Hiking

It’s still summer. In fact, we’re sliding into August, which is typically the hottest month of the year in most places in the Northern Hemisphere. Which means if you’re playing/hiking/cycling/backpacking outside, you’re probably sweating. A lot. And a lot of sweat means your body is losing a lot of H20 (and other stuff). Which means your risk of dehydration is higher. So you need to drink more water. But here’s the thing: if you’re out working hard and sweating for over an hour at a time, your body needs more than water to keep itself functioning properly. It needs salt and minerals like potassium. It needs electrolytes. But not all electrolytes are created equal. So if you’re looking for better electrolyte drink mixes without all the artificial color, flavor, additives or sweeteners, we’ve got you covered. Here are 5 sports hydration mixes that aren’t Gatorade so you can hydrate and keep wandering on.

Does anyone like DEET anymore? I mean, I know people who swear by it, and it’s certainly proven effective, but nobody likes it, right? By now, we all know that it dissolves plastic (and rayon and spandex…). And frankly, anything that does that to synthetics, I’m not too keen to inhale and spread all over my largest organ (that’s skin, for those of you who have forgotten 7th-grade science class), even if the EPA has cleared it as a safe and effective insect repellent. But what are the alternatives? And do they work as well? We’ll break them down in this round-up of the 5 best DEET-free bug spray brands for those of us who would prefer to skip the harmful chemicals.

We’ve all been new at something at some point in our lives. And chances are, we weren’t great at that something right out of the gate. There’s a learning curve with most activities that can only be gained through experience. And that includes backpacking. But if you’re new to shouldering a pack and hiking off into the woods to spend a few nights under a canopy of trees, we’ve got your back. Here are 5 mistakes beginner backpackers make (so you can get them right and stop looking like such a noob).

I’m pretty sure no one wants to go backpacking in the rain. If those people exist, I haven’t met them yet. But I’m dubious of their existence because, generally speaking, not many people enjoy being soaking wet for days on end. Which is what happens when you go backpacking in the rain. Especially in cooler climates. But sometimes it’s unavoidable. Maybe you booked a campsite months ago and can’t get a refund. Maybe these are the only vacation days you get all year and you have to make the most of them. Maybe you’re traveling and this is your only chance to get out there and explore. Whatever the reason, if you’re going to go backpacking in the rain, there are ways to make it more enjoyable (and less miserable). And we’re gonna show you how!

Now that summer is nearly here, it’s time to break out the hiking sandals! Here are the 4 best adventure sandals of 2020!

Whether you’re in new, unfamiliar territory or your own backyard, we all need a little help locating the best hikes nearby from time to time. Sometimes it’s simply because you …

Here are a handful of wilderness first aid training courses you can take online now or in-person later. Happy learning! And stay safe out there!

Looking for a water bottle that doesn’t take up much space? We rounded up the 5 best collapsible water bottles on the market designed with travel in mind.

If you’re ready to shop for your first pair of hiking boots (or your first pair in a while), finding hiking boots that fit comfortably and correctly can seem a daunting task. So many shapes and colors and brands and styles! Plus, hiking boot sizes and shapes are all over the place, meaning you can’t just swap brands, order the same size you ordered with your last shoe, and expect them to fit exactly the same. Hiking boots and shoes are more complicated than your run-of-the-mill sneaker or even trail running shoes. But while color, style, and brand name may be the first details that catch our eye, fit is the most important factor when purchasing new hiking boots. But how do you correctly fit hiking boots and which type should you get? We’ll break down how to do just that right here, right now in our beginner’s guide to buying hiking boots.

I think we can all agree that this is a wild and unprecedented time we’re living in, right? And a lot of information, both helpful and incorrect, is swarming our …