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Latest by Mike Richard

bikepacking bicycle gear

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.
Closeup of a red tick and water droplets on a blade of grass.

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?
Red Toyota Tacoma towing an Airstream Basecamp throw a grassy field.

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.
White campervan driving a dusty road in a hot desert landscape.

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.
Skier heading downhill at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, with the sun and aerial tram in the background.

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.
Cheerful traveler lying on a mattress in a tent.

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.
Red-headed ax buried into a tree stump next to a blue coffee mug in the outdoors.

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.
Kayaker paddling an inflatable kayak with a floating cooler in tow and snowy mountains in the background.

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.
Rocky Mountain-National Park

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.
Man pulling a wheeled Igloo cooler over sand at the beach.

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.
Three campers and a dog relaxing at a wilderness campsite with a Winnebago Revel campervan.

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.
Toyota 4Runner Turo car rental parked on a dirt road in Utah.

From 4×4 Jeeps to exotic sports cars, Turo is where to score your next rental car

Turo's car-sharing marketplace is cheaper, easier, and way more fun than renting through a traditional airport car rental company.
Man waxing his car

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.
A man relaxing on a red camping hammock by a body of water.

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.
View from the water of Maine's Portland Head Lighthouse at sunset.

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.
Tiny islands of Trunk Bay off the shore of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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.
The dense jungle of The Darién Gap

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.
27North RexRover overlander camper truck against a glowing studio background.

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.
Gray and blue "OPEN" sign hanging on a the front door of a small shop.

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.
Couple standing outside near the open door of a Winnebago Solis Pocket 36B RV parked at a campsite.

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.
Man riding through city streets on a VanMoof electric bike/ebike.

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.
Black pickup truck towing an REI Co-op Special Edition Basecamp 20X travel trailer through a desert landscape.

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.
Keizersgracht Reguliersgracht in Amsterdam, Netherlands

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.
Two hikers trekking a lush green trail with snow-capped mountains in the background.

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.
Young bearded man sitting on a Trelino portable composting toilet next to an orange campervan.

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.
Man running through the desert landscape of The Grand Canyon.

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.
Man working under the hood on a vehicle engine.

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.
Man running through the desert landscape of The Grand Canyon.

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.
Man Washing Car

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.
An RV and a Jeep at a campground with the setting sun in the background.

This new website is like Airbnb for RV enthusiasts and campers (and it’ll plan trips for you with A.I.)

Planning a road trip? RV camping and roadtripping doesn't have to be a headache with this trip planning site that uses next-gen A.I.
A few people enjoying the black sands of a beach near Vik, Iceland.

Pack your sandals and sunscreen, and head to the world’s best black sand beaches

Here's our list of the 18 best black sand beaches in the world. You'll never see sand the same way again.
Young man relaxing with his laptop by a pool.

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.
VW van

From efficient to exotic, these are the best road trip cars for exploring the country

These 15 road-worthy vehicles will make any cross-country trip even more enjoyable. Whether you can actually afford them or not is another matter.

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.
A view from the inside of a tent looking out on a campground.

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.
Man standing triumphantly atop a peak in New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest.

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.
A first-person view of an individual kayaking in Ocala National Forest

Take to the water this summer with the best compact, ultra-portable folding kayaks

Find exceptional performance and versatility in the water along with ease and affordability on land with The Manual’s guide to the best folding kayaks.
best national parks rv camping yellowstone 2

Here’s everything you need to pack for a trip to Yellowstone National Park

Just like Old Faithful, these essential items can always be counted on to ensure a safe and fun adventure trip to Yellowstone National Park in 2023.
Person using Jackery portable power station outdoors while fishing.

How to choose a portable power station (even if you don’t have an advanced engineering degree)

Here's how to shop for your own portable battery or power station, even if you don’t happen to have an advanced electrical engineering degree.
Man sitting atop an ebike with mountains and the setting sun in the background.

The future of e-bikes in U.S. National Parks could be decided in the next few months

Ebikes could soon be restricted or banned in National Parks over growing concerns that allowing them in our most precious lands may not be such a great idea.
Wolves looking through the bedroom window at Canada's Parc Omega Wolf Cabin.

Sleep among a pack of wolves at Canada’s luxe-adventure Parc Omega Wolf Cabins

If you crave more than a "traditional" wilderness glamping experience, this one-of-a-kind lodge lets you sleep among the world’s greatest predators.
Lumahai Beach

Summer is here — head to one of the 14 most underrated beaches in the U.S.

Some of the best beaches in the world are right here in the U.S. Summer's just kicking off, so let's dive into the most underrated sandy spots.
Best Hiking Pants

Gear up for the trail this summer with the best hiking pants for men

Give your legs the freedom, comfort, and protection they deserve on the trail with the best men's hiking pants of 2023.
Relaxing in the back of a car on a mattress

Here’s how to live in your car comfortably for a few weeks (or longer) like a pro

Here’s everything you’ll need to stay safe, sane, and happy when you choose to live out of your car for a little while if you ever want or need to.
Hand holding a flipper knife

Everyday carry all-stars: Upgrade your gear with these best-in-class, fast-action flipper knives

If you’re looking to upgrade your EDC, here are the best flipper knives that anyone would be proud to carry in their pocket.
Heimplanet 2015 Spring Cairo Camo Tent Polychromlab

Brave the harshest elements in luxury with the world’s most extreme (and expensive) tents

The lowly tent gets a serious upgrade. Prepare to be wowed, camping friends, by the world’s most extreme, extravagant, and expensive tents.
Long shot of the rear of an Airstream travel trailer being towed down a wide-open desert road.

RV shopping 101: A simple, yet complete guide for first-time RV, camper, and travel trailer buyers

If you’re ready to take the plunge into trailer travel, we’re here to make the process a bit less confusing with a beginner’s guide to RV trailers.
Hiking and outdoor gear

Stock up on hiking and camping gear at the best places to shop for outdoor equipment deals

Most outdoor gear nowadays is designed to last for years, even decades, of use. Here are five of the best places to stock up on dirt-cheap camping gear.
Ariel Atom 4 open-cockpit racecar, parked with sunset in the background.

Behold the most insane, street-legal go-karts for grown-ass adults

Fast, loud, and dangerous, go-karts were irresistible to most of us. Relive your street racer dreams with the world's best street-legal models for adults.
Hiker in a red hoodie taking photos overlooking San Francisco, California.

These are the 10 best cities in the U.S. for hiking and nature-loving city dwellers looking to “touch grass”

For nature-loving city dwellers, these 10 U.S. cities have it all, with great food, happening nightlife, shopping, outdoor adventures, and more.