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 ...

This article is a part of CNN Underscored’s Summer Travel Week, a weeklong focus on how to travel smarter and save money during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. Luckily, many airlines ...

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 ...

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.

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 ...