Skills

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?

What’s one more vehicle at a bustling trailhead? Our columnist weighs in.

The cold months are the perfect time to dream about—and prepare for—adventures ahead.

Experimenting with your dehydrator is a fun and productive way to while away the cold months.

Honing your sewing skills will help you repair your favorite gear—or unleash your creative side.

Yeah, your iPhone camera may have a million megapixels. But packing a pencil allows you to capture memories from the trail, and see the landscape in a new way.

Because there's snow doubt that winter hiking rules.

When it comes to packing for a winter camping trip, separating good advice from falsehoods can be difficult.

Drifts got you down? Use these tips to travel efficiently in even deep pow.

If you're dreading the impending frosty temps, now's the time to teach your body how to handle it through deliberate cold exposure.

Raynaud's Phenomenon stings (literally). Here's how to manage the condition so you can hike comfortably all winter long.

Those little crispy cookies your grandma gave you when you were a kid don’t seem like they’d be packed with energy. But they aren’t just shockingly calorically dense: They’re durable and delicious, too.

The weather's getting colder, and that means your packing and planning strategies have to change. Steer clear of these backpacking mistakes for a smoother transition to fall.

Think you only need to strengthen glutes and quads to be a better hiker? Think again.

Make your headlamp pull double-duty as a warm, inviting light for camp gatherings with these low or no-weight techniques.

Just finding their way to their journey's starting point is a challenge that few new thru-hikers think about until they have to do it. But there are resources—and generous people—to help them.

An outbreak of norovirus on the Pacific Crest Trail proves that hikers’ hygiene routines need an upgrade.

Can you educate other hikers without being a mansplainer? Our ethics columnist weighs in.

Enjoy an easy-to-make spin on a classic campfire treat—no kindling necessary.

This vegetarian campfire dessert comes together with two convenience-store ingredients.

Nothing powers me up the trail like the promise of lunch with a view.

From choosing the right water filter to evaluating your gear list, AT hiker Michael Perry shares his advice for getting trail-ready

It doesn't matter if you're hypermobile or move within the normal range of motion. After these exercises, everyone will feel more stable in their body.

Call him crazy, but our hiking columnist loves climbing hills. A fifth of the way into the epic Continental Divide Trail, he’s got some ways to improve your form, function, and mental performance.

Use this series of squats, leg bridges, planks, and calf raises to keep track of your training and you'll have trail-proof full-body strength in no time.

When soreness crosses over into genuine pain, it can turn the most pleasant hikes into teeth-gritting tests of endurance. Fight back with expert advice and exercises for tackling 8 different types of ache.

Over the years, we’ve published hundreds of trail-tested recipes, and these are our favorite to cook over an open flame.

Our ethics columnist weighs in on hiking with a four-legged friend.

You've seen chaga, a rough-looking, bumpy fungus that grows on tree trunks, before. But we bet you didn't know you were looking at one of the wilderness's best firestarters.

They don’t necessarily save energy, but a new study suggests they might save your legs

Four hikers reveal every morsel that's fueling them for thousands of miles.

More and more long-distance hikers are having to get creative when fires, floods, or heavy snowpack shuts down their trail. What should you do when you can’t keep going?

A stripped-back list of do’s and don’ts

How to find some of the country’s best campsites—and stay for free

Hitting the road with your family offers plenty of good times in the moment—plus important takeaways for the future

Fine-tune your muscle imbalances with this workout finisher series from physical therapist assistant and personal trainer Lee Welton.

With its warm temperatures and long days, summer is the perfect season for backpackers to try going ultralight. Here’s how to make your pack lighter now without spending a fortune on new gear.

Our ethics columnist addresses a common hiker dilemma.

A heavy pack and poor posture while hiking can lead to a creaky neck, but you don't have to suffer through it.