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The Best Shorts for Men
The best outdoor shorts are the ones you’ll wear the most. They have to be versatile: The right pair won’t stop you from scrambling up scree on a hike and are built from fabric that’ll last for...
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The Best Portable Camp Grills
Sure, the first day of summer isn’t until later in June, but I’m ready to welcome it with gin and tonics, swimming hole sessions, and, of course, grilling. Your barbecue doesn’t have to be limited to...
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Put Together Your Next Backpacking Setup for $300
Backpacking can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re willing to brave some of the elements and schlep a little more weight, you can certainly get these essentials for just north of $300....
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Know When It's Time to Replace Your Water Filter
There is some serious tech buried in your water filter. A lot goes into safely sifting out protozoa, microplastics, and germs in the backcountry. But with all those complicated parts, it can be hard to...
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The Best Waterproof Gear Cases, Tested
Weather-resistant backpacks, drybags, and duffels seem to get all the attention, but I’d argue that it’s the little cases—the ones that keep a phone, keys, snacks, and perhaps an extra layer safe—that...
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The Best Outdoor Gear for Babies (and Their Dads)
With my daughter, Josephine (aka Jojo), now eight months old and me approaching my first Father’s Day as a dad, I’ve been reflecting a lot about how I want her to grow to have the same love for the...
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8 Tips for (Responsibly) Camping in Fire Season
Given the miserable winter the West had this year, camping this summer feels like pitching a tent in the middle of a tinderbox. You need to be extra safe when cooking or working with flames in the...
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What to Splurge on (and Avoid) When Buying Gear
No, you don’t need the most blinged-out, expensive gear to enjoy time outdoors. But if you buy poorly built garbage, it could fail on you mid-trip, mid-run, mid-whatever, which at best is extremely...
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Thule's Chariot Is the Best Running Stroller
When my daughter, Jojo, was born last fall, I quickly began devising ways that we could spend time outside together. I thought maintaining an active lifestyle with a tiny child would be a piece of...
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Chubbies American Flag Shorts Are Perfect for Hiking
My hometown of Ashland, Oregon, puts on quite the Fourth of July celebration. The town floods with folks who stand in awe as our Chamber of Commerce–sponsored parade begins with F-15 fighter planes...
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Testing Men's Crossover Office-to-Outdoors Pants
Even though I could technically work from home and don’t have to stick to a dress code, I still make it a point to look presentable when I head into the office I rent here in Ashland, Oregon. Getting...
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America’s Best Long(ish) Hikes
Hiking one of the big daddy through-hikes—the Pacific Crest, Continental Divide, or Appalachian Trail—sounds dreamy … if the boss gives you six months of paid vacation. And while weekend trips are...
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The MugMate Is the Best Camp Coffeemaker, Hands Down
I have been Outside’s Gear Guy for the better part of a decade, and during that period I’ve tested dozens of outdoor coffee-making systems, from the highly refined AeroPress ($30) to good old-fashioned...
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The Most Surprising Ways to Use Outdoor Gear
Versatile gear is great. Having a pack that is as good for travel as it is for backpacking means you have one less bag in your closet. But the best alternative uses for products are rarely listed in...
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Ranking the Best Midsize Insulated Water Bottles
When it comes to water bottles, I’ve tested them all, from the monster 64-ounce growler to the cute li’l eight-ounce whiskey tumbler. But if I had to throw all but one away, the last bottle standing...
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5 Digital Tools That Make Summer Adventuring Easier
Think you have to leave the city to camp, hike, or get your Chacos muddy exploring a local stream? Check out these apps and sites. 1. Download the Night Sky app and find a state park near you with...
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Must-Have Accessories for Camping on BLM or USFS Land
Sure, established campsites have amenities that take some of the work out of living in the woods for a weekend—namely latrines, potable water, fire pits, and picnic tables. But they can also get...
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Testing the Best Men’s Flip-Flops
Smothering your feet inside shoes and socks during the heat of summer is a strange form of self-torture. Set your dogs free with these five tried and true flip-flops for 2018, which range from stylish...
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Pacific Crest Trail Hikers’ Must-Have Gear
By the time northbound through-hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail reach my hometown of Ashland, Oregon, they’ve traveled the entire length of California and have logged just over 1,700 miles. Needless...
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Tenacious Tape Is the Best Gear Repair Tool Out There
My job has me taking on a lot of adventures with steep learning curves. For example, my first mixed climbing outing was on a trip in Chamonix, France, in the winter of 2012. I was just getting my feet...
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