A Gift Guide for Your Favorite Trail Runner
Here are some gift ideas to help find the perfect gift for your favorite trail runner, whether they are just getting started or are long-time trail warriors.
Gift Guide for Your Favorite Camper & Hiker
If you know someone who loves the outdoors as much as I do, here are some great gift ideas that might help you support the camper and hiker in your life.
Gear Review: XOSKIN Shirts, Sleeves, & Socks
From the first time I learned about XOSKIN, I was curious to try it out. It sounded too good to be true. Apparel that mimicked skin. I’ve heard these claims before and have been disappointed. But after purchasing three different XOSKIN items, I have to say, I’m sold.
Gift Guide For Your Favorite Outdoor Enthusiast
There is little better than giving a gift that helps support someone you love to continue doing what they love. Finding the right gift can be challenging. There are so many options out there and everyone has their own preferences, especially when it comes to outdoor gear.
Gear Review: CamPark T45A Trail Cams
Have you ever wondered what wildlife wanders by your camp at night? The CamPark T45A trail cam gives a glimpse into the wildlife around you. Whether trying to capture footage of wildlife around your house or your camp, this trail cam is a great option with a not-so-hefty price tag.
Gear Review: Dutchware Cinch Strap Buckles for Hammocks
Finding the perfect suspension system for my Hennesy Hammock has been a journey. I have used everything from the standard knot setup to the beetle buckles. Nothing worked as well as I had hoped. The search continued until this year when I discovered the Dutchware cinch strap buckles.
Gear Review: HydraPak Velocity 1.5L Hydration Bladder
Have you ever been on a hike or run and discovered that your hydration pack is leaking? Having a hydration system that is reliable and durable is important. Whether you’re on a day hike or a long run, the HydraPak Velocity can fulfil all your hydration needs.
Gear Review: Warbonnet Thunderfly
I decided to upgrade my Hennessy Hammock Rainfly to something with more versatility. I wanted it to provide a covered spot outside of the hammock and better protection from weather. I was impressed with how well Steve’s Warbonnet Superfly worked and wanted something similar. This led me to the smaller version of the Superfly; the Warbonnet Thunderfly.
Gear Review: Cooking with Coleman
The Coleman Camping Stove is a basic stove that does exactly what it is supposed to. It is reliable, affordable, easy to use, and works great. It is an excellent addition to the car camper’s gear.
Gear Review: Dutchware Beetle Buckle for Hammock Suspension
A good suspension system is as important as the hammock itself. What a good system entails depends on individual preferences. For me, a good system is easy to set up, reliable, and easy to adjust. Keeping these qualities in mind, I decided to go with a cinch buckle system and use Dutchware’s Beetle Buckles for my buckles.
Gear Review: Cooking with the Jetboil
Cooking in the backcountry can be a bit of a chore after a hard day’s hike. The right tools and some good meal planning can make a big difference. We bought the original Jetboil years ago for exactly that purpose. The Specs Anodized aluminum 1-liter cooking cup Full system weight – 15.25oz Stove weight – …
Gear Review: Mission Enduracool Microfiber Towel
Hiking during hot days requires a bit of creative thinking and planning. Avoiding mid-day temperatures can help but what about those days when it can’t be avoided? We had this very problem when we did our hike through Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Our solution was the Mission Enduracool Microfiber Towel.
Gear Review: The MSR Guardian Purifier
No one wants to get sick on a camping trip, especially from bad water. Harmful water can contain viruses, bacteria, protozoans, and particulates. Having a good filtering system that helps protect you from bad water is a key component to any camping or backpacking trip. The MSR Guardian first grabbed our attention in 2016 after …
Gear Review: Pocket Bellows
Fire has 3 basic needs; fuel, heat, and oxygen. The Pocket Bellows by Epiphany Outdoor Gear directs oxygen with pinpoint accuracy, directly to where its needed. No more blowing aimlessly until you are dizzy.
Gear Review: The Ka-Bar Utensil
When looking for gear, the best options tend to be multi-purpose. It’s easy to see why the Ka-Bar Tactical Spork would seem like a great choice for utensils. A fork, spoon, and knife all in one. However, it falls short of our standards. The Specs Made from polymer plastic Weighs 0.1 lbs “Heavily” serrated life …
Gear Review: Hennessy SnakeSkins
I wasn’t looking for a new storage system when I came across Hennessy’s SnakeSkins. But after seeing them demonstrated, I wanted them. I have been using them for a full season now and am very happy with my decision to make them a part of my hammocking experience. The Specs Packed Weight: 2.3 oz Packed Size: …
Gear Review: Warbonnet Superfly
I wanted a high quality, highly versatile tarp/rainfly to compliment my Clark NX-270 hammock. After weeks of research, I settled on the Warbonnet Superfly Rainfly and have not been disappointed. The Specs of the Superfly Ridgeline Length: 11 feet Width: 10 feet Weight: 15 ounces “All Season” Tarp The Pros “Great for cold weather use or …
Gear Review: DEEQI Adjustable Tree Straps
To make it a bit easier to set up the Clark NX-270 hammock, we invested in a set of DEEQI Adjustable Tree Straps. These 12 foot polyester straps have 40 loops and can safely support up to 400lbs. These are fantastic straps. Easy to use and extremely easy to adjust. It takes some of the “guess work” …
Gear Review: Clark NX-270
How you camp is just as important as where you camp. Having a suitable shelter that fits your needs plays a major role in having a successful (and happy) trip. Back in April, I made the decision to switch from a tent to a hammock. It reduced the weight I carried, the amount of space …
Gear Review: Hennessy Hammock Explorer Ultralight Asym Zip Hammock
For months Steve and I have been talking about different ways to reduce more camping weight and started investigating hammocks vs tents. It took awhile but I finally decided to take a chance and bought the Hennessy Hammock Explorer Ultralight Asym Zip Hammock. The Specs Height Limit: 7′ Weight Limit: 250 lbs Packaged Weight: 2 …
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Camping Gear
The best way to have a successful camping trip is to make sure that you have all the right gear with you or, at the very least, enough gear to improvise what you’re missing. I’ve put together this list of possible items you’ll want to include. This is meant to be a guideline only and …