Graham Averill
Member since 2012

My 13-year-old daughter recently told us that she knows a Saturday is going to suck (her words, not mine) when she wakes up and Mom is playing classic rock because that means we're going for a hike. It's true. My wife likes to blast her favorite song while we pack and make sandwiches.

We’ve been hiking Pisgah National Forest with our twins since they could hold their heads up. While packing out poopy diapers wasn’t awesome, those early years were mostly joyous, full of discovery (butterflies!) and adventure (boulders!). But my babies are teens now, seemingly annoyed by our sheer existence. They mostly communicate through eye rolls of varying severity and strategically selected memes, and what they continue to tell us through this enigmatic language is that they hate hiking.

Maybe “hate” is too strong of a word, but just getting them to the trailhead a couple of times a month is a Herculean feat. We’ve tried several tactics, from prepping them days in advance to surprising them in the car en route to the woods, like taking a dog to the vet. And yet, we still make them go. Regularly. They tell us it’s torture but end up having fun, even if they won’t admit it. And I keep pushing because I know it’s good for them and they’ll appreciate it when they’re older.

Over the years, I’ve compiled some tips to surviving nature with teens: Forget about scenic views and landmarks, snacks are everything, make the hike as hard as possible. But when I wrote down my advice and showed it to my twins recently, they (shockingly) had differing opinions to share. Read on for my hard-earned wisdom and what my teens had to say about our wonderful family hikes....

GEAR GUIDE

Tested: The Best Hiking Boots of 2022

The Editors

It’s time to pick your most important hiking partner: your boots. Because when you swap out sore arches, blistered heels and swollen toes for, well, happy feet, any trek—whether it’s a quick jaunt on your backyard trail or a multiday epic in a remote corner of the backcountry—becomes a wholly more blissful experience.

Our member testers and editors set boot to trail to bring you the best kicks money can buy at REI. Their favorites meld high-tech materials with time-tested designs to give you support, protection and comfort for whatever you have in mind, be it a day hike or backpacking adventure, wet or dry. There is a pair of boots for everyone on this list—so what are you waiting for? It’s time to treat your feet.

OUTDOOR QUESTIONS—ANSWERED

How Do I Treat and Prevent Blisters?

The Editors

There's nothing better than a warm campfire at the end of a long day—and nothing worse than a hot spot that becomes a blister. Luckily, a blister doesn’t need to become a big deal. We have tips and tricks to keep you trekking onward.

• Prevention: Don't break up with your hiking shoes—break them in to ensure they fit properly before trips.
• Listen to your feet: Moisture, heat and friction can cause blisters.
• Deal with hot spots quickly: Bring a blister prevention kit (including tape and moleskin) and deal with uncomfortable areas before they worsen.

GEAR I HOLD DEAR

An Ode to the Humble Pocket Burrito

Maren Horjus
Member since 2012

Our editor goes where none has ventured before: to declare the all-time best trail snack. A burrito—or “Pocket Burrito,” more specifically—checks all the boxes, Maren argues. It is nutritious, delicious and portable.

“That’s the main draw of the Pocket Burrito, simple as it sounds: that for a slight upfront investment, you can eat a burrito outside, on a chairlift, beside a campfire or atop a hunk of granite while you watch the sunshine splinter through a skyline of chalky spires,” she writes.

DO-IT-YOURSELF

Lacing Tricks to Help Relieve Foot Pain

The Editors

Have top-of-foot pressure, heel slip or toe bang? There’s a knot for that. Check out our lacing guide to rejigger your boots for quick comfort.

GEAR UP

REI Co-op Beyonder Shoes

The Editors

Step out in all-day cushy support with sneakers made of recycled materials and designed to have a lighter touch on the planet. Perfect for dog walks, city exploration and beyond. Plus, members get early access thru 9/30.