Hiking Resources & Guides: Gear, Tips & Trail Inspiration

Person wearing an orange winter jacket with a hood, standing in front of a snowy landscape and evergreen trees, representing outdoor gear for winter activities.

The Top Jackets and Outerwear Heading Into Winter

Your choice of coats, jackets and other outerwear shapes your comfort in winter.  Choose wisely and you’ll remain toasty, comfortable and happy even when spending hours in the cold outdoors. This is your guide to choosing the best outerwear as the winter months...

Hiker walking through a forest trail with autumn leaves and a small stream, emphasizing outdoor exploration and hiking safety.

Gripper Spikes 101: Boost Shoe and Boot Traction

When was the last time you lost your footing while exploring the greater outdoors?  For most, it happens at least once every hike.  Loose gravel, dew-covered grass, mud, ice and even undulating surfaces have the potential to cause a nasty slip and fall. The...

Hiker with a red backpack and trekking poles walking on a grassy hillside at sunset, embodying the spirit of adventure and exploration in outdoor activities.

Why Every Hiker Needs a Backpack Water Filter

Imagine hiking deep into the wilderness only to realize you’ve lost your water bottle.  You frantically search the area yet there’s no sign of your precious H2O. What do you do? If you prepared accordingly, you would reach into your backpack and find your trusty water...

Hikers navigating a rocky trail at night, using headlamps for visibility in a dark forest setting.

Every Hiker Needs a Headlamp  

Unexpected surprises are the “magic” of hiking.  Venture out for a hike and you are nearly guaranteed to see something new and interesting. As every veteran hiker knows, wayward adventurers expect the unexpected.  In some cases, those surprises take the form...

Grizzly bear in a natural setting, emphasizing wilderness encounters and safety considerations for hikers and campers.

Bear Spray 101: Why Carry It and What to Look For  

Think quick!  A bear is staring you down from less than 20 feet away.  What do you do? If you are like most people, your first thought is to run away as fast as you can.  That’s the worst thing you can do when a bear is eyeing you down. Instead of...

Maine river flowing through lush green forest, highlighting the natural beauty of outdoor landscapes and hiking hotspots.

The Hiking Magic That is 100-Mile Wilderness

Maine is famous for lobster, coastlines, lighthouses and fine dining.  The Pine Tree State has a hidden secret only outdoor enthusiasts know about. That secret is Maine’s hiking hotspots.  One of those spots is 100-Mile Wilderness.  Maine’s top hiking...

Lush green foliage and towering trees in a vibrant rainforest setting, emphasizing the natural beauty of hiking trails like those in the Hoh Rainforest.

Hiking the Utah Hoh Rainforest

The United States has a rainforest of its own yet you rarely, if ever, hear about it in the mainstream media.  Even better, a river runs through it. America’s rainforest is called the Hoh.  The internal Hoh river extends all the way from the famous Mount...

Brown leather sofa with decorative pillows and a white throw, accompanied by a small side table with a vase of flowers and a potted plant, set in a bright, airy room.