Category: Gear

The essential Machu Picchu hiking packing list

Prep for an epic hike.

Arriving at Machu Picchu on foot is a lot more exciting than getting there by the tourist bus that ferries folks back and forth from nearby Aguas Calientes, Peru. Hikers can sign up for a four-day, three-night guided trip on the Inca Trail. Or, if you’re not quite that energetic, you can do what I did. On a recent trip with Choose Life Sober Adventures, our group of eight hikers (including two guides) got off the train to Aguas Calientes at kilometer 104 and spent the day walking the rest of the way to the ancient archeological site. Here’s the gear I packed that came in handy.

A group of hikers on a mountainside trail.
Hiking on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. / Photo by Teresa Bergen

Beach gear to make your seaside escape as comfy as possible

Have it made in the shade.

Planning a beach trip can be a logistical nightmare. Where should you go? When should you go? And, perhaps most importantly for people seeking a relaxing seaside experience, what should you bring? Take some of the stress out of the planning process with Outdoors Wire’s list of beach gear essentials.

Everyone knows to bring items like sunscreen with them to the beach, but other helpful resources can easily be forgotten while packing. While extras like sand toys and beach balls can make an excursion more fun, this list of beach gear focuses on products that address more basic needs. Below, find everything from sunglasses that will protect your eyes to coolers that can help keep you hydrated.

What to pack when rafting the Grand Canyon

Don’t forget these essentials.

The Grand Canyon is a harsh environment, especially in summer when temperatures surpass 100 degrees Fahrenheit. And if you spend a week rafting there, it will feel even more extreme as you switch between hot air and cold water. Add camping into the mix, and you’ll definitely start missing the comforts of home.

I recently spent a week on a Grand Canyon rafting trip with Wilderness River Adventures. The company provides an excellent packing list, but some of us followed it more closely than others. I talked to my raftmates about what they were glad they’d brought with them — and what they were sorry to have left out of their dry bags.

Stay warm and happy in the Arctic with this packing list

Prepare for icy adventures.

While cruising the polar regions with Quark Expeditions, passengers rely on Ultramarine’s well-stocked shop for all the stuff they should have brought from home. I bought several things myself during a recent Arctic cruise, despite doing some of my best pre-trip preparation. This Arctic packing list comes from my experience and the greater wisdom of Anna Mitieva, store manager aboard Ultramarine. She shared with me the top things people forget to pack and wind up buying on the ship.

Mitieva, a Ukrainian refugee, has run the shop since Quark hired her in early 2022. “I arrived destroyed, shocked, wrecked, exhausted. So they adopted me.” While Mitieva already spoke English, she had to learn lots of new vocab, like musk ox, narwhal, and carabiner. Quark took care of Mitieva, and now Mitieva cares for the shop and the needs of the passengers.

A cashier in a onboard cruise store.
Anna Mitieva runs Ultramarine’s excellent shop. / Photo by Teresa Bergen

Best Amazon Prime Day deals on hiking and camping gear

Save $$$ with Amazon Prime Day deals on hiking and gear including tents, sleeping bags, hiking boots and more.

The great outdoors. There’s nothing like it.

Ironically enough in 2023, that fresh air and connection with nature begins… on your smartphone, laptop, or any other electronic that connects you to Amazon.

This year’s annual Amazon Prime Day has all your outdoors needs covered. That includes camping gear like tents, sleeping bags, flashlights, boots, and other outdoors apparel. And make sure you don’t forget the perfect backpack to carry it all in.

Ahead of your next trip down the trail or up the mountain, check out some of 2023’s best Amazon Prime Day deals. Start with our camping collection below or our running collection list right here.

Best Amazon Prime Day deals on running gear

Save $$$ with these Amazon Prime Day deals on running gear including shoes, apparel, tech and more.

Hit the ground running during Amazon Prime Day in 2023.

(No, really).

From July 11-12, Amazon Prime will hold its annual sale on items across the site. Included in those will be products that cover all your running and workout needs.

True runners know preparation goes well beyond just footwear. Not only will sneakers be discounted, but you can also expect deals on rehydration, jogging apparel, and plenty more items.

Run, don’t walk, to check out Amazon’s 2023 Prime Day deals on workout and running gear. But if you need an all-important warm-up before sprinting to these deals, check our list of some of Amazon’s best deals on running gear this year in the list below:

Keep your skin safe this summer in sun protective clothing

Stay safe in the sun.

You may love the sun, but does it love you? Not to put a bummer on your summer, but too much sunlight can wrinkle your skin, cause skin cancer, dehydrate you, and even lead to cataracts. Many other mammals have fur to protect them from the sun’s rays. But not us. Fortunately, we have sun-protective clothing.

Not all clothes offer equal protection from the sun. The Skin Cancer Foundation explains that garments with the highest Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) are densely woven, loose, and cover as much skin as possible. Dark colors absorb more UV rays than light colors. Unbleached cotton absorbs UV, and some synthetics protect you by reflecting radiation. Unfortunately, any garment will lose some protective ability if it gets wet or stretched. Here is some of the best UPF-rated, sun-protective clothing on the market to protect you during your summer adventures.

From trunks to one pieces, here are the top swimwear picks for summer 2023

Suit up and go swimming.

Whether you prefer swimming in mountain lakes, surfing in the ocean, or lounging by the pool, summer is the time when most folks think about upgrading their swimwear. Of course, in today’s body-obsessed society, choosing swimwear can be a fraught experience. How can we look our best while exposing so much? Instead, let’s focus on enjoying the activities we’re doing in our swimwear. Which suit is going to be comfortable, cover what we want to cover, stay in place, and last for several seasons? Here are some top picks for both form and function — that also happen to look good.

Essential gear all beginners need on their camping checklist

Gear up before you head out.

If you’re a beginning camper, you’ll need certain essentials for the experience to be appealing enough to want to repeat. The right food, clothing, and shelter are what it’s all about. You’re trying to replicate the comforts of home, up to a point. While you’re probably never going to feel as cozy in a tent as you are in your own bed, you want to be able to sleep well enough that you don’t pack everything up in the middle of the night and head for the nearest hotel. So, consult this handy camping checklist, and don’t head out into the wilds of a campground without these basics.

Boating safety tips for smooth sailing

Keep your trip above board.

Cool water is a great relief as summer heats up. So, many people take to the rivers, lakes, and oceans on all sorts of vessels. While this usually results in a fun day out, never underestimate the power of water. Accidents happen. Fortunately, a little preparation and education can minimize risks for you, your friends, your family, and your water-loving pets. Here’s what you need to know, with tips and accident stats from the U.S. Coast Guard and other venerable bodies. Whether you’re piloting a motorboat, pontoon boat, canoe, or kayak, reduce your chances of collision, drowning, and other water-related hazards with these tips.