Skills

You don’t need to “get in shape” to enjoy hiking season. Here’s how to savor it from the start.

And what to do when you get athlete’s foot on your pack.

Dayhikes are wonderful, but you’ve decided to make the leap and sleep outside. No car, no campground, just you, your hiking partner, and a tent. Here’s how to pull off your first backpacking trip without a hitch.

Bring home dreamy after-dark photos of your starlit camp.

Add four low-carb recipes to your trail cookbook

Not satisfied with stopping at the river’s edge? Unlock new wilderness with this lightweight waterfaring setup.

Ditching the baggage and streamlining your life can be easier said than done.

You really want more granola? Get your carbs in a tasty, new way.

Don't let a small scrape send you off trail in the hut for some antibiotics. You can prevent getting an infected cut with these tips.

Short answer: It depends. Here’s everything that goes into your regular hiking pace.

Yes, it's time-consuming and expensive. But you don't want to be unprepared when a wilderness emergency strikes.

Sometimes you're compatible as friends, but not hiking partners. These tips will preserve your relationship and keep it off the trails, for good.

No, you don't have to hang up your pack for good. Recovery is possible, but here's what you have to prioritize before hitting the trails.

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.

You don’t have to learn the hard way, because we already did.

Being alone in the wilderness doesn't have to be frightening. With these tips, you can fine-tune your mind for an empowering solo journey.

Camping with kids can be unpredictable and messy. But, with a lot of love (and sometimes, a little blackmail), it can be a lot more fun.

Can a novice navigator make the leap to confident cross-country hiker?

Kickstarting a workout habit starts with reexamining your motivations.

For how dangerous the backcountry can be, it's sometimes the smallest accidents that become the biggest injuries. Stay safe with these tips.

Stay itch-free this summer with these guide-tested tips.

From weight changes to growing feet, hiking 2,000 miles can have a big impact on you physically.

Dotted, dashed, and curvy. Red, blue, and brown. All these colors and styles criss-cross a topo map. Here's what they mean.

Go way beyond Slim Jims with these flavorful, make-ahead snacks.

No dehydrator? No problem. Jury-rig your oven to make this tangy, smoky snack at home.

We dive deep into this backpacking cultural phenomenon.

Those familiar aches that arise from hauling a heavy pack can force you into bad posture and take all the fun out of hiking. Fight load fatigue by strengthening the muscles that surround your spine, hips, and shoulders

Can a group of novice packrafters make it out of Canyonlands in one piece?

Keep your feet snug and comfortable with these step-by-step directions for common hiking boot lacing techniques.

Don't let a busted jacket, tent, or pack ruin your trip. Follow these steps to get your zipper working like new.

Stay fresh, whether you’re out for a few miles or a few thousand.

Dogs who stay active live longer—and there’s no better way to stay active than hiking. Keep your pooch on the trail with a lot of love, and a little veterinary help.

Noodles in the morning? Trust us on this one.

From the bowline to the backpacker's hitch, learn how to tie the perfect loop knot for your next backcountry camp setup.

The most hardcore ultralighters spend years perfecting their packs—but you can slash your pack weight today with just a little effort.

Knowing how to help a scared hiking partner is as important as knowing how to tape an ankle.

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime with the most popular columns from thru-hiker Liz "Snorkel" Thomas.

Summit season is upon us. Follow these tips from altitude expert Dr. Pete Clark to stay healthy on your next high-elevation trip.

Capture beautiful nightscapes without investing in a new camera with these expert tips on how to photograph starry skies, meteor showers, the Milky Way, and beyond.

Say goodbye to those irritating red rashes with these tips.

Feeling calf pain with every step? Take these measures so you can crush hills without crushing your calves.

Hiking isn’t just walking in the woods. It requires strength and balance. Here’s how to get ready for trekking, from easy day hikes to the longest thru-hikes in the world.

Harness the power of observation and the fundamentals of meteorology to make short-term forecasts on your next hike.

Make sure you never get lost again by mastering the underappreciated art of navigating with a compass and map.

Tired of red, stinging blisters three miles into every ten-mile trek? Us too. That’s why we’ve brought together the best blister prevention tips and tricks for keeping you and your feet happy on any trip.

Eliminate grime and odors and restore loft to your favorite puffy.

Don't let muck stop you from hitting the trails this spring.

Squats and step-ups aren't targeting your entire gluteus. These three exercises are your key to complete glute strength.

Fend off aches and pains with these hiker-specific exercises.

It sounds ridiculous, but some backpackers swear they sleep warmer when they slide into their sleeping bags in the buff. We get to the naked truth of it.

Learn what you need to stay fueled and happy for every trip with performance nutrition advice from our expert personal trainer.

Scanning the closet but not sure what to pick? We've got you covered from head to toe. Here's what to wear hiking in every season.

Just how much pack weight can one hiker cut? Our editor performs a far-out experiment in minimalism.

If your hands and fingers swell up while hiking, don't worry. This common hiking ailment has several potential causes and easy fixes.

Master the art of layering to keep comfy all winter.

Check out BACKPACKER Editors & Contributors's author page.

These hiking mistakes are as common as can be—but there's no excuse for making them.

Go further, ride better, and have more fun by using science to optimize your cold-weather fueling strategy.

Heading into the backcountry often means skiing crummy snow. Charge through the chunder without breaking a sweat.

Everything you need for your first backcountry tour, including finding the best gear, assembling your dream team, and finding your focus.