travel news
The best power banks for camping and hiking | Atlas & Boots
Let’s face it: even if you’re a hardcore survivalist, a compass and map simply doesn’t cut it anymore. Whether it’s tracking your route with a hiking app, triangulating your position using a GPS device or reading by headtorch while waiting out a downpour, adventurers these days rarely leave home without at least one electronic device. The post The best power banks for camping and hiking appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
How much does it cost to climb the seven summits? (Updated for 2025) | Atlas & Boots
Our resident mountain aficionado and would-be seven summiteer crunches the numbers on how much it will cost to climb the seven summits How much does it cost to climb the seven summits? About $180,000 USD give or take $10k. Climbers could significantly reduce costs by foregoing luxuries, cutting corners and taking (even more) risks and get that figure to below $100,000. But we do not recommend this and certainly won’t be taking such unnecessary risks. The post How much does it cost to climb the seven summits? (Updated for 2025) appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
23 US national parks you can visit for free | Atlas & Boots
From a plethora of weird and wonderful sights to some of the most beautiful mountains in the world, the US is rich with natural beauty. Of course, not everyone can afford to access that beauty given national park entrance fees, not to mention the cost of gear and transport. Thankfully, there are nearly two dozen US national parks you can visit for free. The post 23 US national parks you can visit for free appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Three ways to lace hiking boots to relieve discomfort | Atlas & Boots
Sometimes, hiking boots just need a bit longer to wear in and soften up. Other times, it can be a sign that you've not got the right footwear in the first place. Regardless, using these lacing techniques will provide a bit of relief in the short term. The post Three ways to lace hiking boots to relieve discomfort appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Everything you knew about hiking in lightning is probably wrong
There are certain safety rules that we all learn in childhood. Never talk to strangers. Get low in a fire. Stand under a tree in lightning. In adulthood, few of us think to question these. In most cases, that’s perfectly fine, but when it comes to hiking in lightning, we’re long overdue a rethink. The post Hiking in lightning: myth versus method appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
The best coffee makers for camping | Atlas & Boots
Back in the day, I used to go trekking with a sandwich bag of instant coffee in my backpack. Those were dark days. Fortunately, times have changed and I now kickstart a day on the trail with a proper cup of coffee without having to endure (too much) excess weight in my backpack. The post The best coffee makers for camping appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
28 interesting facts about China | Atlas & Boots
I visited China nearly 20 years ago and found a country on the march. China may be one of the world’s most ancient civilizations, with its continuous culture stretching back thousands of years, but today’s relatively modern nation – the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949 – is more like several different countries rolled into one. The post 28 interesting facts about China appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Why mountains like Denali should keep their native names
The high point of my year was (literally) my summit of Denali, the highest peak in North America. It was my fourth mountain of the seven summits – arguably my fifth if you count Kosciuszko – leaving me Vinson in Antarctica and Everest in Asia. I said at the time that whether or not I climb any more of the seven is almost irrelevant. I will always have Denali, my ‘tall one’. The post 10,000 years a mountain: why Denali should keep its name appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
What is the best eSIM for China in 2025? | Atlas & Boots
Over the course of my 15-day trip to China, most of my fellow travellers had problems connecting. They were often unable to pay with credit card (via AliPay or WeChat) or navigate using Google Maps. Meanwhile, my connection proved stable and consistent across a large swathe of the country, from Beijing to Shanghai, via Xi’an, Emei Shan, Chengdu and Yangshuo. To ease the pain of future travellers, I share below the best eSIM for China. The post What is the best eSIM for China in 2025? appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
What I hoped to show my nieces with my solo trip to China | Atlas & Boots
In the week before Christmas, I hosted a family gathering at my house. At some point in the afternoon, my 31-year-old nephew arrived with his baby daughter. To everyone’s shock, he had brought her alone without the supervision of his wife. My sisters and I were impressed that he had ventured out alone with his child. As we praised and grilled him (“was she okay in the car?”, “does she need to be fed?”, “is she warm enough?”), I realised just how far we still have to go when it comes to gender equality. My 27-year-old niece never gets this type of reception when she brings her baby round on her own. The post What I hoped to show my nieces with my solo trip to China appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Atlas & Boots’ top Instagram posts of 2024 | Atlas & Boots
It's been another busy year at Atlas & Boots. In May, I reached the summit of Denali, one of the coldest and harshest peaks on the planet, bringing me a step closer to my dream of climbing the seven summits. The post Atlas & Boots’ top Instagram posts of 2024 appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
Atlas & Boots’ top 10 posts of 2024
This year, we celebrated 10 years of Atlas & Boots. When we first started the blog in 2014, it was mainly a way to stay employable so that when we returned to London after our big trip, it wouldn’t be impossible to find new jobs. We didn’t know then that our little blog would grow to a quarter of a million readers per month. Sadly, we lost about half of them when the pandemic hit and never quite recovered them, but we’re still ticking along thanks to our loyal audience. The post Atlas & Boots’ top 10 posts of 2024 appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
