Gear Review: Packaged Dinners
Take the hassle out of menu planning with these fast meals.
Skills
Skills
Add to your outdoor wilderness skills arsenal with expert advice and survival tips from Backpacker Magazine. We cover it all: how to get in shape for hiking, pre-trip planning, backpacker-friendly recipes, how to raise backpacking kids and more!
Add to your outdoor wilderness skills arsenal with expert advice and survival tips from Backpacker Magazine. We cover it all: how to get in shape for hiking, pre-trip planning, backpacker-friendly recipes, how to raise backpacking kids and more!
Gear Review: Fast Camp Breakfasts
Since breakfast is the most important meal of the day, don't leave camp without inhaling one of these tasty options.
Gear Review: XY Zin 10
Upgrade any camp dinner with this medium-bodied wine.
Gear Review: Bamboo Mini Utensil Set
A fork, knife, and spoon for the green and ultralight crowd.
Gear Review: Herbal Oats Granola Bars
The four Herbal Oats granola bar varieties are all-natural, preservative-free, and delicious.
Lost in The Frank Church Wilderness! A Video Diary
What does it mean to be utterly, hopelessly, truly lost? In this video series, author Jim Thornton takes you step by step through his bid to find his way out of the Frank Church Wilderness.
Toughest Gear: Garcia Machine Backpackers' Cache and MontBell Handy Scoop
These bear canisters have been making bears sad since 1982.
Toughest Gear: MSR Alpine Cookware and GSI Cascadian Bowls
Pots for the masses–and the ages.
Gear Review: Elemental Herbs Sport SPF 22 Tinted
Get all-day protection without the greasy white tint with this chemical-free sunscreen.
Gear Review: Granite Gear Uberlight CTF3 Drysacks (Ultralight)
Quite possibly the world's lightest waterproof stuffsacks
Gear Review: Lunch
This sweet and savory sandwich is a staff favorite.
Gear Review: Starbucks VIA
The best instant coffee ever
Gear Review: EZ Grill
A disposable grill for backcountry feasts
Gear Review: Five Ten Guide Tennie
Supreme stickiness on rock in a lightweight hiking shoe
Gear Review: Coleman's Dirt & Worms
Kids will love this dessert.
Gear Review: PackIt Gourmet Condiments
Dress up any meal with these condiments.
Gear Review: Optimus Terra HE
A great two-pot cookset
Gear Review: Evernew Aluminum Ceramic Non-Stick Deep Pots
A ceramic coated cook pot with a fry pan lid
Gear Review: GSI Outdoors Minimalist
The perfect solo cookset
Gear Review: The North Face Nuptse Bootie III
The ultimate winter camp shoe
Gear Review: Smartshield SPF 30 Spray with Insect Repellent
An all-natural sunscreen with bug repellant
Gear Review: Adventure Medical Kits Blister Medic
Stop blisters in their tracks.
The 5-ounce Fix Anything Kit
Build this light, affordable kit to repair any backwoods blowout.
Last Chance! Sign up Now for the Go Farther With Maps and GPS Webinar!
Upgrade your navigation skills under the tutelage of BACKPACKER's map editors.
Basic Hip Belay Instructions
Learn the proper belay and safety technique for scrambling on steep terrain.
Shoot Photos Like a Pro: Composition
Just getting started? Master these basic rules to improve all of your pictures.
Setting the Speed Hiking Record on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail
Wilderness paddler Mike Stavola sets a record on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail.
Shoot Like a Pro: Editing Outdoor Photos
Learn how to enhance your photos using several photo software programs including Photoshop and Lightroom.
Wine Review: The Climber, by Clif Family Winery
Clif makes wine? Yup, and good wine at that.
Spring Training: Exercises for Strong Knees and Hamstrings
Want strong knees when hiking season starts? Work your hamstrings now.
Trail Nutrition: Eat For Recovery
Double your trail miles–or just boost your energy–with protein-rich snacks.
Beginner's Guide to Winter Camping, Part V: Winter Luxury
Final words on the luxury side of winter
Beginner's Guide to Winter Camping: A Seven Part Series
Rocky Mountain Editor and survival blogger Steve Howe gets you out of the house on your first winter camping trip with this seven-part how-to guide.
Scramble Safely With the Hip Belay
Add security on steep terrain with the simple hip belay.
Dirtbag/Gourmet Recipes: Couscous
This satisfying whole grain is filling, fiber-rich, and ready in less than five minutes.
Recipe: White Bean Chili 
with Couscous
With couscous, beans, and veggies this is a complete, and tasty, trail meal.
Recipe: Salmon-Tomato Couscous
Salmon jerky and curry powder are key to this hearty dish.
How to Cross a Spring Snowfield
Cross the steeps safely and avoid avalanches with these guide-approved tips.
Beginner's Guide to Winter Camping Part IV: Your First Winter Overnight
It's a big step. Here's how to do it right.
Beginner's Guide to Winter Camping, Part III: Planning Your First Winter Campout
Plan right and you're bound for the best winter camping experience possible.
Editors' Choice 2008: GSI Outdoors Dualist Cookware
Party of two? Your cookware is ready.
Beginner's Guide to Winter Camping, Part II: Gear Up
Picking the right equipment is key to having fun in the snow.
Reader Essays: Close Encounter
Paula Patterson learns how to share the trail–but not her tent–with the wildlife.
Beginner's Guide to Winter Camping; Part I: Get Outside!
We drop some wisdom and gets you inspired in this beginner's guide.
Your Best Advice: Reader Tips
Backpacker readers share their hiking, camping, gear, bear bagging, and firestarting tips.
Top Chefs: Reader-Submitted Recipes
We taste-tested a stack of your recipe submissions–everything from pasta to pub food. These four winners emerged as the best of the bunch.
Reader Recipe: Cashew Chicken
A spicy Asian dinner with satisfying crunch.
Reader Recipe: Backcountry Thanksgiving
A simple dish from two thru-hikers.
Reader Recipe: Sweeter S'mores
Think the classic campfire treat can't be beat?
Reader Recipe: Queets Valley Shepherd's Pie
Classic, pubworthy flavor for camp.
Reader Recipe: Ravioli au Beurre
Fresh pasta in less than five minutes.
Readers' Best Advice: Our Most Prolific Tipster Ever
Reader Leon Nelson has shared literally hundreds of tips gleaned from his 60-plus years on the trail. Here's a sampling of his best.
Readers' Best Advice: Better Bear Bagging
Check out Cheryl Knapp's author page.
Readers' Best Advice: No-Fail Firestarters
Check out BACKPACKER readers's author page.
Readers' Best Advice: Camping Tips
Check out BACKPACKER readers's author page.
Readers' Best Advice: Hiking Tips
Check out BACKPACKER readers's author page.
Inspirational BACKPACKER Readers
Meet five of BACKPACKER's most inspirational heroes–they're also readers.
January/February 2010 Table of Contents
Check out BACKPACKER Editors & Contributors's author page.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 09: Rugged Nordic Touring Ski Gear
From boots to bindings to skis, this rig will have you set for the backcountry.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 09: Backcountry Touring Ski Gear
Check out BACKPACKER Editors & Contributors's author page.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 09: Telemark Ski Gear
Check out BACKPACKER Editors & Contributors's author page.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 09: Alpine Touring Ski Gear
Skip the resort crowds and find clean powder with this backcountry ski gear.
Abstract Nature Photos
Take a look at the world around you in a whole new way.
Dirtbag/Gourmet: Thai Food
Bring takeout to the trail with these flavorful Asian noodle dishes.
The Ultimate First-Aid Manual: Animal & Insect Bites
Though we love backcountry wildlife (well, mostly), sometimes we get no love back. Read up on what to do when Mother Nature bites.
Injury-Proof Your Legs
Loosen up–and stay pain-free–with resistance stretching.
DIY Fall Trail Snacks
Turn fall's harvest into healthy, energy-packed treats.
Recipe: Spicy Pad Thai with Chicken and Veggies
For authentic takeout on the trail, try this spicy Pad Thai.
Recipe: Easy Pad Thai
Craving something Asian on your next trek, but don't want to put in a lot of effort? Try this easy Pad Thai.
The Ultimate First-Aid Manual: Dental Emergencies
Soothe tooth pain with these helpful remedies.
The Ultimate First-Aid Manual: Gastrointestinal Illness
Ugh. It's happened to us all. Here's how to handle a bad belly when you're away from far from home.
The Ultimate First-Aid Manual: Minor Wounds
No wound, now matter how minor, should go ignored in the backcountry. Check out these quick tips to clean it up and keep trekking.
How To: Make a Gaiter
Need gaiters but left yours at home? Here's a simple trick for putting together a makeshift replacement in no time.
Ski School: Terminology Primer
Only term you know is chairlift? Read this primer.
Gear Review: Eagle Creek Abominable Snowbag
This convenient travel snowbag pays for itself quickly.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 09: Snowshoes
Hit the trail in the winter with one of these nine snowshoes.
Gear Review: Primus Gravity MF II Stove
This reliable camp stove runs on any gas, quick to heat and easy to use.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 09: Mountaineering
Head up the mountain with these essential items: harness, rope, helmet, transceiver, crampon, and ice axe.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide: Winter Essentials
From a Quickie sled to sunscreen used by the U.S. ski team, these five winter essentials are must haves.
Fall/Winter Gear Guide 09: Socks, Gaiters, & Booties
Keep your feet warm and happy with these socks, gaiters, & booties.