Skills

See more wildlife, climb more peaks, and hike more miles with these tips that'll help every adventure traveling backpacker raise their game.

Your region's go-now guide: Explore New York City, hike four states in 24 hours, and perfect days in NC, GA, and NH.

Your region's go-now guide: Perfect days in Indianapolis, Minneapolis, and Tulsa.

Why should a backpacker want anything other than a tent? Michael Lanza can think of five good reasons.

Humans weren't built to sleep on snow. Defy nature and sleep soundly with these winter camping tips.

In and out of the wilderness, food is important for survival. Don't screw it up with these winter cooking tips.

Hiking through the snow is beautiful, but not exactly easy. Use these tips to make your winter traverse all the more pleasant.

Especially in winter, getting there is half the battle. Find your way through the white with these tips.

The best defense is a good offense. Employ these tips before you ever leave home.

Our five-part plan to staying warm and well-fed in cold weather.

A chocolate bar that benefits hiking trails? Yes, please!

A two-ounce, packable kit to quickly mend your pad, tent, bag, or shell in the field.

Yes: You should be eating eggs on the trail. Here are 7 great ways to do it.

One simple blade that gets the job done.

Java-lovers rejoice: drip coffee in the backcountry.

The best vessel you ever splurged on.

Going where no stove has gone before, this wood-burner also charges your electronics.

Bring home cooking to the outdoors with these backcountry innovations.

We're matching your needs with our expertise and making over six lucky readers with new skills and gear to get more out of their trail time.

261 reviews and camping tips

What bugs can tell you about finding your way.

We're gearing up for some massive giveaways in 2013 to celebrate BACKPACKER's 40th anniversary.

Don't click away yet: Cheese and chocolate make for a delicious and well-rounded taste combination.

Check out Tracy Ross and Rachel Zurer's author page.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

If you're hiking deep into the mountains where lakes abound, you're missing the boat if you don't catch your supper. Here are seven items that perform and pack well for excellent backcountry fly fishing..

Camp-friendly salami, summer sausage, and jerky recipes

When stiff heavyweight hiking boots or ski boots give you painful heel blisters, moleskin just isn't thick enough to relieve the pressure. MacGyver your way to relief with this clever remedy.

We sampled 50 jerkies, salamis, and summer sausages to find the tastiest and longest-lasting. Here’s how to choose, use, and make trail-worthy meats.

Strengthen your lower back for a more comfort on the trail.

Build a strong core for better injury prevention.

Build your pack-hefting back and core.

Change declination to navigate more accurately over long distances.

Try these camp-friendly breakfast recipes using summer sausage and salami. They're delicious ways to add protein to your trail menu--and finish an opened serving of sausage before it begins to spoil.

Murphy’s Law, meet your match. Our experts offer trip-saving fixes for 44 mishaps, from bug bites to bad partners to broken bones.

Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro is plenty hard with two strong legs. Imagine crawling to the top, like the first congenital quadruple amputee to reach the summit.

We test to find the toughest, most versatile, best survival knife.

We perked more than 100 caffeinated cups to find the best trail-brewtechnique. Here’s how to choose your method, gear, and grounds.

Pro Tips: Boost Performance, Planning, Safety, and More

Our man-in-the-field, Drop Dead Ted, tests lifesaving gear and equipment with ingenuity and elbow grease. You can trust his results to provide the truth that every backpacker needs to know in a survival situation.

Multitasking dads will love this easy-sipping cup.

A rugged battery pack that will let him stay charged up and connected.

Turn an iPod into a campground sound system.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Yes, the views and fresh air and exercise make every backpacking trip worthwhile. But now, new research shows, staying home is just plain dumb. Learn why backpacking boosts brainpower in this exclusive report from the frontiers of environmental neuroscience.

Gourmet Southwestern salad, perfect for that light afternoon meal.

Super quick and full of flavor. Perfect for a fast and easy meal.

Black beans and a heaping dose of flavor make for tasty, fiber- and protein-rich meals

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

This loop attachment slides easily when it’s unweighted, but holds tight when you pull it. It’s a standard climbers’ knot that’s perfect for ascending out of a jam (or up a tree).

Shopping for boots becomes a whole lot easier if you know whether you're an overpronator, have a high arch, or a "normal" foot. Try this wet test to determine your foot type.

Simple, yet reliable, this compass is great for spot checks and map consults.

Get customized maps that give you turn-by-turn directions and campsite information all in one, easy to use and waterproof map.

A compact kit that provides you with the survival essentials you need while you're on the go.

Save money (and weight) with this tent-saving DIY trick.

Pick the best tent anchors for any condition.

From a morning cup of joe to easy-sipping fireside nightcaps, here are our staff’s most-requested trail beverages.

Sweet treats to close a campside meal--and help you recoup after an energy-zapping hiking day.

Fuel more trail miles with our favorite new packable meals.

Our resident expert, gear editor Kristin Hostetter, assembles the tools to save any trip.

A camp throne built for long-term schlepping and chilling.

Haul your little one in this lightweight and customizable backpack kid carrier.

Check out Katie Herrel's author page.

Yes, it's the journey that counts. But every trip is better with fast, delicious food like this.

We received so many great photo for our January 2012 Readers' Choice photo contest that we just had to share the runners-up.

Here are the top 10 finalists for the Reader Photo of the Month.

Prevent six common adventure-travel risks.

Stay charged and in touch abroad.

Pick and choose what to pack for long or multi-activity trips. Plus, three ways to avoid overspending when outfitting your next trip.

Carry more, protect your pack, and ease transit.

Get backcountry-worthy accident insurance and plan for good-weather windows and low-traffic trails.

Stay on track in exotic terrain with tips from adventurer Pete Takeda.

Shoes that stick, rope worth investing in, and a Grigri 2 overhaul.

On Wednesday night, reggae-hip-hop-fusion artist Michael Franti was recording a new track for his follow-up to the hit album "The Sound of Sunshine." On Thursday night, he rocks The Depot at Outdoor Retailer in a concert presented by Wolverine. BACKPACKER's Jonathan Dorn and Anthony Cerretani spoke to Franti right before the show about how the outdoors influences his music, lifestyle, and clothing line.