Outdoors & Gear - Scout Life magazine

How to Build a Survival Shelter

Being prepared to live — and live well — when you’re far from the comforts of home starts with being able to take effective shelter from the elements.

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 Buy the Perfect Bike

The Gear Guy gives you tips and tricks for buying your next bicycle -- plus six hot bike picks.

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!!

9 Great Prepackaged Trail Meals

Gear Guy reviews nine meals that are lightweight, simple to prepare and surprisingly delicious.

4 Fun Sports For the Great Outdoors

No referee? No sports field? No problem. We've adapted these four sports so they can be played almost anywhere.

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?

How to Find Fossils

Sometimes a rock's just a rock ... and sometimes it's a fossil. How can you tell the difference?

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?

Sun protection buying guide

Be prepared for those broiling summer days with these handy tips and hot gear.

How to perform a canoe-over-canoe rescue

If you go canoeing enough, eventually you're going to fall in the water. Here are tips for safely rescuing a capsized canoe.

How to Skip Rocks

A stone-skipping expert shares his tips to help you successfully skip rocks.

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?

How to Cook Some Goofy Grub

We scoured the Internet for these six strange recipes and oddball cooking methods. Then we challenged a Scout troop to try them out.

Video tips for better biking

You can make biking easier, safer and more fun with these video tips and tricks from bicycling experts.

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?

Poisonous Plants Quiz

Whether you're on a backcountry trek or a walk in the park, how aware are you of dangerous plants? Take this quiz and find 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 Make Your Own Hiking Stick

Walking sticks make hiking more fun. Next time you go hiking, step out with a personal walking stick that you made yourself.

How to stop tent leaks

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

Skateboarding Video Tips and Tricks

Learn some basic skateboarding techniques from a world record-holding skater.

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?

Make a Solar Hot Dog Cooker

If you curve some aluminum foil just right, you can cook hot dogs with the sun's heat.

Running shoes buying guide

Pro runner Alan Webb unveils the best strategy for shopping for running shoes.

Make Your Own Minnow Trap Using a 2-Liter Bottle

Don't waste money buying bait. Gather your own! It's simple with this easy-to-make trap.

Steel-toed boots for hiking?

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

Emergency Preparedness Quiz

Whether you're on the trail or just having fun in the park, it's easy to get into trouble. Accidents happen. Would you know what to do?

Binoculars buying guide

Pick the right binoculars, and it’s a cinch to bring far things close. We’ll show you how.

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?

How to Pick the Best Socks for the Trail

A good pair of socks is one of the best things a Scout can give his feet. Here's a guide to buying the best trail socks.

What to pack in a daypack?

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

Let it glow: A look at naturally glowing plants and animals

Bioluminescence is a wild light show in nature. Check out these naturally glowing plants and animals.

Sharpening a pocketknife

When and how should I sharpen my pocketknives?

Ski and snowboard buying guide

Get ready to shred with these need-to-know basic buying tips for skis and snowboards.

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?