Hiking

The World’s Hiking Trails on One Map, Illustrated by Hand

From the Appalachian Trail in the U.S. to the Bibbulmun Track in Australia, the Awesome Maps Hiking Map highlights some of the world’s preeminent hiking trails.

Written by Nate Mitka October 12, 2018

Climbing a 14er: 5 Lessons to Remember

Climbing a 14er is an adventure accessible to many people. But it isn’t a walk in the park! Keep these tips in mind whether you’re…

Written by Julie Kailus October 09, 2018

Wet Weekend on the Long Trail: Our ‘Find Your FKT’ Winner Trip Report

GearJunkie recently sent two lucky winners outfitted in Merrell gear on a trek along Vermont’s Long Trail. Here’s their story.

Written by Julie Kailus September 25, 2018

Man Smashes Superior Hiking Trail FKT With Fractured Leg

With his 310-mile self-supported speed hike, Ajay Pickett now holds the overall fastest known time along the northern Minnesota trail. That’s even with breaking his…

Written by Adam Ruggiero September 19, 2018

500-Mile New Mexico Thru-Hike? Team Scouts ‘Rio Grande Trail’ Route

New Mexico is now closer to sharing its stunning landscape with hikers. A scouting mission is underway to route the promising 500-mile border-to-border Rio Grande…

Written by Julie Kailus September 14, 2018

Secret Park Treasure: How to See Mesa Verde’s Storied ‘Mug House’

Each year, hundreds of thousands of visitors go to see the majesty of Mesa Verde National Park. But only a select few get to tour…

Written by GJ Staff September 10, 2018

Danner Wayfinder: A Breathable Boot for Women Who Hike and Hunt

The Danner Wayfinder, the brand’s latest boot for the outdoorswoman, holds up on price point, comfort, and support.

Written by GJ Staff September 04, 2018

PurTrek Puts a Water Filter Inside a Trekking Pole

PurTrek combines two essential outdoors products — a water filter and a trekking pole — into a single device. Could it be any good?

Written by Sean McCoy August 29, 2018

Karel Sabbe Smashes Appalachian Trail Record by 4 Days

The 28-year-old ultra-running dentist from Belgium, Karel Sabbe, topped Joe ‘Stringbean’ McConaughy’s overall mark and now holds the supported AT thru-hike record.

Written by Adam Ruggiero August 29, 2018

Summit Twice, Run Around: Grueling Rainier Infinity Loop Sees New Record

Inspired by Chad Kellogg’s life of perpetual motion, a pair of Coloradan adventurers claims the fastest known time of the 130-mile, 40,000-foot-gain challenge on Mount…

Written by Seiji Ishii August 21, 2018

9 Mountains in 20 Hours: How Runner Crushed 12er Challenge

Mountain runner Cody Lind recently set an FKT on a quirky course covering Idaho’s nine highest peaks. He did the Idaho 12er challenge in a…

Written by Julie Kailus August 03, 2018

A Family of 8 Is About to Complete the Appalachian Trail

At camp, 11-year-old Memory makes breakfast. And Dove, 16, makes dinner for the entire family. On the trail, Filia, 7, carries all of the family’s…

Written by GJ Staff July 30, 2018

Stretching Beyond Leather: Danner Launches EnduroWeave Boot

After more than 80 years making leather boots, Danner’s first woven boot isn’t just new for the brand. It claims the EnduroWeave marks the first…

Written by GJ Staff July 23, 2018

Did The North Face Develop the World’s Best Shoe Rubber?

The North Face launches new hiking boots and trail running shoes next year with what the brand claims is the best rubber system yet.

Written by Nate Mitka July 22, 2018

Hike Gnarly Trails: Columbia Conspiracy III Shoe Review

For several days, dozens of miles, and hundreds of rocky, Incan steps, we abused Columbia’s waterproof light hiker — the Conspiracy III Titanium OutDry.

Written by Adam Ruggiero June 15, 2018

Spelunking in Banff: Watch Caving Under the Rocky Mountains

Afraid of dark, tight spaces? Eric Hanson takes us inside Canmore Caves in Banff National Park. While most visitors hike trails, below the surface is…

Written by GJ Staff June 13, 2018

Carbon & Kevlar: MSR Trekking Poles Survive Alaskan Test

Carbon fiber, Kevlar, and the patented DynaLock adjustable closure combine in the light, compact, sturdy MSR Ascent Pole.

Written by Seiji Ishii June 13, 2018

Danner Pronghorn Hunting Boot: A Season-Long Test

Anyone who hunts knows that wet feet suck — and that wet, cold feet suck even worse. I tested the Danner Pronghorn boot in the…

Written by GJ Staff June 13, 2018

Free Gear Fridays: Hanwag Tatra Light GTX Trekking Boots

Win a pair of modern, Hanwag Tatra Light GTX trekking boots in this week’s Free Gear Friday giveaway.

Written by GJ Staff June 08, 2018

Buy These Boots to Help More Women Get Outside

Merrell just launched the female-focused Chameleon 7 Storm XX hiking boot. And this Sunday, 10 percent of every women’s hiking boot purchase goes toward getting…

Written by Julie Kailus June 08, 2018

Emerging Gear: Outdoor Products This Week

From next-gen tech to ingenious innovation, our weekly peek at emerging products examines the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design.

Written by GJ Staff June 07, 2018

Outdoor Office: Big Agnes to Thru-Hike Colorado

Sleeping-bag maker Big Agnes will send more than 70 employees on an awareness-raising thru-hike of Colorado’s Continental Divide Trail.

Written by Julie Kailus June 07, 2018

Isolated in the Backcountry: Watch ‘Heli Hiking’ in Banff

Eric Hanson gives a tour of Banff National Park, complete with hiking trails accessed by helicopter. This video offers one of the more unique ways…

Written by GJ Staff June 04, 2018

Free Gear Fridays: Merrell MQM Flex Shoes & Hiking Trip Giveaway

This week, as part of our larger Find Your FKT contest, we’re giving away 12 pairs of Merrell MQM Flex shoes and an all-expenses-paid weekend hiking trip for…

Written by GJ Staff May 25, 2018

Outdoor Hazard: How to Avoid a Cougar Attack

Cougar attacks are rare, but it pays to play defensively in mountain lion territory. Here, we provide some tips on how to avoid these encounters…

Written by Steve Graepel May 23, 2018

Awesome Hiking Boot: The Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX

The Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX is a very comfortable, fairly light, waterproof boot that fit my foot well right out of the box. Three…

Written by Sean McCoy May 11, 2018

Don’t Stack Rocks! YouTuber Rails Against Random Cairns

Stacking rocks can be dangerous. Random cairns can lead hikers astray if created irresponsibly, attract animals, and further humanity’s impact on the outdoors.

Written by GJ Staff May 09, 2018

Fastest Known: Film Documents ‘Origins of FKT’

An original production from GearJunkie and Wild Confluence, ‘Origins Of FKT’ gives a visual timeline of the rise of fastest known time attempts and the…

Written by GJ Staff May 02, 2018