Outdoors & Gear - Scout Life magazine

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?

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!

Lighting stoves without flare-up

What's the best way to light a camp stove without getting too big of a flare-up? I have an MSR WhisperLite.

How to Prevent Itchy Groin After Swimming

Q. Dear Gear Guy. My friends and I do a lot of swimming in saltwater in the summer, and a common problem we have is the infamous itchy groin. Is there a solution?

Headlamp or flashlight?

Q. What’s better for the outdoors: a headlamp or a flashlight?

How to remove mold from sleeping bag

Q. I went camping, and a few days later I found the bag for my sleeping bag has an orange sort of mold on it. Help me!

Stuff We Like: WD-40 Bike Chain Lubricant

You've probably heard of WD-40. It's a spray-on lubricant that has been around forever and is useful on nearly everything -- except bike chains. Now there's a WD-40 made specifically for bikes.

Where to find cheap, decent hiking boots

Q. Hey Gear Guy, I was really unsmart on my first campout and brought sneakers! My Scoutmaster said I had to get hiking boots, but my family doesn't make that much money. Do you know of some really cheap, decent hiking boots?

Forms for planning your outing’s itinerary

Paperwork? For an outing? When it comes to the outdoors, keeping good paperwork is part of Being Prepared. Download our templates to help you get started.

How to Set Up a Tent

Before leaving for your trip, be sure you're comfortable setting up -- and taking down -- your tent.

How to Treat and Purify Water

VIDEO: Three easy ways to treat water so it's safe to drink.

Use the Moon and a Watch to Find North

VIDEO: The moon can tell you where the sun is, and once you know the sun's position, you can use your watch to find north.

How to Use a Map and Compass

VIDEO: Learn about aiming, taking a bearing and other compass tips and tricks to improve your orienteering.

How to Care for Hiking Boots

VIDEO: Boots are super important on the trail. So take care of your footwear, and it'll take care of you.

Why is my pack so heavy?

Q. I’ve been in Scouts for about a year and I was wondering why my backpack is so heavy. I only pack about two pairs of jeans, extra socks and two shirts. I also pack a mess kit and a flashlight plus batteries. My sleeping pad is not heavy; neither is my sleeping bag. Why might my pack be so heavy and do you know how to fix it?

Cleaning a hydration pack

Q. How do I clean out my Camelbak hydration system?

Clean sand out of a knife

Q. How do you get sand out of your knife’s insides?

Skateboard knee pads are super-smelly

Dear Gear Guy, I've been skateboarding on my friend's ramp a lot. I always wear my elbow and knee pads and helmet, but they are starting to really stink. I guess I've been sweating in them a lot, and the pads are super-smelly. What can I do?

Stuff We Like: Teva Universal Sandal

The Teva Original Universal Sandal was designed 30 years ago but has now been rereleased. We dig them because they are basic, simple and comfortable.

Are white-gas stoves allowed?

Q. Dear Gear Guy, I recently inherited a Coleman white-gas stove from my father; he has been using it since he was a Cub Scout with my grandfather in the 1960s. I would love to bring this to camp, but I've heard a lot of talk that white gas isn't permitted in Scouts anymore. Is this true?

Sleeping bag is too cold

Q. I have a 20-degree-rated sleeping bag that I use with a fleece liner, but in late fall and early winter, I'm still cold. I've tried everything -- what should I do?

5 Snowboarding Tips from Gold Medalist Red Gerard

Olympic gold medalist Red Gerard shares tips to help you become a better snowboarder.

Getting comfortable in a sleeping bag

Q. I've been camping for years but am still having trouble getting comfortable when I'm sleeping. I can only sleep on my side with my right arm under my pillow but that can be trouble on cold nights when my mummy bag is cinched up tight. Any help Gear Guy?

Snowboard and skiing gear buying guide

From helmets to boots, the Gear Guy fills you in on everything you need to know to suit up and shred the slopes.

Stuff We Like: Stio Seeker Jacket

The Seeker is one of my favorite new fleece jackets on the market.

Change into fresh clothes to stay warm

Q. I have been reading Boys’ Life longer than most Scouts, but I saw the question about “I have a 20 degree bag…but still cold.” His problem might be that he is going to bed in the clothes that he has been wearing all day. Your body sweats, even in the coldest weather, and that moisture will keep you cold even in the warmest sleeping bag. My advice is to change into fresh dry clothes, at a minimum, change into dry socks and long johns. Try it. Dry means warm.

Good thermal underwear

Q. Hello Gear Guy, My son will be attending a Freeze-O-Ree next month. We need to get some good thermal underwear for 30-40 degree temps. What can you recommend?

Why is my sleeping bag so cold?

Dear Gear Guy, I have a 30-degree rated backpacking sleeping bag but still get cold in above freezing temperatures. Can you recommend a good bag that is light enough to carry and will still keep me warm? Thanks!

How to buy a first skateboard

Q. I'm saving up for a new skateboard and don't know a thing about the prices and the brands. Can you help me out?

Stuff We Like: Black Diamond Mercury 55 backpack

At first glance, Black Diamond's ergoACTIV backpack suspension system seems like a gimmick. But it really works. The hip belt has a unique rotating ball joint that pivots as your body moves. The result is a much more comfortable pack that does a really good job of transferring the pack's weight to your hips.