Camping Gear
Rain-Tested Camping Shelters and All-Terrain Tires: What Held Up
Two tents and a bivy left out in more than three hours of heavy rain, plus notes on the all-terrain tire set that handles pavement, trail, wet roads and snow.
Independent reviews
Product Reviews and Buying Guides – 541 / 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
REI Backpacking Gear Worth Buying: Six Pieces Compared
A practical look at six REI-branded backpacking pieces, from the standout Helix sleeping pad to the Trail Hut 2 tent and Air Rail pad that are easy to skip.
Backpacking Gear
REI Co-op Trailmade Budget Backpacking Gear: What Is Worth Buying
A piece-by-piece look at the REI Co-op Trailmade collection, covering the sleeping bag, self-inflating pad, two-person tent, 60L pack, and the budget clothing that goes with them.
Outdoor Jackets
Revolution Race Cyclone Version 2 Jacket Review: A Feature-Rich Three-Layer Softshell
A practical look at the Revolution Race Cyclone Version 2, a 680 g three-layer softshell with taped seams, pit zips, a helmet-compatible hood and a Recco reflector.
Outdoor Gear
Rock Shoes, Walking Boots and Insulated Jackets Worth a Look Right Now
A practical roundup of winter walking boots, climbing shoes and insulated jackets, including several end-of-line models at reduced pricing.
Approach Shoes
Salewa Wildfire NXT Gore-Tex Review: A Lighter Approach Shoe for Trail, Scramble, and Crag
A closer look at the Salewa Wildfire NXT Gore-Tex, a lighter and more cushioned approach shoe built for trail walking, scrambling, and the walk to the crag.
Hiking Boots
Salomon Element Gore-Tex Hiking Boots Review: A Lighter Backpacking Boot That Keeps Its Support
A full-height Gore-Tex backpacking boot that trims around 100 grams from the Salomon Quest formula without losing grip, stability, or out-of-the-box comfort.
Outdoor Gear
Salomon Quest 4D 3 and Mountain Equipment Lightline: Two Premium Pieces Worth the Money
A closer look at two premium outdoor pieces, the Salomon Quest 4D 3 walking boot and the Mountain Equipment Lightline down jacket, plus the value alternatives that sit alongside them.
Trail Footwear
Salomon X Ultra 360 Review: A Waterproof Trail Shoe for Real-World Walking
A waterproof trail shoe that blends boot-like stability with everyday comfort, tested over hundreds of kilometres of tracks, trails, and mixed terrain.
Hiking Footwear
Salomon X Ultra 5 and X Ultra 360: Supportive Hiking Shoes for Longer Days
Trail runners are light, breathable and comfortable, but they give up ankle protection. Here is how the Salomon X Ultra 5 and X Ultra 360 fit into a more balanced footwear choice.
Backpacking Water Filters
Sawyer Squeeze vs Platypus QuickDraw: Which Backpacking Water Filter to Trust
A practical comparison of two squeeze-style backpacking water filters, covering field reliability, flow, storage care, and warranty support before you buy.
Down Jackets
Simond Mountaineering Down Jacket Review: 800 Fill Power for Under £100
A £99 mountaineering down jacket with 800 fill power RDS certified down and a genuinely compact packed size. Here is how it performs and who it suits.
Backpacking Tents
Simond MT900 UL Review: A Two-Person Backpacking Tent With an Anti-Condensation Fabric
A close look at the Simond MT900 UL, a 1,550 g two-person backpacking tent with an anti-condensation single-wall fabric, a 5,000 mm fly and a £349 price.
Backpacking Tents
Simond Sprint Trekking Pole Tent Review: A 620 g Two-Person Dyneema Shelter
Decathlon's Simond Sprint is a 499 g Dyneema trekking pole tent for two, wind tested and genuinely spacious, with warm-weather limits worth understanding before you buy.
Backpacking Gear
Simple Backpacking Gear That Quietly Improves Every Trip
Eight dependable, low-friction backpacking picks covering water treatment, meals, apparel, footwear, organization, and navigation.
Camping Stoves
SkyMac Large Long Wood Burning Collapsible Stove Review: Big Heat, One Serious Catch
A long, collapsible stainless steel wood stove that cooks, boils, and doubles as a small fire pit, plus the ground clearance issue to plan around before you buy.
Camping Air Mattresses
SkyMac Air Mattress Long-Term Test: One-Person and Two-Person After a Year
After a year of camping trips, the SkyMac one-person and two-person air mattresses have held up without leaks or holes, and both remain strong value picks.
Camping Tarps
Small Camping Tarps Compared: DD Hammocks Erakko, DD Hammocks 3x3m, and OneTigris Bulwark
The DD Hammocks Erakko is an unusual 8.2 ft tarp at around $60. We compare it with two larger tarps that include guylines and stakes for similar money.
Camping Blankets
Snugpak Jungle Blanket Review: Eight Years of Real-World Use
A lightweight, compressible camping blanket tested across eight years of trips, with clear notes on warmth, durability, and the temperature rating to plan around.
Camping Tents
Snugpak Ionosphere and Scorpion 3 Price Check: Where Value Stands Now
Two Snugpak shelters now carry premium US pricing on inexpensive polyester, and the Jack Wolfskin Gossamer 2 remains the better-built low-profile alternative.
Backpacking Gear
Solo Backpacking Gear List: 22 Lightweight Items From a Comfort-Focused Kit
A complete solo backpacking gear list covering worn clothing, shelter, sleep, cooking, water treatment, and safety, with honest notes on what worked and what did not.
Backpacking Gear
Solo Backpacking Gear: Seven Essentials Tested for Reliability
A practical look at satellite communication, water filtration, shelter, sleep insulation, and stove reliability for solo backpacking trips.
Camping Gear
Solo Car Camping Gear: 13 Comfort-First Picks for Self-Sufficient Trips
A practical solo car camping gear list covering shelter, sleep, cooking, cold storage, power, and the comfort items that make a weekend trip feel genuinely easy.
Camping Tables
Soo Field Hopper Popup Table Review: A Book-Style Camp Table That Packs Flat
A lightweight book-style folding camp table from Japanese maker Soo that deploys in about a second and turns uneven ground into a stable cooking surface.
Camping Cookware
SOTO New River 1,000ml Pot Review: A Light, Versatile Camp Cook Pot
A lightweight 1,000ml aluminum camp pot with a roomy stuff sack, insulated folding handles, and a non-slip base, plus one notable omission worth planning around.
Camping Cookware
Stanley Wildare Go 8-Piece Cook Set Review: A Sub-One-Pound Camp Kitchen
A lightweight eight-piece nesting cook set with an 18/8 stainless pot, two bowls, and two utensil combos, plus the small trade-offs worth knowing before you buy.
Backpacking Gear
Staple Backpacking Gear: 13 Reliable Favorites Worth Packing
A practical roundup of thirteen backpacking staples, from a minimal cook kit and single-wall shelters to water treatment and a lightweight framed pack.
Hiking Shirts
Sun Hoodies vs. PFG Button-Up Shirts: Three Hiking Shirts Compared
How ventilated button-up hiking shirts and sun hoodies compare on comfort, coverage, airflow, drying speed, and durability, with three specific shirts to consider.
Emergency Shelters
Survive Tent Review: A $25 Mylar Emergency Shelter Tested Overnight
A lightweight Mylar emergency shelter with closable doors that blocks wind and rain, but offers little warmth and tears easily. Here is what to expect before you buy.
Backpacking Tents
Terra Nova Southern Cross 2 Review: A True Four-Season Two-Person Tent
A fast-pitching four-season two-person backpacking tent with two doors, two vestibules and tunable ventilation, plus the weight, width and price points to weigh up first.