You’ve probably heard—or at least know in your gut—that spending time outside is good for mind, body, and spirit. In the past few years, researchers have proven the benefits with study after study showing that time in the outdoors can do everything from lowering blood pressure to reducing stress and anxiety to improving longevity. And you reap these rewards whether you favor strolling in your local park or thru-hiking a long trail. It’s like a miracle drug with no side effects (unless you don’t like getting a little dirty and sweaty). More than 50 years ago, long before science weighed in, W ..read more

The good news is that backpacking bags are better than they’ve ever been. The bad news is that there are so many options on the market that it can be hard to choose what you actually need, whether you’re an experienced backcountry traveler, or someone researching their first weekend trip. To make matters even more difficult, prices for suitable packs range from under $100 (really) to the $700 mark (also: really). But we’re here to help. In fact, we’re so dedicated to getting you the right pack that we made show about it: introducing “Budget vs. Baller.” The concept? Take packs at three levels ..read more

It’s your boots, not your socks, that provide insulation when you’re hiking. The reason for this is simple, but holds the ability to utterly transform your comfort when it’s cold out. Not only do your weight and movement compress socks as you wear them, but the outright level of insulation provided by even the thickest pair of socks falls far behind the layers you wear on other parts of your body. And given that your feet often lack much fat insulation and are at the extreme end of your body, as far away from your heart as body parts get, they need as much help as possible. Go find your thick ..read more

For most of my outdoor career, I thought toe socks were a scam. Normal socks worked fine—they did everything they were supposed to, and did it without subjecting you to the indignity of forcing each of your individual toes into their own sweaty little pockets. Like zip-off pants and those little nose covers that clip to your sunglasses, they took a perfectly functional piece of gear and tortured it into a new, unnecessarily complicated form just for the sake of novelty. As far as I was concerned, they were a gateway drug into dad-fashion: Today you’re putting on toe socks, tomorrow you’re try ..read more

Back in October, a buddy and I hiked the 23-mile Sandia Mountain traverse that goes up and over the entire length of the range outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico. For the first 15 miles I felt great. But then, about a mile into the long descent off the top, I developed a terrible pain in my right shin. I was immediately hobbled and started to worry. The remaining miles were steep and if I couldn’t make it down, a rescue effort was going to either involve a lot of people carrying me or a helicopter. Free Gear UpcyclingWhen it’s time to upgrade your gear, don’t let the old stuff go to waste–don ..read more

If you’ve spent any time in the ultralight corner of Youtube, chances are you’ve come across a hiker who goes by the name JupiterHikes. In an online world of clickbait titles, exhaustive gear reviews, and loud personalities, James “Jupiter” Hoher is an understated presence. His videos, which range from pack shakedowns to documentary-style journeys, are quietly inspirational—heavy on positivity and sunlight-drenched vistas. Spend just a few minutes on a virtual hike with Jupiter, and you’ll likely feel the urge to leave behind your 9-to-5 grind and follow in his footsteps. With over six and a ..read more

Going ultralight isn’t for everyone. Whittling down your pack weight requires careful planning and accepting a few tradeoffs. In general, those concessions are luxuries like camp chairs, roomy tents, or spare clothing. But sometimes, saving pack weight feels like it requires making high-consequence decisions, like paring down a first aid kit or swapping for a lighter (but less insulating) sleeping bag. But it is possible to reduce your pack weight without packing your fears along with your gear. Here are a few tried-and-true ways to test your gear and learn new skills that will lead to newfou ..read more

One of the biggest barriers to backpacking more? The cost of gear. People might think that you’ll only have to shell out for your big three pieces of gear (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad), but it’s actually all the little trinkets that add up. The convenient pieces of gear, like freeze-dried meal coozies and clothesline pins, make backpacking more fun. Some manufacturers will hike  the price of these items just because they know backpackers and hikers will pay a premium for convenience or low base weight bragging rights. But some backpackers want to ball on a budget. Luckily, you have ..read more

There’s a common misconception that ultralight backpacking is only for experienced hikers. Maybe that’s because people assume lightweight gear is flimsy and prone to failure, with the potential to leave you hamstrung and cold. Maybe it’s due to the hefty price tags for some ultralight gear, which leads people to assume it’s only for obsessives. Or maybe it’s just that the discourse and culture around ultralight backpacking can be, well, a bit pompous and overbearing at times. But going ultralight isn’t just for those who have logged thousands of miles and climbed hundreds of peaks. It’s for e ..read more

There’s a well-kept secret among cold-weather adventurers: winter is the best season outdoors. No crowds or bugs, but plenty of fleeting winter spectacles, from the Northern Lights to frozen waterfalls. What else do these winter devotees all have in common? They know the key to enjoying winter’s bounty is staying warm, and they’ve dialed in all the cold-weather tricks, layering strategies, and outdoor skills to do it right. They are Masters of Warmth, and here are some of their tips. Find dozens more here. 1. Explore National Park Hikes that are Better in Winter These three parks put on a sho ..read more