Outdoor basics are the core skills that keep a trip safe and comfortable, setting up shelter, sleeping warm, cooking on a stove, navigating without a phone, and handling minor injuries. Get those right and the rest is detail.
New to this? Start with the beginner camping gear checklist, which breaks a first kit into five systems and puts a real price on it (roughly US$250–450 for two people). Then sort your cooking with how to pick a camping stove.
Navigation. Batteries die and signal drops. A topo map and compass weigh under 100 g and always work, map reading covers contours and bearings, and navigating by the stars is the backup for when you’ve lost the trail after dark.
Safety. Most camp incidents are preventable. Our camping safety guide covers the six habits that matter most, plus specifics like the UV Index and the poison ivy rash timeline.
Gear care. Repair beats replacement. A jammed zipper rarely means a new tent — see tent zipper repair and repairing leather hiking boots.
Everything here is written from field use. Browse the full archive below, or head to Top Gear Picks if you already know the skill and just need the kit.
If you’re weighing tent vs. motorhome camping for your next trip, you’re in good company, because camping is one of the most popular ways Americans get outside and a big part of the appeal is … Read more
There’s a reason pontoon boats have become the go to choice for families, friend groups, and anyone who loves a day on the water: they’re built for hanging out. That wide, flat deck and rock … Read more
The UV Index runs on a scale from 0 to 11+, with the top end marking extreme risk. This guide breaks down what each number actually means, how it affects tanning and sunburn, and how … Read more
Desserts are the most forgotten meals on a camping trip, right? Dinner gets all the attention, while sweets are reduced to a few candy bars, packaged cookies, or the same old s’mores everybody has already … Read more
We all know that food sustains life, that’s why we never forget to bring rations with us when we venture out into the wild. But there’s a limit to how much food we can carry; … Read more
The Poison ivy plant is common in most parts of Asia and North America, but since it’s also found in all US states, chances are that you will cross paths with it at least once … Read more
When you head out for a few days of camping or backpacking, you carry only as much food as your pack can sensibly hold. Some of us prefer it that way. There is a quiet … Read more
Here’s the short answer: technically, yes. You can hike in jeans. But should you? That’s a different question entirely, and the answer changes depending on how long you’re out, what the weather is doing, and … Read more
Disclosure: We earn commissions for purchases made through links in this article. Choosing a survival lighter sounds simple until you realize there are hundreds of options across half a dozen fuel types, and most of … Read more
You’re tired. The nearest campground is full, or maybe you just don’t want a campground – you want solitude, a sky full of stars, and zero neighbors fighting over the fire pit. So you pull … Read more
Whether you are outside camping, enjoying your backyard or walking down the road, if the weather is warm then there is one uninvited visitor you can count on: mosquitoes. They prey on thousands of people … Read more
Building a campfire isn’t always the romantic experience it’s cracked up to be. If it rained the night before or the wind is howling, getting a consistent cooking flame is a battle you don’t want … Read more