Health News: What's in Your Bottle?
Check out Dougald McDonald's author page.
From learning to tape a sprained ankle to saving your dog’s life, Backpacker has outdoor first aid guides to teach you which essentials to pack in your backcountry first aid kit and how to best use those supplies with elements of nature to quickly treat a variety of trail injuries and emergencies.
From learning to tape a sprained ankle to saving your dog’s life, Backpacker has outdoor first aid guides to teach you which essentials to pack in your backcountry first aid kit and how to best use those supplies with elements of nature to quickly treat a variety of trail injuries and emergencies.
Check out Dougald McDonald's author page.
Stay cool with expert tips for boiler days.
To tell the difference between a bad bump and a life-threatening blow, follow these crucial steps.
Long-distance runner Russell Secker feels your foot pain–and he knows how to get rid of it.
You can't hike with a bum ticker–follow these heart-healthy strategies to stay on the trail longer.
Get ready for spring with 3 joint-specific routines.
The latest health news reveals that ankle injuries are more common than you'd think. Here's some beta.
Full schedule? Here's how to work in working out.
Nature calls, even in the wilderness. We've found 5 products that will make your outdoor bathroom runs easy, hygienic, and safe.
Advice on kids and herbs at altitude.
Recover from high-mileage days with these before-and-after stretches.
Take these 21 trail tips to heart, and you're virtually guaranteed a good hike.
There are plenty of pre-packaged first aid kits out there but, here are some good ingredients that should go in most kits for most types of hikes. Keep in mind that the longer the hike, or the larger the group, the more safety gear you should bring.
The first industry-wide survey about which gear manufacturers are positively impacting the environment
Sweaty feet, thick socks, and sturdy boots are a blister cauldron. Learn four easy ways to keep your feel clean, dry, and blister free.
Whether it's a "Birthday Challenge" or a peak that needs climbing, choosing a specific fitness challenge will help you stay motivated to get out more.
An expert panel on how to solve various problems.
A park ranger's struggle with the tick-borne illness.
Any way you slice it, Lyme disease is an expanding problem. Use this map and chart to understand how the disease is growing.
Learn the signs so you can get on the road to recovery faster.
A comprehensive guide to tick-borne illnesses beyond Lyme Disease.
Simple question, complex answer.
Get to know the ticks that cause Lyme-and those that don't
Several tests can detect the Lyme bacteria. Find out which one you should take if you are bitten.
To protect yourself from ticks-and reduce your risk of contracting Lyme disease-follow these steps.
Lyme disease may be the nation's #1 wilderness health threat, but it's no reason to avoid the outdoors. Check out this special report on tick-borne illness to learn how to protect yourself and your family.
Learn to recognize, avoid and treat poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Start by scrolling through the photos below.
30 days to a killer trail body with cardio and strength workouts for backpackers.
Fend off a cold-weather slump with these expert strategies.
Got summit fever? The sky's the limit with a fitness plan and climbing tips from world-class mountaineer Ed Viesturs.
Get strong with yoga poses used by a world-class climber
Feel good at 10,000 feet with advice from a Rainier guide.
Hot first aid tips for treating sunburn
A lifeguard's guide to using sunscreen
Health tips for backpackers experiencing life-threatening or just plain annoying bee stings on the trail
Improve your performance with the right drinking strategy
4 techniques to soothe trail-weary muscles
7 tricks for averting on-the-trail allergies
Sunburned eyes can throw you to the sidelines for a painful 48 hours. Learn how to prevent and treat this winter threat.
Get ready for your first race with a fitness plan from a world champ
Let our wilderness EMT teach you the best way to treat those gushing cuts and scrapes.
Is there a sense that's more powerful? We'll let you be the judge.
4 simple stretches to relieve stiff, sore muscles.
It's lean, it's mean, and it can last forever.
Does backpacking build up your bones?
10 Ways Backpacking Changes Your Body
Is there a maximum weight you can safely haul?
Secrets for staying on your feet from dancers, tightrope walkers, running backs, and more.
Sidelined by injury? Get back on the trail fast with this easy treatment plan.
Want to develop legs of steel and the balance of a mountain goat? Try yoga.
Feeling pooped at the end of the day? Try these relaxation and breathing techniques to put more pep in your step.
Prescription drugs you should carry on the trail.
Cooking with aluminum pots in camp won't cause Alzheimer's.
What causes pain on the trail?
How to treat yourself if you gulp down stove fuel in camp.
Tips to improve your hiking stride.
If you have a problem with snoring (that is, if you have a tentmate who snores), try this remedy on your next night in camp.
We head for the hills to escape the tensions of everyday life. So why do our heads often pound like a drum soon after hitting the trail?
How to identify and treat swimmer's ear in the wilderness.
Antibiotic ointment, a basic element of every first-aid kit, has gotten a bad rap lately.
Use these tips to bug-proof your clothes.
To stem the pain, act fast when treating burns.
Soreness and tightness in your shins (aka shin splints) can make every step along the trail painful.
Keep scrapes clean with lightweight cleaning pads.
Think crypto comes only from polluted water? Your healthy camp mate could be a carrier.
Your 3 million sweat glands can make for a sweaty, smelly hike.
Body odor can get pretty bad on the trail. Here's how to make sure you never again hear the words, "What's That Smell?"
How to improve your tolerance for cold and enhance your outdoor performance.
Your finger got crushed between a rock and a hard place. Here's what to do.
Hikes with a lot of elevation gain and loss are prime for getting tendinitis in the Achilles tendon.
New trail-tested advice for shading your face from the sun.
We're not saying you need a pedicure, but a toenail trim doesn't hurt on the trail.
Follow this cover-up advice before you head into the desert.
Wind chill can nip noses or lead to frostbite. Here's what you should know.
Startling research reveals the backcountry melts tension.
Sore shoulders after lugging a pack? Try this exercise remedy.
Suffer a bone-related injury and one of these high-tech splints will quickly become your best friend.
Whether it's old and dirty or fresh off the store shelf, your first-aid kit should be able to handle any emergency.
Finish foot fungus fast -- and naturally.
A personal perspective on healing back, joint and other body pains.