Backpacks have come a long way since the 70's, when hikers swore by (and at) bulky external frames and nifty side pockets were few and far between. Nowadays, we have a lot more choices: Hikers can opt ...

SALEM, Va. – School’s back in session for Southwest Virginia schools, and as you’re busy getting your little ones out the door in the morning, it can be tempting to put everything in their backpacks.

If you’ve ever found yourself unpacking half your kit in a hurry—to find your rain cover during a squall, mosquito repellent in early evening, first aid kit after a nasty fall—then you understand why ...

I did not grow up in an outdoorsy family. We spent the occasional summer road-tripping through Colorado, sure, but I was just as likely to spend an entire school break playing Super Nintendo in my ...

Backpacking forces you to think carefully. Every ounce matters. The wrong gear slows you down, wears you out, and kills your trip. So what gear is actually worth packing? What helps on the trail, and ...

I’m the type of person who brings a massive suitcase containing multiple outfits and a plethora of travel gear for a long weekend trip — just in case. So the prospect of traveling around Europe with ...

I managed to fit all my clothes and gear into one backpack — but I made some mistakes along the way. When my partner and I were planning a 23-day, four-country trip to Europe, I knew the amount of ...