Imagine if a granola bar conglomerate<\/b> bought Yosemite and replaced all the bears with holograms. That\u2019s *kinda* what happened when Outside magazine<\/b>, the beloved bible of dirtbags and peak-baggers, got swallowed by a media conglomerate named Outside Inc.<\/b> (yes, they rebranded to sound like a tech startup that sells kale-flavored blockchain). Suddenly, the publication that once waxed poetic about \u201cthe joy of blisters\u201d<\/b> was hosting podcasts about optimizing your sleep schedule for maximum productivity. Readers wept into their dehydrated meals.<\/b> <\/p>\nLayoffs, Rebels, and an Identity Crisis<\/h3>\n
In 2021, the new corporate overlords decided to \u201cstreamline\u201d things. Translation: they fired 40% of the staff<\/b>, including veterans who\u2019d been there since hiking boots were just called \u201cboots.\u201d<\/b> Rumor has it the layoffs were decided via a Zoom call<\/b> and a game of corporate dodgeball (unconfirmed, but plausible). The survivors were left to navigate a baffling new world where SEO keywords<\/b> like \u201cbest waterfall hikes near you\u201d clashed with heartfelt essays about getting lost in the Andes. <\/p>\n
Key casualties of the era:<\/b> <\/p>\n Longtime readers revolted faster than you can say \u201csubscription fee hike.\u201d<\/b> Forums exploded with hot takes like, \u201cIs Outside just REI\u2019s weird cousin<\/b> now?\u201d and \u201cWhy is there a listicle about \u2018glamping with NFTs\u2019?\u201d The magazine tried to calm the masses with free stickers<\/b> and a promise to \u201cstay weird.\u201d Meanwhile, ex-staffers launched indie rivals, like \u201cInside Magazine\u201d<\/b> (tagline: \u201cWe\u2019re not Outside!\u201d), which immediately sold out of goat-themed merch. <\/p>\n The saga continues, of course. Will Outside magazine become a AI-generated trail guide<\/b>? A wellness influencer with a hydration fetish? Or just a very confused LinkedIn influencer<\/b>? Grab your popcorn (organic, non-GMO, sustainably packaged). This drama has more twists than a switchback on the Pacific Crest Trail.<\/p>\n Ah, the age-old question that\u2019s sparked more debates than \u201cis a hot dog a sandwich?<\/b>\u201d or \u201cdid that rock just move, or am I hallucinating from dehydration?<\/b>\u201d The \u201cbest\u201d outdoor magazine depends on whether you\u2019re trying to summit Everest, identify a suspicious mushroom, or simply flex your imaginary outdoorsy persona at coffee shops. Let\u2019s wade into this swamp of ink-and-paper glory.<\/p>\n Outside<\/b> is the Swiss Army knife of outdoor pubs\u2014useful for 85% of scenarios, even if you\u2019ll never use the toothpick. It\u2019s got gear reviews for $400 jackets you\u2019ll wear twice, inspirational stories about trail runners who eat existential crises for breakfast, and tips on \u201chow to survive a squirrel uprising<\/b>\u201d (probably). It\u2019s perfect if you want to feel<\/i> adventurous while binge-reading on your couch.<\/p>\n This one\u2019s for the spreadsheet enthusiasts who want to calculate the exact<\/b> ounce-to-joy ratio of their ultralight tent. Expect: <\/p>\n If you\u2019ve ever uttered \u201cBut what about the K\u00f6ppen climate classification?\u201d unironically, subscribe immediately.<\/p>\n This magazine smells like campfire smoke and existential dread. It\u2019s where you learn to:<\/p>\n It\u2019s less \u201coutdoor magazine\u201d and more \u201csurvival guide for people who think duct tape is formalwear.\u201d Bonus points if you spot Bigfoot in the ads section.<\/p>\n Honorable mention: Garden & Gun<\/b>. Yes, it\u2019s a real thing. No, it\u2019s not about shooting roses (probably).<\/p>\n If the outdoor world had a Mount Rushmore, it\u2019d probably be carved with the logos of three magazines that\u2019ve been telling us to \u201ctouch grass\u201d<\/b> since before it was a sarcastic Twitter clapback. These titans of trail gossip, gear geekery, and \u201chow to survive a bear encounter\u201d<\/i> tutorials are the holy trinity for anyone who thinks dirt is a food group<\/b> and views REI as a spiritual sanctuary.<\/p>\n\n
A Subscriber Mutiny (With Free stickers!)<\/h3>\n
What is the best outdoor magazine?<\/h2>\n
Outside Magazine: For People Who Think They\u2019re Bear Grylls (But Aren\u2019t)<\/h3>\n
Backpacker: Nerds Who Crunch Numbers (And Granola)<\/h3>\n
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Field & Stream: Your Uncle\u2019s Weirdly Specific Hobby<\/h3>\n
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What are the big three outdoor magazines?<\/h2>\n
1. Outside Magazine: The Zen Master of Adventure<\/h3>\n