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Backpacking

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When it’s time to leave Outlook, Teams, Slack, and the rest of your connected life behind, many prefer backpacking. Whether you’re a well-traveled backpacker or new to the hobby, this is your destination for backpacking essentials, the best gear on the market, and tips that will make your time in the backcountry even more enjoyable.

Person camping on a river using a one person tent

The ultimate guide to choosing the perfect one-person tent for your next outing

Ready to commit to the one-person tent life but don't know where to start your search? Here's the lowdown on what makes any one-person tent great.
Date and cashew bars

How to make nutritious and delicious trail snacks: Your DIY guide

A person hiking

Dust off your gear, it’s time to hit the trail: The spring hiking tips you need

Man on bike in Apple watch

Garmin, Seiko, G-SHOCK, and more: Our picks for best outdoor watches in 2024

A reef knot is tied against a tree

These are the essential outdoor knots every outdoorsman should know

Fingers holding a map and compass in the outdoors

Ditch the GPS: How to navigate using a map and compass

Man looking over a trail's vista

3 lesser-known tips that can save your life on the trail

A midsection of a man wielding a hatchet in the outdoors

Get the best camping axes for cutting, chopping, and prepping your way around the campsite

A clove hitch tied to a fixed point

Learn to tie the clove hitch for when you need a secure, adjustable knot

A person holding a Hydro Flask.

How to clean your hydro flask for tang-free hydration

Young man checks water filter alongside river

Stay hydrated on the go with our bulletproof water purification tips

Various iPhones on a table.

Forget rice: This is how to actually fix a wet iPhone, according to Apple

Moterra Campervan rental parked in a Utah National Park campsite.

This van life camper van sleeps 8, goes everywhere, and you can rent it for less than a hotel would cost

Looking to give van life a shot? Don't buy - rent! These fully-equipped camper vans sleep up to eight and rent for less than a hotel for a group of people.
Young man using a portable water filter near a backcountry stream.

Hydrate safely with the best portable water filters

A durable, compact, simple, and reliable water filter is indispensable. There are plenty of great ones on the market today, and we’ve rounded up the best.
Man pouring liquor from a flask

Take your favorite tipple from town to trail with the best camping flasks

From stainless steel to plastic and packable, the best camping flasks let you unload the weight and keep drinks flowing on the trail. Here are our top picks.
Skier at Vail in a puffy jacket

Obermeyer vs Helly Hansen: Which puffy jacket is right for you?

When you’re in the market for a new puffy jacket, Obermeyer and Helly Hansen offer two solid options.
Prayer flags in front of Mount Everest.

This is the gross new thing anyone climbing Mount Everest will have to do

If you're thinking about taking the two-week trek up Mount Everest, be prepared for the mountain's newest rule: manage your own excrement.
Hyundai Staria Lounge Camper parked in a field.

We really wish these compact, Korea-exclusive RVs and campervans were available stateside

Korea knows what's up when it comes to minimalist RVs and campervans, like these three ultra-compact campers we really wish were available stateside.
Someone wearing an Apple Watch Ultra 2, showing the Modular Ultra watch face.

The 5 best Apple Watch bands for outdoorsmen

If you're an outdoorsy person, normal Apple Watch bands might not cut it. Here are our top picks for Apple Watch bands that can take on your biggest adventure.
Sportcaravan Cube 1 Microcarvan Travel Trailer isolated on a studio background.

This tiny caravan uses one smart feature to almost double its space when parked

The pint-sized Cube 1 caravan's clever design feature is, as far as we know, entirely unique in the world of compact, lightweight travel trailers.
Man fishing in a river

There’s a new (old) fishing spot in Oregon as a river flows again for the first time in a century

The removal of dams from the Klamath River promises to enhance fishing opportunities and restore wildlife to its natural glory.
A man hiking in Yosemite

How being stinky when hiking in the deep woods might actually save your life

When lost in the great outdoors, the unique scent produced by your body can play a crucial role in your rescue. Stinky is safe!
Skier at Banff Sunshine Village

For skiing, snowboarding, and other dangerous activities, this is the only phone case we’ll use

When you're a skier, snowboarder, or adventurer, you need a robust phone case. Here's why the CLCKR G-Form Carbon case is our pick.
Pocket Tripod

This $35 accessory is my secret weapon to great travel photography – and it fits in my wallet

If you are a seasoned traveler, you need this incredible phone stand for your travel photography.
Adventurers leaving footprints on the sand along the shores of California’s Lost Coast.

The 10 best backpacking trips for adventurers to take at least once

America boasts plenty of iconic trails. So, pack your bags and take on one of these backpacking trips because it's going to be one epic outdoor adventure.
Winter road

Good investment or an elitist ripoff: Is expensive winter outdoor gear worth the money?

Want to know the truth about buying expensive outdoor gear? Well, I've used everything, from bargain-bucket to big brands, and here's what I've found.
Jackery's solar rooftop tent concept with a portable power bank, isolated on a plain background.

Jackery just revealed the coolest rooftop tent we’ve ever seen (Hint: It’s electric!)

Jackery's latest rooftop tent doubles as a huge solar panel, which adds a new dimension for long-term EV car camping and overlanding.
a view between a valley in Yosemite national park during February

This clever hack bypasses Yosemite’s complicated new reservation system

Yosemite National Park has a complicated new reservation system a lot of people are complaining about - but we've got a workaround
Taking a break from hiking to drink some water from an insulated water bottle

Up your hydration game with one of the best insulated water bottles from CamelBak, Yeti, and more

Whether you're hiking, backpacking, heading to the gym, or just in the office, stay hydrated with these insulated water bottles.
Baltoro Impetro modular backpack set.

Do you need a modular backpack? We tested the Baltoro Impetro, and weight the pros and cons

Is a modular backpack right for you? We test the Baltoro Impetro to find out why the modular backpack trend is catching on
Emerson TKF-1

When you need the very best EDC knife, these 8 knives make the cut – The James Brand, 5.11 Tactical, and more

The best EDC knives come in all shapes, styles, and sizes, but these top-of-the-line blades are our favorite go-to picks.
The North Face Nuptse Jacket on a plain background

This is the North Face jacket I’d buy this winter (if I had to pick just one)

The North Face has plenty of great jackets and outerwear for winter — this is the best.
Man standing in front of snowy mountains

A premium holiday gift guide for the outdoorsman

Looking for a gift guide that will have the outdoorsman in your life smiling? Here is the ultimate guide for you.
Elk at Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park tip: Don’t dangle your baby near an elk like the guy in this video

Elk, bears, moose, and other wildlife are not to be messed with. This Yellowstone visitor didn't get the memo.
The Insta360 camera detailed picture.

The new Insta360 Ace Pro looks almost exactly like a GoPro, and has specs to match

The new Insta360 Ace Pro action camera looks a lot like a GoPro, and has specs to rival any premium action cam.
Luminox field watch on bag

Legendary outdoor brands Ball and Buck and Luminox combine for the ultimate field watch

Luminox and Ball and Buck have teamed up for the ultimate field watch
The James Brand Hatchet

Everyday carry label The James Brand has a new collab for something you definitely shouldn’t carry daily

The James Brand, an everyday carry brand we love, has a new collab on something you definitely shouldn't carry around daily: a hatchet
Man at the top of a mountain wearing a Merino wool sweater

This easy trick tells you which merino wool base layer is right for your activity

Among the essential pieces of gear for staying warm is a merino wool base layer, and one crucial factor to consider when choosing a base layer is its weight.
Mountain photo

Third Man Syndrome: The weird phenomenon extreme mountain climbers experience

The third man has acted as a guide, advisor, companion, and much more to those in need, but who or what is this presence and does it really exist?
Young man hiking through the mountains.

How to layer outdoor clothing like a pro, according to a U.S. Special Operations Forces survival expert

Survival expert John Barklow was handpicked by the U.S. military to develop this field-tested, eight-piece system to help you survive almost any situation.
The North Face GORE-TEX denim jacket

The North Face is now making GORE-TEX denim because why not

The standout piece in The North Face's GORE-TEX denim collection is the GTX Mountain Jacket. This jacket seamlessly combines style with functionality.
Garmin tactix 7 – AMOLED Edition

New Garmin tactix 7 AMOLED Edition may be the perfect smartwatch for deep-country camping and hiking

Garmin has once again raised the bar with the tactix 7 AMOLED Edition. Here's what makes it one of the greatest outdoor smartwatches of 2023.
Moose sitting in a field in an open clearing during the day

Why you need to be just as wary of moose as bear attacks (and what to do when you encounter one)

Moose aren't normally dangerous, but you really don't want to get on their bad side. Here's what to do when one is approaching quickly.
Wild bushfires burning in Tasmania, Australia.

Time to wake up: Climate change gave us our hottest summer ever and the Earth is in meltdown, U.N. says

Climate change is real. We just experienced the hottest summer on record, and scientists say our climate is breaking down.
A picture showing the beautiful landscape and clear skies of Death Valley

You can mountain bike into Death Valley and watch the next solar eclipse on October 14

You can take a really cool mountain bike ride into Death Valley to watch a solar eclipse. It doesn't get cooler than that!
A large sign on a tree on the side of a mountain bike trail telling riders that e-bikes are not allowed

You may want an electric mountain bike, but you probably shouldn’t buy one – here’s why

Electric mountain bikes are amazing, but they've got some serious drawbacks. We get deep on why your next MTB purchase shouldn't be electric
Man walking with hiking poles

Podcasts every outdoors enthusiast will enjoy: The Crux, Dirtbag Diaries, and more

Looking for podcasts that make you want to get outside? These choices won't disappoint!
Closeup of a red tick and water droplets on a blade of grass.

Kiss insect bites goodbye: Why insect-repellent clothing is the best thing since, well, insect repellent

Insect repellent does a good job of preventing insect bites, but can clothing work better?
A hiker looks out over Mount Everest.

Cost to climb Mount Everest is skyrocketing because people keep dying

As the death toll rises on Mount Everest, officials plan to increase cost significantly.
Skier heading downhill at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, with the sun and aerial tram in the background.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort owners sell to local families, keeping resort hyper-local indefinitely

Jackson Hole's owners decided to sell shares to local families, almost ensuring no big resort conglomerate will ever get its hands on the property.

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