Best Hammock Tarp for a Dry Night’s Sleep

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Photo by Oisin Patenall / CC BY-SA 2.0 Further reading: Bought a hammock for camping trips & need a little advice? Considerations When Buying A Hammock Tarp Best Tarp Size To keep you warm and dry a good size tarp for hammock camping must firstly cover your whole hammock. In general, a tarp should overhang by at … Read more

Best Hammock Bug Net For A Bug-Free Nights Sleep

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Choosing The Right Hammock Mosquito Net Materials Mesh Protection Arguably the most important part of the product is the level of bug protection you can derive from the mesh material. To get adequate protection from mosquitoes and other biting insects whilst hammock camping a typical standard for most bug netting is a denier 75D material. … Read more

Best Hiking Leggings For Sweat Free Hiking Adventures

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Hiking Pants Vs. Hiking Leggings While they seem similar on the surface, hiking pants and hiking leggings tend to serve different purposes. While you can use both as a single layer for specific situations, there are notable differences between the two. Hiking Pants: Better used as a mid or top layer More durable Insulates against … Read more

Best Hammock Straps For A Secure Night’s Sleep

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How To Choose Hammock Straps Why Do You Need Straps? We often get asked whether hammock straps are essential. Ultimately, they keep you suspended whilst maintaining the integrity of your support trees. The leave-no-trace quality of these technical systems makes them a far better choice than a cord or rope. Since they do not require … Read more

How to Adjust for Magnetic Declination

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What is Magnetic Declination? Technically speaking, the earth has two Norths: the magnetic north and true north. The true north, also known as the Geographic North, is the northern end of the axis in which the earth rotates. It is also the basis of your map’s orientation and the point where all the latitude lines meet. On the … Read more

How to Take a Compass Bearing

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Knowing how to take compass bearings is one of the most vital skills every backcountry adventurer should learn. Doing so allows you to establish your whereabouts, plot a course, and navigate with accuracy in any terrain. We all know that compasses display the four cardinal directions: north, south, west, and east. But using such vague indicators to … Read more

How to Read a Map

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If there’s one must-have skill every hiker and camper should learn, it’s how to read a map. Arming yourself with this knowledge not only reduces the risk of getting lost, but also makes navigating from A to B much safer, stress-free… …and much less likely to land you at point Z somewhere between the two! … Read more

How to Use a Compass without a Map

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Navigating without a map is a real pain. A pain that many of us—the author included—have endured at some point in our hiking careers.   If you suffered a similar lapse of memory or thoroughness when packing for your hike, would you be able to navigate to safety? If the answer is “no”, never fear—we’re here … Read more

Best Hiking Hats for Outdoor Adventurers

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Our Winner: Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Function over fashion––that’s what the outdoors is really about. And the Sunday Afternoon Ultra Adventure embodies this principle better than any other hat we know.  While the styling may be a little too retro for a few fashion-conscious outdoorspersons, this hat offers the kinda performance that will quickly make … Read more

Best Canvas Tent For Camping & Hunting in 2024

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The Benefits of Canvas Tents PROS Breathability – While not always as breathable as certain synthetic fibers, cotton is inherently breathable yet has additional benefits. Quiet – One area where canvas outshines almost every synthetic material is in how quiet it is – no annoying crinkling and rustling! Insulation – Other than for a couple … Read more

Best Survival Tent For Prepping & Emergencies

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Types Of Survival Shelters & Tents Bivy Bivy sacks are some of the most durable and stable emergency shelters around, though they are only meant for temporary use. That said, there is no denying that a bivy sack’s enclosed space makes it far more comfortable when dealing with insects. On the other hand, bivy sacks … Read more

True North vs. Magnetic North vs. Grid North

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The Three Different Norths If you’ve never explored the world of maps and the technical jargon that comes with the territory, you could be forgiven for being a little bit confused. “How can there be three different norths? Isn’t north just north?” You might ask. The short answer to this question is no. There are … Read more

How to Triangulate Your Position with Accuracy

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How to Triangulate Your Position Triangulating your position is relatively easy. It mainly requires a good pair of eyes, a reliable map, a trusty compass, and basic arithmetic. Once you master it, you’ll never even want to use a GPS again. Step 1: Prepare your Map and Compass The first step is to prepare the … Read more

How to Use a Watch as a Compass

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If you’re in the northern hemisphere, hold your wristwatch horizontally and point the hour hand directly towards the sun. The middle point between the hour hand and the twelve o’clock marker is true south. If you’re in the southern hemisphere, hold the twelve o’clock marker towards the sun instead. True north should be at the midpoint between the twelve o’clock marker and the hour hand.

How to Make a Compass

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To make a compass, you must first magnetize a needle by rubbing its endpoint with a magnet about fifty to a hundred times. Next, flip the magnet over and use the opposite side to magnetize the other end of the needle. Finally, push the needle into a piece of cork or cardboard, place it on water, and observe as your makeshift compass aligns itself with the Earth’s magnetic field.

How Does a Compass Work?

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The Origins of the Compass The first magnetic compasses were invented by the Chinese during the Han Dynasty or Tang Dynasty and were used for divination. One of the first forms of compasses came in the shape of spoons or ladles that were magnetized using lodestone, a type of naturally occurring magnet, and pointed south … Read more

How to Use a Map & Compass

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Compass Basics Let’s start with a little bit of trivia… Did you know that the compass is one of the “Four Great Inventions” of Ancient China? Early compasses from Ancient China were made using “lodestone”, a natural magnet that aligns itself with the Earth’s magnetic field. It was originally used as a device for divination, … Read more

Fox Outfitters Hammock Review

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Review of the Fox Outfitters Neolite Hammock  The humble hammock has undergone something of a renaissance in the world of modern camping. Camping hammocks are a lightweight, low foot-print equipment that bridges the gap between sleeping under the stars and the discomfort of hard woodland floors. Fox Outfitters’ latest entry into the camping marketplace is … Read more

How to Tell Direction Without a Compass

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Losing your way while hiking in unfamiliar terrain is no joke. And yet, every year, it’s something that happens to thousands of hikers while out on their wanders in the wilderness and even in more established hiking areas.  One of the main factors contributing to this figure is a lack of navigational equipment. Compasses get … Read more

Bearing vs Heading vs Azimuth vs Course

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What Do They Mean? As mentioned above, the terms azimuth, bearing, heading, and course are often—and incorrectly—used interchangeably. Below, we’ve included a short definition of each term that should highlight their differences.  Azimuth The word azimuth originated from the Arabic word “as-sumut”, the plural of “as-samt”, which was used to refer to “the way” or … Read more

How to Orient a Map

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Two Methods of Orienting a Map Map reading is a foundational skill of land navigation that allows you to use what you see on the map in front of you to navigate in the actual terrain in which you’re hiking. However, before you can do that correctly, you first need to learn how to orient … Read more

Ultimate Guide to Hammock Knots

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The Different Types of Knots for Hanging a Hammock While tree straps make it easy to hang a hammock, the more you hammock camp, the more often you’ll run into situations where you’ll need to make adjustments to your hammock’s setup. Knowing a range of knots can hanging a hammock in odd situations (like hanging … Read more

Best Air Lounger for Chilling In Style

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Best Air Lounger  Chillbo Shwaggins Inflatable Couch  The Chillbo Shwaggins Inflatable Couch is the premier product on our list with some of the best all-around specs to justify its cost. For example, this inflatable lounger may not, strictly speaking, be the largest entry on our list, but at 7’ x 3’ x 2’, it is … Read more

Best Hydro Flask Alternative for Hydration on the Move

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Best Hydro Flask Alternative Klean Kanteen Classic 32oz Water Bottle The Klean Kanteen Classic water bottle does numerous things exceptionally well, but few meet the level of performance as its thermal insulation. While no specifics regarding its construction are given, this stainless steel water bottle offers superior thermal insulation than even the Hydro Flask. For … Read more

Best Portable Folding Hammock for On the Move Relaxation

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Photo by Dan4th Nicholas / CC BY 2.0 Best Portable Folding Hammock Bliss Hammocks Portable Hammock with Stand The Bliss Hammocks Q-806BJR Stow EZ Portable Hammock takes the award for the overall best portable folding hammock. Its combination of comfort, options, and easy transport won out over several strong competitors. This model offers superior comfort. … Read more

Best Portable Hammock Stand for Easy Lounging

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Best Portable Hammock Stand Kammok Swiftlet Hammock Stand The Kammok Swiftlet Hammock Stand does not top our list in any one category but consistently gets good marks pretty much across the board and offers features that the competition cannot match. By far, one of the best reasons to get this portable hammock stand comes down … Read more

Best Tent Poles for Repairs & Upgrades

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Best Tent Poles Green Elephant Telescoping Tent Poles  The Green Elephant Telescoping Tent Poles outperform the other entries on our list in many categories, with the most important being able to support up to 35 pounds per pole. A big part of this structural integrity comes from the use of anodized aluminum, which is not … Read more

Best Shower Tent & Privacy Shelters

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Best Shower Tent Ozark Trail Instant 2-Room Shower Tent The Ozark Trail Instant 2-Room Shower Tent comes out on top as the best shower tent in our review thanks to its great balance between features, ease of use, and size. Where this portable shower tent really stands out is its two-room design and the solar-heated shower … Read more

ENO Housefly Review

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Photo by Gronkca / CC BY 2.0 Eagle Nest Outfitters Housefly Overview If you’re a hammock enthusiast, you know the joy of sleeping beneath the stars and taking in the full view of mother nature and the vastness of the night sky. This is one of the most significant benefits of hammocking, but foul weather … Read more

Bear Butt hammock Review

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Overview of the Bear Butt Double Parachute Camping Hammock The Bear Butt hammock is packed with features and benefits for you as serious outdoorsmen and women who demand durability and dependability in a portable and lightweight hammock that can hold 2 people and hold their weight comfortably.  It’s ideal for couples or singles, backpackers, campers, … Read more

Best Teepee Tent for Camping [2024 Review]

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Overall Winner “Best Teepee Tent” Winteral Teepee Tent It wasn’t easy, but we’re taking a stand and choosing the Winterial six-seven person Teepee as the best teepee for tent camping. With its weather-resistant rainfly, generous 8-foot interior height, and ample ventilation, we knew it had a place on our leader stage. However, the shelter’s 144 … Read more

Best Heated Gloves for Winter Adventuring

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OVERALL WINNER – “The Best Heated Gloves” Seirus Heattouch Inferno Curating a list of the best heating gloves is quite the task, but picking the overall best pair was easy. The Seirus Heattouch Inferno stood out well above the rest with its precise stitching, excellent craftsmanship, and the use of high-quality materials. The Heattouch gloves … Read more

Best Hammock for Big Guys [2024 Review]

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Overall Winner: Best Hammock for Big Guys Eagles Nest Outfitters DoubleNest Our choice for the best overall hammock for big guys is the ENO DoubleNest Hammock. Eagles Nest Outfitters is a leader in the lightweight hammock industry, and they hit the mark with this durable heavy duty camping hammock that is rated for a weight … Read more

Best Wool Blankets for Camping “Hygge”

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Overall Winner “Best Wool Blanket for Camping” Woolrich Cavalry Blanket The Woolrich Cavalry blanket may seem a bit unassuming at first glance, but it pairs some of the best specs that we encountered together in a way that elevates it above all but the most expensive options. That last part is important, too, as this … Read more

Best Tent for Hot Weather & Tropical Climates

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Overall Winner “Best Tent for Hot Weather” REI Co-op Kingdom 6 Tent The REI Co-op Kingdom 6 tent tops our list thanks primarily to its unique design that provides many benefits beyond the obvious. The use of a tunnel-like structure creates a wind channel of sorts that facilitates the natural flow of air ventilation to … Read more

Serac Hammock Review

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Serac Classic Hammock Overview If you’re looking for the best, Serac Hammocks come in at the top of the line in the category of affordable yet dependable day hammocks. The Serac Hammock delivers on its promise to provide you with a fast and comfortable sleeping space that goes up quickly and easily.  It comes with … Read more

Equip Hammock Review: Chillaxing In Style

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The Equip Portable Hammock is ideal for travelers, campers, and hikers who are looking for a fast, affordable, and comfortable place to nap and relax whenever the occasion calls for it. This is a single person hammock that is easy to set up and to take down and pack away for another day of traveling.  … Read more

ENO Solopod Hammock Stand Review

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There are times when it’s not possible to find two trees or posts that are perfectly spaced to suspend your hammock. This has been an ongoing problem for most of us hammock enthusiasts. It’s frustrating when you have to make do with a less than ideal situation.  The ENO SoloPod Hammock Stand eliminates the problem … Read more

Best Hammock Underquilt for Winter Camping

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Photo by Gronkca / CC BY 2.0 Overall Winner Best Hammock Underquilt ENO Vulcan Hammock Underquilt To make sure you do not have to worry about the cold, the ENO Vulcan hammock underquilt stuffs the product with PrimaLoft Synergy fill that is good down to 30-degrees. This hammock underquilt can take a beating thanks to … Read more

ENO Doublenest Hammock Review

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Overview of the ENO Doublenest Hammock Review Backpackers understand the problem of fitting everything into a pack for a trip that runs past more than a couple of days. As a result, hammock camping has become increasingly popular amongst backpackers due to the small packed size and lower weight of a hammock versus a tent. … Read more

Best 5 Person Tent of 2024 Reviewed

Overall Winner ALPS Mountaineering Meramac 5-Person Tent The ALPS Mountaineering Meramac 5 person tent checks pretty much every box that the overwhelming majority of people have for this class of tent. By far, one of its most impressive qualities is the waterproofing, which comes with the highest hydrostatic rating on our list at 1500 mm. … Read more

Best 12 Person Tent for Group Camping

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Overall Winner: Best 12 Person Tent NTK Super Arizona GT 12 Person Tent The NTK Super Arizona GT tops our list thanks to a combination of excellent waterproofing and solid materials. That said, we feel the waterproofing is the most important thing to look at, and this 12 person tent tops our list with a … Read more

Best 10 Person Tent for Family Camping

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OVERALL WINNER: Best 10 Person Tent Columbia Mammoth Creek 10-Person Cabin Tent This large family tent truly has it all. Style, quality, functionality, and practicality are all qualities of the Columbia Mammoth 10-Person Large Family Cabin Tent. The crisp blue on white makes this tent stand out among a sea of earth-tone tents. The quality … Read more

Chillax Hammock Review

The Chillax Double Travel Hammock Reviewed The Chillax Travel Hammock stands out because it’s made from lightweight, breathable parachute silk that is also water-resistant. This is a great product to take with you camping as the material is showerproof and will help keep you cool in warm climates.  It comes with an integrated suspension system … Read more

Best Camping Utensils for Backcountry Eats

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OVERALL WINNER: Best Camping Utensils Esbit Ultra-Lightweight Titanium 3-Piece Cutlery Set The Esbit titanium utensils earned the title of best overall because it has all the qualities you need in a camping utensil. Because this set is made of titanium, it’s very lightweight, much harder than other types of camping utensils, and the knife is … Read more

Best Hiking Underwear of 2024

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Overall Winner – Best Hiking Underwear Icebreaker Anatomica Merino Wool Briefs We believe that the Icebreaker Merino Men’s Anatomica boxer briefs are the best hiking underwear on the market because they offer incredibly long-lasting support and protection. Unlike other performance underwear options, these stretchy merino wool skivvies fit seamlessly under multiple layers of outerwear. Their … Read more

Best Collapsible Water Container for Camping

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The Best Collapsible Water Container Gowithwind Collapsible Water Container When you’re considering a plastic water cube, you want one that is durable, safe, and leak-proof. You get all three of these qualities in the Gowithwind Collapsible water cube. Best of all, it won’t break your wallet. Add convenience to the lineup of qualities, and it’s … Read more

Are Down Bags Really So Dangerous?

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Down sleeping bags have a lot of advantages over synthetic bags. Down is lighter and provides more insulation. Unfortunately, down loses its insulating value when it gets wet. So most units discourage Scouts from using down products. However, a recent breakthrough in how duck down is processed will make down sleeping bags a lot more acceptable to Scout leaders. And families are going to want to buy them for high adventure outings.

Lightning Safety: Debunking The Myths

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There are lots of myths and misconceptions about lightning strikes on outings. However, one thing to remember is that there is no safe place for Scouts during an electrical storm. Scouts and leaders have been hit by lightening (and killed) in shelters as well as open spaces. In fact, during one especially terrible storm at the Griswold Scout Reservation in New Hampshire, 23 Scouts who had taken shelter under a canopy were hospitalized from a lightning strike that hit close to them. The problem is serious enough that BSA has studied it ……….

Best Wood Burning Camp Stove For Minimalist Campers

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The Best Wood Burning Camp Stove Lixada Camping Stove When you have a simplistic product that provides one of the best performances without all the extra gimmicky features, you know it’s a top-quality choice. The Lixada Camping Stove combines practicality with tradition, and elevates it with the highest quality craftsmanship and material to produce a … Read more

Best Camping Cookware for Outdoor Adventures

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Winterial Camping Cookware and Pot Set Best Camping Cookware The Winterial camping cookware set checks off so many boxes for such a wide variety of different camping situations that it is difficult to see any other option taking this spot. For one, this camping cookware comes with ten different pieces, but it even includes dishware … Read more

Best 6 Person Tent for Group Camping

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Mountainsmith Cottonwood 6 Person Best 6 Person Tent The Mountainsmith Cottonwood shares plenty of the top traits with a couple of its competitors, but one area where it shines all on its own is in the stability department. This is because the Mountainsmith Cottonwood is the only tent that we reviewed, which uses 7000-series aluminum … Read more

Best Windproof Lighter for Hiking & Camping 2024

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Best Windproof Lighter for Hiking & Camping Zippo Chrome Lighters Best Windproof Lighter Zippo is a well-known American lighter company, and its common knowledge that their lighters are amazing. As the original manufacturer of windproof lighters, they’re expected to be the best, and they excel at this task. They give a lifetime guarantee on their … Read more

Tick Bite Danger

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One hot afternoon, a new Scout on his first outing ran through the campsite screaming loudly and holding his crotch. Despite the commotion, the other boys barely noticed because they were occupied trying to start a fire with a magnifying glass. After a few seconds, however, I realized what was wrong and said to the closest adult leader, “Better go and get the first aid kit, we need to remove a tick.” It took us more time to chase the boy down and get him to cooperate than it took to pull the tick out. (Please forward this email to your Scouting friends.)