Bear encounters are not uncommon in the backcountry. Attacks, fortunately, are somewhat rare but can happen when humans encroach into habitats where bears roam. Make yourself big, yell, curl into a ball … most of the suggestions for handling a bear encounter are Hail Mary tips meant for the last resort. Your best option is to avoid Smokey altogether. 　　Here are...

　　The frenzy of holiday shopping has begun, and you can warm up to savings from a brand with an established history of high-performance winter gear. 　　For its Black Friday sale, Helly Hansen is taking 25% off almost all of its gear, with savings of up to 50% off select past-season styles. The deals start on Nov. 24 and run through...

　　Getting an opportunity at a good deer requires a lot of time in the woods. Sometimes it’s not about how far you can go, but how long you can stay in the tree. It doesn’t matter how light your treestand or saddle is; if it’s not comfortable, you’ll dream up every reason to call it quits early. 　　I’ve had the...

　　Winter will be here in the blink of an eye, and that means its time to trade in your mountain bike for skis or snowshoes and hit the hills. However, winter brings with it the risk of avalanches. In the backcountry, they take lives every single year. During the 2024/25 season alone, 22 people died in the U.S. due to...

　　Snowless winters are a bummer for skiers and riders, but for resort operators, they can spell disaster. Wisconsins Whitecap Mountains Resort (WMR) is learning that harsh truth firsthand. On Nov. 19, the resort, once named the snowiest ski area in the state, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after two consecutive low-snowfall seasons torpedoed its revenue. 　　During the 2022/23 ski...

　　Ive run a handful of ultramarathons, and while Im far from the most experienced guy on the starting line, Ive noted some common threads from races and conversations with many runners. 　　Each ultramarathon is a unique journey into an abyss of pain, suffering, and uncertainty. But when running an ultramarathon, defined as running more than 26 miles in one go,...

　　There are plenty of things you expect to fight offshore: Wind. waves, the occasional bout of seasickness. But your own balance should not be one of them. 　　The Dometic DG3 is a compact, all-electric gyrostabilizer designed to counter boat roll and keep you steady when the ocean tries to throw you around. 　　Before testing it, I figured this might be...

　　Rooftop tents have gained massive traction over the past decade, as theyre fun, comfortable, and convenient. For all of their advantages, however, they can weigh a ton and cost a pretty penny. 　　Thats where Groenberg comes in. The upstart brand is looking to upend the rooftop tent market with the WEEKEND, which it says is the lightest model on the...

　　Whenever I pack for a fall backpacking or climbing trip, I always go back and forth about whether I should bring one item: a puffy jacket. Carrying one takes up space and adds some (arguably negligible) weight. During shoulder seasons, I often wonder if it’s really worth bothering. 　　After testing the PAKA Mayu Ultralight jacket, however, my internal debate over...

　　A handful of items live in my backcountry ski pack all season, regardless of where Im going or how long I ski. The list includes a waterproof and windproof shell, Voile ski straps, an avi shovel and probe, a pair of glacier goggles, a bar of skin wax, a hand tool, and, as of last spring, I added the Arcteryx...

　　Its not often I seek out trails with puddles and creeks, but thats what you do when testing out low-cut waterproof hiking shoes. Its an important part of my search for a hybrid shoe thats dialed for hikers, and not necessarily for ultra runners. 　　The Oboz Katabatic is a great example of a boot brands take on the hybrid hiking...

　　For over a century, Buck Knives has been part of our heritage. From farmers working their fields, to soldiers fighting on the front lines, and folks like you and me wandering around in the woods, a Buck knife is part of those stories. However, as someone who writes about knives, this is the first time Buck has been part of...