How to Pick a Good Camping Flashlight
Q: I need a good flashlight for camping. Any suggestions?
Ask the Gear Guy
Not sure which gear to buy? Need tips for maintaining your equipment? Ask the Gear Guy for help.
How to Clean Your Pocketknife
Q: I use my pocketknife almost daily, and it gets so dirty. How can I stop that?
Stuff We Like: Darn Tough Midweight Hiking Sock
The Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Midweight Hiking Sock is made mainly with fine soft wool from merino sheep.
What’s Better: Mittens or Gloves?
Gloves allow for more dexterity; mittens tend to be warmer by keeping your fingers together. A more important question: Does it fit?
Best Waterproof Action Camera for Northern Tier?
Q: My troop is going to Northern Tier next summer, and I was wondering what the best camera would be to capture all of the action.
Stuff We Like: Selk’bag
The wearable sleeping bag has arms, legs, an adjustable insulated hood and removable booties.
How Much Water Should I Bring for a Two-mile Hike?
Plan to drink about 16 ounces for every hour of hiking. But it might be more. Drink enough so your urine remains clear.
How to Make a Camp Song
The simplest way to create a camp song is to take a tune everyone knows and replace the lyrics.
Stuff We Like: CLIQ Chair
This compact camp chair folds down to 13 inches and only weighs 3.5 pounds.
3 Quality Multitools That Are Made in America
I am looking for a quality multitool made in America. I have $100 to spend on it. I want to be able to open it with one hand.
Technical Packs Can Be Cheaper Alternative To Traditional Pack
I use a tote box for my gear because I can’t afford a backpack, but it doesn’t fit in my troop’s tents. What do I do?
Best Sleeping Bags for Staying Cool on a Warm Night
What sleeping bag should I use if I don’t want the heat to get to me?
Stuff We Like: Polar Bear Backpack Cooler
The Polar Bear Backpack Cooler is designed to keep ice frozen for 24 hours in 100-degree heat.
How to Prepare For a Long Hike
My troop is going on a 25-mile hike soon. What is the best way to prepare for it?
Where Can I Find a Healthy Energy Bar?
Q: I’m having trouble finding a healthy energy bar that doesn’t have too much sugar and is filling. Do you have any suggestions?
How to Stop a Tent From Leaking
Q: Every time it rains, the inside of my tent gets wet. Any tips?
Stuff We Like: FogBlock Spray
Anti-fog spray helps prevent glasses from fogging when wearing a face covering.
Does Rolling Your Clothes Save Space?
Q: Does rolling up your clothes really work when packing?
Stuff We Like: Smart XXL Camping Cot
OK, OK, this cot is heavy, bulky and pricey. But this is “Stuff We Like,” and we like this cot.
3 Tough Phone Cases for the Outdoors
Q: When I go camping, I don’t want my phone to get damaged. Can you recommend any good phone cases for the outdoors?
Does a Sleeping Bag’s Degree Level Matter?
Q: When choosing a sleeping bag, does the degree level really matter or is it just a recommendation for comfort?
Recommend a Durable Tent That’s Easy to Set Up
Q: I don’t have a tent, and we might need to camp a lot. Do you have some good recommendations?
Stuff We Like: Max Shade Chair
With the Max Shade Chair by Quik Shade, you can instantly have shade wherever you are.
Best Multitool That’s Both Useful and Affordable
Q: What’s the best type of multitool that’s useful and affordable?
High-Quality Rain Ponchos That Are Also Affordable
Q: My troop camps a lot, and sometimes it rains. What is some quality rain gear that’s also affordable?
Best Water Bottle for a Long Camping Trip
Q: I am going on a long camping trip. What is the best water bottle to bring?
Stuff We Like: SansBug Mosquito Nets
If you’re sleeping under the stars or in a canvas wall tent, you might want to consider getting a mosquito net.
How to Whittle Your Own Tent Stakes
Q: My troop is going camping, and we lost our tent stakes. Can we use whittled sticks?
Stuff We Like: NanoTorch Twist
This powerful flashlight has a magnet on one end, so you can stick it to metal and free up your hands.
Where to Find a Good Fishing Pole for Backpacking?
Q: What pole should I take that can handle being carried around and that will fit in my pack?
Can You Hang a Hammock in a Tent?
Q: Is there a way to hang a hammock inside a tent?
Camping Blanket Instead of Sleeping Bag?
Q: What is the best camping blanket? Have you ever used a Rumpl? They look cool.
How to Keep Patrol Cooking Gear Clean?
Q: How can my patrol keep our cooking gear clean?
How Do I Keep Gear Dry in a Kayak?
Q: I'm going on a six-day kayak trek. I know what to bring, but don't know how to pack it to keep it dry. Any suggestions?
How Do You Clean a Bugle?
Q: How do you clean a bugle that hasn't been used for several years?
How to Stop Rolling Off Your Sleeping Pad
Q: I keep rolling off my sleeping pad. What can I do to sleep better?
What is the Most Important Backcountry Skill?
Q: What is the most important backcountry skill all Scouts should know?
No Cotton? Here’s the Best Clothing to Wear When Camping
Q: My friends say I can't wear my normal cotton T-shirts when we go camping. What should I wear instead?
How to Avoid Ticks on Hikes
Q: I keep getting attacked by ticks on hikes! What can I do?
Help! How Can I Stop Smelly Gear?
All my gear reeks! How can I prevent that smell?
Which Lightweight Jacket is Best?
Q. What kind of jacket do you recommend for a spring trip to Philmont? If possible, I need it to be lightweight and around $100.
How to Fuel Your Body in the Backcountry
Q. What's the trick to having enough energy while on a big outing?
How Do I Store a Camp Kitchen?
Q. I have everything I need for my first camp kitchen except for a good way to store it. Any ideas?
How Tall Should a Walking Stick Be?
Q. I'm making my own walking stick. How big should it be?
Do I Need to Pack a Pillow?
Q. How important is it to pack a pillow for my upcoming backpacking trip?
3 Tips for Setting Up Your Tent
Q. My friends keep telling me I'm setting up my tent wrong. How should I be setting it up?
How to Keep Dirt Out of Your Tent
Q. I hate when the inside of my tent gets filthy. I always track in dirt from my boots. Any tips for keeping it cleaner?
Comfortable Camping With a Bad Back
Q. I have a bad back. I don’t care if it’s a mat or a cot, but I need something to keep me more comfortable while camping.
Stuff We Like: Phoozy
The Phoozy is a thermal capsule that protects your smartphone from heat or cold.
How Do You Keep Food From Getting Soggy in a Cooler?
Q. When the ice melts in my cooler, it gets everything all wet and soggy. What can I do to avoid this?