Let’s Bring Back the Hiking Boot
We get it: Trail runners are cool. But some rough terrain calls for a little more ankle support.
Displaying 641 - 720 of approximately 1673 results
Shelter Etiquette Every Backpacker Should Know
Sharing a cramped sleeping space with a dozen stinky hikers can be a challenge. Here's how to make it more pleasant for everyone.
Want to Thru-Hike in Retirement? 3 Senior Trekkers Share Their Wisdom.
These three hikers achieved their long-trail dreams later in life. Here's how you can, too.
My Dad Made Me a Hiker—and His Generation Changed Hiking Forever
My dad carried me (kicking and screaming, mostly) up Mt. Washington at age four. It was just the intro I needed for a lifetime of high adventure.
Deal of the Week: Grab This 10-Ounce Ultralight Shelter for Less Than $100
The MSR Thru-Hiker Mesh House 1 is one of the lightest solutions for keeping out bugs, no-see-ums, and water seepage from the ground.
California’s “Golden Mountain” Features Forests, Coastal Bluffs—and Some of the Best Wildflowers You’ll Ever See
Montaña de Oro is one of California’s biggest state parks, but it receives a fraction of Yosemite National Park’s visitation.
The Best Summits Backpacker’s Editors Have Ever Hiked
Every hiker has a summit that they can't stop thinking about. In honor of National Trails Day, the Backpacker editors are sharing ours.
Meet the Educator Bringing Backpacking to Rural Virginia Students
Lisa Benish found her calling introducing kids in Virginia’s rural coal country to the joys of backpacking and nature.
7 Great Reasons to Quit Your Hike
When should you prioritize your safety over your desire to finish your hike? Always. Six hikers explain how they knew it was time to call it.
Explore Narnia or Walk With a Saint on These 5 Northern Ireland Treks
Hike alongside basalt cliffs, through lush meadows, and between tiny towns in this lesser-traveled region of Ireland.
The 13 Best Thru-Hiking Stories of All Time
From bold new long trails to incredible physical feats to the people who make our hikes possible, these are some of the best stories ever to come out of the world's longest trails.
Hear the Speech That Launched a Generation of Thru-Hikers
For over 17 years, trail angels Barney and Sandy Mann gave PCT thru-hikers an unofficial orientation before they set off from the southern terminus. This talk undoubtedly changed trail culture forever—and saved lives.
Cut Pounds Off Your Pack Weight With These 3 Easy Steps
Don't let the gram-counting around ultralight gear intimidate you. Slimming down your pack's weight is easier than many beginners think.
The 45 Best Backpacking Stories of All Time
From long-trail heroes to quirky characters to nail-biting tales of danger, these stories are some of the best pieces of hiking writing ever composed.
What’s the Best Underwear for Backpacking?
This basic piece of gear can make or break your hiking experience.
Dream of Thru-Hiking With Your Kids? These Rad Parents Will Show You How
Two thru-hiking moms share their top tips for backpacking with little ones.
The 10 Best National Parks for Hikers
Everyone has a favorite national park. But when it comes to hiking, some just do it better than others.
10 Questions Thru-Hikers Hate Answering
Whether you’re about to begin your first thru-hike or finish your tenth, these are the questions strangers will ask you. And these are some of the ways we’ve fantasized about answering them.
9 Epic Guided Hikes You Can Book This Year
Solitude is nice, but let's face it: Often the best part of a long trail is the company. Meet a new group of hiking pals and explore your new favorite landscapes on these guided hikes.
What It’s Like to Find, Lose, or Live with Love on a Long Hike
Lots of people say they hike to change their lives. For some, that starts by changing their love lives.
What’s the Difference Between AT and PCT Hikers? A Lot, According to These Surveys.
We compared trekkers' pack weights, ages, total spend, and more.
The 21 Best Hikes in America for Kids
No matter your kids' age or experience level, we've got the perfect trail for your family.
Deal of the Week: The Hoka One One Speedgoats Are One of Thru-Hiking’s Most Popular Shoes
Testers compared the Hoka One One Speedgoat to a full-suspension 29er mountain bike.
Enrich Your Thru-Hike With Our 7 Favorite Side Quests
From an ostrich farm on the Pacific Crest to a lakeside oasis on the Colorado Trail, these off-trail adventures, chosen by thru-hikers, are well worth an extra hitch or a few more miles.
These 9 National Parks Will Require Reservations in 2025
Timed-entry reservations are back. Our national parks columnist reveals how to get into these popular parks.
The Best Hiking Destinations for Every Month in 2025
Here’s to a new year of adventure. Fill your 2025 calendar with day trips and thru-hikes to summit peaks, remote forests, and urban escapes with our picks for the best destinations of the year.
17 New Year’s Resolutions Every Backpacker and Thru-Hiker Should Consider
From dropping egos to taking a first-ever overnight trip, experienced hikers share their hopes and dreams for the new year ahead.
The Best Feature Stories Backpacker Published in 2024
From exclusive interviews to heartwarming adventure tales, here are the most popular features we published this year.
The 8 Biggest Hiking Controversies Backpacker Covered in 2024
From extreme ultralight tactics to the fate of a decades-old, Instagram-famous trail, these were the biggest controversies we wrote about this year.
Ask a Thru-Hiker: A Natural Disaster Interrupted Your Hike. What Now?
Fires, floods, and other extreme weather events are increasingly part of life on America's long trails. What should you do when they strike?
The Humble Poncho Is the Perfect Ultralight Backpacking Layer
Oversized and decidedly uncool, the poncho is still one of my top choices for rainy hikes.
At 75, Soren West Completed the Thru-Hike He Dreamed of Since Age 12
As a child, Soren West dreamed of hiking the AT. Sixty three years later, he and his golden retriever made it a reality.
Is America’s Next Great Thru-Hike in Texas?
The xTx trail will cover 1,500 miles in the Lone Star State.
Ray Jardine Revolutionized Two Outdoor Sports. Then He Disappeared.
In the ’70s, Ray Jardine changed rock climbing forever when he invented Friends. In the ’90s, he teamed up with his wife Jenny to do the same for backpacking, kickstarting the ultralight movement with their innovative gear designs. In a rare interview, they explain why they left the industry they helped create.
Inside the Ultralight Cult of Durston
The X-Mid trekking pole tent and other groundbreaking ultralight designs have earned Durston an unmatched fanbase, with a 14,000-person Facebook group and in-jokes about stickers and sage at the center of it. M. John Fayhee dives into lightweight backpacking's most devoted "cult."
Lyla Harrod’s 3,000-Mile Divide to Crest Route Might Be the Wildest New Thru-Hike in America
Harrod's route offers a fresh perspective on the American West. Now she wants you to hike it, too.
This Mom Thru-Hiked 2,000 Miles With Her 13 Children. It Wasn’t Easy.
When Nikki Bettis and 13 of her kids set out on the AT, they had no idea how transformative the experience would be.
Deal of the Week: Snag Thru-Hiking’s Favorite Shoes for Up to 50 Percent Off
Snag a pair of Altra Lone Peak 7s or another zero-drop, lightweight hiker at a steep discount.
Trying to Go Ultralight? Stop Packing So Much Clothing
A stuff sack full of clothes is often the last obstacle holding back new ultralighters.
Mt. Katahdin is a Logistical Nightmare. Is it Time to Move the AT’s Northern Terminus?
For years, tensions have run high between AT thru-hikers and rangers in Baxter State Park. One hiker wonders, could moving the terminus solve the problem?
Does Your Thru-Hike Still Count if You Miss a Few Miles? Two Hikers Debate.
Walking from terminus to terminus is a thru-hiker’s dream, but what about when circumstances—or a really cool side trail—lead you on a detour?
Camp Shoes Are Essential, According To Podiatrists. Here’s Why.
Diversifying your footwear keeps your feet dry, comfortable, and healthy. What else could you want?
Thru-Hiking Changes You—And Not Always For the Best
From showering less to sleeping on the floor, thru-hikers confess to the unusual habits they brought home from the trail.
Tim Kaine Hiked, Paddled, and Biked Across Virginia—All During Senate Recesses
The new book Walk, Ride, Paddle documents Senator Tim Kaine's years-long triathlon through his home state.
Go Gluten-Free and Eat Like Royalty With These 5 Backpacking Recipes
Gluten-free backpacking doesn’t have to be hard. Do it right with these tips and recipes.
Is it Ethical to Crowdfund a Thru-Hike?
Financing a thru-hike can be expensive. But is it OK to ask others for help?
Quiz: Which Thru-Hike is Right for You?
Itching to thru-hike, but not sure where to go? We’ll help you decide.
Want to Hike Full-Time? Here’s How These 3 Hikers Make it Work
Yes, you can hold down a stable career and hike six months out of the year. Three enterprising thru-hikers share their secrets.
This Hiker Just Bagged 487 Miles in a Week. It Left Him in the Hospital
Kyle Curtin only slept about 12 hours total over the course of his Colorado Trail thru-hike. When he finished, he could barely walk.
It’s Norovirus Season. Here’s How to Avoid Infection
Stomach flus are on the rise in national parks and on long trails. A wilderness EMT and WFR instructor shares how to cope.
Tick Bites Are On the Rise—But New Vaccines Offer Hope
Lyme disease is one of the most debilitating tickborne illnesses. But a cure could be on its way.
The Best Hikes in the Midwest
The midwestern states are some of the most geographically diverse landscapes in America. Shaped by ancient glaciers, rivers and lakes are abundant among deep forests and rolling hills. Here are some of the best hikes to explore this diverse region.
Dozens of Hikers Airlifted from Havasu Falls after Mysterious Illness
Check out Corey Buhay's author page.
Is the Smartphone-Free Thru-Hike Dead? Some Hikers Are Bringing It Back
Unplugged thru-hikes are increasingly rare—but not extinct. Here's how to thru-hike without a smart phone.
Lyla “Sugar” Harrod Wants To See More Trans Hikers. So She Became Their Mentor.
Trail QTs is a mentorship program for LGBTQ+ hikers and backpackers. Here are the organization's three leaders.
The 10 Most Beautiful Hikes in the World
Our trails columnist has hiked thousands of miles. These are the routes at the top of his bucket list. Thrill yourself with a trip to an amazing trail this year.
This Ultralight Icon’s Book is a Masterclass in Minimalism
Glen Van Peski’s new memoir dishes out life advice and takes readers behind the scenes at Gossamer Gear.
12 Best Day Hikes in New England
The country's northeast corner offers an impressive, diverse landscape that will challenge even the most experienced hikers.
The 50 Best Hiking, Trekking, and Walking Books of All Time
The next best thing to hitting the trail? Hitting these books.
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Discover the Best of Asheville with Advice from Local Experts
This adventurous North Carolina community has incubated scores of outdoor gear makers. Here’s what they recommend for fun in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
How to Be the Absolute Worst Backpacker at the Campsite
Follow these steps to give your camp neighbors an unforgettable experience. (Note that we said “unforgettable,” not “good.”)
I’m a Hillbilly. Here’s How I (Forest) Bathe in the Woods
This Appalachian’s spin on Shinrin-yoku, the Japanese practice of forest bathing, is proving to be potent medicine in the mountains of North Carolina.
Mount Washington Is a Beautiful—But Deadly—Hike. Here’s How to Do it Safely.
At a modest 6,288 feet, Mount Washington seems like an unlikely candidate for one of America’s deadliest mountains. But with more than 150 known fatalities, it can be a hazardous hike. Here’s what beginners need to know before hitting the trail.
The 10 Hardest Dayhikes in America
From a 41-mile day to thigh-busting climbs to exposed, high-mountain ridges, hiking doesn't get harder than this.
You Can Order Pizza to Your Campsite. But Should You?
A viral video showed a group of thru-hikers ordering food delivery to the trail. Is there any harm in a little self-indulgence?
This Hiker Attempted the Triple Crown With Less Than 3 Pounds of Gear. Impressive or Dangerous?
In 2023, Sam “Shade” Carter tried to hike the Calendar Year Triple Crown with a $19 Amazon daypack, an emergency bivvy, and no tent, sleeping bag, or sleeping pad. Is that too ultralight?
5 Mini Thru-Hikes You Can Do in a Long Weekend
Dreaming of doing a thru-hike? You can get a taste of the experience on these three-day treks that travel an entire trail, terminus to terminus.
He Wrote the Book on LNT. Here’s What He Says About Pooping Outside
Everybody does it. But pooping in the wrong place could make a mess of someone else's hike. An expert shares how to make the best of a sh*tty situation on the trail.
Can’t Wait Until Spring? Do These 3 Short Thru-Hikes This Winter
Complete an entire thru-hike before fair-weather hikers lace up for their first trip of the year.
Is it Ever OK to Pitch a Tent Inside a Hiking Shelter?
Putting up your own tent inside a communal shelter may sound cozy, but it takes up room and can be frustrating to weary hikers who just want to get some rest. Is there ever a situation where it’s all right to do?
The Ten-Pound Ultralight Baseweight Needs to Die
As gear has gotten lighter, the traditional ten-pound baseweight limit for ultralighters has become a thing of the past. It's time to take a more expansive view of what it means to go light.
Inside Billy “Wahoo” Meredith’s Record-Crushing, 234-Day Hike of the Triple Crown
Billy "Wahoo" Meredith had one thru-hike and exactly zero FKTs under his belt when he decided to try to finish the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide Trails in record time. The next 234 days and 7,500 miles would test him in more ways than one.
The Best Hiking Destinations for Every Month in 2024
Every day is a good day for hiking. But where to do it? Chase the best weather, dodge crowds, see superblooms, and more with our month-by-month hiking guide to 2024.
5 Dayhikes You Need To Add To Your Bucket List
Not interested in thru-hiking? You can still have goal trails. These dayhikes have everything worthy of a spot on your bucket list.
5 Epic Hiking Quests to Go on in 2024
Looking for a heroic adventure? Hike across an island, seek a rare beast, or complete three more quests on these life-list treks.
The 6 Biggest Bear Stories Backpacker Published in 2023
Years come and years go, but hikers' fascination with bears is eternal.
The Gear That Backpacker’s Editors Loved in 2023
Over a year of backpacking, dayhiking, basecamping, paddling, ski touring, and more, these 11 pieces of gear were our personal MVPs.
The Government Has a New Plan for One of America’s Roughest Long-Distance Hikes
The Pacific Northwest Trail Is the US’s least-developed National Scenic Trail. But a new comprehensive plan could give a boost to efforts to change that.
4 American Hut-to-Hut Hikes You Can Do Without a Passport
Think hut-to-hut hikes only exist in the mountains of Europe? These four trails in the states will prove you wrong.
I Took My New Husband on His First Backpacking Trip—and Discovered a Different Side of Him
Hitting the trail with someone may be the best way to get to know them. But what if that "someone" is your new hubby?