Health and Beauty
ArchiveStop worrying about weight gain. The pandemic gives you enough to think about.
Getting the right gear can make your experience outdoors that much better. This year, do the same for Mom and gift something that she'll love—and use—for years to come.
Sean MacCormac says the keys to his success are ballet and breathing through the panic
Experts weigh in on how to make a face covering out of what's in your gear closet
Think vanlifers have a unique advantage during a pandemic? Think again.
Sitting all day wreaks havoc on the body. Here's how to reset and recenter.
Flatten the curve, skip the group ride, and head for the hills solo—it'll do wonders for your body and mind
Products and companies offering a quick and easy immunity boost aren't going to help, but these three everyday practices might
With the airline industry struggling because of COVID-19, summer, fall, and winter plane fares to adventure destinations are hitting unprecedented lows. Airlines are also offering free change and cancellation fees. Should you hop on these deals now or wait and see? We consulted industry experts to find out—and rounded up some of the best fares out there.
All that time in the sun and wind takes its toll. Be prepared with these moisturizers.
Some people are behaving badly in the face of a pandemic. Others are making the outdoor world proud.
The books, movies, podcasts, games, and more that are keeping us sane indoors
Men suffer higher rates of suicide and drug abuse than women. Many are anxious and lonely—and, as a result, they’re all too often angry and violent. Wilderness Collective thinks the solution lies in open spaces, UTVs, and fireside talks. But is that enough?
What to buy, what to cook, and what not to worry about in the age of COVID-19
While reporting a story about skiing in Spain, Kade Krichko felt far away from the coronavirus, until he watched it take over
Although the coronavirus has shuttered schools and events across the country, outdoor spaces can be a healthy outlet for families—but it's important to stay informed and cautious
As it became clear that climbing walls could be an ideal host for the coronavirus, most gyms closed their doors this week
From retail giants like REI to the mom and pop stores in your hometowns, what happens when these businesses shut down?
Emerging research suggests that you should embrace the steam
Nutritionist and journalist Christy Harrison makes a case against the state of nutrition in America in her new book, 'Anti-Diet'
Tinker Juarez continues to compete against—and beat—athletes half his age
Yes, it's serious, and it's time to start taking some practical precautions
One of the many things that COVID-19 has taught us is to always consider buying a travel insurance policy. If you bought travel insurance for a trip you have to cancel during the travel bans, you may or may not be covered. Here's how to protect yourself now and on future trips.
In a new column, Dr. Brian Cole answers readers' questions about over-the-counter meds and weak ankles
Outside's go-to physician, Dr. Brian Cole, weighs in on anxiety, headaches, and poor posture, in his Ask a Doctor column
In this short video, photographer and fat biker Ann Driggers shares why her bike commute is an integral part of her day
Anxiety, hypochondria, OCD, and travel might sound like a recipe for disaster. But I've seen the world despite my mental health. Here's how I manage my mind on the road.
Practical steps anyone can take to minimize exposure to the next possible pandemic
The legendary ultrarunner's top trails, both near and far
Yes, that is frostbite on your earlobe
Six testers ran, climbed, hiked, and played outside with 17 different deodorants. Here's what didn't stink.
For years, Benedikt Boehm has been chasing speed records on some of the world's tallest peaks
New Year's resolutions be damned. We like things just the way they are.
A guide to help you wade through the misinformation and buy just what you need
17 of the year's best pieces from our Do It Better columnist Brad Stulberg
The chemistry doesn't do much to keep you safer—and it may just add toxins and cost innovation
You could order a premade kit. Or you could get crafty and build your own hot box.
One of the best boulderers of the 1990s is climbing into her fifties
For snowboarder Megan Pischke, being a breast-cancer survivor and a professional athlete are both part of her identity
Make your season a little less indulgent with these twists on the classics
In his new book, 'Lifespan,' celebrated scientist David Sinclair lays out exactly why we age—and why he thinks we don't have to
Soothing helpers for all your winter ailments
When your love for the outdoors meets chronic pain, you grieve—and then you adapt
Diversify your Instagram feed with plus-size ultrarunners, kayakers, and other bold outdoorspeople who want you to love getting out there too
Can a grassroots movement of physicians convince big health care that free medicine is the way of the future?
Your head is pounding, your muscles are cramping, and your heart is racing. Then you get dizzy and the vomiting starts. Heatstroke kills thousands of people every year. This is what it feels like—and how to know when you’re in danger.
Exertional heatstroke can cause devastating damage, but it can also be treated quickly
Now you can pay to take a midday snooze. Here's what you get for your money.
The thresholds that define low iron can be different for athletes compared to non-athletes
Healthy and convenient or too good to be true? Our writer sampled a dozen of the most popular brands to find out.
How did I ever function without Heretic's Dirty Grass wafting from my pulse points?
Play in the rays without feeling the burn
Thule’s Subterra luggage has impressed us with its ability to fit what feels like endless storage in limited spaces, and the line’s toiletry bag lives up to that reputation. Flip open the top lid to access two compartments, but then unzip the bottom one to find another two pockets (which…
Osprey has a reputation for paying attention to the details, and that’s certainly evident with the Ultralight. It’s made from 40-denier ripstop for durability, has cushioned walls to help prevent broken combs or burst shampoo, and five pockets for organization. And of course, there’s a hook for hanging.
The beauty of the shower roll is its compact nature. Fold it up, and you can slip it into the most tightly crammed pack, but unfurl that puppy and hang it from the shower-curtain rod, and you’ve got everything you need visible. The best feature is the removable pocket with…
Eagle Creek’s Dopp kit doesn’t hang, but it has a wide base and zips wide open, so you can find what you need without fumbling. The water- and stain-resistant ripstop, plus seam-sealed compartments, keep whatever else you have in your suitcase safe from potential explosions.
For the weight conscious, Sea to Summit’s hanging toiletry bag is made from an über-light, water-resistant, polyurethane-coated nylon and weighs just 2.8 ounces. The big central pocket can accommodate shampoo, soap, and a comb, while two smaller zippered pockets on the lid are good for keeping travel-size floss and toothpaste…
More companies are selling makeup specifically for sweating in. But do women really need it?
We love drinking shower beers. But when it’s time for a classier, Mom-only relaxation session, she can put a glass of wine in the Sipski during a bath or shower. It’ll keep the cabernet clear of the soap and suds.
In some outdoor spaces, you can simply dig a hole, cover it up, and leave your business behind. But if you’re in a sensitive ecosystem, or on the side of a big wall, you’ll be packing your poop out. Enter this puncture-resistant solution, with “Poo Powder” that turns waste into…
Every proper backcountry number two starts with a cathole, and this ultralight shovel gets the job done. It’s made from a tough but light aluminum and even has small teeth in case you run into any debris as you dig.
You can go with Dr. Bronner’s, but this case, containing 50 “leaves” of soap, is a better choice for your poop kit, because it’s light (half an ounce) and small (half an inch thick). Just pull one out and dissolve it with water.
A growing number of insurance carriers are encouraging us via cold, hard cash to get after it in nature
This is how you’re bringing that used Coleman Camper’s toilet paper out of the woods with you. Use gallon-size bags so you have plenty of room, and double them up—for safety.
America’s grandest public lands have a big role to play in our health
The TP you use is really about personal choice, because, in an ideal Leave No Trace world, you’ll be packing it out with you. But Coleman’s version comes in a convenient carrying case that acts as a dispenser and is two-ply, affording a bit of comfort when answering the call…
Nature’s healing power may be in its ability to blow our minds
Guys have it easy. Women, who are tired of ditching layers or a harness or a pack when peeing, do not. The Sani-Fem is the lightweight answer: a small funnel that lets you keep your clothes on and stay upright. Because accidentally squatting in poison ivy is no fun.
Want to know what the weather is going to look like? Ask your knees.
Whether you’re rinsing off after a bike ride or grabbing a quick shower at a hostel abroad, having your own towel comes in handy. This one is an ultralight option (6.4 ounces for the full-body version) that folds down to the size of a pocket square. It’s made from a…
Why waste time and materials cutting the end off a cheap plastic toothbrush when you could use this overdesigned model that folds into itself? Plus, the head is replaceable when the bristles wear out.
Showers are great—when you can take them. But it’s not always possible, so make sure you have a pack of these wipes in your kit. They’re extra thick but soft enough to use in the most sensitive places, and aloe vera and vitamin E moisturize as you scrub the grime…
There are plenty of organic, biodegradable soaps out there, but it’s hard to beat the classic: Dr. Bronner’s. A liquid pure-castile soap (no chemicals or phosphates), it doubles as shampoo and bodywash. The label also makes for fun bathroom reading.
Not all Dopp kits are created equal. The North Face’s version is made from tough ballistic nylon that easily withstands shower spray and mist. More importantly, it has a wide opening, a flat bottom, and a hook, so it can sit upright on the countertop or hang from the showerhead,…
Forget stealing the hotel shampoo. Fill these durable Cordura bags with your shower and grooming essentials instead, and you’ll have everything you need in reusable, leakproof containers. Each weighs less than half an ounce and carries three ounces of liquid—well within TSA restrictions.
Thanks to savvy marketing, science, and luck, blueberries helped usher in a new era of health food obsession
In 'Beautifully Savage,' boxing-gym owner Joe Buckner recalls his troubling history and how that's shaped him into the man he is today
Everyone is recommending the stuff on Twitter, so we looked into the research to see if the hype is backed by science
Inversions can choke all the fun out of winter in some places (looking at you, Salt Lake City)
Bulletproof originally made its name with coffee but has recently branched out into supplements, enhanced waters, oils, and these collagen protein bars. They claim that the protein, which is sourced from grass-fed cows, is better for your joints and bones. We like the fudge-brownie-flavored bar, which has 11 grams of…