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A writer examines Trump’s first presidency and his cabinet appointments to understand how the next four years will impact public lands, the environment, and outdoor recreation
The results are in: From puffies to weather-resistant softshells, these were the best active midlayers we tested.
Our crew tested over two dozen fleeces in every winter condition they could find. These six stood out from the competition.
Over the course of last season, this touring shell impressed us with a combination of serious weight savings and surprising durability
Grand Canyon National Park has some of the best views in the United States. Here’s how to make the most out of a visit, whether its hiking, boating, biking, camping, or so much more.
And how it will affect us all
And how it will affect us all
Choosing the right puffy is challenging. We’re here to help.
But is it worth the $700 price tag?
Garrett Madison was sued by one of his clients in 2020 after he called off an expedition, saying it was too dangerous. A final court order states the client was not entitled to a refund and that guides should not fear lawsuits when making decisions about safety.
Outer-layer technology has reached new heights
The company sponsors some of the best athletes in the world, from Emily Harrington to Alex Honnold, all of whom are vying for a slice of the brand’s annual budget to support their expeditions. The process can be as competitive as getting into an Ivy League university—except, if approved, the athletes are often taking on death-defying adventures.
Coats for every adventure, from sunny singletrack to frigid summits
In the fall of 2019, Garrett Madison canceled his expedition on the world's highest peak. Then one of his clients sued him for breach of contract.
Finding a bit of quiet is harder than ever
The Senate passed the Great American Outdoors Act, 73 to 25, allocating billions to recreation
The retail giant wants to increase participation and diversity in the outdoors by lowering the cost barrier
Dennis Sizemore has been thrown by a grizzly bear and traded gunfire with poachers, but that hasn't stopped him from doing conservation work around the globe
A slab of snow fell and trapped her in a streambed in a place where few skiers dared to go
The "sunk cost" effect, a false sense of confidence, and fading backcountry skills may all explain why
Challenge winter's chill with these insulated jackets
Because you don’t want to be huddled in the lodge while fresh snow is falling
The founder of the industry's biggest ski show is acquiring public-facing expos in Denver and Boston
The e-retailer pursued legal action against dozens of companies for trademark infringement over the word "backcountry." Now the CEO is apologizing.
The online effort to cancel Backcountry.com
It isn't just the astounding geological wonders that give our country's first national park its allure, from 500 geysers that erupt up to 400 feet into the air to deep glacier-carved valleys and fossil forests. The vibrant megafauna and endless backcountry terrain make it one of the wildest areas in the country. And if you know where to go, you can avoid the crowds.
A controversial Interior Department advisory committee has made a series of recommendations aimed at privatizing campgrounds on public lands
Turns out performance and eco-friendliness can play nice together
The company claims it has made a more waterproof, more breathable jacket. We took it ski touring to put those specs to the test.
Jorgeson's 1Climb foundation and Adidas are partnering to build 10 climbing walls across the country
Amid stories of ecological doom, we found a few instances of progress worth celebrating
Our favorite puffies and shells for men and women, whether you’re riding lifts or out for a tour
Violinist-pianist duo Anastasia Allison and Rose Freeman hike into the wilderness and often play for no audience other than nature
Luis Benitez became the face of government’s interest in the outdoor recreation industry, one that’s larger than both the auto and oil and gas exploration industries. He sat down with 'ϳԹ' to discuss the industry’s expanding role in politics and his own future.
Sensationalized forecasts from news anchors who appear to hate winter and have zero idea how to dress for it are keeping an increasingly inert population inside
A compromise over Utah public land reveals how one of the biggest conservation acts in years got through the Senate this week
Now that the mines have closed, the small towns of Emery County, Utah, are dreaming up an ambitious plan: A veritable outdoor playground with a new monument and more than half a million acres of designated wilderness. Can this scheme convince other towns to transition from extraction to recreation?
The Democratic candidate and son of the Burt's Bees founder is seeking a win in Maine's rural 2nd District with a simple message: The recreation economy can bring back jobs
Resorts offer big discounts and bigger perks to those who buy a 2018–19 ski pass in the next few weeks
Twenty-two years after its founding, the e-retailer will start making in-house outdoor apparel and gear, as well as collaborating with a few select brands, like Flylow and Black Diamond, on co-branded product
While political and legal battles rage over the future of our national monuments, one of the most important things you can do is go see them—and then share your experiences widely. Here are some of our favorite adventures.
Now that we know which mountains are on the Ikon and how much it costs, we wanted to figure out: Which is a better deal for skiers?
That’s 2 percent of overall GDP—putting it on par with other major economy-drivers (and larger than oil and mining).
Uberlight and able to take moisture in stride, a new breed of synthetic down is changing the winter jacket for good
The GOP tax-reform package will save companies billions. But it likely came at the cost of Bears Ears, Grand Staircase-Escalante, and ANWR.
How a group of young activists changed the conversation at a public-lands conference—and where the outdoor industry goes from here
The inside story of how the state’s outdoor recreation czar Luis Benitez landed the tradeshow—and how he plans to save it
Unplugging Lake Powell is a beautiful dream, but it would hurt the river more than it would help
Let’s reduce health care costs by getting outdoors, eating better, and pushing for progressive legislation
Hopping on a plane to your next adventure or just to visit the folks? You might as well be comfortable.
The best adventures are too wet, dirty, and cumbersome to contain—unless you've got the right luggage
Teton County is known for its endless adventure—and for its tax-haven status and lack of affordable housing. We asked four residents earning between $30,000 and $200,000 how they make it work.
Love playing on our public lands? It's time to help pay for them.
Outdoor brands are becoming a politically active force. Now that the battle for Outdoor Retailer is over, what's next? We spoke with a dozen industry leaders to find out what battles are shaping up.
The company is urging thousands of Utah voters to call the state's governor in support of the new monument
The short days and snowy roads of winter shouldn't stop you from a classic tour
And they won't appear on Walmart shelves. But the acquisition will help the behemoth retailer compete with Amazon and it could even strengthen Moosejaw's brick-and-mortar business.
The company that runs the industry's largest trade show is listening, but more brands need to speak up if they really want to make Utah feel the hurt
From the people who live it season-round
Whether you’re planning a quick-hit escape or you want to chase powder all winter, we’ve got the ski-resort beta you need
Now that the TPP looks likely to be killed, consumers can forget about cheaper backpacks and shoes. The hope is that more American jobs will make up for it.
Snowmakers do their jobs at night, in frigid temperatures, while handling heavy, cumbersome equipment. Which means they need gear they can rely on.
Studies have shown that being outside has positive psychological and physiological benefits. Can the nature cure compete with Xanax?
For all your fast-and-light pursuits. (Black Diamond) Black Diamond Helio Best For: Going fast and light. The Test: Even if it remains stashed in your pack all day, a lightweight shell to shed squalls and seal in critical warmth should be part of every backcountry adventurer’s kit. And the Helio…
Run cold? You'll want one of these insulated beasts. (Adidas) Adidas Terrex Climaheat Techrock Best For: Instant warmth. The Test: Heading into the backcountry? Pack a big puffy to snuggle into during rest breaks, while on belay, or as emergency insulation. With 800-fill goose down wrapped in Pertex fabric, the 1.1-pound Techrock…
We break down what's in the can, plus how to use it effectively
While the nation freaks out over the presidential race, a climbing legend is quietly helping the industry become a powerful force
The OARS founder and conservation icon was among the first to run non-motorized river trips down the Grand Canyon
We tested the SubQ Designs Jackson air bag jacket in Jackson Hole and found it ideal for skiing lift-accessed backcountry
The Douchebag Snowroller. Awful name, totally dialed product.
It has a paint-by-numbers plot, loads of sexism and gratuitous nudity, and a screenplay full of tired racial stereotypes. It’s also the highest-grossing ski movie of all time. Frederick Reimers and Sam Moulton uncover the true story behind every skier’s favorite cult classic.
Over the weekend, paddlers descended on Arizona to break a 33-year-old speed record on a 277-mile stretch of the Colorado River. Their efforts may herald a flurry of new attempts in the Grand Canyon.
The champion of the waterproof-breathable hardshell is getting soft
A super-cozy layer guaranteed to last three decades