Best Hiking Trails in National Parks: 12 Routes Worth Planning Around
Permits, crowds and timed entry have changed national park hiking. Here are the best hiking trails in national parks for 2026, how to get…
How to Plan a Hiking Route With Elevation Changes: A Practical Guide
Distance lies; elevation tells the truth. Learn how to plan a hiking route with elevation changes using Naismith’s rule, slope shading and real-world pacing,…
Best Hiking Trails Near Me: How to Find Great Local Trails in 2026
Searching for hiking near me and getting the same three crowded trails? Here is our 2026 method for finding genuinely good local hiking trails,…
Best Hiking Shoes 2026: Men’s and Women’s Low-Cut Picks, Tested
Low-cut hiking shoes now outsell boots for good reason. We tested 16 pairs to find the best hiking shoes of 2026 for men and…
Best Hiking Poles 2026: Carbon vs Aluminium, Tested on 40,000 Steps
Trekking poles cut knee load on descents by up to a quarter. We tested 12 pairs to find the best hiking poles of 2026…
Best Hiking Socks 2026: Merino, Cushioning and Blister Science
The cheapest upgrade in hiking is a better sock. We tested 22 pairs over a wet spring season to find the best hiking socks…
Best Hiking Backpacks 2026: Day Packs to 60L Haulers, Tested
We loaded 18 hiking backpacks with real gear and walked them up real hills. Here are the best hiking backpacks of 2026, from 20L…
Best Hiking Boots of 2026: 14 Pairs Tested on 600 Trail Miles
We field-tested 14 pairs of hiking boots for 600 miles across granite, mud and desert scree. Here are the best hiking boots of 2026…
The Hiking Books Worth Reading: A Reader’s Guide for Walkers
A column on hiking books: the walking literature, practical manuals and mountain writing worth your shelf space, why guidebooks still matter in a digital…
Peak Bagging, Lists and the Gamification of Hiking
Lists, challenges and apps have turned hiking into a game for many walkers. A column on what peak bagging gives you, what it quietly…