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The Best Tools to Start a Campfire
Like any person who's had a panic attack about being stuck in the wilderness alone for a night, I always carry some kind of fire starter when I go into the woods. I spent the past two weeks testing...
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Why You Should Shop at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops
Earlier this month, Bass Pro Shops bought Cabela’s and its 85 locations across the United States and Canada for $5.5 billion. The news had me—an avid Pacific Northwest runner and kayaker—asking: What’s...
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How Do I Build an Emergency Survival Bag for Under $100?
Lots of people call emergency survival kits “bug-out bags,” which is a military reference to getting out of somewhere fast. They’re popular with preppers, but even the federal government recommends...
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5 Charities That Will Help You Declutter Your Gear Shed
Many of us have garages stuffed with old gear—kit we love but don’t use anymore. It’s time to let go. You need the extra space, and there are a lot of other people who can put that dusty gear to good...
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6 of the Industry's Best Gear Deals
Outdoor gear is expensive. It’s even more expensive if you’re buying a name-brand product from someone like The North Face, Patagonia, or Canada Goose. While those companies all make great stuff, you...
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6 Gear Companies That Support Our Veterans
For Veterans Day, which is on Friday this year, I want to highlight outdoor gear companies that are owned or run by U.S. veterans. Not only do these brands make bomber products, but they also work to...
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How Tough Are My Sunglasses?
Some weeks I interview microbiologists about water filters or take naps in hammocks for the Gear Guy column. This week, I got to beat the crap out of top-shelf sunglasses ($713 worth) to find out just...
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What Do I Need to Know About Camp Stove Fuel?
In many places—like New Mexico, for instance—fall is the best time to go backpacking. But what’s the best cooking fuel to use? Canister or liquid? Which works best on cold mornings? For help, I called...
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What Gear Should I Splurge On?
I can’t tell the difference between a $1,000 suit and the $200 one I bought for my wedding. But I can tell you how awful it is to be stuck with a lousy pair of hiking boots or a flaccid sleeping pad....
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What Gear Can I Save Money On?
In my last column, I wrote about the gear that’s worth investing real money in. For this column, I’m doing the opposite. Here are ten pieces of gear you can cheap out on and not have a lousy...
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5 Earplugs to Sleep Better on the Road
Sleeping well on the road can be hard. Take what happened to me earlier this month, when my buddy Matt and I spent ten days in Utah on a reporting trip. The guy snores like a gas-powered chainsaw, and...
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7 Ways a Multitool Could Save Your Life in the Field
Multitools entered our world when Leatherman released its Pocket Survival Tool back in 1983. Since then, these devices have become ubiquitous standard-carry kit. We use them to fix bikes, open beers,...
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How to Properly Clean Your Water Bottles and Reservoirs
I have a garage full of water bottles and reservoirs. I do my best to keep them mold-free, but recently I started wondering if there’s a proper cleaning technique for each. To find out, I hopped on the...
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The Best Tools to Start a Campfire
Like any person who's had a panic attack about being stuck in the wilderness alone for a night, I always carry some kind of fire starter when I go into the woods. I spent the past two weeks testing...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Why You Should Shop at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops
Earlier this month, Bass Pro Shops bought Cabela’s and its 85 locations across the United States and Canada for $5.5 billion. The news had me—an avid Pacific Northwest runner and kayaker—asking: What’s...
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8 Rules for Scoring the Best Ski Swap Deals
Ski swaps are great for scoring affordable gear before the season starts, but you need a game plan to successfully negotiate the scrum. For tips and tricks, I interviewed Jesse Hunt, director of Park...
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How to Nail the Perfect Ski Shot with Your Phone
The iPhone is a great camera for ski season as it's light and portable. To help you win Instagram all winter, I asked a group of pro skiers and photographers for their top tips and tricks on making the...
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8 Black Friday Gear Deals You Can Grab Right Now
I encourage you to #OptOutside on Black Friday to avoid the crowds who will be piling into stores all day long—and because you have the day off to play. But I also know this week is a great time to...
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5 Rules That Will Keep You from Being a Dork on the Ski Hill
Full disclosure: I’ve been a gaper. I’ve committed every faux pas in the book. (Just watch this video and look at how I’m wearing my helmet.) Personally, I hate that skiing has so many cultural rules...
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The Only Winter Clothes You Need
I love to play in the snow, but dealing with all the necessary gear can be a huge hassle. That’s why I’ve dedicated lots of time to dialing in the perfect layering system that’s versatile enough to...
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