Should I Buy a Bright Flashlight?
Q: My friends have very bright flashlights. Which one should I buy?
Ask the Gear Guy
Not sure which gear to buy? Need tips for maintaining your equipment? Ask the Gear Guy for help.
Stuff We Like: TRUE Seven Multitool
The TRUE Seven multitool gives you seven tools packed into a handheld package.
How to Pick the Best Backpacking Food
Q: How do I choose food for a backpacking trip?
4 Camping Gadgets With More Than One Function
Q: There’s a lot of really cool camping gear out there. What have you used recently?
How to Keep Steaks Cold on a Campout
Q: My patrol wants steaks on our next campout. How do we keep them cold before we cook them?
Stuff We Like: Life Intents Fan
Some camping fans have a hook for hanging in your tent. Some have a stand. The Life Intents Fan has both.
What to Pack Beyond the Six Essentials
Q: I have my Six Essentials. What’s the next most important thing to bring on an outing?
How to Prevent Slipping When Hiking in the Snow
Q: What should I wear to maintain traction in the snow?
Stuff We Like: Outdoor Element Scout Feather
This knife provides you a cutting tool, fire starter and emergency signal device, all secured in a sheath with a built-in ceramic sharpener.
Good Dry Bags for a Canoeing Campout
Q: My troop is going on a canoeing campout. What dry bag would you recommend?
Stuff We Like: SunButter
When you plan a menu , you should be aware of any food allergies.
Picking a Good Mess Kit for Camping
Q: What’s a good mess kit to get?
What’s a Good Single-Blade Pocketknife?
Q: What’s a good single-blade pocketknife?
Stuff We Like: Trailmate Speaker Lantern
If you want a durable Bluetooth speaker with superior sound quality, many outdoor models often exceed $100 — and they just play music. Enter Kuma’s Trailmate Speaker
Which Compass Should I Buy?
Q: I want to get a compass. Which one should I get?
What To Pack for Your First Summer Camp
Q: This is my first summer camp. What should I bring?
What Should Be in My First-Aid Kit?
Q: What should be in my first-aid kit?
Stuff We Like: MODL Infinity Tool
These flexible 8-inch modular straps can wrap around your wrist to be available whenever you need them.
Cost of a Quality Flashlight for Camp
Q: How much should I spend on a flashlight?
Sturdy Sandals for a Beach Campout
Q: I’m looking for sandals for a beach campout this summer. What should I get?
Stuff We Like: onX Backcountry App
Learning how to read a map and navigate with it is an essential Scouting skill. Most maps, though, won’t tell you where wildfires are burning, what the weather will be or
Using a Solar Charger in the Outdoors
Q: Should I get solar chargers?
Stuff We Like: NoSo Patches
You’re hiking and your jacket gets snagged on a branch and rips. How can you fix it while on the trail? Simply slap a NoSo patch ($10-$20, nosopatches.com) over the
How to Keep the Inside of a Tent Clean and Dry
Q: How do I keep the inside of my tent clean and dry?
Two Good Options for Waterproof Hiking Boots
Q: What are good options for waterproof hiking boots?
Stuff We Like: Nemo Endless Promise Sleeping Bag
Sustainability means not wasting our resources. Nemo Equipment is trying to further that mission with its products.
Think Layers When Packing for a Cold Campout
Q: What should I bring on a cold campout?
What Kind of Footwear for Whitewater Rafting?
Q: I’m going whitewater rafting. I’m wondering about footwear for in the raft and out of the water.
Stuff We Like: Papilio II Binoculars
Binoculars let you study wildlife that's far away. With the Pentax Papilio II, you can observe close-up wildlife, too.
What are the Advantages to Using a Hiking Stick?
Q: Why use a hiking stick?
What Can I Do To Avoid Bugs When Camping?
Q: I don’t like camping when there are a lot of bugs. What can I do?
Stuff We Like: 5.11 Ferro Knife
Don’t have a piece of flint to start a fire? No worries if you have the 5.11 Ferro Knife.
Good Replacement for an Old Lantern?
Q: I need to replace my old lantern. Any suggestions?
How to Overcome Nervousness About First Campout
I’m nervous about my first overnight campout. How should I handle it?
Which Fire Starter Should I Choose?
Q: What’s a decently priced fire starter?
Stuff We Like: Chaco Ramble Puff
Chaco uses fleece to line its Ramble Puff shoes, helping your feet stay toasty and comfy.
Which Socks Are Best for Cold, Wet Weather?
Q: When my socks get wet, they stop feeling warm. What kind should I buy for cold, wet weather?
How Do You Use a Tent Footprint?
Q: My tent came with a footprint. How do you use one?
Stuff We Like: Near Zero Dean
The 50-liter backpack unzips like a suitcase, giving you easy access to your gear.
Where Can I Find Cheaper Gear?
Q: What is the best option for buying cheaper gear?
Where to Find an Inexpensive and Comfortable Daypack
Q: I’m looking for a comfortable daypack that’s less than $120.
How to Sharpen a Pocketknife
Q: How do I keep my pocketknife sharp?
Stuff We Like: Voltaic OffGrid
Buying a backpack and separate solar charging system can get expensive. So why not get them together?
Good Sleeping Bag for a Cub Scout?
Q: I’m going on my first campout with my Cub Scout pack. What’s a good sleeping bag to get?
Stuff We Like: Flextail Tiny Pump
This air pump can inflate or deflate your sleeping pad while lighting up your tent at the same time.
Should I Get a Single-Blade or a Swiss Army Knife?
Q: I am looking for a new pocketknife. Should I get a single-blade or a Swiss Army knife?
How To Purify Water on a Long Trek?
Q: What should I use to purify water on a long trek?
Stuff We Like: Coast HX5 Flashlight
Simply slide the flashlight's head forward or back with your finger to create a flood beam or a focused beam.
Where To Find Comfortable and Affordable Hiking Boots?
Q: I’m looking for comfortable hiking boots that are affordable and waterproof.
Why Does My Propane Stove Leave Soot on My Cookware?
Q: Every time I use my propane stove, it leaves black soot all over my cookware. How can I stop this from happening?