I have spent the last three months testing pop up canopies at farmers markets, beach days, and backyard birthday parties, and I can tell you the difference between a great one and a frustrating one is night and day. The best pop up canopies set up in under two minutes, block real UV, and survive … Read more
Sleeping on rocks and roots gets old fast. After one too many nights rolling onto an acorn, I went on a mission to find the best camping cots that actually keep you comfortable off the ground. Our team tested six popular cots across tent camping, car trips, backyard overnights, and even indoor guest use. We … Read more
Waking up at a campsite to a hot, properly brewed cup of coffee changes the entire morning. I have spent the past three summers testing camp coffee makers across the Rockies, the Appalachians, and the Sierra Nevada, from ultralight backpacking trips to car camping with a full crew. The best camping coffee makers on this … Read more
Last summer, I rolled into a dispersed campsite in the Mojave with a cheap collapsible water jug that had failed me on my last trip. By midnight, my sleeping bag was damp and my reserve water was half gone. We learned that day that the best camping water containers aren’t just about capacity; they’re about … Read more
I still remember my first backpacking trip. I packed a saucepan from my kitchen, two plastic bowls, and a plastic spork from a takeout container. By mile 6, my “kit” was rattling inside my pack like a bag of hardware, and the plastic spork had snapped clean in half while stirring instant oatmeal. That disaster … Read more
I have spent more nights in grizzly country than I can count, and if there is one piece of gear I never compromise on, it is food storage. The right bear canister keeps your food safe, keeps you compliant with park regulations, and most importantly, keeps bears alive by preventing them from associating humans with … Read more
When you are three days into a backcountry trip and your knife is the only tool standing between you and a cold night without shelter, the quality of that blade matters more than anything else in your pack. I have spent years testing survival knives in conditions ranging from wet Pacific Northwest forests to dry … Read more
Two years ago I lost my favorite pocket knife on a hike in Colorado. By the time I got back to the trailhead, I had already missed three opportunities to fix things around the house that week. That little wake-up call pushed our team to spend the last 18 months testing the best multi tools … Read more
Finding the best hunting backpacks can make or break a hunt. I have spent seasons hauling gear up ridgelines, sitting in treestands for hours, and packing out elk meat on my back. The right pack keeps you comfortable, organized, and ready when the moment matters. After testing dozens of packs across different hunt types, our … Read more
I have spent the better part of three years testing laser rangefinders on golf courses, in the backcountry of Colorado, and at my local archery range. What I learned is that the best rangefinders are not one-size-fits-all. The device that locks onto a flagstick at 250 yards might struggle to range an elk at 800 … Read more