Joe Jackson, Outside online's Gear Guy, never thought that the ten years he spent as a raft guide, outdoor retail employee, and vagabond would turn into a career. Buying your first backpacking setup ...

Sometimes a small comfort item—one that isn’t totally necessary, but makes backpacking or camping life much better—is worth the weight. In the backpacking world, light and fast is often king. It makes ...

When I began venturing into the backcountry, the first big dump of snow meant my tent and sleeping bag went into hibernation for the season. Aside from the unpleasantly cold temperatures, the extra ...

This one is for the gram counters. If you’re going out for more than a couple of nights and logging major miles on the trail each day, you’ll notice the weight of your gear starts to creep from your ...

If you're over campsite crowds — and campsite fees — all you have to do is strap a pack on your back and head into the backcountry. Everyone seems to be into camping these days. In fact, according to ...