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Outside (magazine)
Outside (magazine)
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Outside
Editor-in-ChiefLawrence J. Burke
FrequencyMonthly
Total circulation
(June 2012)
686,623[1]
First issueSeptember 1977 (1977-09)
CompanyOutside, Inc.
CountryUnited States
Based inBoulder, Colorado
LanguageEnglish
Websiteoutsideonline.com
ISSN0278-1433

Outside is a magazine focused on the outdoors. The first issue of the Outside magazine was published in September 1977.[2] It is published by Outside Inc., a company that also owns various other ventures.

History

[edit]

Outside founders were Jann Wenner (the first editor in chief), William Randolph Hearst III (its first managing editor), and Jack Ford (an assistant to founding publisher Donald Welsh and a son of former U.S. President Gerald Ford).[3] Wenner sold Outside to Lawrence J. Burke two years later. Burke merged it into his magazine Mariah (founded in 1976) and after a period of using the name Mariah/Outside kept the Outside name for the merged magazine.[4]

In 2021, Burke sold Outside to Pocket Outdoor Media.[5] In March 2025, 35 journalists signed a letter requesting their names be removed from the magazine’s masthead in protest over recent layoffs and censorship.[6]

Contributors

[edit]

Christopher Keyes was the editor as of 2021.[7] John Rasmus, one editor of Outside, launched the career of Jon Krakauer and other freelance travel and adventure writers. Though the magazine has tilted toward a more commercial aesthetic in recent years, it has also recruited figures from the literary world for freelance assignments. Writers whose work has appeared in Outside include Sebastian Junger, Bruce Barcott, Tim Cahill, Daniel Coyle, E. Annie Proulx, naturalist and author David Quammen, and Bob Shacochis. Songwriter David Berkeley also worked for Outside.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Outside is an American lifestyle magazine dedicated to outdoor adventure, fitness, travel, gear, and environmental topics, founded in 1977 by and acquired by Lawrence J. Burke in 1978 to inspire readers to embrace an active, exploratory way of life. Originally launched as a print publication, it has evolved into a brand encompassing digital content, podcasts, television programming, events, and subscription services like Outside+, reaching approximately 80 million active consumers monthly across its platforms. The magazine is renowned for its in-depth narrative journalism, featuring contributions from acclaimed writers such as and having won three consecutive for General Excellence from 1996 to 1998. Published by Outside Inc., it shifted to quarterly issues in 2025, with the Fall edition focusing on style, design, and creativity in the outdoor space. Its digital platform, Outside Online (outsideonline.com), has continued to publish multiple articles in 2025 and early 2026 covering topics such as outdoor adventures, spring 2026 weather forecasts predicting lingering winter conditions in parts of the U.S., previews and coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics starting February 6, 2026, wellness travel, gear previews, and events like the Barkley Marathons, while maintaining a commitment to covering the intersection of human experience and the natural world.

History

Founding and Early Development

Outside was founded in September 1977 by , the co-founder of , along with and Jack Ford, as a publication dedicated to outdoor and participatory sports. Wenner served as the first , Hearst as , and Ford as assistant to the publisher, with Donald E. Welsh handling the business side as publisher. The magazine launched with an initial investment of $1 million and a planned circulation of 100,000 copies for the debut issue, aiming to fill a gap between broad outdoor titles and niche publications like Backpacking. It debuted as a monthly, though early plans emphasized high-quality, in-depth coverage of exploration, environmental issues, and active lifestyles, reflecting the counterculture ethos that had propelled 's success. Based in , , for its editorial operations—with business functions in New York—the first issue highlighted stories on , sports, and nature, capturing the era's growing interest in personal exploration amid the lingering influences of movements. The publication avoided ads for guns or cigarettes to maintain an aspirational tone, targeting readers seeking inspiration for their own outdoor pursuits rather than passive consumption. This foundational identity positioned Outside as a pioneer in adventure journalism, blending narrative storytelling with practical guidance. The magazine encountered financial difficulties shortly after launch, leading Jann Wenner to sell it in late 1978 to Lawrence J. Burke, a Chicago-based entrepreneur who had founded Mariah magazine in 1976. Burke merged the two titles under the Outside name after a brief period as Mariah/Outside, streamlining operations and revitalizing the brand amid economic pressures in the publishing industry. Initially headquartered in Chicago under Burke's leadership, the magazine would later relocate to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1995 to better align with its outdoor focus. This transition marked a pivotal shift, allowing for operational stability and expanded coverage of adventure themes. Key early milestones under the new ownership included a commitment to monthly publication starting in 1980, which supported consistent content delivery and audience growth. In 1984, Outside earned its first National Magazine Award for general excellence, recognizing its innovative approach to outdoor storytelling. The period also saw staff expansion to include specialized reporters focused on adventure reporting, laying the groundwork for the magazine's reputation as a leading voice in the genre. These developments solidified Outside's foundational identity through the , emphasizing high-impact over commercial excess.

Ownership Transitions

In 1978, Lawrence J. Burke acquired Outside magazine from its founder , merging it into his company Mariah Media and serving as publisher and for over four decades until 2021. Under Burke's leadership, the magazine prioritized journalistic integrity and high-quality storytelling over aggressive commercialism, allowing it to maintain amid the industry's consolidations. Amid growth in the 1990s, Burke relocated the headquarters from Chicago to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1995, where it remained based for the next 26 years without undergoing a full corporate takeover or significant integration into larger media conglomerates. This period saw Outside expand its influence in outdoor journalism while preserving autonomy, though Burke's era fostered a culture of editorial freedom that shaped the magazine's reputation. In February 2021, Burke sold Outside Integrated Media, including the magazine, Outside TV, and related assets, to Boulder-based Pocket Outdoor Media for an undisclosed sum, marking the end of independent ownership. Led by tech entrepreneur Robin Thurston, who founded Pocket after exiting his previous venture in online mapping, the acquiring company rebranded as Outside Inc. and integrated Outside into a portfolio of over 20 outdoor and wellness brands, such as VeloNews, Yoga Journal, Backpacker, and Climbing. Following the acquisition, editorial operations relocated to , aligning with Thurston's base and the company's expanding digital infrastructure. By 2023, Outside Inc. had rebranded further to Outside Interactive, Inc., consolidating its holdings—now exceeding 25 brands—into a unified entity focused on digital monetization through subscriptions, apps, and experiential content, alongside an increased emphasis on wellness and . This shift reflected broader industry trends toward tech-driven platforms, with acquisitions like MapMyFitness in 2024 enhancing data and user engagement capabilities. In February 2025, the company acquired Inntopia, a Vermont-based developer of booking software for the industry.

Editorial Content

Scope and Themes

Outside magazine primarily covers activities such as , , , and other adventure sports, alongside environmental conservation, , fitness, and cultural examinations of human-nature relationships. The publication emphasizes the intersection of personal well-being and , portraying the outdoors as a vital space for physical, mental, and ecological restoration. The editorial philosophy centers on immersive, that merges personal narratives with rigorous investigative reporting, prioritizing experiential storytelling over brief gear assessments or commercial endorsements. This approach aims to inspire active engagement with the natural world, guided by core values like embracing , leading by example in , and sharing enthusiasm for outdoor pursuits to foster and learning. By defying rigid categories, the magazine blends , environmental , and elements to appeal to a broad audience of enthusiasts. From its 1977 founding, Outside focused on countercultural exploration and raw adventure travel, reflecting founder Lawrence Burke's own transformative journeys and the era's growing interest in escaping urban life for experiences. In the 1990s, it shifted toward stronger environmental advocacy, featuring in-depth reporting on issues like and conservation to highlight threats to outdoor spaces. By the 2020s, the focus evolved to incorporate wellness practices, policies protecting public lands, and efforts to promote diversity and equitable access to outdoor activities, aligning with broader societal calls for inclusivity and . Distinctive format elements include annual "Best Places to Go" lists and gear guides, which integrate thematic priorities such as by evaluating destinations and products based on environmental impact, affordability, and . These features reinforce the magazine's commitment to guiding readers toward responsible outdoor engagement.

Notable Articles and Series

One of the magazine's most influential pieces is Jon Krakauer's 1996 article "," which chronicled the deadly during a commercial expedition, highlighting the perils of guided ascents and ethical issues in high-altitude . Published in , the article detailed the storm that claimed eight lives, including those of experienced climbers, and exposed the risks of overcrowding on the peak. This work served as the foundation for Krakauer's bestselling 1997 book of the same name, which was later adapted into a 1997 , significantly shaping public understanding of mountaineering dangers and commercial tourism in extreme environments. Sebastian Junger's 1994 article "The Storm," featured in the issue, examined the fate of the Andrea Gail during a catastrophic off the coast, emphasizing themes of human endurance and the unforgiving nature of maritime labor. The piece reconstructed the events leading to the boat's disappearance and the loss of its six crew members, drawing on survivor accounts and meteorological data to illustrate resilience amid extreme weather. It expanded into Junger's 1997 book The Perfect Storm, which became a national bestseller and inspired a 2000 directed by , amplifying discussions on the hazards faced by commercial fishermen. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, David Quammen's "Natural Acts" column series, running from 1981 to 1996, provided in-depth explorations of ecological science and environmental challenges, including decline and the interplay between human activity and natural systems. These essays, totaling over 160 installments, delved into topics like species extinction and , blending rigorous reporting with accessible narrative to underscore the urgency of conservation. Quammen's work in this series influenced by bridging scientific inquiry with outdoor adventure, and several columns were compiled into books such as Natural Acts: A Sidelong View of Science and (1985), contributing to broader awareness of . In 2025, Outside launched the "State of Our National Parks" series in collaboration with RE:PUBLIC, a organization, focusing on policy and environmental threats to key U.S. parks. The multipart investigation covered Yosemite National Park's overcrowding and resource strains, Great Smoky Mountains National Park's biodiversity pressures from tourism and , and Rocky Mountain National Park's challenges with water rights and development encroachments. Published starting in , the series combined on-the-ground reporting with data analysis to advocate for stronger protections amid political uncertainties. In 2025 and 2026, Outside continued to publish articles on contemporary outdoor challenges and events. Coverage included the Barkley Marathons, with no finishers in either the 2025 or 2026 editions amid extreme conditions and course difficulties. The magazine also provided previews and updates on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, which began on February 6, 2026, highlighting new events such as the debut of ski mountaineering. In February 2026, Outside reported on spring weather forecasts predicting a prolonged transition from winter, with lingering cold and snow in regions including the Northeast, Great Lakes, and Upper Midwest, alongside risks of flooding from heavy precipitation. Across its history, several Outside articles have been adapted into books and films, extending their reach and sparking public conversations on outdoor , safety, and —exemplified by the enduring cultural impact of Krakauer and Junger's works, which together sold millions of copies and drew widespread media attention to adventure-related risks.

Key Personnel

Editors and Publishers

Jann Wenner, the publisher of Rolling Stone, served as Outside's initial editorial director until 1979 and infused the publication with an irreverent, narrative-driven tone inspired by his music magazine's style. Wenner recruited collaborators from Rolling Stone to establish Outside as a fresh voice in outdoor journalism, emphasizing adventure stories with cultural edge. In 1979, Lawrence J. Burke acquired the magazine from Wenner and served as its publisher and for over four decades until 2021, merging it with his existing Mariah to stabilize its finances. Under Burke's , Outside achieved profitability by 1981 and grew into a leading active-lifestyle brand, fostering award-winning investigative and adventure that transformed the outdoor media landscape. Hal Espen edited Outside from 1999 to 2006, a period marked by expanded investigative features and long-form narratives that earned the magazine multiple , including for general excellence. Espen's tenure emphasized bold reporting on environmental and adventure topics, building on the publication's reputation for in-depth storytelling. Following Burke's sale of the magazine in 2021, Robin Thurston became CEO of Outside Inc., overseeing mergers with over 40 entities to create a tech-integrated outdoor media platform that includes apps and subscription services. Thurston's strategy, which reduced print frequency and shifted toward digital revenue, has drawn criticism for editorial interference, including restrictions on politically sensitive topics and multiple layoffs affecting over 20% of staff by 2025, prompting a revolt from 35 prominent contributors who demanded their names be removed from the masthead. As of 2025, Kevin Sintumuang serves as editorial director, guiding a reimagined focus on digital-native content with redesigned issues that blend adventure narratives and lifestyle features to engage online audiences.

Contributors

Jon Krakauer has been a regular contributor to Outside since 1981, serving as an editor-at-large and authoring seminal pieces on expeditions and environmental issues that elevated the magazine's profile in adventure journalism. His 1993 feature on adventurer Chris McCandless, which formed the basis of his book Into the Wild, and his 1996 account of the Mount Everest disaster, Into Thin Air, garnered National Magazine Award nominations and wins, respectively, and drew significant readership to the publication. Over his decades-long association, Krakauer penned more than two dozen features, blending rigorous reporting with personal narrative to explore human limits in extreme environments. In the , and E. Annie Proulx emerged as key contributors, infusing Outside with survival narratives and wilderness literature that enhanced its literary prestige. Junger's 1994 article on the lost fishing vessel , which inspired his bestselling book The Perfect Storm, captured the perils of and human resilience against nature's fury. Proulx, known for her evocative portrayals of rural and wild landscapes, contributed pieces like the 1995 essay "Big Weather: Lightning," which delved into the raw power of natural phenomena and the lives intertwined with them. Their work during this era bridged factual reporting with storytelling artistry, attracting acclaimed writers and readers seeking deeper insights into outdoor survival and ecology. David Quammen served as a cornerstone science writer for Outside from 1981 to 1996, penning the monthly "Natural Acts" column that specialized in ecology, evolution, and the intricacies of the natural world through in-depth, accessible reporting. Over 160 essays in this series, later compiled into books like Natural Acts, examined topics from animal behavior to biodiversity loss, earning Quammen two National Magazine Awards and establishing Outside as a vital platform for environmental science communication. His contributions extended into the 2000s with occasional features, reinforcing the magazine's commitment to thoughtful, evidence-based exploration of human-nature interactions. Outside has also featured diverse creative talents, including photographers like Michael "Nick" Nichols, a longtime contributor since the magazine's early years in the late 1970s, whose images of remote wildernesses in places like and captured the raw beauty and urgency of conservation efforts. In the post-2010 era, the publication has increasingly included voices addressing equity in the outdoors, such as women and BIPOC adventurers who highlight inclusivity and systemic barriers; for instance, the all-women issue spotlighted writers like Rahawa Haile, an Eritrean-American author exploring Black experiences in narratives. This shift reflects broader editorial efforts to amplify underrepresented perspectives on adventure and .

Operations and Format

Outside magazine began publication in September 1977 as a quarterly title focused on outdoor adventure and lifestyle content. It transitioned to a monthly format in the early , maintaining that frequency for decades to support its growing coverage of sports, travel, and environmental topics. By the late , amid industry shifts toward , the print schedule was adjusted; at the end of 2018, issues were reduced from 11 per year to eight. Further changes occurred in subsequent years, with the magazine publishing six times annually plus two gear guides by , and shifting to a quarterly schedule by 2025, each issue exceeding 100 pages and emphasizing high-quality photography to showcase destinations and gear. In 2025, the print edition was redesigned as a premium, coffee-table book format with elevated production values. Production of the print edition is headquartered in , where the magazine's editorial and operations teams are based. The publication utilizes glossy paper stock to enhance visual storytelling through vibrant photographs of landscapes, athletes, and equipment, a hallmark of its design since inception. Issues often include supplemental materials, such as dedicated gear catalogs or guides, providing in-depth reviews and recommendations for outdoor products that complement the feature articles. These elements contribute to the tactile, immersive experience of the physical magazine, even as print volumes have declined in favor of broader strategies. The digital presence of Outside evolved alongside the internet's growth, with outsideonline.com launching in 1995 to extend the magazine's reach beyond print subscribers. The website quickly became a hub for additional content, including web-exclusive stories, blogs, and interactive features, achieving record unique monthly users by , over two decades after its debut. Expansion continued into mobile apps for on-the-go access to articles and maps, alongside audio and video formats; the Outside debuted in March 2016, offering serialized narratives on survival, adventure, and science. By the , newsletters had proliferated, delivering curated daily or weekly digests on topics like gear updates and trail recommendations to a growing audience. Into 2025 and early 2026, outsideonline.com continued to publish multiple articles covering outdoor adventures, weather forecasts, previews and coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina (starting February 6, 2026), wellness travel, gear previews, and events such as the Barkley Marathons, as well as spring 2026 weather predictions indicating lingering winter conditions in parts of the U.S., illustrating the platform's ongoing production of timely and relevant content. In 2025, the Fall issue integrated enhanced digital tie-ins, linking print features to online resources for deeper engagement. This hybrid approach reflects Outside's adaptation to reader preferences for seamless transitions between physical and virtual formats, while maintaining the magazine's core commitment to inspiring outdoor participation. Circulation figures for these formats underscore their combined influence, though detailed metrics are covered elsewhere.

Circulation and Reach

Outside magazine achieved its peak print circulation of approximately 678,000 in 2012, according to contemporary industry reports. This figure reflected the publication's strong appeal during a period of robust support and growing interest in outdoor lifestyles. However, circulation began to decline in subsequent years, primarily due to the broader industry shift toward consumption; by 2021, print subscribers had fallen to around 530,000. The magazine's distribution has historically been centered in the United States, where the majority of its subscribers reside, supporting its focus on North American outdoor activities and gear. Internationally, Outside expanded reach through licensed editions in regions including (such as ) and (such as ) during the and , alongside versions in , allowing adaptation to local markets while maintaining core content themes. By 2017, the publication supported five international editions to broaden its global footprint. In the digital era, Outside's reach has expanded significantly beyond print, with the Outside Inc. network—encompassing the magazine's and related platforms—reporting over 80 million monthly engagements as of 2025. The , outsideonline.com, contributes to this scale as a key hub for online content, driving traffic through articles, videos, and interactive features. presence further amplifies influence, with more than 28 million followers across platforms like and others. Efforts to counteract print declines and enhance overall reach include the introduction of bundled subscription models following the 2021 launch of Outside+, which integrates access to the magazine with digital content from the broader network and apps such as for wellness and outdoor tracking. This approach has supported subscriber retention and growth amid format changes, such as reducing print frequency to quarterly issues.

Reception and Impact

Awards and Accolades

Outside magazine has earned widespread recognition for its journalistic excellence, particularly through multiple wins at the administered by the American Society of Magazine Editors. The publication is the only one in history to secure three consecutive General Excellence awards, in 1996, 1997, and 1998, honoring its overall quality and innovation in outdoor and adventure coverage. It also received the General Excellence award in 1984, further cementing its status among top periodicals. In addition to General Excellence honors, Outside has won in specialized categories, including Reporting in 1997 for Jon Krakauer's seminal article "Into Thin Air," which detailed the 1996 Mount Everest disaster and its commercial guiding boom. Other notable wins include the Essays and Criticism category in 1994 for David Quammen's piece "At Play in the Swirly Zone," which explored wildlife behavior. Beyond the , Outside has received accolades from prestigious organizations for its international and environmental reporting. Individual articles, such as those by contributor , have contributed to the magazine's impact on public discourse around science and nature. In recent years, Outside has continued to build on its legacy with digital and multimedia honors. In 2023, it received seven Awards from the Society of American Travel Writers, tying for the most awards that year and recognizing excellence in travel journalism across print and online formats. Additionally, it secured eight awards from the Outdoor Industry Association's Journalism Awards, including gold for overall travel coverage. In 2025, Outside won six Telly Awards, including in the new Outdoor & Adventure category, recognizing excellence in video and brand content. These achievements reflect Outside's cumulative impact, that position it as a leader in outdoor media, influencing both public awareness and industry standards.

Controversies and Criticisms

In the late , prior to its 2020 acquisition, Outside magazine developed a reputation for delaying payments to freelancers, sometimes for months, which strained relationships with contributors and highlighted broader industry challenges in compensating independent writers. Following the acquisition by Pocket Outdoor Media, the company agreed in to pay over $150,000 in overdue invoices to resolve complaints from the National Writers Union representing affected freelancers. Under new ownership by Robin Thurston's Outside Interactive, Inc., the magazine faced significant backlash in early 2025 amid aggressive cost-cutting measures. In February 2025, the company laid off approximately 20 editorial and business staff members, representing nearly half of the team and including the editor-in-chief, prompting widespread criticism of the publication's viability and direction. This triggered a contributor revolt on March 10, 2025, when 35 prominent writers, editors, and photographers—including alumni associated with Jon Krakauer's era such as Tim Cahill and E. Jean Carroll—signed an open letter demanding their names be removed from the masthead. The letter accused leadership of "destroying what Outside once stood for" through layoffs, internal pressures to avoid political topics, and a perceived shift toward censoring investigative journalism in favor of less rigorous content. Signatories expressed frustration over the erosion of the magazine's legacy as a bold voice for adventure and environmental reporting, with the public feud amplifying concerns about editorial independence. The tensions escalated further in September 2025 with the dismissal of longtime contributor Wes Siler, a who had written for Outside for over a decade. Siler was fired shortly after announcing his candidacy for the State Senate as a Democrat, ostensibly for violating an "editorial standards" policy barring politicians from contributing. However, Siler publicly alleged that the termination was politically motivated, stemming from his critical coverage of Republican policies on public lands and broader directives under Thurston to avoid negative reporting on politicians or major advertisers, which he described as a drift toward far-right and . The incident drew accusations of interference, with Siler claiming years of suppressed stories on topics like environmental threats from conservative agendas, further fueling perceptions of compromised journalistic integrity at the magazine. A April 2025 profile in encapsulated these controversies, portraying Outside's trajectory under Thurston as symptomatic of a larger decline in adventure journalism. The article critiqued the pivot from gritty, investigative pieces rooted in the Mountain West's cultural ethos—exemplified by 1990s-era dispatches on exploration and wilderness—to commercialized wellness and content optimized for digital metrics and events like the Outside Festival. It highlighted how repeated layoffs had hollowed out the staff, leaving only one full-time editor for the quarterly print edition, and argued that this eroded the publication's original vision of and environmental advocacy, alienating longtime readers and contributors. The piece also noted failed ventures, such as the 2022 Outerverse NFT initiative abandoned after the collapse, as emblematic of misguided priorities amid ethical lapses.

References

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