Education

I’m obsessed with barefoot shoes. It’s pretty much all I own at this point. But here’s the thing: you can’t just dive right into wearing barefoot shoes full-time whether you want to wear them hiking, running, or just around town. It takes some transitioning to get used to minimalist shoes with plenty of ground feel, flexible soles, zero drop, and no arch support. So we chatted with John Wadley, the VP of product development at Xero Shoes, to talk about how to transition to barefoot shoes the right way!

When it comes to the outdoors, there are a lot of myths about animals’ survival, navigation, and more that people have perpetuated for years, sometimes decades. Like, for example, when people in Fayetteville, Arkansas, who have clearly never left the state say that the city is just like Austin, Texas. I’ve lived in both places, okay? It’s really not. Anyway, it’s the same with these 10 outdoors-oriented myths. One person says one slightly incorrect thing one time, and everybody feels like they have to repeat it. So, we’re gonna straighten some things out right here, right now, so you’re not spouting nonsense the next time someone asks you about bear bells.

The term “sustainable” can feel like a pretty loaded word these days. I mean, literally everyone is slapping it on their products in an effort to get eco-conscious shoppers to buy their stuff. But a freakin’ ton of sustainability verbiage is total greenwashing (aka: B.S.). Here’s how to identify clothing and gear that’s ACTUALLY more sustainable and how different sustainability can look from brand to brand or item to item.

Learning how to ski or snowboard can be intimidating. We get it. Been there, done that. We didn’t grow up on the slopes either. Fortunately, it’s not as scary as …

If you think you hate hiking in the winter, if you’re always cold or your phone battery is always dying or your drinking water freezes in your hydration reservoir tube, well then I’ve got bad news for you: You’re doing it wrong. Winter hiking, that is. Fortunately, we’ve got plenty of winter hiking tips so you can get back to a place where you enjoy spending time outdoors year-round. Yup, even when it’s cold out or–God forbid–there’s snow on the ground. Here’s how to stop doing winter hiking wrong.

It’s a debate as old as time itself (ok, maybe just as old as modern DWR technology, but still, the debate rages): Shell vs insulated ski jacket. Which is better when it comes to winter sports? An insulated ski jacket? Or a non-insulated shell jacket? We break down the pros and cons of both and what each is best for (and which one is superior).

Let’s talk about periods! And I’m not talking about punctuation! Yep, this guide to backpacking or camping during your period goes out to all the people out there who menstruate! Because we want to help you get outside to play even when you’re menstruating. Because being on your period while camping or hiking or kayaking or backpacking shouldn’t be scary and it shouldn’t keep you from recreating if you don’t want it to. So here are a few tips, tools, and advice for better (and more sustainable) periods outdoors.

If you’re new to backpacking–or ultralight backpacking–there’s probably A LOT you’re doing wrong that could potentially ruin your trip. I’m talking sore shoulders, sleepless nights, non-functional gear, you name it. So let’s talk about the biggest ultralight mistakes beginners make when it comes to ultralight backpacking and how to fix them.

The mountains are an amazing place to be. I love frolicking among wildflowers and alpine lakes surrounded by epic views, and I enjoy them more knowing these magical places were only accessible via my own two feet (and a whole lotta grit and determination). But if there’s one thing that can ruin a hiking or backpacking trip, it’s altitude sickness. Think you might have it? Wanna avoid it? Not even sure what the symptoms are? We’ve got you. Read on to find out how to identify, treat, and prevent altitude sickness.

We’ve used a lot of water reservoirs over the years, but almost always find something to complain about with all of them. However, we may have just found the perfect reservoir for hiking and backpacking: The HydraPak Contour. We dish about what makes an excellent bladder and how HydraPak fits the bill.