A family riding bikes on a path in a park A family riding bikes on a path in a park

Expert Advice

Your go-to source for expert outdoor knowledge you can trust. All the information you need to learn new skills, choose and maintain gear, prep for your trips and have amazing adventures.

Editor's Picks

A woman running on a trail in the woods

Skills

Trail-Running Form and Technique Tips

rated 4.75 out of 5 with 180 reviews

Learn how to improve your trail running technique with tips for downhills and uphills, and find out which exercises can help you train.

A cyclist riding on a bike path

Skills

How to Use Bike Gears

rated 4.25 out of 5 with 96 reviews

Learning about bike gears and shifting will help you understand how your bike works and what changes you can make for more enjoyable riding.

Fire lookout perched atop rocky outcrop with evergreen trees in foreground

Care and Repair

How to Clean a Hydration Bladder

rated 4.5 out of 5 with 132 reviews

Cleaning your hydration reservoir can be an awkward task, but it’s not hard to do. We’ll give you a few tips to make it easier.

Topo map of Mount Rainier National Forest

Skills

How to Read a Topo Map

rated 4 out of 5 with 356 reviews

A topo map is an indispensable navigational tool, but only if you know how to read it. In this article, we'll teach you the basics.

A group of backpackers hiking on steep terrain

Skills

How to Train for Backpacking

rated 4.75 out of 5 with 314 reviews

Learn a few simple strength-training exercises to prepare you for backpacking. In this article you’ll find a simple workout plan and training tips.

A river feeds into a desert lake under early morning light in Eastern Washington

Skills

Photo Composition: Seven Tips to Take Better Photos

rated 4.25 out of 5 with 107 reviews

Do you wish you were coming home with better photos of your big adventures? Use these composition rules to improve your images.