Beginner Skills

Perfect your camping setup with these tips.

Can science—and a fine-tuned gear setup—help you sleep better? Let's give it a try.

Find the perfect spot to pitch your tent with these tips.

Camping with kids can be unpredictable and messy. But, with a lot of love (and sometimes, a little blackmail), it can be a lot more fun.

We dive deep into this backpacking cultural phenomenon.

Keep your feet snug and comfortable with these step-by-step directions for common hiking boot lacing techniques.

Stay fresh, whether you’re out for a few miles or a few thousand.

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime with the most popular columns from thru-hiker Liz "Snorkel" Thomas.

Harness the power of observation and the fundamentals of meteorology to make short-term forecasts on your next hike.

It sounds ridiculous, but some backpackers swear they sleep warmer when they slide into their sleeping bags in the buff. We get to the naked truth of it.

Master the art of layering to keep comfy all winter.

It’s February, which means you’d better start reserving campsites for August now. We have a few tips for you.

In the backcountry, a rolled ankle can spell trouble. Learn how to tell minor sprains from major injuries and what to do if you’re hurt.

Through thick and thin, health and injury, long slogs and zero days, your trail family will be there for you.

No workout can mimic the challenge of a thru-hike, but you can minimize initial soreness—and the risk of injury—by smart training. Start a fitness program at least eight weeks before your hike.

Whether you want gas station-fast or cafe-gourmet, there's a way to do it right.

Don't let your water bottle turn into ice on the trail. Keep it flowing with these tips.

We collected all of your burning questions and consulted our field experts on everything from winter gear to screaming barfies to hibernation.

Many backpackers depend on their phones as cameras, GPS devices, e-readers, and more. Keep yours running for longer with this advice.

Stay upright no matter how icy or snowy the trail conditions get this winter. The key: carefully select what you're wearing on your feet.

It's like the old saying goes: there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. Get ready for whatever nature throws at you with this guide to layering strategy.

Check out Zoe Gates's author page.

In 5 months, a new class of thru-hikers will start the trip of a lifetime. If you hope to be one of them, there are a few things you should start doing now.

Don't let an asthma attack ruin your hike. Breathe easy with these tips.

Don't fear the freeze: Learn to love the cold and feel the whole winter wilderness open up to you.

Instead of gorging on pasta, backpackers should focus on consistency in nutrition, says Adventure Performance Training’s founder and head coach James Fisher.

Learn the easiest way to hang a bear bag and keep your camping snacks safe from rummaging paws.

Ending too many hikes with sore, wobbly legs? Trekking poles can help you make it that extra mile.

Backpacking rule number one: Pack enough to eat.

One hiker reflects on the backpacking lessons she learned during a particularly memorable first overnight.

Go big with these expedition trip planning tips.

And how to tell if a polar bear is aggressive or just passing through the area.

With a little ingenuity, one hiker improvises shelter.

We've made the mistakes so you don't have to.

Winter camping is super rewarding, but convincing others to join you isn't always easy. It's best to have a few tricks.

Companions can make or break a trip. Here’s how to choose one wisely.

The best way to ruin your first backpacking trip? A pack that’s too heavy. Lighten your load with these tips.

If you play your cards right, you can turn your non-hiker friends into lifelong backpacking partners

The trail is your happy place. Here's how you can keep it that way for others, too.

Snow travel requires more technique and precautions than regular hiking. Here's how to do it right.

Backcountry Foodie’s Aaron Owens Mayhew explains what you should eat and when to best suit your individual body and hiking needs.

Thru-hiking is a wonderful experience, but it’s not the only way to see a long trail. And for a lot of people, it might not even be the best.

No, your way is gross.

It may be taboo in daily life, but talking about poop is inevitable for any overnight hiker.

Knowing how to identify these five common venomous snakes, found across the United States, can save you stress on the trail. 

Insomnia can stop you from enjoying a trip to the fullest. Fight it with this advice.

If first trips have something in common, it’s that they go sideways pretty often. Here are a few important lessons readers and editors have learned along the way.

Ready to spend your first night out but don’t know where to start? We've got you covered.

Toilet paper is one of those modern conveniences that most people shudder to think of living without. But in the backcountry, you don't need it.

There's sleeping outside, and then there's sleeping outside. Learn to camp without a tent or tarp using these easy tips.

Backpacking is some of the best medicine for stress. Learning self-massage will give you an extra tool to help you leave your worries behind.

The trail is calling. Pack these essential items and go.

We already know that backpacking is better for the planet than other forms of travel. But how much better, exactly? And can we make hiking even greener?

Some destinations may still be closed to US travelers, but that just means you have more time to plot out the perfect trek. Start planning now for the hike of a lifetime.

In a pinch, they can can keep you going—but only if we all do our part.

Whether you're participating in Naked Hiking Day or just want to feel the breeze on your skin, there are a few things you need to know about nude hiking if you want to make sure you don’t end up ticketed or in cuffs.

Buy, ship, or check hiker boxes and just hope for the best? Here's how to keep your stove running on your thru-hike.

These crunchy, easy-to-prepare side dishes will make your hiking buddies green with envy.

No one knows the ins and outs of the trail like professional guides. Learn a few of their secrets to take your trips to the next level.

Trading in your tent for a hammock is perfect for warm summer nights and making camp on uneven ground. Here's how to enjoy the high life safely and comfortably.

For hikers on the western U.S.'s long-distance paths, large wildfires are part of the new normal.

These disease-ridden creepy crawlies are everywhere these days. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid ticks—and prevent adverse side effects if you do get bitten.

Irresponsible campers put forests, people, and hiking seasons at risk. Do your part by making sure your blaze is dead out.

Before you head out on a thru-hike, set expectations at home and at work, and make sure that everyone knows what to do when trouble arises.

Skip the resupply box: There are better uses for your time.

Say goodbye to mildew when you give your water bottle proper care.

Getting pine sap on your apparel can put you in a sticky situation. Get yourself out of it with a little bit of elbow grease and know-how.

What does mountain guide Charlotte Austin keep in her pack? Baling wire, some important information, and a home remedy for nausea.

From training to planning, prep right to maximize your chances of going the distance.

Firestarting gets the-step-by-step treatment in Nate Summers’s compelling new treatise.

My first thru-hike attempt didn’t end the way I wanted. Here are the lessons I’ll bring to my next one.

Bringing your little nugget into the woods for the first time can be intimidating. Follow these tips for a safer, less stressful family adventure.

Optimize your diet and nutrition and you'll feel fresh, hike strong—and leave the Hiker Hobble behind for good.

Too cold to catch some rest? This simple hack provides a long-lasting boost of warmth—and works as well at home as it does on the trail.

Take back winter fun—no matter the weather—by learning how to keep your feet warm.

The longer you stay out, the more likely you are to see significant precip. You can get by with less protection in warmer weather, but in temps below about 65°F, you’ll need to suit up to stay safe. Here’s how to dress for the occasion.

Coming out of the woods tired and dirty is a rejuvenating experience. But it's possible to overdo a good thing. Take care of yourself on your next hike with these five simple quality-of-life hacks, and you'll reap the benefits.

Spending a day on the trail is one thing, but for those who have never camped before—or don't do it often—letting their guard down and snoozing in the great outdoors is a big leap. Make it a little easier with these tips.

Ever dreamed of working as a photographer, wildland firefighter, or gear designer? Six pros tell you what it takes to get their careers.

Cold fingers and toes cause quick misery in the backcountry. The key to feeling as warm as possible is keeping your digits toasty. Take care of your hands and feet and you’ll have a much more pleasant winter camping experience.