Skills

Whether you're a Mountain House fanatic or dehydrate your entire menu yourself—here's how to keep your energy levels stable on trail.

We've been warned against hitchhiking our entire lives—but on a long trail, sometimes it's the best option.

Irrigation is the most important step you can take to prevent a cut from going south.

Most thru-hikers are careful about LNT rules—but a few scofflaws can make us all look bad.

Forgetting to plan ahead, leaving social trails, and 3 more ways errors backpackers make.

We talked to Leave No Trace about the best ways to bushwhack.

Perfect your camping setup with these tips.

Prep for this no-mess treat is more complicated than boiling water—barely.

Get to know your rainbows from your double rainbows from your moonbows.

Want to avoid growing a science project in your water bottle or hydration bladder? We’ve got the cleaning tips and tricks to keep them squeaky clean.

It’s not just a bag. It’s a lifetime’s worth of beauty sleep. Learn what features you need, shop accordingly, and keep your bag in good repair, and it’ll keep you sleeping soundly.

Home is where you stake it out. Understand the ins and outs, pick the right shelter, and treat it like you would your bedroom.

Understanding suspension and construction is key to finding the right fit—and proper maintenance and repair will ensure your load-hauler lasts thousands of miles.

Footwear tech is more complicated than it looks. Maximize your mileage by learning how to pick the right boots and make them last.

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.

Bad weather, horrendous blisters, endless hills—it’s all fun if you look at it the right way.

The easiest way to lighten your pack isn’t to buy new gear, but to leave a few things you already have behind.