Osprey Atmos AG 65 review: the load-hauler that floats the weight
A benchmark multi-day pack whose Anti-Gravity suspension makes forty pounds feel like far less — the hauler to trust on long, heavy trips.
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Columbia Newton Ridge Plus II (men’s) review: the budget boot that punches up
The value pick for a first hiking boot: waterproof, comfortable out of the box, grippy, and easy on the wallet.
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Jetboil Flash review: the fastest boil in your pack
The fastest, most convenient way to boil water in the backcountry — a push-button integrated system that boils half a liter in about a hundred seconds.
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LifeStraw Personal water filter review: the emergency straw that started it all
The simplest water filter there is: sip clean water straight from the source. A perfect first filter and emergency backup.
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Klymit Static V sleeping pad review: comfort on a budget
The budget inflatable that made comfortable backcountry sleep affordable — light, packable, and a superb first pad for warm-weather trips.
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MSR Elixir 2 tent review: the do-it-all backpacking tent
A durable, weather-ready freestanding two-person tent that pitches fast and includes a footprint — the tent to grow into when entry-level shelters start to feel limiting.
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How to stay warm through a cold night
A cold night can be dangerous, not just miserable. Insulate from the ground, dial in your sleep system, and use the field tricks that keep you warm well below freezing.
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Crossing difficult terrain: scree, talus, steep slopes, and snow
Loose rock, steep slopes, and old snow are where hikers get hurt. Technique for crossing scree, talus, boulder fields, and snow safely — and knowing when to turn back.
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Snakes, spiders, and stinging insects: avoiding bites and stings
The small creatures hurt the most people. How to avoid snakes, spiders, scorpions, ticks, and stinging insects — and treat a bite or sting calmly, including the signs of anaphylaxis.
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Reading the clouds: forecast the weather by the sky
The sky is the most current forecast you have. Read cloud types and sky signs to see rain, storms, and lightning coming hours ahead — and act before the weather lands on you.
