The chief debate among people searching for a cold-weather sleeping bag is the choice between down and synthetic fill. As a rule, down fill is lighter and more compressible than synthetic fill. However, down clumps when it gets wet and loses much of ...
Gear
What I Learned After Living in Kifaru’s Supertarp for Two Weeks
When preparing to go elk hunting in Colorado this year, I knew I wanted a floorless shelter, and Kifaru International’s SuperTarp was on the top of my list. For two weeks, it would be my home. The SuperTarp is a three-season, floorless, lightweight ...
The Basics of Layering Clothing for Fall Hikes
Outdoors clothing needs to meet the conditions a hiker will face. How hot or cold is the climate? How intense is the planned activity? Is rain or snow in the forecast? What about changes in elevation? Outdoors people are often told to “dress in ...
Gear Review: The Garmin inReach Explorer+ and inReach Mini
We live in a time when near-infinite information and communication is literally at our fingertips. We can use cell phones to do everything from solving complex problems to organizing a night out with friends. So when our adventures, hobbies, or work ...
The Art and Craft of Picking the Perfect Campsite
Any hiker planning to spend a night outdoors needs to choose a good campsite. This may seem obvious to the experienced outdoorsman, but any pro knows that no one is above refreshing the basics. And let's face it, sometimes the options aren’t obvious. ...
Sandrin TCK 416 Makes a Sharp and Slim EDC Addition
Even before the millions of everyday carry (EDC) pocket dump photos started popping up on social media, knives have been a common everyday tool. Young boys receive their first knife as a rite of passage, and more women are becoming acclimated to ...
Keep Your Gun Running Smoothly with Real Avid Maintenance Tools
Be good to your firearm and it will return the favor. Whether you use firearms for self-defense or hunting, they need to be maintained. Some people enjoy keeping their guns in top shape and always make time for a good cleaning. For others, however, ...
Review: The New Zeta SL Jacket from Arc’teryx
Whether battling the rain in North Carolina or winter backpacking in Alaska, layers that are lightweight, portable, and versatile are an essential piece of gear for any outdoorsman. The new Arc’teryx Zeta SL jacket is a lightweight raincoat that ...
How Alexo Athletica is Redefining Concealed Carry Comfort and Fashion
Amy Robbins. AR. How fortunate those initials are for a woman trying to make her mark in the firearms community. Some of you may remember her from NRA-TV, where she appeared regularly on “NOIR,” a program hosted by Colion Noir. Others may be familiar ...
Don’t Let Lack of Gear Stop Your Outdoor Adventure
We started our hike at sea level, right beside Silver Bay in southeast Alaska. It was quite warm, and I was wearing a running shirt and light hiking pants. For footwear, I only had an old pair of Nikes. From the coast road we followed a game trail ...
The Quick Ascent of a World Champion Knife Thrower
The forest of mostly dead trees sits near the highway in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Syringes and broken bottles litter the landscape. On occasion, you might catch a vagrant cooking some food or a junkie getting his fix. You might also see master ...
My Favorite Hiking Boots: Lowa Renegades
Our campsite was next to a small alpine lake in the North Cascades, not far from the Canadian border. It was day five of a nine-day trek, and before making dinner I sat down on the shore and looked out over the lake. Even as I relaxed, I still had my ...
Can the Black Diamond Storm Headlamp Survive the Alaskan Outback?
The Alaskan summer sun set late in the day over the mountains. Even when it fell below the horizon, the sky was still not entirely dark; but in the boreal forest, where we had set up our camp, it was. Even as the others went to sleep, I was not ready ...
How to Extend the Life of Your Vehicle
I don't like spending money on costly vehicle repairs, and I'm sure you don't either. That's why you should tackle maintenance issues as soon as possible. Doing so will not only save you money but will extend the life of your vehicle as well. Here’s ...
