The holy grail of trail shoes? Instantly comfortable, lightweight, grippy, waterproof, and stable. That recipe is now a reality with the Konos TRS OutDry. And you can add reasonably priced ($120) to the list as well. Thanks to innovations in cushioning and traction that join an incredibly comfortable, secure-fitting upper that’s both waterproof and breathable, Columbia’s new Konos handles everything from gentle meandering paths to rugged and rocky summits. This is the shoe that will inspire more time on trails for everyone from beginning hikers to trail veterans. Comfort First Unlike boots wi ..read more

This June, we tested gear while climbing on Squamish’s crags, jamming out at the Outside Festival in Denver, and running the Mont Blanc 23k in Chamonix, France. Here’s the gear that kept us cool, calm, and collected in hot and sticky situations. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more. (Photo: Courtesy Arc’teryx)Arc’teryx Kragg Shoe $160 at Arc’teryx $160 at Amazon Last month I raved about Arc’teryx’s new one-shoe-wonder, the Vertex Alpine, which confidently tackled techy single ..read more

I’ve never had a lot of respect for “wind jackets” as a layer. Maybe it’s because I grew up in the ‘80s and ‘90s when we called them “windbreakers,” and that term makes me think of high school track coaches. It’s also usually the first layer I ditch from my pack when I’m trying to save weight. But I’ve become unnaturally attached to Mountain Equipment’s Aerofoil wind jacket, which has become a bit of a security blanket—so much so that I refuse to leave the house without it. If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active a ..read more

Our editors enjoyed the much-deserved sunshine this May. We shredded spring corn, took our pups on hiking adventures, and biked the streets of New York City. Here’s the outdoor gear that we loved the most. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more. (Photo: Courtesy Atomic)Atomic Backland 102 skis $900 at Evo Ski season ain’t over yet. In fact, May was prime time in some high-country areas because the steeper backcountry shots up there had finally solidified and created safe conditions ..read more

The holy grail for pack design? Perfectly balancing weight, comfort, and durability. The new deuter Aircontact Ultra 40+5 nails that elusive sweet spot, thanks to cutting-edge materials and a redesigned suspension system. The 40+5 offers hikers outstanding carrying capacity and a cushy feel—all in a sleek, sub-three-pound package. The Aircontact Ultra’s design story starts with an impeccable pedigree. In 2022, Outside Magazine staff gave the 40+5’s predecessor—the Aircontact Ultra 50+5—an Editor’s Choice Award for its innovative lightweight design. Now, thanks to some major updates, the new 4 ..read more

Winter adventure is complex by nature. As the weather gets rougher and less predictable, your gear list grows longer. Meanwhile, margins for error shrink. A good winter pack can keep up with the extra demand without faltering in treacherous terrain. Of course, that’s easier said than done. We sorted through 15 different packs to find ones that actually handle the strain of winter. Here are our top picks. The Winners at a Glance Lightest: Rab Latok 20 Best All-Around: Exped Impulse 20 Best Women’s Fit: Gregory Women’s Targhee 24 Most Versatile: 5.11 Skyweight 36 Most Durable: Ortovox Peak 42S ..read more

Winter hiking is not our favorite term, to be totally honest. It puts too much emphasis on the winter part, making it feel like you should be building snow caves or crossing a glacier to qualify. For many, however, winter hiking is simply a cold, possibly wet day hike on your usual trail, or an afternoon tromp through some snowy woods. The best winter hiking boots of 2024 work for all of those scenarios, keeping you dry, warm, and planted wherever your cold weather adventures may take you. Winners at a Glance Best All-Around: Merrell MTL Thermo Rogue 4 Best for Easy Day Hikes: Oboz Andesite ..read more

I made my first backpacking stove in my college girlfriend’s backyard with a hole punch and a can of Fancy Feast. After emptying the cat food in the trash (she didn’t have a cat, and I was a dirtbag but not like that) and removing the label, I marked two alternating lines of holes on the can and punched them out. We inaugurated the stove that night at a primitive campsite in California’s Crystal Cove State Park, boiling up hot cocoa while we watched the city lights twinkle on one side of the hills and listened to the waves lap at the shore on the other. Years later, I found that stove in a bo ..read more

At the start of the 21st century, Swedish entrepreneur and Fjällräven founder Åke Nordin had a vision for helping others explore the breathtaking landscapes of Scandinavia that he loved—like the glacier-carved fjords and valleys, sawtoothed granite peaks, and sapphire blue lakes of the Scandes Mountains. Enter the Fjällräven Classic, an organized group trek celebrating community in the outdoors along a long-distance path. It wouldn’t be a competition; in fact it would be the opposite, just a chance to walk with others and connect in the wild.   During the Classic’s inaugural year in 200 ..read more

There’s nothing quite as freeing as taking a naked hike through nature. Unfortunately, nude hiking is forbidden according to many state and local laws. Inconsistent regulations, coupled with cultural biases against nudity, make naked hiking extremely challenging to navigate, leaving this niche community somewhat lost in the woods.  But Bear Naked Granola believes people should be able to enjoy nature in whatever way they please, even if that’s bare naked. That’s why this National Nude Day, Bear Naked Granola is fueling a freehiking mission to help naked hikers navigate au naturel an ..read more