Overall Winner “Best Backpacking Cot” YAHILL Ultralight Folding Camping Cot It is just as surprising to us that the YAHILL backpacking cot earned the top spot on our list, but it is hard to deny the value this model brings to the table– especially for extended hikes. Not only is this one of the lightest … Read more
GSI Outdoors Bugaboo Frypan Best Backpacking Fry Pan It was a tough decision because there are so many fantastic backpacking frying pans, but we chose the GSI Bugaboo as the best overall because this product has a lot to offer backpackers. For starters, it comes in four different sizes. None of the other frying pans … Read more
Overall Best Backpacking Towel – REI MultiTowel Lite While all six of these are great options for outdoor lovers of all kinds, and each has its own great uses, we believe the most versatile option on this list to be the REI MultiTowel Lite. Its lightweight material and great absorbency make it the perfect choice … Read more
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
Purposes Of A Tent Fan At their core, tent fans create airflow in a camping tent, awning, or enclosed area to help promote cooling. This is the bare minimum requirement for adequate fans for camping. However, ideally camping fans do more than just cool you off. It can act as an emergency light and a … Read more
Why Use A Hatchback Tent? The main benefit of using a tent attached to your vehicle is the safety and protection it offers. In case of dangerous weather or animals, you can retreat to your vehicle for protection. Additionally, minivan camping tents allow you to adapt the cargo space of your vehicle for additional sleeping … Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Pitching your tent on awkward terrain (hard ground, snow, sand) can be difficult if you don’t have the best tent stakes for the job – check out which brands do which best….
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.
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.
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
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
8 Tips for Hammock Camping with Dogs Preparation Starts at Home One of the first things you wanna do is take a trial test at home as this will be an excellent opportunity to know if sharing a hammock with your dog is a great idea or doomed to failure. Getting to the campsite to … Read more
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
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
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
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
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 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
Learn how to keep yourself and your hammock pitch dry on any trip in our tutorial, featuring a selection of easy-to-do, practical, and functional hammock rain tarp configurations.
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 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
Taking good care of your hammock means give it the occasional clean – we take you how to wash a hammock 3 different ways.
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
Making the switch from regular to hammock camping can be a dawdle with our handy guide of do’s and don’ts…
Hanging a hammock is pretty straightforward when you’ve got two trees on hand – but what about when you don’t? We demonstrate multiple solutions for on the trail or at home.
In this tutorial, we teach you how to use hammock straps of varying types to hang your hammock in different ways and different situations.
Hanging a hammock can be a relatively straightforward process with the right gear, tools & know-how – make sure you possess all of the above with our guide.
Preventing water seep through your tent’s seams couldn’t be simpler with our pick for the Best Tent Seam Sealer – See who came out on top.
Photo by Wendy Berry / CC BY 2.0 Best Camping Hammock with Mosquito Net ENO JungleNest Hammock If you want to guarantee yourself a good night’s sleep while also ditching the bugs, we’ve picked out the ideal hammock for you! The best hammock for a mosquito-free night in our opinion is the JungleNest Hammock from … Read more
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
Photo by chas B / CC BY 2.0 Our Favorite Hammock Explorer Deluxe XL Series The Hennessy Hammock Explorer Deluxe Zip XL is our best overall winner for a couple of reasons, but one of the main ones comes down to its size. The hammock fabric stretches out to 130” x 59” and is the … Read more
Best Beach Hammock Legit Camping – Double Hammock The Legit’s hammock sits at or near the top of our list in so many different categories, the fact that you need to figure out how to support it is a mild inconvenience at best. Once you do, you will be treated to the largest unfolded surface … Read more
Best Double Camping Cot Ivation EZ Bed The Ivation EZ Bed double camping cot meets or exceeds most of the critical factors when choosing this kind of product. Easily one of the best qualities of this camping double cot is the included air mattress, which is exceptionally comfortable thanks to the inclusion of 48 inner … Read more
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 Sleeping Bag for Tall Man TETON Sports Celsius XXL Sleeping Bag The TETON Sports Celsius XXL sleeping bag is our overall winner offering a great mix of features at a low price. A great example of this is the SuperLoft Elite Hollow Fiber insulation, which provides the second-lowest lower limit reviewed at a frigid … Read more
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
Many camping tents weren’t made with tall folk in mind, so we’ve pulled together our list of the best tents for tall people so you’ll never have to stoop again.
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
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
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
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 Socks for Cozy Winter Adventures Best Heated Socks LENZ Heat Socks Choosing the right heated socks depends on how you plan on using them as well as your budget. However, for comfort, functionality, and convenience LENZ Heat Socks are the objectively superior heated socks currently on the market. LENZ Heat Socks are a … Read more
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
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
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
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
All-Around Best Sleeping Bag for Hammock Camping Outdoor Vitals Aerie In the debate between sleeping bags and top quilts, the Aerie manages to split the difference and incorporates the best of both designs. It has the shoulder room and can be tightly compacted like a quilt but can also be deployed as a sleeping bag … Read more
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
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
Whether you’re an avid backpacker, enjoy hammock camping, or a back yard hammock enthusiast, it’s essential to know the differences in hammocks that make one a better choice over the other. We’re conducting a full comparison of the Grand Trunk Double vs. the Eno Doublenest to determine which is the superior product. Are you looking … Read more
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
Photo by Alex Ford / CC BY 2.0 Overall Winner: Best Wheeled Cooler Igloo Glide Pro 110 Out of all the options on our list, none of them can compare to the all-around performance of the Igloo Glide Pro 110. This claim is not to suggest that this wheeled cooler has the best specs across … Read more
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
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
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
Our Pick – Best 8 Person Tent NTK Laredo GT 8 to 9-Person Tent During our research, we came across some great tents, but the Laredo GT Tent was the obvious best choice out of them all. It’s sturdy but lightweight at only 23.5 pounds and is a champ at keeping you and your group … Read more
The ENO Singlenest is one of the best-known models of hammocks in the outdoors world. The company, started in 1999, has built a reputation for producing lightweight, hard-wearing and comfortable hammocks that are as much at home in the forests of the Appalachian Trail, as they are in your backyard at home. Weighing in at … Read more
Overall Winner: Best Sleeping Pad for Hammock Klymit Hammock V Sleeping Pad If you want a hammock sleeping pad that provides comfort from every perspective, the Klymit Hammock V is an excellent option as it is large and warm. In terms of its size, this is the widest sleeping pad on our list at 47” … Read more
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
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
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
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
Best Camping Tableware Set Barbeqa Camping Dinner Set While on the surface, the Barbeqa might not seem like the obvious option for all camping situations, it can be pared down to almost whatever type of camping you want to do. However, the main reason that it earns our Overall Winner spot is that it has … Read more
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
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
Exposed hands & cold weather can make for a miserable trek. Check out our recommendations for the best hiking gloves on the market to keep you covered.
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.
Best Camping Knife – Editors Choice Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife Much like the eponymous survivalist himself, the Gerber Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife is excellent in a pinch and accomplishes so much with seemingly so little. This is one of the few camping knives few came across that includes both a fire starter rod as … Read more
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 ……….
Buyers Guide to Choosing the Best Sleeping Bag for You Most Scouts have at least one sleeping bag stored in their closet. Unfortunately, some of these old sleeping bags are bulky, heavy, made of cotton, and do not provide much insulation for cold high-altitude sleeping. Heavy cotton bags are completely unsuitable for backpacking and should … Read more
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
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
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 External Frame Backpack for Hiking & Hunting Kelty Trekker 65L Best External Frame Backpack The Kelty Trekker 65 does so many things well it is difficult to pick just one thing, but the massive 3950 cu in of volume capacity stands out which when combined with the maximum weight capacity of 55 lbs, means … Read more
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
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.)
How To Stay Safe: The Ultimate Guide To Hiking Safety The number of things that can go wrong during a hike or backpacking trip runs into the hundreds. This doesn’t mean, however, that we should be nervous or reluctant to head out into the great outdoors—it just means we should be prepared to deal with … Read more
Backpacking doesn’t necessarily mean skimping on luxury. We’ve reviewed 6 of the best backpacking chairs to help you put your feet up at the end of a hard day.
When it comes to chow time, a messkit goes a long way to simplifying mealtimes. Check out our reviews of the best backpacking mess kits on the market.
Narrowing down your selection from the best backpacking axe and hatchets doesn’t have to be difficult with our in-depth reviews and comparisons.
Looking for the best backpacking saw? We give the rundown on what to consider when purchasing a backpacking saw & let you in on six of our favorites.
In conjunction or instead of a rain jacket, taking a Backpacking Rain Poncho out in wet weather is a good idea. Find out the Best Hiking Poncho in our guide.
Choosing the Best Backpacking Fishing Pole can be tricky as you balance weight & performance. We rank several contenders in our in-depth review
