Skills

Outsmart the weather with these tricks from our experts.

Can two hikers keep their feet happy while splashing through creeks for days?

Even with no agenda, a spontaneous day trip serves up many rewards

This backpacking staple can do more than make sandwiches.

Follow these guidelines so you don't have to cut your trip short.

Tomatoes: tasty food, lousy fireworks.

Cook and imbibe better by learning how to shop, transport, and use your spirits, wine, and beer.

Leave the freeze-dried meals at home and treat yourself to a gourmet trail meal with our most popular recipes.

The best backpacking game is the one you don't have to carry.

Capabilities vary widely. Use these questions to make the best choice for your needs.

Nothing quite says "warm weather" like wild snake orgies. Here's everything you never wanted to know about trailside tangles of slithering serpents.

The two great sins of packing are overdoing it and leaving important stuff behind. Follow these tips to make sure you and all the essentials get where you’re going.

How to make it more bonding than battle zone.

Strengthen your legs for early-season hikes, which often involve postholing in lingering snow up high and crossing run-off swollen rivers down low.

Out of every 100 people who attempt to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, 73 will give up. Beat the odds—and save your budget—by following these rules from a gear shop owner who sees thousands of hikers every season.

Use these tips and trips to find backcountry peace and quiet, no matter where you live.

Navigation tips from an Appalachian Trail pro.

Finding adventure inside and outside will keep the kids entertained all season long.

For versatility and affordability, nothing beats a tarp. With an 8-by-10-foot piece of nylon, some paracord, stakes, a trekking pole, and a little ingenuity, you can make a shelter to withstand any weather.

One backpacker shares her secret to maintaining a decades-long hiking streak.

Prepare the first meal of the day at home and you'll start hiking sooner—and have on-the-go snacks.

Are mother and son ready to trade the crib for a tent?

Turn a day at the beach into a trip to the magical world of ocean life.

Say good-bye to food overflows and ineffective bear bags, and fend off unwanted visitors with these tips.

How much do you really know about the creatures that you're sharing the wilderness with?

You don’t have to be a planner to start a thru-hike, but you’ll turn into one if you want to finish. Such is the wisdom of Amanda “Zuul” Jameson, who has thru-hiked the Pacific Crest, Continental Divide, and Grand Enchantment Trails and now helps fellow trekkers dial in their gear.

Do your shoes actually fit properly? We asked Oboz how to know you’re getting the right fit before you hit the trail with your brand-new hiking boots.

The answer is more nuanced than one might think.

Get the whole family excited about the outdoors by spotting newborn animals in the wild.

Don’t stay inside just because it's messy outside But you can make cleanup easier with these simple tips.

Make the most of every outing by knowing what your kids can and can’t do.

From your muscles to your meal planning, all it takes is a little fitness to make your hikes longer, better, and more fun than ever.

See more—and have more fun—this winter with these gear and technique trips.

Learn how to find a great backcountry skiing zone and create a custom map with this guide to CalTopo.

If you want a great family camping vacation in summer, you'd better make reservations in winter.

Humans aren't the only species making moves this month. Hike these five trails to see wildlife trying to get a little action.

Make these flavorful dishes and you won't need to dump Tabasco on your dinner.

Turn snowy hikes into (responsible) treasure hunts by learning to recognize wildlife prints

How to find the right camp for your kids—and how to know if they're ready.

Whether you’re walking thousands of miles or just a few, every ounce counts. Keep your pack weight down with this seven-step process from expert thru-hiker Liz “Snorkel” Thomas.

First of all, should you?

Yes, hiking is wonderful and nature is grand. But when you’re walking for months at a time, you will eventually get bored. Our thru-hiker explains how to deal with trail fatigue.

The trails are still covered in snow, but it’s not too late to start getting ready for your first thru-hike.

Thru-hiking a long trail is hard enough without constantly second-guessing yourself along the way. Our writer shares her strategies for banishing worries before and during your hike.

Bringing the wrong kind of clothes or food is a quick ticket to a hefty pack—but don’t go too far.

No one ever wants to be in a situation where you need to call for help. But if it does happen to you, you won’t regret being prepared.

Snow opens up new options for hauling gear, but that doesn’t always mean you should use them.

A hiker's conservation sin leaves him lost.

We've created a plan to help you upgrade your trail time in all the ways that matter: bigger views, more solitude, easier miles, and more. Don't hang up your boots until you've mastered this definitive list of 10 skills and life-altering experiences.

You can do it! Here’s how—with tips from Scott and Jenny (and Raven and Evergreen) Jurek.

Nothing provides comfort like chocolate—whether it's in a savory soup or a warm mug on a cold night.

Who needs an off-season? Take on the challenge with Colorado mountain guide Jason Antin's top tips for alpine travel in the fourth season.

Don't break the bank. Our editors test buying factory-direct, searching out secondhand deals, and more.

Strengthen your hips to avoid pesky knee pain on the trail.

Stuck in a ramen rut? Are your camp recipes ultralight but ultra boring? Does your food bag weigh more than you do? Our expert chefs solve these problems and more, with tips, recipes, and gear picks for 9 flood-flummoxed hikers.

TSA-approved camp kit carry-on items. Plus, meds you might need abroad.

Save time and energy with a knowledgeable local pro.

Reduce the physical stress of getting there–and enjoy the ride.

The backcountry doesn't close when its cold outside. Make the most of the snowy season with our help.

Want to achieve your fourth-season dreams? Lay the groundwork with these exercises.

You spend your weekends in the wilderness. For these lucky professionals, it's a living.

Sometimes you just want a little more than a flask of whiskey. Wow your hiking partners with these 13 recipes.

Whether you need to carry a full load of winter gear or just an extra camp chair, train your muscles to take the weight with these three exercises.

Banish the goosebumps on cold nights with these three belly-warming one-pot recipes.

Triple the mileage with next to nothing on your back? A longtime hiker tries two-wheel camping to figure out the catch.

When the ground is cold, it’s tough to stay warm. Don’t skimp on comfort.

What do you do when you've packed too much fuel for your camp stove? Definitely not this.

Find home anywhere, one leaf at a time.

Go ahead, get cozy: These expert tips will help you winterize your cold-weather camping game. Keep your core (and your gear) warm in the coldest weather with this ultimate guide.

The challenge: Make a dozen cupcakes with an ultralight stove.

From navigation to staying dry to predicting the weather, our primer will have you dialed.

Hike farther, faster, and pain-free with these training tips and exercise.