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.
The best Swiss Army knife for survival is the one that balances size, weight, and a small set of genuinely useful tools for the activities you actually do, not the one with the most gadgets … Read more
Gore-Tex is a waterproof, windproof, and breathable membrane used in jackets, footwear, and gloves. It keeps rain and wind out while letting sweat vapor escape. So you stay dry from both the weather and your … Read more
Note: We get commissions for purchases made through links in this article. Finding the best mosquito repellent for camping can save a trip. Every camper knows the misery of lying in a tent at dusk … Read more
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
Note: We get commissions for purchases made through links in this article. This guide is for general information and isn’t medical advice. Understanding the UV index and tanning helps you enjoy the outdoors without paying … Read more
The best camping dessert recipes go far beyond s’mores. Below are seven easy campfire desserts, from a 10-minute banana boat to a Dutch oven pineapple cake. Some are simple enough for kids at a car … Read more
Note: We get commissions for purchases made through links in this article. This guide is for education only. Never eat a wild plant, insect or animal unless you’re certain of its identity and how to … Read more
Note: We get commissions for purchases made through links in this article. This article is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for medical advice. If you’re worried about a rash, talk to a … 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
Yes, you can technically hike in jeans, and for a short, dry walk in mild weather they’re fine. But denim is a poor choice for longer, wetter, or colder hikes because it’s made from cotton, … 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