Skills

The internet is in a panic over a huge invasive plant that can cause severe burns and temporary blindness. Here's what hikers should keep in mind.

Don't let a run-in with this pesky plant ruin your summer hiking plans. Learn how to treat poison ivy exposure and avoid it altogether, and brush up on the science behind the backcountry's least-loved vine.

Nature can be brutal. Learn how to to deal with wounds from all kinds of thorns, spines, splinters, shards, quills, needles, and anything else that might get under your skin when you’re on the trail.

There's calorie density, nutritional profile, and bulk to consider. But when it comes to packing food for a thru-hike, one thing will always hold true: it has to taste good enough to eat.

Everyone does it. But it takes a special kind of hiker to make tripping look good.

Great photography is more accessible than ever, thanks to affordable camera tech. But you still need the know-how to use it. Pro adventure photographer Adam Barker offers these pointers for getting started.

Strengthen joints and banish sprains for good.

Turn up the fun factor with stuffed fruits and veggies. Best part? No dishes required.

Can a landlubber learn to paddle—and like it?

Get a backwoods kind of quiet—even when you drive there.

Trail art or nuisance? We answer your questions about backcountry sculpture.

Tyvek Home Wrap is a DIY backpacker’s dream. It’s cheap, sturdy, waterproof, and it weighs about .2 ounce per square foot—ideal for making your own A-frame tarp tent.

Few devour distance like Joe “Stringbean” McConaughy, who holds the overall speed record on the Appalachian Trail. Here are his tips for wringing more miles out of the day.

Packing a backpack for a multi-day trip can be tough. Here's a guide to getting it right the first time.

Build up your abs for better balance and all-day comfort on the trail.

A hiker makes a Leave No Trace confession, and we're here to dole out penance—and a piece of advice.

Ditch summer camp for these five excellent adventures, where young women gain wilderness skills and the confidence to use them from real outdoor role models.

While it’s nice to share, you don’t want to share with a bear.

One option: Skip it entirely.

Want to write about your adventures for a living? Avoid these common mistakes.

There will be times when only a thin layer of fabric protects you from Mother Nature’s fury. Choose the right shell and take care of it.

With map and compass in hand, world-class navigators take to the Estonian forest to compete at the World Orienteering Championships. Who has what it takes to complete this race?

Not every campsite is create equal. Learn where to pitch your shelter for maximum weather protection.

Learning to control the climate inside your jacket plays a giant role in how dry and comfortable you'll be when hiking in rain.

The rain caught you unaware. Now you're getting cold. Learn how to get dry again, and fast.

Learn how wet-weather veterans load a pack to keep their most important gear from getting soaked.

A little rain never hurt anyone. With these tips, there's no such thing as bad weather.

Make your campsite a sanctuary with these tips.

You’re in the local gear shop and you have one job: find a comfy but durable shell that will keep water out. But there are so many options—and the product hangtags seem to be written in code. Don’t worry. Here’s everything you need to know.

Don’t let Mother Nature keep you inside. Take it from these pros who adventure rain or shine. With their tips, there’s no such thing as bad weather.

A good backpacking stove will be your dinner date for hundreds of meals. Here’s how to pick the right one.

Developed by a college outdoor program, this may be the best bar you’ll ever eat.

Precipitation on the menu? Use these tips to cook comfortably in a dry backcountry kitchen.

Keep your body healthy and fueled on long-distance hikes.

When you’re hiking in a place that might never be the same, make sure you bring home a story you can share.

From simple carbs to detox diets, we bust four common food fables.

Skip the dumbbells and the gym membership. This year, whip yourself into shape with nothing more than your backpack.

When you're hiking for weeks or months at a time, sometimes you need a little audio therapy. These podcasts are just what the doctor ordered.

Use snow to build furniture, survive a storm, or make better pancakes (seriously).

Tennessee or not, here are our testers’ picks for the best flask-fillers found in most liquor stores.

We get it: backpacking can be expensive. But you don’t have to shell out a lot of cash to get outside this weekend. Follow these tips to hit the trail for less.

Our staff and writers share their favorite backcountry eats.

Get the flavor of pizza on the trail with a fraction of the effort.

Experts share how drone content can bring videos to the next level.

Leaving a cozy sleeping bag takes its own brand of liquid courage. Find the brew style that suits you best, and use these recipes to serve it with a flourish.

When there’s nothing standing between you and subzero temps but your three-season bag, all is not lost. Use these tricks to push further into winter without losing any sleep.

Can a diehard winter athlete take on a new sport—and the frustration of becoming a beginner again?

Learn the best practices for flying your drone so you never miss a shot again.

Knowing how to fly your drone is half the battle when taking photos from above.

Learn how to get the most out of your drone photography with these pro tips.

Getting out too much is a good problem to have. Stinky clothes from all the mileage? Not so good. We tested 16 cleaning products to find the best treatments to prolong the life of your favorite layers.

If you’re thinking about your feet while backpacking, you’ve done something wrong.

Getting soaked in cold weather isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s dangerous. Use these tips to stay out and stay safe.

Sorry, pasta and rice: Potatoes are the best comfort food. How, you ask? Let us count the ways. They’re packable, versatile, and nutritious. You can cook them in actual fire and use them for any meal. Going light? Bring instant flakes. Basecamping? Treat yourself to the real thing. No matter your style, the potato is right for you.

Is hiking with a total stranger a smart way to find a partner—or a train wreck unfolding one step at a time?

Can you see America's best idea on a thru-hike? You sure can—if you can figure out how to pick up your permit.

Skip the spendy pet treats and make your own. But careful: You might end up eating them yourself.

It’s one of the most liberating ways to take fido on the trail. Make sure that he—and you—are ready for it with our tips.

You’re prepared to get yourself out of trouble in a survival situation. What about your dog?

Use a few everyday items to keep your doggo and yourself hiking happy.

Our scout bucks conventional wisdom and guns for a 14,000-foot summit by sundown—instead of sunrise.

Be your own beer master with this guide to matching trail meals to craft brews.

Yes, yogurt. Laurie March, author of A Fork in the Trail: Mouthwatering Meals and Tempting Treats for the Backcountry, serves up her three favorite yogurt-based recipes.

Leave it to the pros to have the outdoor world figured out. These tips are what turn hikers into guides—and guides into heroes. Learn from their experiences with gear, skills, and people.

How do you find the best secret spots to take a dip? When is it OK to go naked? Backpacker answers all your summer swimming questions.

These five animals are looking for love this month. Hit the trail to watch them go wild.

Nail a once-in-a-lifetime shot with these tips from professional photographer Lucas Gilman.

You’re an adult: Eat like one. Upgrade your mac and cheese by swapping fluorescent powder for old-world flavors, veggies, and spices.

Train like a pro to perform like one. Bryan Pope of Earth Native Wilderness School recommends these exercises with high reps and low weight to build the strength and endurance of a mountain guide.

No oven? No problem. Here’s how to put cookies, muffins, and brownies on the menu.

Escape crowded summer picnic grounds and head to the backcountry—without having to settle for freeze-dried fare. Follow these tips and recipes for your best BBQ yet

Don't fall for these food fibs.

Get your babe into the woods.

Your kids are old enough to remember this. Make some magic.

These kids are ready to become genuine trip partners.

In a season of change, a new mom finds comfort on the trail.

A young climber rewrites the relationship with his dad.

Some parenting dogma is made for breaking and the backcountry is the place to do it.

The best trail is the one you build. Take the work out of trail work and look like you know what you’re doing with these tips.