Mike Richard
Contributor
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South Africa, and survived a near-miss great white shark attack in Mexico. His travel advice has appeared on the websites of industry-leading publications for Forbes, Travel + Leisure, CNET, National Geographic, and Vagabondish. He loves the great outdoors and good bourbon, and (usually) calls Massachusetts home. Mike also enjoys speaking in the third person.
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Is this the perfect off-road camper? Boreas Campers thinks the new EOS-12 is the holy grail
The all-new 2023 EOS-12 is angling to be one off-grid camper to rule them all.
Time to wake up: Climate change gave us our hottest summer ever and the Earth is in meltdown, U.N. says
Climate change is real. We just experienced the hottest summer on record, and scientists say our climate is breaking down.
Ski tips for beginners: 13 essential things to know
We answer the tough questions for first-time skiers: What clothes to pack, which gear to buy, and how to transport it all to the mountain.
Here are 7 reasons why you should not buy a rooftop tent
Rooftop tents look cool and all. But don't get too hyped, for we've listed the top seven reasons why you should not buy a rooftop tent.
Denver travel guide: Where to stay, what to eat, and more
Explore Denver, Colorado, like a tourist: Stay in a hotel, eat at new restaurants, and see all those must-see attractions that you still haven't seen.
In Yellowstone National Park, one woman was sent running after yet another too-close encounter with a bison
In Yellowstone National Park, one woman decided to get way-too-close to a wild bison, just to get a picture - and quickly learned why you should never do that.
Brace your body and mind for the most challenging (and rewarding) hiking spots in the U.S.
Chilling at home is good, but few things are more rewarding than traversing the country's most physically challenging hikes.
A beginner’s guide to bikepacking: How and what to pack for your first overnight on two wheels
Planning a bikepacking trip? From the right bike to the best tent to a solid storage system (and how to pack it), here's everything you need to know.
Kiss insect bites goodbye: Why insect-repellent clothing is the best thing since, well, insect repellent
Insect repellent does a good job of preventing insect bites, but can clothing work better?
Travel trailer showdown: The best Airstream, Jayco, Winnebago, and Casita travel trailers you can buy today
Travel trailers are a great way to get out and explore the country, and these are the best options from Jayco, Airstream, and Winnebago.
Climate change is seriously affecting RV travel, and 30% have changed plans due to excessive heat
RV travel is nostalgic and timeless, but a recent survey reveals climate change is affecting how people travel and where they go.
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort owners sell to local families, keeping resort hyper-local indefinitely
Jackson Hole's owners decided to sell shares to local families, almost ensuring no big resort conglomerate will ever get its hands on the property.
Make ‘roughing it’ a little less rough with these tips for sleeping in a tent comfortably while camping
Sleeping comfortably in a tent requires preparation, the right outdoor gear, and a dash of compromise. These are our favorite, field-tested tips.
Backcountry brew: How to make cowboy coffee that doesn’t suck
When made right, cowboy coffee tastes just as good as any drip- or pour-over-style coffee you make at home. Here’s how.
Tow your beverages on the water with the best floating coolers of the year
Most coolers aren't light, portable, or on-the-water-friendly. To take your favorite bevvies anywhere the water takes you, you need a floating cooler.
These are the most affordable times to visit the most popular U.S. national parks
With a little planning, you can avoid large crowds and high costs when visiting U.S. national parks. Learn the best times to visit popular parks in the country.
Take your booze, seltzer, or homemade kombucha anywhere with the best wheeled coolers
Wheeled coolers blend mobility and insulation to keep drinks ice cold on the go. Praised and used by adventurers, here are the best coolers on wheels.
Hit the road in style (and luxury) this year with the best motorhomes and drivable RVs
The best motorhomes combine all the comforts of home into a single, drivable vehicle, sometimes not much larger than a traditional van.
Wash, wax, repeat: Polish and protect your precious ride with the best car waxes
Washing your car removes the dirt and dust, but if you want to protect your car's paint, you need to wax it, too. These are the best car waxes to use in 2023.
Swing yourself to sleep under the stars with the best camping hammocks
The gentle rocking of a hammock might be the greatest way to sleep in the backcountry. Try it out yourself with our picks for the best camping hammocks of 2023.
Take your favorite tipple from town to trail with the best camping flasks of 2023
From stainless steel to plastic and packable, the best camping flasks let you unload the weight and keep the drinks flowing on the trail. Here are our top picks.
Don your best seaman’s cap and head to the most incredible lighthouse hotels in the U.S.
Whether you just love nautical-themed vacations or fancy yourself a salty maritime soul, you’ll love an escape to these amazing U.S. lighthouse hotels.
U.S. Virgin Islands escape: See why St. John is America’s not-so-best-kept tropical island secret
With few roads, near-zero chain businesses of any kind, and the majority of land designated as a National Park, St. John, USVI feels miles from anywhere.
Inside the Darién Gap, one of the world’s most dangerous jungles
The Darién Gap is home to many things that will try to kill you. Dehydration and starvation might be the least of your worries.
This ultra-luxe overlander rig is like a G-Wagon on steroids, and we love it
This overlander is more than a G-Wagon but might be worth every penny with a king bed, multiple TVs, a wet bath, and even a washing machine.
Do you need a passport to travel in the U.S. in 2023?
There’s still confusion around the REAL ID Act, particularly when it comes to flying. Do you need a passport to travel in the U.S. once this goes into effect?
Gear up at the best locally owned outdoor stores in the U.S.
Forget the online mega retailers. We've rounded up our picks for the 14 best outdoor stores — all small and locally owned — in the U.S.
Dispersed camping is your way to camp for free throughout the U.S. (seriously)
One-quarter of all U.S. land is federally owned and free for dispersed camping. Here's how and where to find your next dispersed campsite safely and legally.
Take it from a relentless traveler: These are the best travel gifts for men
Travelers love to receive items that are interesting, useful, and relevant to their lifestyle. Check out our list to find the top travel gifts for men.
Winnebago reveals new compact campervan with dinette, rear wet bath, and serious off-grid features
The Solis Pocket's new 36B configuration is Winnebago's most tech-forward campervan model yet, complete with 72 hours of portable, off-grid power.
How to smoke a pipe like a gentleman (a complete beginner’s guide)
Learning how to smoke a pipe is a classy way to enjoy tobacco, but it only looks sophisticated if you actually know what you're doing. Here's how.
VanMoof bankruptcy shows why relying on hyper-connected e-bikes might be a dangerous bet
What happens when a next-company disappears, taking all of its "smart" products with it? VanMoof's bankruptcy highlights why hyper-connected gear can be risky.
Airstream partners with REI (again) on the bigger, better, ultra-rugged Basecamp 20X travel trailer
The iconic RV maker once again partnered with REI Co-op to build its most aggressive and adventure-ready travel trailer ever. It's Basecamp 2.0.
These are the top travel experiences in the world, according to TripAdvisor
The Manual presents Tripadvisor's most highly recommended experiences and must-do travel activities in some of the world's hottest destinations.
What is REI Co-Op? Everything you need to know about REI’s in-house gear brand
REI's own REI Co-Op-branded gear flies under the radar, even though it offers similar quality and innovation to better-known premium alternatives for less.
Car campers, overlanders, and vanlifers: Why you need a portable composting toilet
If you're living the mobile lifestyle and tired of constantly searching for a place to "go," you need a portable composting toilet in your rig.
Getting a backcountry permit for Grand Canyon National Park just got a whole lot easier
Grand Canyon National Park will upgrade its permitting process to allow most backcountry campers to pay for and reserve their spots completely online for 2024.
How often do you change the engine’s air filter? (And how to do it in 5 minutes)
Get the lowdown on how often to change the engine air filter in your car, and how you can DIY in less than five minutes. No mechanic necessary.
These are the world’s most grueling and insane endurance races
For those crazy few runners who demand more than "ordinary" marathons can offer, these are the world’s toughest, most grueling, most insanely hard races.
Forget the car wash: These are the best car soaps to get the job done yourself
A good car soap will do wonders for your car's paint and exterior. We've rounded up the 10 best car wash soaps to make your car shine like new again.
Treat your ride to the best car leather cleaners (so you don’t ruin your car’s interior)
Cleaning your leather doesn't have to be an ordeal. From easy-to-use wipes to healing balms, these car leather cleaners will help your vehicle's leather shine.
Here are the best places for expats to live and work abroad
The great migration has young professionals flocking all over the world for remote work opportunities. Here are the best places for expats to work and live.
Rods, reels, and rooftop racks: Get the best fishing gear to elevate your angling game
It's never too early to plan the ultimate fishing trip. So, to help you, here's a list of the best fishing gear for anglers of every skill level.
These beach body workout tips from a pro will help you get in shirtless shape fast
If you spent the last season (or two) Netflix and Chill'ing and have gone a little soft, have no fear. Get back into shape fast with these beach body workouts.
The ultimate packing list for summer camping (so you’ll never forget a thing!)
We've put together the only camping packing list you'll ever need to help you prepare to venture into the great outdoors this summer.
The best U.S. destinations to visit this July
If you’re looking to enjoy the summer season and the perfect weather by getting far from home, here are five perfect U.S. destinations worth a visit.