Outdoors & Gear - Scout Life magazine

Sharpening a knife without a whetstone

Q. Hey Gear Guy, which devices (other than a traditional whetstone) can I use to sharpen my knife? How well do they work?

Preventing and treating blisters

Q: My ankles and soles of my feet get very sore when I walk for two miles. What can I do?

How to prevent or cure athlete’s foot

Q: Are there any good ways to prevent or cure athlete's foot?

Recommended mountain skateboard?

Q. I'd like to buy a mountain skateboard. What kind of board would you recommend for me?

Stuff We Like: Magellan eXplorist 110 GPS receiver

Finally, there's a global positioning system receiver with a bright, full-color screen and an affordable price tag.

Where to find affordable warm clothes

Q. Dear Gear Guy, I’m going on a Bluenose camping trip and was having trouble finding the right gear. What are some good brands for warm clothes that are also affordable?

Stuff We Like: Kelty Lumaspot Rhythm

If you and your buddies have ever dreamed of turning your tent into a disco, this is exactly what you need!

How to treat Tinea Versicolor rash?

Q: I get a blotchy rash on my chest and back in the summer that my doctor told me is something called “Tinea Versicolor.” What causes that and how can I treat it?

How to tie something down

Q. What's the best and easiest way to tie something down? My dad is always showing me different knots, but they are so hard I can never remember them.

My bike helmet seems to be causing acne

Q: Doc, I sometimes get a breakout of acne right where my bike helmet rubs against my chin. Is that normal? What can I do about it?

How to properly store camping equipment

Q. How do I properly store and care for my camping equipment?

What causes rash under shin guards?

Q: Hey, Dr. K! I get a rash under my shin guards every time I play soccer. What can I do to make it go away?

Is a duffel or backpack better for camping?

Q. Which is better for camping, a duffel or a backpack?

Why does poison ivy cause a rash?

Q: What is it about poison ivy that makes it cause such a bad rash?

Learn how to remove an attached tick

Q: What's the best way to remove a tick?

How to treat a blister

Q: Should I pop a blister and, if so, is there a "best" way to do it?

Are wearable sleeping bags worth it?

Q. I’ve heard of sleeping bags that have arms and legs, so you can move around in them. Are these bags worth it?

Best way to waterproof canvas tents

Q. I am a Scout from New Zealand, and we struggle with keeping our Scout group’s canvas tents waterproof — they are pretty old. How can we make them waterproof?

Winter Warriors

Scouts in Minot, N.D. know plenty about winter camping. They experience it for much of the year.

Where to buy the Cub Scout lightweight bag

Q. Hi Mr. Gear Guy. I saw a sleeping bag in Boys’ Life. It is called Cub Scout lightweight bag and says Cub Scouts on the actual sleeping bag. Where can I purchase that bag? Thanks!

How to Identify Stars in the Winter Sky

Here's an easy way to trace your way from one winter constellation to another.

Simple, affordable lock-back knife

Q. When I get a new traditional lock-blade knife, it often messes up within the first hour. When I close it, the blade flips in and out and will not completely shut. Why isn’t it working?

Stuff We Like: Pelican 1020 Micro Case

As high-tech gadgets like smart phones, digital cameras, and GPS devices continue to find their way into the outdoors, we have to find ways to protect them. One of the best, and most affordable options is the Pelican 1020 Micro Case.

Mountain bike or road bike?

Q. Should I get a mountain bike or a road bike? Where I live the roads are bad and uneven and have potholes. I would prefer a mountain bike but I do go on casual, medium cycles and I like to go fast enough. Which one should I get?

Good pair of convertible pants for backpacking

Q. I can't seem to find a good pair of convertible synthetic pants for hiking/backpacking. Could you point me to where I should look? I'm looking for something that doesn't cost more than $45 to $50.

Stuff We Like: Batter Blaster

If you love pancakes as much as Gear Guy does, then you'll love Batter Blaster, the easiest pancake option we've ever used for camp cooking.

Helmet camera for skiing

Q. I need (OK, I want) a helmet camera. I like the GoPros but I don't know which model to get for filming while skiing. What would you recommend?

Lightweight Philmont Backpacks

Q. How are the camping backpacks at Philmont made so lightweight?

Stuff We Like: HitchSafe

HitchSafe attaches to any standard 2-inch receiver hitch on a truck, van or SUV and provides a small storage space locked securely by a combination of your choosing.

Stuff We Like: Garmin Foretrex 301

Sometimes when you're backpacking, the last thing you need is something else to carry. So leave the bulky hand-held global positioning system unit at home and take along the Foretrex 301.

Stuff We Like: SOL Escape Bivvy

Unlike most space blankets, which are clammy and sweaty to sleep in, The Escape Bivvy is waterproof and breathable. That means experienced backpackers who like to travel fast and light can use this as a minimalist bivvy sack

Use garbage bags to keep stuff dry?

Q. Are waterproof bags necessary or will garbage bags work just as well?

Stuff We Like: Tinder-on-a-Rope

Getting a campfire going on the trail can be a real challenge, especially when dry kindling is nowhere to be found. That’s why we love the Light My Fire Tinder-on-a-Rope.

Fix a hole in a tent

Q. Yo Gear Guy, I just got back from summer camp and I had a blast, except for one thing: My tent got a hole in it. I was wondering if you know any good inexpensive ways to fix the holes?

Which inexpensive cot is best?

Q. Dear Gear Guy, I’m going on a camp-out soon and need to buy a cot. What kind of inexpensive cot do you think is best? Thanks!

Best kind of survival kit

Q. Hey Gear Guy, I am getting ready to go on a camping trip and just would like to know what is the best kind of survival kit that fits nicely in my backpack and doesn’t take up too much room.

How to keep the tent clean

Q. Hey Gear Guy: On camp-outs, my tent is always so dirty for some reason. Whenever I lay down to go to sleep there’s always dirt and sand and leaves all over my sleeping bag and the bottom of the tent. Please help?

Stuff We Like: QuikClot Can Be a Real Lifesaver on the Trail

This special video edition of Stuff We Like shows you a real trail lifesaver.

How to waterproof hiking boots

Q. Help, Gear Guy! What do you do if your waterproof hiking boots have become un-water resistant? My boots shoe bottoms are coming off too!

Inexpensive sunglasses

Q. Dear Gear Guy, When I’m out camping I need to keep my eyes safe. I want to buy some sunglasses. But where can I find a pair for under $50?

Buying a good trail running shoe

Q. Hey Gear Guy, I run a lot, and I like to run while at summer camp. Problem is, when I wear my normal running shoes, I get blisters; and when I wear a hiking shoe, it chafes my ankles. Any suggestions for a running shoe that is good for a rough camp trail?

Gear for Philmont’s unpredictable weather

Q. Hey Gear Guy, my patrol is going to Philmont for two weeks this summer, and I need some help. I hear that the weather is unpredictable there and I was wondering if you could help me decide on what kind of gear we should bring?

Bivvy or lightweight tent?

Q. What is better to buy: A bivvy or just a lightweight tent?

Shawn Heflick’s favorite snakes

In this video, biologist Shawn Heflick tells us about the anaconda, one of his favorite snakes.

Boy Scout socks

Q. Yo, Gear Guy, Where can you find some Boy Scout socks? I need a couple pairs for campouts and for board of reviews.

Water shoes or neoprene socks?

Q. Gear Guy, I’m going on a Boy Scout backpacking trip in a couple of weeks with my son to Utah. We will be walking through water and sand for three days at the bottom of the canyon. Any recommendation for an inexpensive pair of water shoes for my son (age 16)? Thanks for your help.