Ask the Gear Guy - Scout Life magazine

Tips to Lighten a Backpack

Q. My troop likes to go backpacking. I’d like to participate, but my pack is really heavy. How do I lighten it?

Best Way to Build a Survival Shelter

Q. What is your best idea for a survival shelter? How would you build it?

Looking for Durable and Comfortable Pants

Q. I'm looking for pants durable for trail building and comfortable for wearing around camp. Ideas?

Blow-up Sleeping Pads

Q: Is it worth it to buy a blow-up sleeping pad?

Best Way to Get Ready For a Long Hike?

Q. My troop is going on a 25-mile hike soon. What is the best way to prepare for it?

Good Shoes For Both Hiking and Gym

Q. I'm looking for a good pair of hiking shoes I can wear to gym class. Ideas?

Staying Warm in a Hammock

Q. I think hammocks are comfortable, but I don’t like being cold at night. What’s the best way to stay warm in one?

How to Tell if a Bike Tire is Full Enough?

Q. Yesterday my friend told me my bike tires needed air, but I don't think so. How can you tell if a tire is pumped up enough?

Will my sleeping bag be warm enough?

Q. My dad says my sleeping bag will be fine in the cold, but I’m not so sure. What do you think I should do?

How to Minimize Sleeping Bag Odor

Q. Whenever I go camping my sleeping bag gets all smelly. How do I make it smell better?

Storing Backpacks During Wintertime

How should I store backpacks during wintertime to keep them in good condition?

How to Wash a Smelly Camp Pillow

Q. When I wash my camping pillow, the material inside lumps up and gets uncomfortable. What should I do?

Difference Between Tent’s Trail Weight and Packed Weight?

Q. Most tent labels list two weights, a trail weight and a packed weight. What's the difference?

Looking for the Best Portable Speakers on the Market

What are the best portable speakers on the market?

Looking For a Lightweight, Packable Electric Lantern

I am looking for a lightweight, packable and budget-friendly electric lantern. Suggestions?

What’s the correct walking stick height?

How tall should a walking stick be?

How to Get Back to Your Car at the End of the Trail

Q. We plan to backpack a 24-mile point-to-point trail but only have one car. How do we get back to our car?

How To Clean Your Lantern

Q. I have a lantern that has a removable glass covering, and it has soot all over it. How can I get it off?

Cot or bedroll?

Q. On camp-outs I see some boys with cots and others with bedrolls. Which should I use?

How to clean a sticky knife

Q. Whenever I go camping I always cut oranges with my knife. But then my knife sticks and is hard to get open. What is the best way to de-stick my knife?

Propane canister or liquid fuel stoves?

Do you recommend a propane-canister or liquid-fuel backpacking stove? I've heard good things about both.

Find a Good Sleeping Bag for Under $100

I need a good summer sleeping bag. What should I get with $100?

Wear cowboy boots on a hike?

Is it OK to wear cowboy boots on a hike? I have a pair that is very comfortable.

How to stake out tents on a sandy beach

We went camping on the beach last weekend. The wind blew all night long and made our tents flap like crazy. Any advice?

Waterproof bandage for badly sliced finger

Q. We were on a backpacking trip when my buddy badly sliced the tip of his finger. What, Gear Guy, would you have done?

How to prevent chafing on the trail

My troop just went on a weekend camp-out. After we climbed this big hill, I started chafing in my groin area. How do I prevent chafing?

Contents of a bike emergency kit

I go biking with my friends all the time. Is there anything I should be carrying, like a Swiss army knife?

How to prevent pots from tipping over

Q. The pot on my backpacking stove tipped over and burned my brother. How do I solve this problem?

Quality polarized sunglasses at a good price

Q. I'm looking for quality polarized sunglasses at a good price. Do you know of any?

How can I keep ticks away?

Every time I go hiking, I always get attacked by ticks! What can I do?

Recommend a snowboarding backpack

A. The Dakine Heli Pro DLX 20L isn't cheap, but it could be exactly the pack that fits your needs.

How to replace a skateboard’s grip tape

Q. Help, Gear Guy! The grip tape on my skateboard is starting to fall off. How do I remove it?

How to stuff a sleeping bag back in its sack

Q. Every single time I go camping, I have trouble rolling up my sleeping bag and can never get it back in the bag. Help!

How to fix smelly hiking boots

My hiking boots smell terrible. Is there anything I can do to take care of that?

How to Hang a Hammock Without Trees

Q. I'd like to have a hammock to use at home. However, my backyard doesn't have any trees. What do I do?

How to store Dutch ovens

Q. What's the best way to store Dutch ovens to keep them away from dirt and bugs and to stop rusting?

How to fix a broken zipper on your sleeping bag or tent

Q. My sleeping bag zippers always break off, and I don’t have any extra money to buy a new one. PLEASE HELP!!

How to waterproof an inexpensive tent

I have an 8-person tent I got from Wal-Mart a few years ago. I really don't want to buy a new tent. How do you think it will do if it begins to rain?

Slipping off bike pedals

Q. My feet always slip off my bicycle pedals so I was wondering what gear I should buy?

Finding a lightweight winter sleeping bag for under $100

Hey Gear Guy, I need a good lightweight winter sleeping bag that won't set me back more than $100. Any suggestions?

Carabiner’s maximum weight

I have a carabiner that says it can hold 21 kN. I know that's the amount of shock the clip can take, but what's the maximum constant weight that could be applied to it?

Best backpacks with a hydration bladder

Where can I find a good backpack that includes a hydration bladder?

Best shirts for outdoor activities

Dear Gear Guy, I love to go camping, but I never know what type of shirt I should wear. Any suggestions?

Repairing a sleeping bag

My dad gave me an old Marmot sleeping bag, and it has two small holes in it and some down feathers are coming out. The sleeping bag works just fine, but how do I stop the feathers from coming out?

Low-cut or high-cut hiking boots?

Q. Hey Gear Guy, this question has been nagging me for so long: If I’m going backpacking should I wear boots with high ankles or ones with low ankles?