Ask the Gear Guy – Page 3 – Scout Life magazine

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?

Mountain bike or road bike?

I need a new bicycle but I don't know if I should get a mountain bike or a road bike. What are the pros and cons of each type?

How to stop tent leaks

I have a summer pup tent, and whenever it rains, the tent leaks. What do I do?

Did bug spray melt my watch?

Dear Gear Guy, I got bug spray all over the face of my watch and there is a dirty residue on the face of the watch. How do I remove it?

Stuff We Like: Jetboil MiniMo

For a quick boil in camp, our JetBoil system has never failed us. So we're excited for the new-for-2015 JetBoil MiniMo system.

Good hydration bladders for backpacks

Q. Who makes a good hydration bladder for backpacks?

Steel-toed boots for hiking?

Q. Dear Gear Guy, Is it a good idea to wear steel-toed boots for hiking?

Are hiking poles a waste of money?

Q. I'm going on a backpacking trip and am wondering if I should get hiking poles or not.

Keep kayak paddles from slipping

When I'm kayaking, my paddle is always slipping through my hands. Can you help me?

A good, durable camp saw

I want to buy a camp saw that will really last. Something that can take a beating. It doesn’t need to be lightweight for packing since we usually drive to our campsites. Any suggestions?

What to pack in a daypack?

Q. What should you pack in a daypack at Scout camp?

Sharpening a pocketknife

When and how should I sharpen my pocketknives?

How to pick the right-sized snowboard

Q. I'm going snowboarding and need to know: What's the correct way to pick the right-sized snowboard for me?

Cold weather hats

What is the best hat to hold in the heat while hiking in the snow or really cold weather?

I'm going to Northern Tier High Adventure Base this summer and need a pair of boots that can dry quickly. They need to be light, closed-toe, fast-drying and fast-draining, considering I might be walking in water. What's the best choice?

Fix a torn stuff sack

Q. I'm having problems with the stuff sack that holds my backpacking tent. It's wearing out on the bottom, and I was wondering what would fix it.

Winter jacket for hiking

How can I find a good winter jacket for hiking at a good best price?

Choosing a kayak

I am looking to buy a kayak but there are so many possibilities. Which one should I pick? Help me!

White gas stoves more versatile

Q. Why are white gas stoves more versatile than butane, propane, or other canister stoves?

Good base layer to keep warm?

Q. Hello Gear Guy, My friends wear Under Armour with shorts and a T-shirt and say they are warm when it is 30 degrees out. Meanwhile I’m freezing with long johns and my uniform and a jacket on! I was considering buying Under Armour. They give me a choice of silk or polyester, which one keeps me warmer? Do you have suggestions of any other products besides Under Armour?