Education

When it comes to preparing meals in the backcountry, backpacking stoves that run on compressed gas–you know, those cylindrical metal canisters filled with fuel–are far and away the most popular option. They’re efficient, convenient, tolerably lightweight, and easy to find at pretty much any outdoor retailer. And while these fuel canisters are made of recyclable materials (steel), recycling them is more nuanced than you might think. Here’s how to recycle your empty backpacking fuel canisters the right way.

We’re slowly creeping towards a world without green propane canisters. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? And what would we replace them with? There’s a solution.

If you’ve ever wanted to take a NOLS course (National Outdoor Leadership School) to learn new outdoor skills, become a more well-rounded outdoorist, or simply connect with fellow adventurers, now may be your chance! Because NOLS just re-launched their lightweight backpacking courses after a several year hiatus and they’re partnering with Hyperlite Mountain Gear to offer one lucky backpacker a full scholarship to experience a NOLS lightweight backpacking course! But act fast, because the application window for the Hyperlite scholarship closes on April 11, 2025. Need more info? Read on.

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!

The more time we spend outside, sleeping in tents, summiting peaks, hiking to hidden lakes, the more we realize outdoorsy folks like to enjoy a frosty beverage while they’re kickin’ back or takin’ in the view (ourselves included). But a cold beer or a passing of a flask of bourbon doesn’t always cut it. Sometimes you want something more. That’s where camp cocktails come in. Because if you want a martini while you grill your veggie burgers or hammock in the shade or entertain at your campsite after a day of hiking or kayaking or biking, well, dang it, you should have it! So here are three tasty camp cocktail recipes to get you started!

Planning your first backpacking trip? I bet you’re stoked. You should be. Backpacking is the best. But chances are, you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the gear lists and packing tips and you may be worried about forgetting something… But don’t worry. That’s what we’re here for: To help you prep and pack a backpack for your first backpacking trip like a pro. From what to bring to what NOT to bring, what to put where and how to carry it all more comfortably, this post will have you feeling more confident and ready to hit the trail in no time!

Avid outdoorists are often guilty of getting so immersed in the culture of outdoor recreation that we throw around technical and highly specialized terms as if the whole world uses them in casual conversation. Usually, they don’t. Sorry about that. So we thought we’d throw together a quick backpacking dictionary full of commonly used hiking terms so if you’re new to the whole trail slang thang, you can nod knowingly when someone talks about getting beta for their thru-hike where they might have to do some bushwhacking and hope they don’t have to call SAR if they lose sight of the cairns. See what we mean? So read up and a carry on a hiking convo like a pro!

Shopping for your first tent? Or maybe your first in a while? Chances are, you’re a bit overwhelmed by all the options out there. We get it. There are scores of brands making quality tents, and each one has a full lineup of different options, meaning there are literally hundreds, if not thousands of tents out there to choose from. So how do you pick? Well, what you pick is ultimately a cross-section of a whole bunch of different features and functions that are suited to your style of camping and outdoor adventures, but one of the most important to consider: size. We’ll help you figure out the best camping tent for you. Not too big or too small, but juuuuust right.

It’s one of the most common fears people cite when asked what they’re most afraid of when contemplating spending time outdoors: animals. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Well, mostly mountain lions, bears, and snakes, but you get the picture. That said, those aren’t the only animals you should be cautious around when out and about in wilderness areas (don’t forget about bison, moose and alligators)! So if you want a quick cheat-sheet for what to do when you encounter a wild animal on the trail, we’ve got you covered. Read on for how to respond to the 8 most common animal encounters you’re likely to experience in the wild.

I know, I know. When we first learned that Counter Assault bear spray was more eco-friendly, we were all, whaaaat? Can bear spray even be NON environmentally friendly? So we dug in to learn more. Here’s what we found.