Camping & Hiking

Expert Journal

Recent

The BioLite Sunlight 100.
Updated
Expert Review: BioLite Sunlight 100
This review is my honest opinion of the light, which I purchased with my own money in February of 2018.
A hiker standing at the top of a trail with a mountainous view in the background.
Updated
Expert Review: KEEN Women's Targhee II Waterproof Mid Hiking Boots
This review is my honest opinion of the hiking boots, which I purchased with my own money in October of 2019.
A man holding his sleeping bag out in the wind.
Updated
How Much Should You Spend on a Sleeping Bag?
What's the difference between a $100 sleeping bag and a $600 sleeping bag? Camping and Hiking Expert Nicole O. answers that very question in the guide below!
Two tents setup in a grassy area.
Updated
7 Helpful Tips to Plan Your Backpacking Food Choices
Be well prepared for the meals on your next backpacking trip, with these 7 tips for planning food choices from Camping and Hiking Expert Nicole O.!
A backpacker walking up a rocky trail with his sleeping bag attached to the outside of his bag.
Updated
The 8 Best Ultralight Sleeping Bags
Looking to cut weight in your backpacking gear? An ultralight sleeping bag is a great place to start! Check out this guide for the top recommended ultralight bags!

Popular

What Are the Different Types of Tents?
Updated
What Are the Different Types of Tents?
Camping & Hiking Expert Eric Bergdoll runs through all the different types of tents to help you find the right tent for you and your group.
A campsite in a forest with two tents in front of trees
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The Most Comfortable Way to Sleep in a Tent
After a long day in the wilderness, it feels amazing to hunker down for a good night’s sleep. Camping Expert Eric Bergdoll outlines the most comfortable way to sleep in a tent so you can achieve restful slumber on your next outdoor adventure.
A man sitting in a chair working on his laptop outside his large tent in the prairie at sunset
Updated
What the Heck Is a “Guy Line” and Do I Need One?
Unsure what a guy line is? Let’s talk about why and how to use this small but important part of your tent kit.
Three people backpack up a hill covered in boulders. They all wear large Deuter backpacks and carry hiking poles.
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The 14 Best Camping & Hiking Brands
There are so many camping and hiking brands that it can be hard to know where to start. This list explores the top fourteen outdoor brands, covering everything from tents to apparel.
Two people sit in a green hammock in the forest
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Hammock vs. Tent: The Great Debate
Camping & Hiking expert Alex Dolan shares insight on whether a hammock or a tent is right for your next camping or backpacking adventure.

Buying Guides

The author stands on a peak high above a large lake and its surrounding, tree-covered hills.
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16 Items I Never Backpack Without
Adventure photographer, blogger, and Curated expert Eva Seelye shares her favorite items that are always in her backpack when she hits the trail.
A pair of Altra Lone Peak 6's with some dog feet. There are red rocks in the background.
Updated
An Expert Guide to Trail Running Shoes
Having the right trail running shoes makes running more fun and can help prevent injury! Camping and Hiking Expert Hunter Reed talks all about trail running shoes.
An aerial shot of the ground below absolutely covered in tents with a few well-worn paths cutting through the throng.
Updated
An Expert Guide to Festival Camping
About to camp at a music festival for the first time? Camping & Hiking expert Andrew Corley shares his tips for safe, cool, and fun festival camping.
A man in a black jacket with arms out-stretched and facing the expansive valley and mountain scenery before him
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A Jacket for Every Occasion
Camping & Hiking expert Hannah K. shares her favorite jacket options for every kind of hiking weather one may encounter.
The author smiles and holds out her hands in a red rock desert environment.
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Should You Try a Hiking Skirt?
Ever considered a hiking skirt? Camping & Hiking Expert Katie Benoit sheds some light on this stylish, comfortable, and versatile piece of gear.
A tent sits on a hill with mountains and a sunset in the background
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How to Pack for a Weekend Camping Trip
Camping expert Eric Bergdoll tells you all about the essential gear you'll need for your next weekend camping trip.

Brand Guides

Brown hiking boots
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The 10 Best Hiking Boot Brands
Camping & Hiking Expert Elizabeth H. gives you her top hiking boot brands that you should consider, whether you're looking your first pair or your next pair.

Most Recommended

A man rolling up a sleeping pad. There is snow on the ground and a tent set up nearby.
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The Most Comfortable Sleeping Pads
Camping and Hiking Expert Brett K. gives a rundown of everything you'd need to know about sleeping pads and lists the most comfortable sleeping pads on the market!
Someone in a beanie wears a blue Osprey backpack with their back to the camera. A foggy hillside covered in pines extends before them.
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Top 10 Colorful Backpacks
Camping & Hiking Expert Hannah K. shares her top ten list of brightly-colored backpacks that will stick out from the crowd so you'll never lose your pack again.
Someone walks across a snowy expanse with clouds or fog rising in the background so it's not clear where the landscape ends and the sky begins.
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Curated Experts' Favorite Cold-Weather Gear
Four Curated Experts share their favorite hat, turtleneck, puffy, and socks—all essential gear when trying to stay warm this winter!
White and black dog shakes owners hand in front of a camping tent.
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The Best Tents for Camping with Your Dog
Camping & Hiking Expert Hannah K. explains the best tents for camping with your furry friend along with some tips, tricks, and safety considerations.
Two grey and orange tents are pitched by the edge of a lake. There are some pants drying on top of one of the tents.
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10 Expert-Recommended Backpacking Tents
Hiking and Camping Expert Jessica LaPolla lists her top 10 recommended tents for backpackers! She explains why each one is awesome and shares a few pros and cons.
Three people walk towards a tent. Two of them are kids.
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The Best Tents for Camping with Your Family
Looking for a tent that will ensure the whole family has fun on your adventures this summer? Look no further! Read on to find ten of the best family-friendly tents!

Product Reviews

The Sea To Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Sleeping Pad inside a tent.
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Expert Review: Sea To Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Sleeping Pad
This review is my honest opinion of the sleeping pad, which I purchased with my own money in July of 2022.
Three people walking towards a rocky wall. One is wearing the Osprey Talon 22 L backpack.
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Expert Review: Osprey Talon 22 Backpack
This review is my own honest opinion of the backpack, which I bought with my own money in 2016.
The MSR Pocket Rocket stove being used on the back of a truck tailgate.
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Expert Review: MSR PocketRocket Stove Kit
This review is my honest opinion of the stove kit which I purchased with my own money in June of 2018.
A boy sitting in a chair near a fire.
Updated
Expert Review: Travel Chair Frenchcut Chair
This review is my honest opinion of the chair, which I purchased with my own money in June of 2019.
A woman sits at the top of a rocky peak wearing a red jacket. There are mountains in the background and a mailbox on the mountain.
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Expert Review: Patagonia Houdini Jacket
This review is my honest opinion of the jacket, which I purchased with my own money in August of 2020.
Two campers making something on a small stove. One of the campers is pouring water in the pot on the stove.
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Expert Review: Grayl Ultralight Water Purifier Bottle
This review is my honest opinion of the water purifier, which I purchased with my own money in August of 2019.

Gift Guides

An image of selected products from each 2022 Holiday Gift Guide.
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The Ultimate 2022 Holiday Gift Guide
Looking for the perfect holiday present? Curated Experts share their top Outdoor Sports, Baby & Toddler, Coffee & Espresso, and Grill product recommendations for your loved ones.
A group of people gather around a campfire at night while a tent glows behind them
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The Best Stocking Stuffers for Campers & Hikers
Shopping for a camper or hiker this holiday season? Fill their stocking with all the best stuff to get them back out on the trail in safety and comfort.
Two people sit in a hammock by a lake
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9 Gifts for the Couple That Loves to Camp
Need a gift for an outdoorsy couple? Camping expert Amy Boissonneault makes some suggestions for gifts that are sure to be a hit.
A tent and two camp chairs among the trees
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14 of the Best Gifts for Campers
If you're looking for the perfect gift for an outdoorsy pal or loved one—or maybe even yourself!—check out this list from camping expert Amy Boissonneault!
A mom walks through a forest trail while holding the hand of her young child. She carries a baby in a carrier on her chest. Sunlight filters through the trees.
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Mother's Day Gift Guide 2022
Find the perfect gift for your adventuresome mom this Mother's Day with fishing, golfing, hiking, cycling, tennis, skiing, and snowboarding gift ideas.

Product Care

Through the opening of an orange tent, you can see pine trees and blue skies through them.
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How to Set Up a Tent
In this article, Camping & Hiking expert Micah D. gives the basic steps to setting up a tent so you can have an easy start to your adventure.
Two sleeping bags lay in a tent. One is green and one is blue.
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How to Wash a Down Sleeping Bag
Is your down sleeping bag getting a little dirty? Afraid of washing it because you don't want to ruin it? Read these tips from Camping and Hiking Expert Hannah K.!
A tent is set up in a flat patch amidst a boulder field in a desert environment. Rocky peaks rise in the background.
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How To Clean a Tent
Properly cleaning your tent after every trip is the best and easiest way to make sure it will last! Camping & Hiking Expert Elizabeth Hansen breaks it all down here.
An orange and blue tent sits on grass next to water and trees
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How to Make Your Gear Last a Lifetime
Camping expert Amy Boissonneault has some tips for keeping your gear clean and cared for so it can be with you for years to come.
A tent is set up with cooking equipment next to it on a rock base. Snow is visible in the background.
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How to Take Care of Your Camping & Hiking Gear in the Off-Season
Storing and cleaning our camping gear during the off-season is critical to avoiding wear and tear as well as elongating the lives of the products.
A man stretches out an orange sleeping bag over his shoulders and it catches in the wind.
Updated
How to Properly Store Your Sleeping Bag
Follow the four simple steps in Camping & Hiking expert Micah D.'s article and get great use out of your sleeping bag for years to come.

How To

Hikers make their way through a dense rainforest
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Hiking for Beginners
New to hiking? Ready to get started? Hiking expert Amy Boissonneault overviews everything you need to know.
Someone holds out a tin mug that reads "The Mountains Are Calling and I Must Go." In the background, a Moka pot coffeemaker sits on a meadow floor with a river behind it.
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How Much Food & Water Should I Be Intaking on a Backpacking Trip?
Camping & Hiking expert Hannah K. breaks down your backpacking food and drink necessities so you can stay strong and healthy on the trail.
A tent is illuminated by the sun on a ridge.
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How to Make Tent Camping More Comfortable
With the right campsite, the right gear, and a few tips, you can be just as comfortable sleeping in a tent as you are in your own home!
Silhouette of a man standing on a mountain with the sun rising in the background
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Becoming a Morning Person to Conquer Those Early Morn’ Hikes
Camping & Hiking expert Hannah K. overviews the gear she uses to sleep better and thrive as an early morning riser.
A woman hikes across a field with mountains in the background
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How to Deal with Getting Your Period on Trail
Periods are no fun and they're even less fun on trail, but expert Hannah K. offers some advice on how to make them suck slightly less.
A person with a backpack is silhouetted from behind with sunset hills in front of him.
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Why It’s Okay to “Fail” A Hike
We can’t always make it to every peak or finish every route. Camping & Hiking expert Hannah K. shares her thoughts on "failing" a hike.

Travel Guides

A woman walks on a grassy trail.
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Camping in Los Padres National Forest
Camping & Hiking Expert Hannah K. shares the details of her recent camping trip to Los Padres National Forest and the adventures she had while there.
A tent sits on a hillside overlooking a body of water with peaks in the distance. A rising or setting sun shines over the peaks, spreading rays across the image.
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10 of the Most Popular Campsites in the World
Camping & Hiking expert Hannah K. takes you to some of the most famous campsites around the world so you can start planning your next trip.
The famous Tunnel View of Yosemite National Park with Half Dome and a waterfall visible on the right side. The landscape is green and lush and the sky above is pale blue with puffy white clouds.
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Top Hikes in Yosemite National Park
If you're planning a trip this season, Camping & Hiking expert Hannah K. shares some of the top-rated hikes in Yosemite National Park.
Two women walk with their dogs on a trail in Joshua Tree National Park.
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A Guide to Dog-Friendly National Parks: Pt. One - The West
Looking to explore some of the nation’s most beautiful landscapes with your four-legged friend? Check out this guide on dog-friendly national parks of the west!
An aerial view of a river snaking through red and yellow canyons
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Top 10 Wheelchair-Friendly Trails in the U.S.
Camping & Hiking expert Hannah K. shares her top ten list of the most beautiful, accessible trails in the U.S.
Sunrise in Joshua Tree National Park
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How I Spent Six Hours in Joshua Tree National Park
The goal was to see as much as I could in one day (and try to do it with one tank of gas).

Activities

A camper making food and looking at a veggie sausage that he's holding on a spatula.
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10 Vegetarian Camping Meals
Looking for some camp meal inspo? Look no further! Camping & Hiking Expert Hunter Reed gives 10 vegetarian dinner recipes to chef up on your next camping trip!
Closeup on oats in milk and topped by fresh blackberries
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Why Oatmeal Is the Best Backpacking Meal and the Many Ways to Prepare It
Camping Expert Hannah K. shares six ways to prepare oatmeal and her eight favorite recipes for appreciating all angles of this favorite breakfast food.
Two tents - one orange and one red - sit on a grassy hill as the sun rises
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How to Plan for Your Very First Camping Trip
New to camping? Don't know where to start? Check out this explainer by camping expert Blair Williams for everything from trip planning advice to gear recs.
Friends circle around a campfire at night.
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How to Organize a Camping Trip with Your Friends
Camping & Hiking expert Hannah K. compiles a guide to group camping with questions to ask yourself, things to bring, and strategies for planning the perfect trip.
A hand pulling the top off of a can. There are mountains in the background.
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Expert DIY: How to Make a Camping Stove from a Can
Camping and Hiking Expert Bob Rogers gives step-by-step instructions on how to make a functional camping stove out of an aluminum can for ultralight backpacking!
Somone stands on a trail in between trees and, behind them, a mountain peak is visible.
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How to Avoid a Bad Backpacking Trip
You never want a backpacking trip to go poorly! Learn from Camping & Hiking Expert Hannah K.'s mistakes and review how to prepare for a successful trip.

Stories

Several people at a pride parade with flags.
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6 LGBTQIA+ Environmental Activists You Need to Follow on Instagram
With pride month upon us, check out these 6 can't-miss Instagram profiles of LGBTQIA+ activists fighting to make our planet a better place for our future!
A roadside sign reads "Welcome to Utah. Life Elevated."
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How to Move from Boulder to Los Angeles in July with a Dog and a Parent
Camping & Hiking expert Hannah K. moved from Boulder to Los Angeles with a goal of hitting Utah's Big Five. Read about her adventures with her mom and dog here.
A view of sunrise through a shrub
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A Day in the Life of a Curated Camping & Hiking Expert
From sunup to sundown, Hannah K. runs through how she spends a Monday.
Sunset over layers of mountain ridges on the Appalachian Trail.
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Hiking Pioneers: Bill Irwin and His Journey on the Appalachian Trail
Curated expert Hannah K. explores the life and legacy of Bill Irwin, the first blind person to hike the Appalachian Trail on their own.
Three people sit at the top of a mountain overlooking some mountains in the distance. One of them is standing and the other two are sitting and talking.
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10 Outdoor Organizations to Give Back to This Year
Hiking & Camping Expert Jessica LaPolla lists 10 organizations that are doing awesome work in the outdoor space to consider donating to or volunteering with this year!
A path winding through a forest
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24 Hours on the Batona Trail: A Misadventure
Camping & Hiking expert Hannah K. tells the story of her first thru-hike. Spoiler alert: It didn't go exactly as planned.

Short Answers

A campground with trucks, a camper, and tents in massive desert rock formations. The sky is pink and purple in the setting sun.
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What Is Dispersed Camping?
Camping & Hiking expert Elizabeth H. goes over common questions about the different ways to camp and the services available at each kind of site.

All Articles

The BioLite Sunlight 100.
Updated
Expert Review: BioLite Sunlight 100
This review is my honest opinion of the light, which I purchased with my own money in February of 2018.
A hiker standing at the top of a trail with a mountainous view in the background.
Updated
Expert Review: KEEN Women's Targhee II Waterproof Mid Hiking Boots
This review is my honest opinion of the hiking boots, which I purchased with my own money in October of 2019.
A man holding his sleeping bag out in the wind.
Updated
How Much Should You Spend on a Sleeping Bag?
What's the difference between a $100 sleeping bag and a $600 sleeping bag? Camping and Hiking Expert Nicole O. answers that very question in the guide below!
Two tents setup in a grassy area.
Updated
7 Helpful Tips to Plan Your Backpacking Food Choices
Be well prepared for the meals on your next backpacking trip, with these 7 tips for planning food choices from Camping and Hiking Expert Nicole O.!
A backpacker walking up a rocky trail with his sleeping bag attached to the outside of his bag.
Updated
The 8 Best Ultralight Sleeping Bags
Looking to cut weight in your backpacking gear? An ultralight sleeping bag is a great place to start! Check out this guide for the top recommended ultralight bags!
A pair of Altra Lone Peak 6's with some dog feet. There are red rocks in the background.
Updated
An Expert Guide to Trail Running Shoes
Having the right trail running shoes makes running more fun and can help prevent injury! Camping and Hiking Expert Hunter Reed talks all about trail running shoes.
The Lone Peak 6s on the edge of a cliff
Updated
Expert Review: Altra Lone Peak 6 Trail Running Shoe
This review is my honest opinion of the shoes, which I purchased with my own money in May of 2022.
Sandals looking out over a waterfall.
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An Expert Guide to Hiking Sandals
Hiking sandals are a great footwear option for warm-weather adventures or wet hikes! Hiking & Camping Expert Hunter Reed explores all you need to know about hiking sandals!
Someone stands in a raincoat with their back to the camera. Water is sitting in beads on their hood and the landscape in the background is forested.
Updated
A Guide to Technical Shell Jackets
Explore the basics of technical shells and learn why they play such a key part in rain protection so can find the piece of rainwear that’s perfect for you.
Size Guide: Aventura Apparel
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Size Guide: Aventura Apparel
Not sure what size apparel you need? Curated Experts know how important finding your perfect fit is. Find sizing information for Aventura apparel here.
Size Guide: Gramicci Apparel
Updated
Size Guide: Gramicci Apparel
Not sure what size apparel you need? Curated Experts know how important finding your perfect fit is. Find sizing information for Gramicci apparel here.
Size Guide: Royal Robbins Tops
Updated
Size Guide: Royal Robbins Tops
Not sure what size tops you need? Curated Experts know how important finding your perfect fit is. Find sizing information for Royal Robbins tops here.