river, and bushwhacked paths overgrown with bramble—and discovered the rugged heart of one of America’s lesser-known long trails.
Literally Tired of Hiking Uphill? Do This.
Call him crazy, but our hiking columnist loves climbing hills. A fifth of the way into the epic Continental Divide Trail, he’s got some ways to improve your form, function, and mental performance.
The Midwest Is Full of Good Backpacking. Yes, Really.
If you think the Midwest is flat and boring, you'll think again after taking these trails for a spin.
Here’s What Thru-Hikers Actually Eat in a Day
Four hikers reveal every morsel that's fueling them for thousands of miles.
One of America’s Wildest Thru-Hikes Is Disappearing
The Idaho Centennial Trail is a long trail experience that takes hikers through some of the most remote, beautiful terrain in the lower 48. But years of deferred maintenance mean that it’s in danger of vanishing into the wilderness.
Hiking On the Summer Solstice? Do it Naked.
For hikers around the world, today isn't just the first day of summer: It's Hike Naked Day. Here's what you need to know before joining in the festivities.
All Hail Folgers Instant Coffee, a Thru-Hiker's Jet Fuel
Over 7,000 miles on trail, our hiking columnist has tried coffee and caffeine in most every form imaginable. But the humblest one of all taught him something about himself.
No, Seriously—Go Hiking in Oklahoma
With both "eastern-style" and "western-style" mountains, Oklahoma is a little-known hiker paradise.
How to Reach Flow State While Hiking
Follow these tips to help you get into the zone and unlock your true potential.
34 Awesome—and Awesomely Bad—Outdoor Movies You Can Stream Right Now
From painfully beautiful to just plain painful, these outdoor movies are worth a watch.
Granite Gear’s Size-Inclusive Ultralight Pack Is a Step in the Right Direction
In an industry dominated by a single body-type, the Virga 3 is making waves.
PSA: You Don’t Need to Replace Your Old Backpacking Gear
Gear companies are constantly upgrading their products and pulling old ones off the market. But there are some advantages to being a few seasons behind.
The Ultimate Durability Test: This Gear Lasted 8,500 Miles in One Year
Thru-hiker Carl "Professor" Stanfield had a big goal: Break the record for most miles ever walked in a single year. Here's what he packed.
A Letter to the Thru-Hikers of the Future
Personal air conditioning, new trails, a dozen new Leave No Trace principles: For Backpacker's 50th anniversary, we asked Triple Crowner and columnist Liz "Snorkel" Thomas to speculate about what thru-hiking could look like a half-century from now.
These Urban Hikes Are Wild Adventures Inside City Limits
Think you need to head deep into the wild to have an outdoor adventure? Think again. Explore urban nature in these six cities, each home to outdoor community organizations, diverse history and culture, and wildlife.
My Thru-Hiking Community Showed Me Just How Lonely My Real Life Was
Americans live in one of the most individualistic nations on Earth—and it can be one of the most isolating, too. Could hiking be a way for us to find our way back to community?
In Praise of the Humble Pop-Tart, the Ultimate Backpacking Breakfast
Our hiking columnist has spent more than a quarter of the past four years on trail. Every morning out there, without fail, he eats another perfect packet of Pop-Tarts.
I’ve Received Some Terrible Backpacking Advice Over the Years. Here’s What You Can Learn From It.
Hikers love to share their opinions. That doesn’t mean it’s always useful.
Learning to Assess Risk Could Save Your Hike— and Your Life
Don't let your own ambitions put you in danger: Knowing when to take a risk and when to run away is an essential skill for every hiker.
Planning a One-Way Hike? Master the Art of the Car Shuttle.
One-way hiking means never seeing the same spot twice, but you need to have your car shuttle logistics dialed. Follow these 10 tips to shuttle like a pro.
With Public Lands More Crowded Than Ever, We Need to Make Peace With Permits
No one likes having to jump through a bunch of hoops just to hike a popular trail or visit a national park. But with more and more areas reaching their carrying capacity, it’s time to consider our options.
Want To Hike In Middle-Earth? Go To Hocking Hills, Ohio
Explore mossy gorge trails, ancient sandstone caves, and morel-filled forests in this unexpected hiking paradise.
What the Professor Learned by Trying to Hike the Most Miles Ever
Last January, Carl Stanfield set out to break the world record for the most miles ever hiked in a year. In failing, he found his temporary limit—and, he hopes, a renewed version of himself.
It’s Time to Start Packing Out Your Toilet Paper
With trail use booming, burying your toilet paper just doesn’t cut it anymore. It’s time to get over the ick and start carrying it out, says our writer—or ditch it altogether.
How One Thru-Hiker Turned Ultralighting into a YouTube Career
Hint: He never stopped hiking.
47 Hiking Terms Every New Backpacker Should Know
You don’t need to be fluent in hiker lingo to hit the trail—but it does help to understand guidebooks, trip reports, and your fellow trekkers around camp.
The Best Hikes for Every Month in 2023
New year, new adventures: Add these long trails and dayhikes to your 2023 bucket list.
Does Thru-Hiking Have a Drinking Problem?
Long-distance hikers love to reach towns and binge. I temporarily gave up the cycle, and maybe it changed my life.
Ask a Thru-Hiker: Should I Flip-Flop?
Travelling a long trail end to end isn't the only way to thru-hike.
Meet the High School Teacher Who Finished the Entire Triple Crown in a Calendar Year
Only a handful of other thru-hikers have completed the big three in one year.
Going to the Smokies? We Made You a Playlist.
Want a national park to visit this winter? Great Smoky Mountains is your place. Download this playlist for maximum vibes.
The Cost of a Smokies Permit Is About to Double for Thru-Hikers
The increase is part of a larger program of fee hikes aimed at covering costs as visitors soar.
These 20 Pieces Of Gear Changed Backpacking Forever
Through the past five decades, there have been a lot of trend-setters and trailblazers. These are the best of backpacking.
Want a Backpack? How About a Sandwich? This Combo Gear Store-Deli Will Sell You Both.
We appreciate a good post-hike (or pre-hike, or mid-hike) sandwich. Soon you'll be able to find one—plus a pair of hiking boots, a stove, or whatever else you need—at The Happy Goat.
The Best Hikes in the Berkshires
Explore the natural side of New England with year-round dayhikes, waterfall treks, and backpacking trips in the scenic Berkshires.
Hike the State Parks: 14 Fantastic Destinations Backpackers Need to Know
Let the crowds stampede the national parks—in the U.S., you’re never far from state lands that boast sublime beauty, natural seclusion, and endless adventure. These 14 just scratch the surface.
Solo Hiking Will Change Your Life. Are You Brave Enough to Let It?
Backpacking by yourself unlocks a powerful wilderness experience. If you’re scared to solo, you’re on the right track.
Hate Hiking in a Group? Here’s Why You Should Do it More Often.
Some backpackers are just dedicated soloists. But as our writer discovered on her first big group trip, sometimes there's magic to hitting the trail with some new friends.
Cal “Starburst“ Dobbs Becomes the First Reported Publicly Trans Triple Crowner
On Thursday, they finished the last leg of the triple crown, but they’re not done yet
The Ultimate Gorp: 14 Hikers Share Their Recipes
From "good old raisins and peanuts" to trail mixes spiced with hot peppers, Michigan cherries, beer nuts, and dried carrots, the ultimate backwoods snack comes your way, courtesy of Backpacker readers.
Starting Today, Hikers Will Need to Carry Bear Canisters in the Desolation Wilderness
Area bears have reportedly become more aggressive in seeking human food in recent years.
A “New” Name for Clingmans Dome? Cherokee Tribal Council Votes to Restore Native Moniker
Tribe will submit petition for renaming to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.
The Forest Service May Extend Max Patch’s Camping Ban
A two-year ban bars campers from overnighting on the famous peak—and officials may push it even further.
The Ethics of Thru-Hiking with Kids
Each year, more families seem to earn attention by taking to long trails with small children. What are their motivations, and is it bad for the kids?
Forest Service Warns Hikers About Rising Bear Encounters in North Carolina
Hikers in the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forest Asked to keep a lookout for bold bruins.
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Your Guide to Vermont’s Best Bike Rides
From rolling road rides and family-friendly singletrack to downhill bike parks, Vermont has world-class routes for cyclists of every kind
The Best Shells of 2022
Fend off water and wind with these breathable, packable jackets
Editor’s Choice: Alpine Parrot Ponderosa Pants
Pants made by—and for—plus-size female hikers
Five Ultralight Backpacking Habits That Will Save You Time and Weight
Gram-counters can seem obsessive, but these quirks are rooted in practicality.
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Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Book Your Next Trip
Unbelievable adventures are waiting for you right here, right now
The Fine Art of Quitting Your Thru-Hike
Most people who start a long trail won’t finish it. But when you’ve built your identity around perseverance, what does it mean to throw in the towel?
How Long Does it Take to Hike the AT?
Completing America's most popular long trail is a major time commitment.
The 4 Ways to Feed Yourself on a Thru-Hike: Gas Stations, Mail Drops, Dehydrators, and Dealer’s Choice
Whether you're a Mountain House fanatic or dehydrate your entire menu yourself—here's how to keep your energy levels stable on trail.
Ask a Thru-Hiker: How to Hitchhike Safely
We've been warned against hitchhiking our entire lives—but on a long trail, sometimes it's the best option.
Leave No Trace Confessional: Hikers (Anonymously) Admit Their Worst Outdoor Sins
Several hikes share a confession, and we're here to dole out penance—and advice.
Backpacking Tents: How to Pick the Perfect One for You
Home is where you stake it out. Understand the ins and outs, pick the right shelter, and treat it like you would your bedroom.
The Best First Backpacking Trips in the US
Take your first steps into the world of backpacking with these one-night trips, full of mountain views, wildlife, and even glaciers.
How to Prepare Your Mind for Your First Solo Backpacking Trip
Being alone in the wilderness doesn't have to be frightening. With these tips, you can fine-tune your mind for an empowering solo journey.
What Is Thru-Hiking?
We dive deep into this backpacking cultural phenomenon.
Top 10 Pieces of Advice for Beginner Thru-Hikers
Water weighs a lot, audiobooks weigh nothing, and more semi-philosophical tips to guide rookie trekkers to a strong finish
This Is a Record-Setting Thru-Hiker’s Best Advice for Beginners
Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime with the most popular columns from thru-hiker Liz "Snorkel" Thomas.
THRU: A Hike Across the Pacific Northwest in Photos
In THRU, a team of strangers take on a 1,200-mile journey across America’s wildest long trail and document their adventures through the Pacific Northwest. Here, the co-creators share a behind-the-scenes glimpse through photos they took along the way.
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Hike Farther, Feel Better: Thru-Hiker Tips for Hydration
Are you drinking enough? Filter faster and hydrate smarter with these pro tips.
How to Get in Shape for Hiking
Hiking isn’t just walking in the woods. It requires strength and balance. Here’s how to get ready for trekking, from easy day hikes to the longest thru-hikes in the world.
9 Spectacular Early Spring Backpacking Trips You Can Do Right Now
Already itching to head into the backcountry? These overnights are accessible way earlier than the high country classics, with views just as good.
Large Rockslide Closes Part of the Blue Ridge Parkway
Officials say boulders could take days to clean up.
Ultimate Ultralight: Can You Go Backpacking With No Gear At All?
Just how much pack weight can one hiker cut? Our editor performs a far-out experiment in minimalism.
The Best Backpacking Food of 2022
These dehydrated meals, energy bars, and drinks will help you power through long miles in the backcountry.
The 22 Best Hard Hikes in America
Whether it’s big elevation changes, big miles, or big moves, these 23 routes prove that the best hikes are often the hardest. There’s a world of adventure out there—if you’re strong enough to seize it.
15 Ledge Hikes That Will Make Your Palms Sweat
Get on a high ledge, a crumbly cliff, or a knife-edge ridge and your body will recognize the feeling before your brain catches on.
Take a Stroll Across the Sky on These 10 Perfect Ridgeline Hikes
Embrace the exposure when you take your summer adventures to the crest of the high country.
Ultralighters Need First Aid Kits Too. Here’s How to Build One.
Staying safe in the backcountry doesn't have to weigh you down.
The Best Hikes in the White Mountains
Some of the wildest terrain in the East—loaded with rocky summits, waterfalls, and alpine ponds—is only a couple hour drive from Boston.
The 25 Best Hikes to Hot Springs in the U.S.
Cap off a day on the trail with a soak in a steamy mineral pool. We found the best from Alaska to North Carolina.
10 Frozen Waterfall Hikes That Will Leave You Marveling This Winter
Waterfalls aren't summer-only destinations—these cascades are even cooler when frozen in the winter.