Skills

Couldn't get the PCT permit you were banking on? You still have options. From prepping for a fast-paced hike to skipping the Sierra to waiting for cancellations, here's what you can do.

Hoarding gear, hiding our injuries, and packing way, way too much candy: These are the bad habits we have no intention of losing this year.

From an old-school hot toddy to a boozy take on the PSL, these perfect hot drinks from the Backpacker archives are ready to ring in the new year with you at your backcountry shindig.

From making your own shoes to making miles, these are our favorite skills stories that appeared in Backpacker in 2024.

Your gear puts up with a lot of abuse on the trail. Here’s how to minimize the impact to make it last longer.

Made the butt of jokes and relegated to the discount aisle post-holiday, fruitcake may be the most disrespected confection of the Christmas season. But backpackers in the know understand this treat’s true power.

Leukotape changed the way one longtime backpacker deals with blisters.

Transform leftovers into a protein-packed trail snack.

More and more manufacturers are transitioning to “forever chemical”-free water-repellent treatments on their shells.” But while those new outer layers are better for the environment and human health, they need to be washed twice as often to keep them performing at their peak.

You only need three pieces of gear to prep your muscles for peaks.

Just because the mercury's dropping doesn't mean you need to start lugging a heavy pack. We collect our best tips for backpacking light in the fourth season.

Left holding the (candy) bag after not enough trick-or-treaters came to your house? Make the most of it with these creative s'mores recipes.

Extend the life of this crucial piece of gear with these tips for care and cleaning.

Don't shove your warm-weather gear in the back of the closet for winter. Here's how to ensure you're ready to hit the trail as soon as spring arrives.

Hikers have to clean up after dogs—why don’t equestrians have to do the same?

Experience fall splendor with the Colorado Mountain Club's top autumn adventures, from colorful road trips to scenic hiking and biking across the state

While bear spray is an effective deterrent, it's bred a false confidence among hikers that can be harmful to both humans and bears. Wildlife biologist and podcaster Wes Larson explains.

This kind of overuse injury can present itself in many ways. Steer clear of injury with these tips.

Instagrammers are swapping marshmallows for cheese. We think you should, too.

Want to eat like the famous bears of Fat Bear Week? Here are six salmon-packed recipes that will have you feeling like a bruin along the Brooks River.

Like humans, dogs have accidents in the backcountry. So what do you do if your canine hiking companion is in distress?

Back sleepers tend to have an easier time catching Zs while camping, but doing so doesn't always come naturally.

Don't just chuck it in the trash. Here's the right way to get rid of your spent bear spray.

Helmets are considered required equipment on some peaks and trails across the U.S. Here’s how to tell if you really need one.

Bear-proof lockers might look like garbage cans, but hikers really should know better.

Strength training is critical for hikers. And most of us are doing it wrong.

Get some solid Z's even when you’re sticky and sweaty.

If you focus on recovery and stay patient, you can be back on the trail with a fully repaired ACL in a matter of months.

If off-the-beaten-path is on your agenda, Eastern Montana has you covered

Put traction into action exploring the most rugged hiking routes in the country

Some hikers swear by using a tent footprint. But are they really necessary?

Gluten-free backpacking doesn’t have to be hard. Do it right with these tips and recipes.

A veteran Tacoma driver’s hard-earned tips to help you stay organized, reduce stress, and maximize your time outside

Is there any room for creative expression on the trail—or are hidden treasures still just trash?

Financing a thru-hike can be expensive. But is it OK to ask others for help?

Reluctant to hire a guide? You could be missing out.

There's no better way to test the strength or compatibility of a relationship than to take it on the trail. Here’s how to use a hike to evaluate a new partner.

Yes, you can hold down a stable career and hike six months out of the year. Three enterprising thru-hikers share their secrets.

If the rising temperatures have you clamoring to stay inside until fall, you can adapt your body with these techniques thrive on the trail.

Packing food for a backpacking trip can be a challenge—this method offers one solution.

Cool off fast and stay safe in a heat wave with these pro-level strategies.

A new study compared three popular camp stoves—and found that one produced much more carbon monoxide than the others.

Our writer dove into the inner workings of the Backpacker’s Pantry factory to learn the tricks of the trade.

Stomach flus are on the rise in national parks and on long trails. A wilderness EMT and WFR instructor shares how to cope. 

Lyme disease is one of the most debilitating tickborne illnesses. But a cure could be on its way.

Hike hard, brunch harder.

These four ultra-affordable backpacking meals make it easy to fill your belly on a budget.

I used to think my melanoma diagnosis meant I had to stop spending time outdoors. Here's how I've learned to protect myself without giving up hiking.

Want to go the distance without committing to the trailhead buzzcut? We got you.

Use this series of ankle, calf, quad, and core exercises to keep track of your training, and you'll have trail-proof muscles in a matter of weeks.

Dermatologists share their secrets for preventing breakouts on the trail.

Getting bit? It could be your backcountry hygiene—or lack thereof.

Our hiking dietician puts these eight nutrition myths to rest.

Our editor tried out this ultralight hack to see whether it was worth a few grams.

Don't hike with the masses. Instead, find your own peace on the trail this summer with these tips and trips.

Spoiler alert: You're going to need a tampon.

You might think those dried chili macs in your garage last forever. Not so fast.

If that first hike of the season had your legs crying for mercy, give these workouts a go.

Outside columnist Wes Siler put four identical New York strips to the test, using different cooking methods to determine the perfect way to grill a steak

This odiferous allium pops up annually in Appalachia throughout April and May and its allure is as palpable as its taste is polarizing.

From letting ticks make a meal out of you to slogging through deadfall, these pitfalls can derail your summer adventures.

Kick off hiking season right by acing your Memorial Day camp BBQ.

Need a caffeine fix? This method beats brewing a cup of joe on the trail.

Acclimatizing to high altitude before a hike is rough, but you can make it easier on yourself.

From meal planning to meeting the townies, every aspiring thru-hiker should hear this hard-won advice.

Our etiquette columnist weighs in on a contentious but common trail occurrence.

Self-described Luddite Michael Engelhard preferred to ditch the gadgets and improvise what he required instead. Would a super-size adventure change how he packed?

You're excited to hit the trail and crush lots of miles as soon as possible. But should you?

Having a friend join you as support for a few days during your hike can be a welcome break—and a chance to reconnect with your life at home. But for it to be a positive experience, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

If there’s one thing we’re passionate about, it’s setting things on fire in the name of science.

A sprained ankle is one of hiking's most common—and painful—injuries. Learning how to deal with it is an essential skill.

Just because the saying rhymes doesn't mean it's necessarily true (or good for you). It's time to bust these fitness myths.

Fixing a popped inflatable sleeping pad is one of the most frustrating tasks that backpackers have to deal with. But with a little bit of knowledge and some cheap supplies, patching it yourself can be simple.

Kids' gear is expensive. Save money (and stress) by following any of these seven tips.

Everybody does it. But pooping in the wrong place could make a mess of someone else's hike. An expert shares how to make the best of a sh*tty situation on the trail.

There are 21 muscles that cross the hip joint, and every one helps you hike effectively—as long as you take care of them.

You have gotten so smelly before, you've stopped noticing. You have a "nice" pair of Lone Peaks for when you want to look presentable. You own too many sporks. If this sounds like you, then congratulations: you are definitely a hiker.

When it comes to bragging, actions speak louder than words. Show off your expertise to your hiking partners with these tips.

Learning how to talk about problems you're having on the trail—and how to listen—can be the difference between a frustrating, demoralizing hike and a fun, fulfilling one. What can psychology teach us?