Camping

OtterBox, makers of super-durable phone and tablet cases, is entering a new product category with the Venture camping cooler and Elevation drink tumblers. It looks like they’re bringing some next-level design thinking to the game in addition to the rugged durability OtterBox is known for.  The standard features on the Venture cooler series look pretty solid. Three… Read More

There are a few things that I dreamed about having when I was a kid. A tree house, a moped, LEGO, and bunk beds. So far, the only item from that list that I’ve gotten as an adult is the LEGO, but now that I’ve seen the Disc-O-Beds, I just might fulfill my childhood wish for bunk… Read More

If you’ve been searching for a hands-free navigation tool, look no further than the M-9 Wrist Compass from Suunto. Suunto who are well known for their sports watches, dive computers, compasses, and other precision instruments, also make the M-9 Wrist Compass which features a glow in the dark dial, an accurate sapphire jeweled bearing and… Read More

Ah, LEDs! The darlings of everyone from makers to artists to environmentalists. Low energy, low heat, long life, high output – what’s not to like? So it hasn’t surprised me that most of the battery-operated portable lights that have come across my desk in the last few years have used LEDs as a source. Most… Read More

Whether you’re camping in the woods or in the backyard by the fire, you don’t want to lose your marshmallow roasting stick!  I remember as a kid, after an exhaustive search in the woods to find my perfect twig for roasting, I would eventually lose it only to find it later after it’s on the… Read More

One thing I can count on after the snow melts here in New Hampshire is the rebirth of the mosquitoes, black flies and no-see-ums.  Having just spent 5-6 months indoors to beat the cold and snow, now I can look forward to 5 months of either staying inside or living in my screen porch.  So… Read More

Fire, one of man’s greatest achievements, not because we invented it, but more for how we have tamed it throughout the years (except for maybe that Nero/Rome thing and that cow in Chicago). But, when it comes to making fire, especially in emergency survival situations, most of us would be lost. I am not saying… Read More

I like the idea of grilling outdoors, but over the years I’ve tried a gas grill and a charcoal grill and didn’t like using either one. Gas grills are a hassle because you have to replace the gas canister when it becomes empty. Charcoal grills are dirty, messy and make me paranoid that I’m killing… Read More

Backpacks are a must have accessory when hiking and camping. They are constructed to let you easily transport all your important gear while exploring the great outdoors. But one of the main problems with traditional backpacks is that you have to take them off in order to get access to your stuff. Paxis has designed… Read More

When you are concerned with mosquito-borne illnesses like the West Nile virus present here in Texas, finding effective ways to repel mosquitoes in addition to the standard repellent sprays (containing DEET) is of great importance. The Thermacell Mosquito Repellent appliance is an outdoor device used to repel mosquitos within a 15′ x 15′ area. I found… Read More

The next time you go fishing, you won’t have to guess where the best spots are if you have an iBobber. The iBobber is a small castable fish finder that works with your iOS device to show you where the fish are, how big they are, how deep they are (up to to 135ft) and… Read More

Last October Andy Jacobs told us about Bomber & Company’s Bomber Barrel duffel bag which is still Kickstarter’s most successful campaign for a bag. The backers of this campaign kept asking for a keychain to go with the duffel bag and Bomber & Company have answered that request. Their latest crowdfunding campaign is for Bomber… Read More

Am I a dork because I like this spork? NO!  However, I may be one because of that silly rhyme.  Moving on, this simple little gadget is small enough to fit in your palm and can be taken with you camping, or everyday to work so you don’t have to use flimsy plastic that breaks… Read More

In the worlds of rucking, backpacking, hiking and travel, there is an axiom: “Ounces become pounds.” This is loosely translated as, “Even small, lightweight items can add up to a lot of extra weight when walking around carrying that weight for miles.”  That’s one reason why absorbent microfiber towels have become popular among folks who participate in… Read More