Independent reviews
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 Tents
A practical comparison of three Zpacks Dyneema shelters, covering usable floor space, weight, price, setup, and the trade-offs of single wall camping.
Tents
Three versions of the same ultralight trekking pole shelter, compared on warmth, interior space, packed weight and packed size so you can pick the right one.
Emergency Shelters
A field-tested look at the Adventure Supply Company mylar tent and bivvy combo kit: what it does well, where it falls short, and who should carry one.
Backpacking Gear
A 17-day, 300-plus mile traverse of the Brooks Range put trekking poles, trail shoes, water treatment, and shelter to the test. Here is what failed and what earned a place in the pack.
Outdoor Navigation Apps
A practical look at what the free AllTrails app covers, what AllTrails Plus adds for offline navigation and live tracking, and when AllTrails Peak earns its price.
Packrafts
The Alpacka Caribou is a light, compact packraft with a dry cargo hold and a front mount for a bike. Here is who it suits, what it does well, and what to budget for.
Electric Scooters
A practical look at the Anyide S1 electric scooter, from its 135 mm suspension and dual disc brakes to its speed modes, safety features, and real-world range expectations.
Smartwatches
A focused look at the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and its always-on fall detection, plus what to weigh before making it your only daily watch.
Wearables
A practical look at the hiking maps, downloadable routes, custom route creation, workout check-in, and satellite messaging arriving on Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Outdoor Smartwatches
A practical comparison of satellite messaging on the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, covering connection methods, reliability, messaging workflows, battery impact, and subscription considerations.
Smartwatches
A field-tested look at the Apple Watch Ultra as a hiking watch, covering battery life, GPS accuracy, safety features, navigation gaps, and how it stacks up against dedicated outdoor watches.
Backpacking Gear
Eleven lightweight backpacking items being put to the test on a long desert thru-hike, from shelters and sleep systems to socks, camp shoes, and camera carry.
Backpacking Tents
A close look at the Asta Gear Yungan 2, a two-person trekking pole tent with a 15D silicone-treated fly, a 5,000 mm hydrostatic head and a packed weight of 1.2 to 1.3 kg.
Backpacking Gear
A practical starter list for new backpackers covering shelter, sleep, clothing, cooking, water, and electronics, with six affordable items worth buying first.
Backpacking Gear
Twelve backpacking gear choices, from sun hoodies and hiking sandals to shelters and sleeping pads, with the trade-offs to weigh before you commit.
Backpacking Gear
Three popular backpacking gadgets judged against real trail use: which ones suit overnight and weekend trips, and which one earns its place on a long-distance hike.
Backpacking Gear
Ten pieces of backpacking gear that earned real miles, the limits that ended their run, and the replacements that took their place.
Backpacking Gear
Seven long-used backpacking items being retired, the replacements that earned a place in the kit, and how to decide which swaps make sense for your own trips.
Backpacking Gear
A practical look at six well-known backpacking items, what each one does well, where the trade-offs appear, and who should still consider them.
Backpacking Gear
Four lighter, more versatile replacements for a well-used backpacking kit, plus a rethink of footwear and trail food.
Backpacking Gear
A practical look at five backpacking gear swaps, from a lighter lofted mid layer to a merino blend sun hoodie, a zero drop trail shoe, and dependable power banks.
Backpacking Gear
Eleven dependable backpacking staples, from a 2-ounce camp pillow to carbon trekking poles and a four-season sleeping pad, with the strengths and trade-offs worth knowing before you buy.
Backpacking Gear
Five well-made backpacking items, each with one specific trade-off worth understanding before you buy.
Backpacking Gear
A practical look at eight backpacking items, from the Osprey Aura AG and Patagonia Barely Baggies to the Sawyer Squeeze and Zpacks camp shoes, with the trade-offs that matter before you buy.
Backpacking Gear
Ten backpacking upgrades worth testing, from a waterproof 40 lb pack and a zippered shelter to a synthetic quilt, an Alpha Direct hoodie, and a compact pocket camera.
Backpacking Gear
A practical look at 13 backpacking luxuries, from a hip pack and an instant camera to a wood burning stove and a one pound camp chair.
Bear Canisters
How the four BearVault bear canisters differ in real food capacity, packability and ease of use, and which trips each one suits.
Backpacking Gear
A practical guide to the big three: backpack, shelter, and sleep system, with nine picks covering weight, comfort, and cold-weather use.
Backpacking Food
A practical ranking of freeze-dried candies for backpacking, judged on packability, texture, and flavor on trail.
Camp Kitchen and Trail Coffee
Six trail coffee options compared, from a dollar-a-cup instant staple to a specialty packet and two compact brewing devices for camp.