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Andrew Skurka
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How does it compare against the competition? A guide finds out.
Follow these steps to spend less time stressing over the details and more time on the trail
Find the trail runners that work best off-trail and in mixed conditions
Get off-trail just a couple hours' drive from Denver and the Front Range
Here's how to use Gaia GPS to save your route so you never get lost again
Here's how to assess when it's safe to do so
The new men's Saxx Kinetic HD Briefs got a serious upgrade from the previous model—and they're way better for high-output activities
It's an upgrade on my previous favorite, the Iota, and my new go-to for backpacking and trail running
A checklist of essential skills, concepts, and definitions
Your mindset is your most important tool in the backcountry
How to build a system of equipment that will offer direction in wild landscapes
What types to bring, where to find them, and how to make your own
The Alpine Carbon Corks aren't cheap, but they're the best collapsible poles for rugged use
A recipe for the backcountry, designed by a high-end chef
And it's a hundred times better than an energy bar
A step up in waterproof-breathable performance
An ideal shoe for high-altitude adventure runs
For clean water when you're on the run
This handheld, flavor-filled burrito will warm up the coldest campsite morning
An already excellent shoe gets an upgrade
After nearly a month of testing in Alaska and Yosemite, the shelter can best be described as a guilty pleasure
A new go-to sleeping pad
Goodbye AAAs
An ideal quilt for summer and fall in the Mountain West
When you spend months each year in the backcountry, things are bound to go wrong eventually
On-the-ground info to keep you safe in the backcountry
I've spent almost two months testing this tough midweight load hauler. Here are my impressions.
The best way to deal with the wild winter's lingering snowpack
Gear hacks for a good backpacking trip when the weather goes bad
My first backpack trip of 2019 is this month. These are the critical and interesting items that I'm taking with me.
Soft, breathable, and light—ideal for running and backpacking in cool temperatures
Perfect (but pricey) underwear for long days on the trail
Inspiring stories by badass adventurers
New to backpacking, or never been? Make your next trip (or your first) a success by answering these questions beforehand.
How will a snowy winter affect your summertime high-country plans in the High Sierra and southern Rockies?
It's so good that you'll start making it at home, too
You're probably doing it wrong. And even if you aren't, it won't work anyway.
Food is heavy. Don't carry it for miles while backpacking just to let something else eat it.
A bear's sense of smell is seven times better than a bloodhound's. Outsmart them with this food-storage bag.
A legit flagship watch, but it needs a firmware fix
Poles seem simple, but they're an important part of your hiking or backpacking kit. Here are our all-time favorites.
These are an absolute joy to use, despite some inherent limitations
A solid budget-minded option, so long as you can tolerate the infuriating keyboard
An extremely light and comfortable sleeping pad that is excellent for three-season conditions.
Excellent breathability and a welcome surge of innovation in the otherwise-predictable rainwear category
This loop through Yosemite could just be the finest high-altitude thru-hike in the country
The 42-liter pack stood up to more than a week in Yosemite's backcountry
Osprey's new update was a long time coming, but it was worth the wait.
A few strategies to keep you on the trail this summer
How much food do you need to bring? What kind? How do you store it? We've got answers.
And it's about to get even better.
At prices that won't break the bank
Our columnist has eaten this simple meal on hundreds of trips. He's still not sick of it.
Don't fall in the trap of more is better
The Tiger Wall UL was not designed to break records. Instead, it tries to do more with less, while keeping in check its weight and price and remaining very easy to use.
After thousands of trail miles, here's how our columnist makes sure he's prepared for whatever the terrain throws at him
Rule number one? Resist the urge to overcomplicate things.
How does the new Mini compare to other satellite messengers—and is it the right backcountry communications device for you?
Four tips to help you spend less time futzing with gear and more time on the trail
A guide to one of the most unique slices now excluded from Bears Ears National Monument
The 122nd Boston Marathon was wet, windy, and cold, with many runners dropping out of the race because of hypothermia. Here's what you should wear to avoid the same DNF fate.
There's no point in hauling one around if you're going to make these mistakes
After extensive testing and interviews, I've found that some of the company's two-way messenger devices can inadvertently call search and rescue teams
An excellent shoe for easy singletrack and mixed runs
Sometimes they're the difference between a PR and a DNF
A good general rule of thumb is to never drink unpurified water. Yet if you do, then use common sense first.
In the West, where it's stupidly easy to get scorched, it's best to show less skin. These sun gloves help.
At the Outdoor Retailer trade show last month, these seven standout hiking and trail running products caught my eye
Ultra runners and backpackers, take note: this tool offers unmatched performance for the price
Is Osprey's new "super ultralight" Levity/Lumina right for you? Unless you're a dedicated thru-hiker or gram weenie, probably not. But it's still pretty impressive.
And they've been my go-to running and hiking companion for more than 20,000 miles
After weeks training in this road runner, I believe it's one of the company's fastest shoes yet
My new favorite gloves cost $20 and are lightweight, durable, waterproof, and breathable
Professional backpacker, author of the Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide