Sleeping on the ground is for people who have never tried camping in the back of their truck. I have spent the last three camping seasons testing truck bed tents on everything from weekend fishing trips in the Ozarks to multi-day overlanding runs through Colorado’s high desert. After logging over 40 nights across 8 different … Read more
I’ve spent more than 40 nights testing camping cots over the past two seasons, from weekend car camping trips in the Sierras to a 5-day family outing at Joshua Tree. After rolling out, sleeping on, and breaking down seven of the most popular folding cots on the market, I can tell you with confidence: the … Read more
Finding the best sleeping bags can make or break your camping trip. Whether you are car camping with the family or pushing miles on a backpacking route, the right bag keeps you warm, comfortable, and rested for the next day’s adventure. Our team has spent months comparing insulation types, temperature ratings, pack sizes, and real-world … Read more
I have spent the last decade carrying gear up mountains, across deserts, and along 2,000-mile trails. My team has logged over 800 combined nights under tarps and tents, and we have broken enough hipbelt buckles to know what works. When readers ask which backpacking backpack they should trust with their next trip, I take it … Read more
Finding the best hiking backpacks can feel overwhelming when you are staring at dozens of models claiming to be the one pack you need. I have spent the last several months researching, comparing, and tracking down real user feedback on hiking packs from Osprey, Gregory, Deuter, Kelty, The North Face, and more. Our team compared … Read more
Choosing the best camp stoves for your next outdoor adventure can feel overwhelming. With hundreds of options ranging from ultralight backpacking burners to heavy-duty two-burner cooktops, picking the right one depends on how you actually cook outside. Our team spent six weeks testing 8 popular camp stoves across three different use cases. We boiled water … Read more
I’ve been testing camping cookware with my family for over a decade, hauling everything from ultralight titanium pots on backcountry trips to full kitchen kits on weekend car-camping trips with the kids. After our most recent three-month testing period – logging 23 overnight trips across four states – I put together this honest guide to … Read more
I’ve spent the last three months testing eight of the best portable power stations on the market, running everything from CPAP machines during a simulated blackout to powering a full weekend of camping gear for my family of five. After over 200 hours of real-world use, I’ve found that the right power station depends entirely … Read more
I have spent the last decade hiking trails from the Sierra Nevada to the Winds, and the one piece of gear that decides whether dinner is hot or cold at 9,000 feet is always the stove. After testing more than 30 trail stoves over the years, I have watched the category shrink, lighten, and get … Read more
I never thought I’d care about solar panels until our family got caught in a three-day power outage during a spring storm. With two kids who needed tablets for school, a refrigerator full of milk, and phones that kept dying, I learned fast that portable solar panels are no longer just for hardcore backpackers. They’re … Read more