Skills

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.

Don't just throw your tent down on the first flat spot you see (it's probably the trail). Instead make your first night in the backcountry perfect 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.

Are you a flatlander headed for the mountains? 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.

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.

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

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.

All you need is a pair of dumbbells to prepare your quads, glutes, hamstrings, back, shoulders, and core for ski touring this winter.

It’s February, which means you’d better start reserving campsites for August now. We have a few tips for you.

Whether you want to hike 25 miles in a day or simply focus on the scenery and not your sore legs, getting fit before you hit the trail will improve your every step. We asked the pros how to get healthy—and stay that way.

All calories are not created equal. Learn the right way to fuel your big-mile ambitions.

Reality check: Hitting the gym is the quickest way to hike farther, easier, faster, and pain-free. Get into a routine—or take yours to the next level—with these smart workouts for three different levels.

To reach the best places in the backcountry, you have to rely on your own two feet.

Oxygen feeds your muscles. Manage your heart rate and breathing and you can hike (almost) forever.

Recruit your arms to overcome terrain challenges or just give the legs a break.

The muscles of your torso and back work hard to carry the load comfortably mile after mile.

Protein helps your body maintain muscle mass, prevents next-day soreness, and sustains energy. Pack it in with these filling, recovery-boosting recipes.

Training the calves can reap huge benefits for knee and ankle health. These three calf exercises will help keep your lower body injury-free.

Sculptural rock formations and otherworldly passageways await when you descend below the rim. Here’s how to do so safely.

From location to decoration and everything in between, these tips will make your campsite the most tricked-out on the mountain.

In the backcountry, a rolled ankle can spell trouble. Learn how to tell minor sprains from major injuries and what to do if you’re hurt.

Looking to climb some glaciated peaks this winter? These snow anchors will keep your rope team secure above drops or high-angled slopes.

From Gouda to good old string cheese, we tested 20 types to find the trail-worthiest.

Gauge your cardiovascular fitness to hone in on your training goals.

Many of the skills involved with long hiking also lend themselves to going faster on trails.

Through thick and thin, health and injury, long slogs and zero days, your trail family will be there for you.

No workout can mimic the challenge of a thru-hike, but you can minimize initial soreness—and the risk of injury—by smart training. Start a fitness program at least eight weeks before your hike.

It’s not all in the legs. Strengthen your upper body to boost your balance and better control your poles and pack on rough terrain.