Outdoors & Gear – Page 8 – Scout Life magazine

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?

Test your skills in 10 emergency scenarios

Test your first aid and emergency response skills with scenarios designed for a First Aid Meet.

How to Buy the Best Compass or GPS Receiver

The Gear Guy's advice for buying the right compass or GPS receiver.

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?

Preventing soggy socks

On winter hikes, my socks always seem to get wet and soggy. How can I prevent that?

Keeping warm on a cold night in an igloo

When done right, an igloo can keep you nice and cozy – even on the coldest winter night.

Stuff We Like: Rockboard Descender

The Rockboard Descender takes boarding into new territory -- whether it's pavement, grass or rocks -- in a crossover snowboarding/surfing kind of ride.

Organize your stuff

Q. I have a lot of gear at my house. But all of it is just shoved into a box in my closet. I wind up losing a lot of stuff and it looks horrible. Is there any cheap, easy and effective way I could organize it?

Stuff we like: Patagonia Kids’ Capilene 3 Midweight Crew

For affordability and performance, this Patagonia crew is great.

SOL Origin Survival Kit: Worth the Price?

I bought the SOL Origin Survival Kit, but my friends told me this was a rip-off. Do you think it was worth it?

Buy a sailboat without breaking the bank

I want to buy a sailboat but don't want to break the bank. What is an affordable 35 to 40-foot boat with a nice cabin I can sleep in?

Stuff we like: Riviera Select 8′ Stoft Top Standup Paddleboard

By now, you’ve probably heard about—or even tried—standup paddleboarding (SUP). If not, the basics are you stand on an oversized surfboard and stroke with a long canoe-like paddle.

Where to Find a Cheap, Good-Quality Hammock

Dear Gear Guy, Where do I go to find a cheap, good-quality hammock? I have been looking all over the Internet but I can't find one for under $100. Please help me.

How to prevent and treat blisters

Here are tips for how to avoid getting blisters and how to treat them.

Most Important Survival Item?

In a survival situation, when you are all alone in the Northern Tundra with only a T-shirt and pants, what one thing would you want?

Basic rock climbing equipment

What kind of basic equipment do I need to go rock climbing with some friends?

Stuff We Like: UCO StakeLight

If you've ever tripped over the guy lines of your tent in the dark, or gotten a little turned around on your way back to your tent after a midnight trip to the bathroom, then you know exactly why the StakeLight is so cool.

Waterproof or water-resistant?

Q. Hey Gear Guy, I have a question for you. What’s the difference between waterproof and water-resistant? I see it on lots of outdoor gear but I’m not sure which is which.

Hate leaving the tent to pee at night

When I’m camping, I hate having to get up in the middle of the night to go outside and pee. Sometimes it’s too cold or I’m nervous about what I might step on in the dark. What should I do?

Avoiding mosquito attacks

I feel like a mosquito magnet. Seems like every time I go on outings with my troop, I'm the only one who gets bitten. What can I do? Help!

De-Stinking Water Bottles

Q. Gear Guy, How do I prevent the nasty odor and taste that I get when I store my Nalgene bottle with the lid closed?

How to fit a backpack

Watch as Eagle Scout Jon Almquist, who works for national outdoors retailer REI, shows you how to fit a backpack in this exclusive BL video.

Effective bug sprays

Q. My Scout Troop took a four-day backpacking trip in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The mosquitoes were the biggest problem on the trip. I used several different bug sprays, and only one of them worked. But the one that worked only worked for about 15 minutes. What type of bug spray (preferably natural) could I use that would keep the mosquitoes away for at least an hour? Also, I’ve heard that there is clothing that keeps bugs away. How effective is this clothing?

How to repair rubber rain boots

My favorite rubber rain boots have a hole in the side. Now they aren't dry at all. They weren't really expensive, but I don't want to get new ones. How can I repair my boot? Please help.

Stuff We Like: Sharkies Organic Kids Sports Chews

It's a special day when "tastes good" and "mom-approved" can be used in the same sentence. And that's why we're stoked on Sharkies.

Reduce sweating in your lifejacket

Q. My family has a great sit-on-top kayak and I love paddling it around the lake in the summer but my parents make me wear a lifejacket and my back gets totally sweaty and gross. Please help me!

What’s a Boston valve?

Q. Hey Gear Guy! I am thinking about buying an inflatable boat. I checked all of the safety regulations, laws, details, etc. The only thing I’m not quite sure about is how to inflate it. It says it comes with two Boston valves for easy inflation. Do I attach them to a hand pump, like the one for my sports balls? Or do I need a special pump? Please say no! HELP!