How to Plan a Long-Distance Walk
How to plan a long-distance walk step by step: choose a route, set daily stages, book stays, train, pack light and look after your feet over many miles.
Tipstest: practical travel, outdoor and gear guides
Cover storyActive Lifestyle
Birdwatching for Beginners
Birdwatching for beginners: the gear you need, how to choose binoculars, how to identify birds, the best times and places to look, and how to watch responsibly.
Read the guideLatest guides
Explore the sections
Travel TipsPractical travel planning advice: how to plan a trip step by step, build a realistic budget, pack the right things, and prepare for the details that usually go wrong.43 guides
Outdoor GuidesBeginner-friendly camping and hiking guides that cover preparation, safety, skills and checklists.44 guides
Gear Tests & ReviewsClear buying guides and comparisons for travel and outdoor gear, from backpacks and tents to footwear and clothing layers.54 guides
Active LifestyleWalking, beginner outdoor activities and active travel ideas for everyday life.22 guidesTravel Tips
Practical travel planning advice: how to plan a trip step by step, build a realistic budget, pack the right things, and prepare for the details that usually go wrong.
How to Travel With a Dog
Learn how to travel with a dog step by step: vet checks, ID, car safety, flying rules, pet-friendly stays, a packing checklist and common mistakes.
Field note
Hiking boots should fit snugly around your heel and midfoot, with little or no heel lift as you walk, and leave about a finger's width of space in front of your longest toe.
Outdoor Guides
Beginner-friendly camping and hiking guides that cover preparation, safety, skills and checklists.
Hiking With Your Dog: Trail Rules and Tips
Hiking with your dog: trail and leash rules, where dogs are allowed, what to pack, trail etiquette, and how to keep your dog safe from heat, water and wildlife.
Spring Hiking: Mud, Snowmelt and Trail Conditions
Spring hiking tips for mud, lingering snow, snowmelt crossings and fickle weather, plus how to check trail conditions, what to wear and when to turn back.
Basic First Aid Skills for Hikers
Learn basic first aid skills for hikers: assessing injuries, calling for help, blisters, cuts, bleeding, sprains, heat and cold illness, and what to carry.
Gear Tests & Reviews
Clear buying guides and comparisons for travel and outdoor gear, from backpacks and tents to footwear and clothing layers.
Active Lifestyle
Walking, beginner outdoor activities and active travel ideas for everyday life.
Every guide, newest first
-
Birdwatching for Beginners
Birdwatching for beginners: the gear you need, how to choose binoculars, how to identify birds, the best times and places to look,…
-
How to Plan a Long-Distance Walk
How to plan a long-distance walk step by step: choose a route, set daily stages, book stays, train, pack light and look…
-
Gear Warranties and Returns: What to Check Before You Buy
What to check on outdoor gear warranties and return policies before you buy, what lifetime coverage really means, and how to make…
-
Do You Need an RFID-Blocking Wallet?
Do you need an RFID-blocking wallet? How skimming works, what modern cards and passports already protect, and the travel money risks that…
-
How to Choose Trekking Poles
How to choose trekking poles: compare pole types, sizing, locks, aluminum vs carbon shafts, grips, tips and weight to find a pair…
-
Waterproof Ratings Explained
Waterproof ratings explained: what the mm hydrostatic head number means, typical rating bands, breathability ratings, and how much protection you really need.
-
How Should Hiking Boots Fit?
How should hiking boots fit? Learn how much toe room you need, how to check heel lift and width, how to test…
-
Sleeping Bag vs Camping Quilt
Sleeping bag vs camping quilt: compare warmth, weight, packed size, comfort and temperature ratings to decide which sleep system fits how and…
-
How to Clean and Store a Tent
How to clean and store a tent step by step: spot clean, hand wash with gentle soap, dry it fully, care for…
-
How to Clean a Backpack
Learn how to clean a backpack step by step: spot cleaning, hand washing, zippers, odors, mildew, hydration reservoirs, and how to dry…