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Hiking

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Hiking is one of the simplest, most rewarding outdoor activities anyone can do. It doesn’t take much — just a good pair of shoes and an idea of where you want to go or what you’d like to see. Maybe you want to hike up a mountain just to see the morning sunrise – or perhaps you’re considering tackling the Pacific Coast Trail. Whatever your interest level, we’ve got all the best gear and advice to keep you enjoying your hikes.

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.
Low-angle closeup of man walking in hiking boots on the trail.

Tactical boots vs. hiking boots: What’s the difference?

Male hiker walks along cliff with view on Appalachian Trail, Maine.

5 spectacular fall hikes on the Appalachian Trail

Mountain photo

Third Man Syndrome: The weird phenomenon extreme mountain climbers experience

Young man hiking through the mountains.

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

A beautiful view of Lost Maples State Park with Limestone bluffs along a clear river with a vivid reflection

Discover the best Texas state parks: A guide to natural beauty you can enjoy year-round

Mount Everest Nepal

This is how much it actually costs to climb Mount Everest

The North Face GORE-TEX denim jacket

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

Garmin tactix 7 – AMOLED Edition

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

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)

The South Rim of the Grand Canyon (Arizona)

Grand Canyon closures expected to last into 2025 – what to know before you go hiking or camping

Pisgah National Forest yellow flowers with pine trees.

Forget overcrowded national parks – these are the best hiking trails in national forests

Kayaking on a lake.

E-bike tech is coming to kayaking because nobody wants to peddle hard anymore (and who could blame them)

If you thought kayaking and e-bikes had nothing in common, think again. The best e-bike tech is headed into the water.
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.
Bear running through the water

What to do when you see a bear while trail hiking so you can avoid a bear attack

Bear attacks are uncommon, but knowing what to do in the event of one is part of being a skilled outdoorsman in the backcountry.
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!
Apple Maps update press release photo

Apple just gave hikers, campers, skiers, and snowboarders a great reason to use Apple Maps and ditch Google Maps

Do you ski, snowboard, hike, or camp? Apple Maps might be your new favorite app with its new offline mode.
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
Closeup of large black bison starting at camera from a grassy field.

In Yellowstone National Park, one woman was sent running after yet another too-close encounter with a bison

In Yellowstone National Park, one woman decided to get way-too-close to a wild bison, just to get a picture - and quickly learned why you should never do that.
Hiking in high elevation

Take the high route when hiking: The best high-elevation hikes around the world

Push yourself to your physical limits and test your mental endurance on some of these best high-elevation hikes from around the world.
Man hiking along trial in forest on foggy morning.

Fall hiking essentials: Don’t leave home without everything on this checklist

As the seasons change, you need to gear up for everything that fall can throw at you. Our fall hiking essentials will keep you warm and in control on the trail.
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!
Silhouette of a hiker standing on top of a mountain with a bright orange sky in the background.

Brace your body and mind for the most challenging (and rewarding) hiking spots in the U.S.

Chilling at home is good, but few things are more rewarding than traversing the country's most physically challenging hikes.
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.
Rocky Mountain-National Park

These are the most affordable times to visit the most popular U.S. national parks

With a little planning, you can avoid large crowds and high costs when visiting U.S. national parks. Learn the best times to visit popular parks in the country.
Scorkl 2.0 underwater

This revolutionary device might make snorkeling more like scuba diving

The Scorkl 2.0 Electric will let you snorkel and do boat maintenance tasks with a lot more freedom.
Ft. Wayne - Circa August 2017: Costco Wholesale Location. Costco Wholesale is a Multi-Billion Dollar Global Retailer X

Costco has a secret online store, Costco Next, that any member can access – here’s how

Did you know Costco has a secret online store named Costco Next? It's true! Here's how to access it
A wooden outhouse with a crescent moon cutout on the door.

How to poop in the woods: A guide for when nature calls when you’re out in nature

The next time you're on a hike and your bowels come a-knockin', you'll wish you'd have read this guide on how to poop in the woods like a pro.
A man stands in a field wearing backpack and using Black diamond walking poles.

Hiking poles 101: All the different kinds — and our top picks

When searching for the best trekking poles, this is what you need to know.
Rattlesnake in the desert

How to treat a snake bite when you’re stuck in a worst-case scenario

A snake bite can be terrifying, but as long as you stay calm and follow these doctor-approved first aid tips, you'll live to hike another day.
Jenny in Utah in Outdoor Vitals hiking gear

We tested all of Outdoor Vitals’ lightweight hiking clothes: Here’s our verdict

We tested lightweight hiking gear from the Utah brand Outdoor Vitals. Here's what we thought of it.
Man pouring liquor from a flask

Take your favorite tipple from town to trail with the best camping flasks of 2023

From stainless steel to plastic and packable, the best camping flasks let you unload the weight and keep the drinks flowing on the trail. Here are our top picks.
The Pacific Northwest

Here’s your camping and outdoor guide for the Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest camping opportunities are many and wonderful. Here are a few of its most renowned outdoor spots.
Apple Watch Ultra

Good news: Why we’re likely to get a new Apple Watch Ultra this year

The impending release of the Apple Watch Ultra 2 in 2023 appears to be a reasonable assumption supported by credible sources.
Prometheus Design Werx Man Bouldering

These are the best tactical pants for all of your outdoor adventures

Men like to touch grass. Getting out in the great outdoors is made easier with these best tactical pants for men.
Emerson TKF-1

When you need the very best EDC knife, these 8 knives make the cut

The best EDC knives come in all shapes, styles, and sizes, but these top-of-the-line blades are our favorite go-to picks.
An angler holding a rainbow trout above a fishing net.

Yellowstone river mountain whitefish should not be eaten, but rainbow trout are fine, authorities say: Here’s why

Yellowstone river train derailment has contaminated some fish species, but rainbow trout are fine.
Gray and blue "OPEN" sign hanging on a the front door of a small shop.

Gear up at the best locally owned outdoor stores in the U.S.

Forget the online mega retailers. We've rounded up our picks for the 14 best outdoor stores — all small and locally owned — in the U.S.
vans ultrarange review vr3

Vans UltraRange review: Putting the hiking (and real) worlds on notice

Are Vans UltraRange solid hiking shoes? We review the latest from the street-shoe mainstay.
The Patagonia Stormshadow jacket, featuring GORE-TEX laminates recycled from ocean plastic.

This new Patagonia jacket is the first GORE-TEX jacket to feature 100% recycled, pfc-free GORE-TEX fabrics

GORE-TEX has released its first 100% recycled laminates to work with its PFC-free membrane, and unsurprisingly, Patagonia is the first to adopt this eco-tech.
A person walks in the woods with their phone open and AllTrails running.

Here’s why you should be using AllTrails+ to find new outdoor adventures: Review

Is the AllTrails app worth it? Should you get AllTrails+? We’ve got the answers.
BLACK BEARS LOOKING FOR FOOD AND FEEDING

To avoid a bear attack, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park closed a road

Bears foraging for food caused park rangers at the Great Smoky Mountains national park to close a road
Family camping

How well does your home state rank for adventure? Study reveals the best and worst states

Wyoming, Montana, and Utah stand out as the top states for thrilling outdoor experiences, offering opportunities for horseback riding, hiking, and camping.
A view of the swamp

Why you should visit the Everglades (and our top tips for a memorable adventure)

Get a taste of Everglades National Park from Loop Road, a scenic drive that you can travel on foot, by bicycle, or from a motor vehicle.
One green backpack on a brown wooden log in the woods.

Pack your multiday backpack for comfort with our guide

You will barely notice a well-packed bag on the trail, but a badly packed one will leave you in physical pain. Here's how to pack a backpack for hiking.
A bee on a purple chive flower.

7 wild edible plants every outdoor enthusiast should know about

In this article, we'll highlight some edible plants that grow wild around much of the United States. But make sure that you identify these plants properly
A backpacker at high altitude

Altitude sickness: What you need to know about the symptoms, treatment, and prevention

High elevation might make you sick. Find out how you know and what to do if you get it.
View from Angels Landing, Zion National Park, Utah

2 popular national parks want your opinion about proposed fee increases and reservation changes

Two popular national parks — Bryce and Zion — are considering various fee increases and changes to reservations, and want your opinion.

Snowsports

Camping

Snowboarding

Backpacking