Switchback Travel | Adventure, Outdoor Gear & Photography

Hiking Gear Guides

A complete look at the best hiking gear of 2018, from light and packable tents and sleeping bags to proven backcountry footwear and clothing

See Our Picks
On Location: Cordillera Huayhuash

A self-supported journey on Peru's stunning Huayhuash Circuit

See The Article
The Best Rain Jackets

Tested in the rainy Pacific Northwest, we break down the year's top rain jackets from ultralight shells to versatile jackets for hiking and everyday use

See the Review
Review: REI Co-op Traverse 70

Updated with improved carrying comfort and organization, we put the 2018 Traverse pack to the test

See Our Review
Look Up, Stand Still, Breathe

An interview with Quinn Brett on the risk of climbing, fear, and the long road to recovery

Read The Interview
Lightweight Hiking Shoes

For those that want to move fast and light on the trail, see our picks for the year’s top hiking shoe models

See Our Picks
On Location: Grand Canyon

A wintertime adventure floating the Grand Canyon 280 miles from Lees Ferry to Lake Mead

See The Article
The Best Duffel Bags

From proven outdoor models with backpack straps to rolling designs for travel, we break down the year's top duffels

See Our Picks
Review: The North Face Apex Flex

Blending rain jacket performance with the comfort of a softshell, we break down The North Face’s unique Gore-Tex design

See Our Review
Backpacking Checklist for 2018

We cover everything you need for a successful backpacking trip, from essentials like shelter and insulation to extras like sunscreen and matches

See The Article

Adventure Travel

On Location: Bikepacking Peru's Huascarán Circuit

Peru has always peaked our interest, with towering whitewashed mountains, the Amazon rainforest, and more ancient history than we Canadians know what to do with. However, after seeing a few pictures...

On Location: The West Coast Trail

I can’t think of a better way to experience a unique coastal landscape of crashing waves, tide pools, rock formations, old growth forest, birds, and wildlife than to meander along a beach for a week and soak it all in...

On Location: A Winter Float of the Grand Canyon

Millions travel just to stand on the edge of the Grand Canyon, gaze across the expanse, and peer into the abyss. When you’re lucky enough to see the river far below, it seems like...

Kenai Peninsula

The Kenai Peninsula offers Alaska’s widest variety of activities in one of its most accessible regions. People come from all over the world to whale watch in Seward, see glaciers calve in Kenai Fjords National Park...

10 Great Day Hikes from Seattle

From the peaks of the Cascades, across the coastal rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula, to towering volcanoes like Mt. Rainier, hiking Washington’s diverse landscapes...

New Zealand's Best Adventure Towns

New Zealand firmly has established itself as one of the world’s top adventure destinations. Queenstown receives much of the attention—it is indeed chock-full of adventure opportunities—but a host of other...

Lofoten Islands, Norway

Norway’s Lofoten Islands are referred to as the Lofoten Wall because, quite literally, they are vertical rows of granite shooting out of the Arctic Sea. A number of colorful fishing villages hug the shoreline and a majority...

Skiing the Haute Route

When I first moved to Chamonix, skiing wasn't a priority. As a mountain photographer I was there for the climbing and the landscapes. However, I soon discovered why Chamonix is considered to be...

Lofoten Islands Hiking

The Lofoten Islands are a grand stage for hiking. Many of the trails have far-reaching views of the mountain spires and sea, and they range from easy beach walks to steep, challenging treks into the Lofoten backcountry...

On Location: Bikepacking Peru's Huascarán Circuit

Peru has always peaked our interest, with towering whitewashed mountains, the Amazon rainforest, and more ancient history than we Canadians know what to do with. However, after seeing a few pictures...