Hiking

Cyprus is a perplexing destination. One nation, but really two. Two flags, two languages, two currencies, but only one officially recognized country. It has a complicated and war-strewn history, and though that’s all in the past (unless you count the complicated politics) it isn’t a widely appreciated travel destination except for a handful of Europeans that tend to stick to the Greek Republic of Cyprus (or south side). But the Turkish Republic of Cyprus has mountains, empty but well-appointed trails, rocky beaches, and stunning vistas for those willing to drive up curving mountain roads for a stunning adventure. We laced our boots (and occasionally our adventure sandals) and hit the trail to explore. So here are 3 exceptional hikes in Northern Cyprus we absolutely love.

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.

It’s winter! Which means snow and ice for many of us, which means a lot of folks are hunkering down indoors instead of getting outside to play. But I refuse to let snow and ice keep me from enjoying time outside, taking winter hikes, or exploring new parks and trails. So right after I layer up (check out our guide to layering for winter hikes here), my next move is to strap some traction devices on my feet.

What are traction devices, you ask? I didn’t know either until I started winter hiking in super snowy regions like Colorado. But they’re brilliant and make snow- and ice-covered trails totally hikeable in wintry conditions. They come in many forms: Snowshoes, micro spikes, and crampons. But we’re going to focus on micro spikes because they’re not only accessible and easy to use, they’re useful for all manner of outdoor adventures, from teaching your niece to ice skate on a frozen lake, crossing a snowy mountain pass, or hoofing it around town after freezing rain. So here are some of our favorite traction devices. (Learn more about traction devices and which to use in this article).

Snowshoes. We love ‘em. They’re super handy for, you know, walking on snow. Because nobody likes post-holing in a foot and a half of powder over three miles when you’re just trying to enjoy a scenic winter hike. But there are tons of snowshoe options out there and, frankly, most of ‘em aren’t terribly sustainable. But we found two that do, in fact, leave a lighter footprint–no pun intended–and we’re gonna compare them so you can pick the best snowshoes for you. So allow us to introduce you to the MSR Revo snowshoes and the TSL Symbiox Hyperflex Instinct, two different snowshoes for different types of snowshoers (and terrain). We’ll help you figure out which one is right for you.

If you’re planning a multi-day backpacking excursion, thru-hike, heck, even an extended day hike, nutrition is important. You’re going to need some serious calories, for sure, but your body also requires protein. A lot of it. And one of our favorite quick and easy ways to get it, on OR off the trail, is with vegan protein powder. Here are 5, ranked by the tastiest to the tongue-scrapingly awful.

If you find yourself in Aspen or its surrounds during ski season, but downhill skiing isn’t really your thing, fear not! There are plenty of winter hikes near Aspen to keep you occupied. Just lace up those waterproof boots, grab some traction devices or snowshoes, and hit the snowy trails! You’ll get epic views, great photo ops, and have a great time on uncrowded paths that don’t require expensive lift tickets or waiting in long lines. Here are 5 winter hikes near Aspen, all within a 45 minute drive (give or take).

Fredericksburg, Texas, located centrally within the state in a region warmnly known as Hill Country, is known far and wide for its wine. Dozens and dozens of wineries call Fredericksburg home and a drive into town from Austin or San Antonio will take you past many of them. In the spring, wildflowers pop up everywhere and in the fall you may even spot a few fall colors on the deciduous trees. But whether you’re headed to Fredericksburg for the wine or the German heritage or the holiday festivities, if you find yourself getting a little antsy and eager to explore, these hikes near Fredericksburg will not disappoint.

There are a pair of shiny new hiking pants for women on the market and they. Are. Legit. Why? They are designed to finally give anyone who has to pee sitting down the chance to laugh directly in the face of the patriarchy. Why? How? They allow women to pee in the outdoors with their pants still 100% on and their privacy protected. Got your attention? We thought so. Well, buckle up, because we’re gonna talk about these new SheFly Go Anywhere Pants, what we thought of them, and whether they’re worth the price right here, right now.

Winter is coming. (Sorry, I had to…) And that means it will soon be time to gird your feet in more insulated, protective shoes. (Permit me a moment of mourning as I put away my hiking sandals…) And that means it’s time to break out the winter hiking boots! But if you’re concerned with sustainability and/or are searching for warm vegan hiking boots, the pickings are slim to say the least. So we did some digging to find the best sustainable and vegan winter hiking boots on the market this season. These three are tops in our book!

I freaking love hiking sandals. If given the opportunity, I will always hike in sandals, kayak in sandals, wander around town in sandals, travel with sandals…If it’s warmer than 65ºF, you better believe I am in sandals. Even in the southwest where spiders, snakes, and cacti abound, you’ll still find me in hiking sandals. So we tested 6 of the best hiking sandals on the market and broke down the pros and cons of each to help you figure out which ones are right for you whether you’re an avid sandal adventurer or just looking for the perfect pair for close-to-home activities. (Bonus: They’re all sustainable and vegan, too!)