Footwear tech is more complicated than it looks. Maximize your mileage by learning how to pick the right boots and make them last. Buy your boots carefully, and your feet will thank you.The Boot Expert Brennan Halterman grew up hiking in Southeast Alaska and has been fitting shoes since 2003. Now he’s closing in on…
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A little rain never hurt anyone. With these tips, there’s no such thing as bad weather. Choose the Right Layers 1. Avoid cotton like the plague. Pack synthetic baselayers, a featherless puffy for insulation, and a rainjacket to stay dry. 2. Don’t over-insulate. What you really need to do is stay dry, and over-layering will…
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With map and compass in hand, world-class navigators take to the Estonian forest to compete at the World Orienteering Championships. Who has what it takes to complete this race? The energy in the forest is palpable as USA competitor Greg Ahlswede walks up to the start line. Around him, professional navigators from across the globe…
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Headed out on the Pacific Crest Trail? Expert thru-hiker Liz “Snorkel” Thomas breaks down the gear you’ll need. A light shelter will go a long way on the PCT.On a PCT thru-hike, you’ll be spending months with your gear. Pick it wisely, and you’ll have a friend who never lets you down. On the other…
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Developed by a college outdoor program, this may be the best bar you’ll ever eat. It might not have the most elegant name, but the MiddView granola bar has plenty of qualities to make up for it. This staple of Middlebury College outdoor life earned its name from the first-year orientation trip program, MiddView. Every…
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A good backpacking stove will be your dinner date for hundreds of meals. Here’s how to pick the right one. Canister stoves are easy, but don’t always function well in the cold.The time has come. You’re tired of using your mom’s rusty stove from the 1980s, and you’re ready to buy one of your own.…
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Precipitation on the menu? Use these tips to cook comfortably in a dry backcountry kitchen. You know the feeling: You’ve finally made it to camp after hiking all day in the rain, and the last thing you want to do is sit in the downpour and watch water boil. Fortunately, with a little advance planning,…
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Build up your abs for better balance and all-day comfort on the trail. No offense to your legs, but it’s your abs and lower back that matter most when it comes to managing pack weight—and not just those superficial six-pack muscles, either. Ditch the workaday crunches for these whole-system exercises to target the deeper back…
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Strengthen joints and banish sprains for good. You’re only as strong as your weakest link, and for backpackers, that’s usually the joints. Connective tissues like tendons and ligaments are tougher to strengthen than muscle, and injuring them isn’t pretty: Tweaked knees, rolled ankles, and achy hips can be trip-enders. Improve your odds of a pain-free…
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Gear up for the United States’ toughest long path with these expert picks. On a path as long, high, and remote as the Continental Divide Trail, there is little room for gear errors. For four to six months of walking, CDT thru-hikers have a laundry list of concerns that outpace those of many other long…
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