Mobile music is a miracle. From airplanes to morning runs to conference calls from a park bench, earbuds have changed how we work and unwind. But they do have downsides: discomfort and disconnection from reality. 　　The Shokz OpenFit Air solves both these problems while still bumping the bass, ringing that treble, and sounding good enough to sing along. Just remember,...

　　An intrepid spirit is all a good adventure dog truly needs—but having the right gear can help pups and their guardians enjoy the journey. Canine hikers can’t always advocate for themselves, so we prioritized products that put safety, comfort, and function at the forefront. For all the joy they give us, our favorite companions deserve the best. 　　At a Glance...

　　Yosemite, Great Smoky Mountains, Acadia …. We spend a lot of time salivating over the national parks in the U.S., but there’s a brilliant system of goodies just across the border in Canada. Try Banff. But how many can you even name? 　　Our neighbors to the north have 37 national parks and 10 national-park reserves. The latter are managed in...

　　1. The mountain of my dreams I have a confession: When I was a wee little teenager searching desperately for a way to validate my wee little life, I wanted to climb Mount Everest. 　　Shameful, I know! But I was just a kid. And this was back in the blissfully ignorant early 2000s, less than a decade removed from John...

　　Our caravan of five Polaris Ranger side-by-sides had to cross a bridge over a creek where there was a lone man fishing, enjoying the isolation and peace of the backcountry in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I felt horrible, as I had done for decades when trying to coexist with other outdoor enthusiasts while enjoying off-road motorsports. 　　But this encounter...

　　Like many of our readers, we were fortunate enough to grow up with outdoorsy dads who helped guide us toward a lifelong love of playing outside. We took the time to call up our dads (hint, hint) to give them some love and chat with them about their favorite moments outside. Many of them are still rocking gear from their...

　　Most hikers know not to carry too many scented products into the backcountry—but new research shows it’s not just bears they could be attracting. According to a 2023 paper, perfumes and soaps—especially those with natural, plant-derived scents—can act like mosquito magnets. The same is true of scented deodorants, sunscreens, and other skincare products. 　　You might read that and be tempted...

　　For the past 10 years, Spring Energy has provided endurance athletes with energy gels, and more recently drink mixes, made from “real” foods. Athletes looking for wholesome alternatives to more traditional sugar-based gels made in a lab have flocked to Spring’s smoothie-like gels made with fruit and basmati rice. 　　While Spring products are more expensive than many gels, many athletes...

　　Welcome to Tough Love. We’re answering your questions about dating, breakups, and everything in between. Our advice giver is Blair Braverman, dogsled racer and author of Small Game and Welcome to the Goddamn Ice Cube. Have a question of your own? Write to us at [email protected]. 　　After my dad died, I heard “Southern Cross” by Crosby, Stills, and Nash on the...

　　Everyone loves a backyard barbecue, but what if you don’t have a backyard? Not long ago, I ditched my house for a second-floor apartment. While I don’t miss mowing the lawn, the absence of convenient outdoor cooking hurts, as smoking and grilling have been huge fixtures of my year-round lifestyle, especially since beginning three book collaborations with barbecue master Aaron...

　　Matt Vawter, chef and owner of Rootstalk and Radicato in Breckenridge, Colorado, has been to Chicago twice for the James Beard Awards, often called the Oscars of the Food World. In 2018, Vawter was there to cheer on his mentor (and boss at the time) Alex Seidel when the Denver chef was nominated for Best Chef: Mountain. Seidel won that...

　　Our national parks are awe-inspiring and family-friendly destinations. That said, some are cheaper to get to and stay in or near than others. I know: from 2020 to 2023, I visited all 63 U.S. national parks as a columnist for Outside, in a van and on a shoestring budget. Then I wrote a book about it, called Feral. 　　To come...