25 New Year's Resolutions for Outdoors People in 2025
SMALL THINGS TO STAY HEALTHIER, SAVE MONEY, AND DO GOOD FOR OTHERS AND THE PLANET
December 27th, 2024
For 2025, we’re focusing on simple goals to save money and take care of ourselves, each other, and the planet. Outdoors goals often focus around climbing a big peak, running a race, or fitness goals. This year, recognizing habits that are small and easily repeated is the key to creating a routine that can change your life (and maybe even the planet).
Here’s the 21 simple things you can do to set ourselves up for success in the new year.
1) Stay hydrated
The author running with the Nathan Pinnacle while drinking from the hydration tube. Photo by Justin Walker
Get some electrolytes, find better ways of carrying water during runs, and find a water bottle you actually like for hiking and keeping at your desk. There’s evidence that hydration can boost performance, endurance, mood and mental energy to stay motivated. Water is free. Finding a way to stay properly hydrated is an easy win.
2) Wash that sleeping bag
Thru-hikers on the Continental Divide Trail take a break in the town of Pagosa Springs, Colorado to visit the laundromat and wash their gear. Treeline Review writer Kate Hoch (back) shared this image.
It's easier than you think and can be done in a home washing machine. Washing not only makes your bag smell better, but makes your bag feel warmer by removing oils and dirt that reduce insulation. Check out our step-by-step instructions on washing your sleeping bag, including photos, estimated time, and equipment needed.
3) Always use sunscreen when outdoors
We purchased dozens of sunscreens and tested them over two years at the beach in San Diego and poolside in Palm Springs in a search to find one that isn’t oily, greasy, and feels good enough we want to use it everyday. Photo by Katie Hawkes.
Sunscreen is not just for when you're at the beach or on a hard hike. Skin damage can happen anytime you're outside—from walking the dog to gardening to climbing mountains. So slather up on your body. If it helps you stay on track for daily use, get a sunscreen that feels lighter for your face.
4) Get around to fixing that jacket
Yeah, you know the one I'm talking about. Turns out, it takes 15 minutes to fix the hole in that jacket or the broken zipper. The end result is once again getting to use a jacket that cost hundreds of dollars—it’s kinda like getting a free jacket.
Not up to repairs? That’s ok. There’s plenty of outdoor gear repair services that can do it for you. Most let you mail it in, so you don’t even have to go into a store. Some repairs are even covered by the brand’s warranty. Using the things you already have is one of the most sustainable things you can do — and it is cost effective, too.
5) take someone camping for the first time…including yourself!
First-time campers having a great time at campground in Joshua Tree National park.
One of the best things we can do to create an equitable and inclusive outdoors is introducing others to new outdoor activities and new trails, climbing crags, fishing holes or campsites.
Take someone camping for the first time. Or if you’ve mostly hiked and haven’t camped before, give camping a try!
Feel confident about camping and want something new? Try camping in winter.
Our beginner-friendly guides, including outdoor guides in Spanish, are designed to walk folks step-by-step on how to get into hiking, camping, or backpacking.
6) Sleep Warmer While Camping and Backpacking
If being cold is the number 1 reason for why you (or a friend or family member) don’t enjoy camping and backpacking, we’ve got great news! You don’t have to be cold on camping trips.
Even when camping in spring and summer, it can feel chilly outside. Our guide to How to Sleep Warmer while Camping and Backpacking is designed for small hacks that anyone can take to feel less chilly.
7) Try a new outdoor hobby
You never know what your next new favorite hobby will be. Photo by Kate Butler.
Check out our beginner's explainers to things like rock climbing or ice climbing or fly fishing.
Are you a backpacker looking for a hobby that you can squeeze into a shorter time period? Try bikepacking! Are you into backpacking and want to take it to the water? Try packrafting!
We spell out all the steps, tell you what to expect, and walk you through what skills you may want to pick up before you go. Our goal is to write without jargon in a welcoming way so you can see yourself outside and take the mystery out of trying new outdoor activities.
Our entire How To section delves into new activities and ways to level up your game on old favorites.
8) Dehydrate your own camping and backpacking meals
A top view of the Nesco loaded with some fresh hummus ready for dehydration. Photo courtesy Melissa Spencer.
Using a home food dehydrator on leftovers is easier than you may think. They’re less expensive that pre-packaged meals. It also lets you control the ingredients you want to eat (with none of the stuff you don’t like). You can even make copy-cat recipes of the best-tasting commercial dehydrated backpacking meals.
9) support a friend on a race or thru-hike
Crewing at big races is fun. Here, the pacer is fueling up, the crew's flagging Rachel in (and cheering her on!). Snacks and hot drinks are ready for all.
Being there for them on trail or during a race means more to them that you can know. This year, be there for a friend as they take on physical challenges outside.
Whether that is taking on crewing a friend on an ultramarathon or supporting a friend or family member on a thru-hike, small acts can make a big difference when someone is exerting themselves to the limit. A few Jolly Ranchers, a bottle of water, or a piece of poster board with them name on it can be a huge morale boost and will make both of you feel great.
10) Keep up that running habit
With the right skills and gear, you can enjoy the beauty of nature year-round. Photo courtesy Stasia Stockwell.
Running is an activity that gets better with repetition. Forming a running habit is essential to training the body and mind to become a stronger runner. Yet, there can be some challenges to running regularly when the weather isn’t great.
Luckily, there’s tricks on how to run when it is cold and how to stay safe and more comfortable when it is raining. In winter when days are shorter, having the right gear can help you stay motivated for running in the dark. And come summer time, you can maintain your habit of running even when it's very hot and when on vacation.
11) Have better backcountry nutrition
Whether you’re going on your first overnight backpacking trip or headed on a multi-month thru-hike, eating enough calories and the right kind of food is a challenge. Many backpackers say it is a lifelong journey to find out what energizes the body. We’ve interviewed dozens of thru-hikers on what to eat on a thru-hike from vegans, vegetarians, omnivores, and gluten-free backpackers. Finding something tasty that is nutritious can make a big difference on recovery and how you feel and perform outdoors.
12) Do some self-care for your feet
Treeline Review writer Felicia Hermosillo elevates her feet during a snack break on the Idaho Centennial Trail. Photo by Naomi Hudetz
No more blisters. No more pain. Read up on our step-by-step footcare tips for hikers and backpackers.
13) Be a pro at gift giving for your outdoorsy friends
Treeline Review writer Dani Reyes-Acosta and other Treeline Review snow sport enthusiasts share their favorite gear items of the season in this gift guide. Photo courtesy Dani Reyes-Acosta
Sharing is caring. Get inspiration in our Gift Guides–for skiers, hikers, runners, campers, backpackers, and mountain bikers. Gifting isn’t just for the holiday season. A thoughtful gift to an outdoors person will be appreciated whether it is to celebrate a birthday, Mother’s or Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or graduation.
When you aren’t head deep into an outdoor activity, it can be hard to know what to get. Our guides are written by athletes with a “for us, by us” mentality, but use accessible language to help you pick out the right thing for your budget.
14) Buy that dream gear that has been on the list forever–and find it on sale
Treeline Review writer Kate Hoch scored a dream gear item.
Our Deals page tracks discounts on gear we recommend to alert you when good things are available below the listed price. We analyze discounts on gear that is Treeline-vetted. In some cases, we’ve been watching prices for years on a single item. That means we can tell you when a deal is worth your attention and when it is the same ol’ discount the brand is always running.
15) train for something big
We’re all for dreaming of big trips and making them happen in 2025. As big thru-hikers ourselves, we worked with physical trainer and Fastest Known Time Holder Heather “Anish” Anderson for tips on How to Train for a Thru-hike. These are simple tips for anyone interested in backacpking. You don’t have to be setting out to hike fast to enjoy the benefits of training, whether that means less injury or stress on your joints or being able to walk pain-free.
16) Maintain fitness in the off-season
If you’re a thru-hiker or just an active person in the summer, you likely experience a loll in winter and colder months. While it often isn’t possible to maintain the same fitness level year round, you can set yourself up for success and less pain or chances for injury by maintaining a base fitness level. Make 2025 the year where you can hold onto some of your peak fitness.
Physical trainer Heather Anderson shares How to Maintain Fitness after a Thru-hike. The key is to keep your heart and lungs conditioned through exercise throughout the year. Luckily, staying in shape isn’t as time intensive as you may fear and doesn’t require special equipment or even access to the outdoors.
17) Track your fitness levels
Sleep details were a surprising favorite feature of the Garmin Instinct 2S Solar. Photo courtesy Mike Unger.
A hiking or backpacking GPS watch can help monitor where you are now and coach you where you want to go. Monitor changes in your heart rate, oxygen absorption, and sleep rates. An affordable running watch can level up your run. Many watches these days are designed to be “Coach on your Wrist” with training exercises that ramp up and give real-time feedback based on your metrics. If you’ve ever wondered about simple ways to improve your fitness, a tracking device can make a big difference.
18) Do yoga
Yoga can be done almost anywhere. Every small effort is beneficial. Photo courtesy Nina Pileggi.
Yoga has been shown to reduce stress, increase flexibility, and prevent injury. If you’re a hiker, yoga is good for your hiking as it strengthens muscles and helps tight and sore muscles recover. For winter, yoga is also great for your skiing, whether to get your body prepared for being on the slopes or for recovering after the day.
19) Take a trip solo
Treeline Review writer Nicole Snell feeling confident at a solo camping site.
You don’t have to wait for your friends, partner, or family members to say ‘yes’ to go on a trip outdoors. In fact, not wanting to go solo is one of the biggest reasons we hear why more people don’t go outdoors. Luckily, solo trips can be incredibly fun and rewarding—and they can be safe. This year, try your hand at solo camping, solo road tripping, or solo hiking.
Treeline Review writer Nicole Snell is an expert in self defense and using body language to stay safe physically and mentally while on solo trips outdoors. She’ll talk you through the tricks she uses to stay calm and confident on solo trips.
20) Find a new adventure and go on it
The author, Liz Thomas, at Thousand Island Lakes on the John Muir Trail. Photo by Liz Thomas.
Our Where to Go section has trip ideas for hiking, rafting, bikepacking, fly fishing, and day hiking. Each free guide includes trailheads, permit info, best season, recommended gear lists, where to get water and find camping, and more. Our goal is to take some of the guesswork out of finding new destinations, inspire you to explore new places, and take some of the gatekeeping out of the outdoors.
21) Carry out used TP and/or use a wag bag when required
The Restop 2 waste bag system folds down to pocket-size…before use. Here it is in Buckskin Gulch/Paria Canyon, a route that requires packing it in, packing it out. Photo by Kate Hoch.
Do your part to keep natural areas free of waste. Carrying out TP or using a human waste bag (WAG bag) where it is required reduces our impact on the land.
22) Get a women’s bike seat that doesn’t hurt
Your bicycle saddle should not feel so uncomfortable that you shift your position or weight to avoid sensations. Photo by Catherine Harnden.
Your PSA that riding a bike doesn't have to be painful. If discomfort is keeping you off your bike, know that there are now designs for women's bike seats that don’t hurt.
23) Make more eco-friendly choices in your outdoor gear
Brands like REI and Patagonia now have dedicated used gear sections in many stores, which are a great place to shop for gently-used outdoor items. Photo by Katie Hawkes
The top thing you can do for the environment in your gear choices is to buy less stuff. That is why Treeline Review encourages you to buy right the first time so you don’t need to buy more than one of an item. When you need an item, buying used gear is an environmentally-friendly alternative that has nearly half the carbon footprint of buying new gear. Buying used gear can also make great gifts for others. If you aren’t sure how to go about gifting used gear, we have a whole guide on questions to ask and how to make gifting used gear feel special.
Lastly, if you’re buying new, you can choose more eco-friendly versions of your gear. Choose items without PFAS waterproofing.
24) Do some trail maintenance volunteer work for your favorite trail organization
Give back to the places you love. Organizations like the Pacific Crest Trail Association, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and Continental Divide Coalition all have free volunteer opportunities available in locations across 21 different states. Check your local trail organizations for opportunities close to home.
25) Tell your representatives that you support Public Lands
It only takes 5 minutes and can bring the joy of the outdoors to more people and protect outdoor areas. Stay informed about issues on public lands.
