Camping Gear
Most-Purchased Amazon Camping Gear: Two Buys, Two Passes
A hands-on look at four of the most-purchased camping items on Amazon, covering a $20 cookware set, a $25 sleeping bag, a budget tent, and a daypack that arrived broken.
Independent reviews
Product Reviews and Buying Guides – 507 / 805
From everyday tech and home products to lifestyle and specialist gear, each review focuses on practical use, strengths, limitations, and who the product suits.
Backpacking Gear
Most Underrated Backpacking Gear: Six Items That Earn Their Place
Six underrated backpacking items, from a GPS watch to a lightweight knife, plus the small extras that quietly improve comfort on the trail.
Backpacking Gear
Most Useful Backpacking Gear: Five Field-Tested Picks Worth Packing
Five backpacking accessories that earned a permanent place in the pack, with the strengths and trade-offs worth knowing before you buy.
Backpacking Gear
5 Most Versatile Backpacking Gear Picks Worth the Pack Space
Five ultralight pieces that each cover more than one job, from a hammock-friendly tarp to a 2.5-ounce pocket tool and merino neck layers.
Satellite Communicators
Motorola Defy Review: A Satellite Communicator Built for Two-Way Messaging
A practical look at the Motorola Defy satellite communicator, covering connection reliability, emergency SOS support, and the trade-offs worth weighing before you buy.
Satellite Communicators
Motorola Defy Satellite Link Review: Low-Cost Backcountry Messaging and SOS
A compact satellite communicator that sends messages and SOS alerts without cellular coverage, with low device and plan costs to weigh against regional coverage.
Camping Gear
Mountain Camping Gear Field Test: Rab Latok Mountain 2, Atom Packs Mo 50 and Hilleberg Soulo
A wet-weather field test of three pieces of mountain camping gear: a single-skin eVent shelter, a 50-litre ultralight pack and a long-standing one-person tent.
Sleeping Mats
Mountain Equipment Aerostat Synthetic 7.0 Review: A Compact Winter Sleeping Mat
A practical look at the Mountain Equipment Aerostat Synthetic 7.0, a synthetic winter sleeping mat with an R-value of 4, a seven-centimetre depth, and a compact packed size.
Outdoor Clothing
Mountain Equipment Aerotherm Review: A 300g Windproof Midlayer That Stands In for a Fleece
A lightweight windproof, water-resistant midlayer with a grid fleece lining and a stowable hood, built for climbers, runners, and walkers who want one layer to do more.
Outdoor Jackets
Mountain Equipment Atmo and Tupilak: Choosing the Right Waterproof Shell
A close look at Mountain Equipment's Drilite-based Atmo and the long-standing Gore-Tex Pro Tupilak, plus how to decide which shell suits the days you actually climb.
Insulated Jackets
Mountain Equipment Flight Line Jacket Review: A 700 Fill Down Layer for Cold Days
A lightweight 700 fill power down jacket that packs into its own stuff sack, blocks wind, and handles zero to sub-zero conditions with ease.
Insulated Jackets
Mountain Equipment Oreus Review: A Lightweight Synthetic Belay Jacket
A focused look at the Mountain Equipment Oreus, a 397 g synthetic belay jacket built with in-house Aetherm insulation, and what to weigh up before buying.
Belay Jackets
Mountain Equipment Oreus vs Rab Cirrus Ultra: Choosing a Synthetic Belay Jacket
A close comparison of two synthetic belay jackets: the 390 g Mountain Equipment Oreus and the more feature-rich Rab Cirrus Ultra, plus how to choose between them.
Waterproof Jackets
Mountain Equipment Orion Review: A PFAS-Free Shell Built for Hard Winter Climbing
A burly, PFAS-free winter climbing jacket with a Dryite XT membrane, a 20,000mm hydrostatic head and a climbing-specific pocket layout.
Sleeping Bags
Mountain Equipment Xenith Range Review: Xenith 1, 2, and 3 Compared
A close look at the Mountain Equipment Xenith 1, 2, and 3 sleeping bags, covering 900 fill down, weights, temperature ratings, construction, and how to choose between the three.
Backpacking Tents
Mountain Hardwear Strato 2 Review: Two-Person Headroom Without the Weight Penalty
A two-person backpacking tent that spends a few extra ounces on genuinely usable headroom, two doors, and two vestibules.
Camping Gas Canisters
Mountain Hiker Refillable Gas Canister Review: The Smallest Pocket Gas Setup
A tiny CNC-machined refillable canister that turns a 350 ml pot into a pocket-size gas cooking kit, with honest limits on fuel capacity and boil efficiency.
Backpacking Shelters
Mountain Laurel Designs SuperLight Bivy Review: A Silnylon Cocoon for Tarp Campers
A long-term look at the Mountain Laurel Designs SuperLight Bivy in silnylon: warmth, wind and bug protection, durability after thousands of miles, and who should actually buy one.
Camping Shelters
Mountain Smith Lyan Peak Bivvy Tent Review: Space, Weatherproofing, and Real Trade-Offs
A long-term field review of the Mountain Smith Lyan Peak Bivvy Tent, covering its weather protection, interior space, condensation behaviour, packed weight, and who it actually suits.
Camping Tents
Mountainsmith Lyken One-Person Tent Review: A Stealth-Camping Bivy With Real Trade-Offs
A low-profile one-person bivy with a big door, generous length, and a full accessory kit, plus the ventilation and weight questions to weigh before buying.
Camping Tents
Mountainsmith Morrison II Review: A Spacious Two-Person Tent Built for Car Camping
A detailed look at the Mountainsmith Morrison II, a best-selling two-person three-season tent that trades low weight for interior space, pockets, and a friendly price.
Backpacking Tents
MSR FreeLite 2 Review: A Lightweight Two-Person Tent With Real Trade-Offs
A close look at the MSR FreeLite 2, a lightweight two-person backpacking tent with a compact pack, twin vestibules, and a pitching routine that rewards patience.
Backpacking Tents
MSR Hubba Hubba LT, HD, and NX: Which Backpacking Tent Suits Your Trips?
A practical look at the redesigned MSR Hubba Hubba range, how the lighter LT and the heavier duty HD differ, and where the outgoing NX still fits.
Camping Tents
MSR Hubba Hubba LT vs HD: Which Ultralight Backpacking Tent Fits Your Trip?
A practical comparison of the two updated MSR Hubba Hubba models, covering shared features, weight, interior space, and how to choose between the LT and the HD.
Backpacking Tents
MSR Hubba Hubba LT1 Review: A Freestanding One-Person Tent With a Premium Price
A detailed look at the 2025 MSR Hubba Hubba LT1, covering its freestanding design, interior space, weather protection, and the price question buyers should weigh first.
Backpacking Tents
MSR Hubba Hubba Review: A Two-Person Backpacking Tent That Still Earns Its Reputation
A field-tested look at the MSR Hubba Hubba, covering its freestanding pole design, liveable 50-inch floor, packed weight, sleeping warmth, and the trade-offs to weigh before spending $550.
Backpacking Tents
MSR Hubba NX Review: A Freestanding Three-Season Tent for Solo Backpacking
A practical look at the MSR Hubba NX, covering pitching, ventilation, living space and the trade-offs worth knowing before you buy.
Camping Stove Accessories
MSR LowDown Stove Adapter Review: A Lower, More Stable Canister Stove Setup
A compact adapter that lowers a canister stove, widens its footprint, and moves flame control away from the burner.
Camping Stoves
MSR Switch Review: A Flexible Canister Stove With Unfinished Details
A close look at MSR's newest canister stove, from its fold-out pot supports and fast boil times to the build quality and capacity questions worth knowing before you buy.
Camping Tents
MSR Tindheim 2 Review: MSR's First Tunnel Tent Examined
A close look at the MSR Tindheim 2, the brand's first tunnel tent: all-in-one pitching, an included footprint, a huge interior, and the trade-offs to weigh up.