News, reviews and articles about outdoor gear and accessories.
REVIEW – Staying comfortable outdoors has certainly evolved in the last dozen years. Gone are the days of having to start a fire to stay warm. (Fires are still wonderfully inviting and fun, just not efficient.) Ceramic heaters and radiant heaters have been used for a long time, but they are usually large and do […]
ThermoMate Electric Outdoor/Indoor Patio Heater review Read More
REVIEW – One principle I’ve always lived by is that, just like good socks and underwear, one can never have too many hatchets. With PNW weather uncharacteristically great this summer, my hatchet-using opportunities have increased significantly, so it’s time to add to the family. While I still love my Gerber Bushcraft Hatchet that I reviewed
The James Brand TJB hatchet review – A stylish chopper for the sophisticated woodsman Read More
REVIEW – I enjoy getting my steps in each day by walking around my property, which is 12 acres in rural Southern Indiana. In the past five years or so, the tick situation has gotten really bad. When I was offered the chance to test out the NATPAT Tick Repellent stickers, I didn’t think twice
NATPAT Deet Free Tick Repellent sticker review Read More
REVIEW – My wife loves hot tubs. Whenever we travel, a hot tub is the first filter on the Airbnb listing that she checks – it’s a “must-have.” I’ve always been opposed to getting one at home due to the initial cost both for the tub, and also to have a new 220V line run
REVIEW – The more camping gear I research and acquire, the more I’m amazed at some of the latest space-saving innovations they showcase. Bringing larger items, like a table, along on a camping trip has always required some advanced Tetris-like packing skills. Since testing the Helinox Table Four and Café Chair, however, I can put
Helinox Table Four and Café Chair review – Portable table and chairs set for fun!!! Read More
REVIEW – With Summer right around the corner, we are ready for warmer weather and more time outdoors. We are in Indiana, so although our pool is officially open, this mama is not getting in until it is warmer outside. I’ve been looking for something comfy to sit on while the kids are in the
Yaheetech 3-Seat Outdoor Swing review Read More
REVIEW – I’ve always loved the idea of lounging in a hammock on the patio next to our backyard pool. I’ve been looking at hammock stands to do just that — but I don’t want anything bulky or difficult to assemble/disassemble. Anymaka advertises that it only takes three seconds to put this stand together, so
Anymaka hammock stand review – lounging made easier Read More
REVIEW – Bounce houses were always fun for me as a kid, but even though we have our own little one getting bigger every day I hadn’t ever considered buying one. In my childhood they were always things your affluent friends rented or were seen at special events. When the offer to review the Whubefy
NEWS – I’ve been fascinated with pocket watches and small compasses since I was a kid and I have to say that the Path-24 modular compass has me reaching for my wallet even if I’ll never use it in the woods. What is it? The Path-24 is a modular compass with an IPX8 waterproof rating.
This EDC modular compass will make sure you won’t get lost Read More
REVIEW – I’ve been using security cameras inside and outside my house to monitor my property when I’m there and when I’m not there (if you want to know how I use traditional cameras, let me know). I have 12 wooded acres of property, I wonder what’s going on out there when I’m not looking…
Tactacam Reveal X-Pro cellular trail camera review – Critters will smile and say cheese! Read More
REVIEW – When I was a kid, we planned a ski trip to the mountains of West Virginia. The forecast was shaping up to be VERY cold, so my dad got me a pair of heated socks. They were wool socks with a bunch of D batteries in a holder that strapped to your
Kemimoto Classic Heated Vest review – Stay warm, just about anywhere! Read More
REVIEW – It seems like most of the activities I’m involved with involve mud. Caving, mountain biking, and trail running can get you very dirty, often far from any “normal” places where you could clean up. Additionally, you usually end up with muddy gear. This leaves me with the option to drive home sweaty and
Flextail Max portable shower review – clean off, anywhere! Read More
REVIEW – Some years ago, I had a snowblower with a gas engine of a similar size and shape to the Worx in this review. It was frequently frustrating and a pain in the patoot to start. The fuel smelled awful, stalled at the most inopportune times, and I damaged my rotator cuff trying to
WORX Nitro 40V Power Share 20-inch Snowblower review – Clears away snow in a jiffy! Read More
REVIEW – If you have a house with trees and/or large shrubs, you know how much upkeep it can be to keep things properly trimmed. If you’re like us, you have been too busy and/or poor to tackle the pruning or hire someone to do it. The Saker multifunction mini chainsaw is exactly what we’ve
Saker multifunction mini chainsaw review – punches above its weight class Read More
REVIEW – I already have a leaf blower. It’s a 700 CFM blower from Kobalt, and I like it. It does, however, have a fatal flaw: It requires an extension cord for power. It’s forever getting caught on things in my garage or stuck under one of the tires on my car. It’s not even
AiDot Enhulk 930 Leaf Blower review – all that power! Read More
REVIEW – If you maintain a home, taming the onslaught of renegade flora can be challenging. Sometimes a full-size chainsaw is dramatic overkill. Having the right tools for the job makes all the difference. Make your pruning and trimming needs easy with Alloyman’s CS-BM11 Mini Cordless Chainsaw! What is it? The Alloyman CS-BM11 is a
REVIEW – I have a lot of trees on my property and that means that they often require trimming. Instead of using pruning shears and a ladder, I was happy to accept the VEVOR 2-in-1 Cordless Pole Saw & Mini Chainsaw when it was offered for review. Let’s go trim some limbs! What is it?
VEVOR 2-in-1 Cordless Pole Saw & Mini Chainsaw review Read More
REVIEW – Wood-fired “twig” stoves that work on the principle of wood gasification are all the rage right now in the “off-grid” community. The Tom Shoo stove and titanium pot represent a low-cost but very effective way to cook most things without using any electricity, propane, or gasoline. There are some tradeoffs, but with practice,
Tom Shoo Wood Stove and Titanium Pot review – Wood fired camp cooking is fun! Read More
REVIEW – I have 12 acres of mostly wooded property and that means there are always trees that need pruned and limbs that need to be disposed of. In the past, I’ve used a small handsaw to do this kind of work but when I was offered the Sainlogic electric mini chainsaw for review, I
Sainlogic electric mini chainsaw review – Go Leatherface on your trees with this chainsaw! Read More
REVIEW – Many years ago, my better half and I belonged to a treasure hunting club here in Southern Indiana. We each had a metal detector and liked to go to local parks to look for coins and other treasures. We even participated in some club events where dozens of people would hunt for buried
SAKOBS (GC1080) Pro Metal Detector review – Let’s go treasure hunting! Read More