Once again, Northern Michigan has become a winter wonderland. Last week, over three feet of light fluffy snow has accumulated and begs to be played in. Fortunately, MSR was kind enough to send out a couple of pairs of their Lightning Explore Snowshoes to help us enjoy the conditions. And that’s just what we’ve been […]
Gear Reviews
Durable Cold Weather Protection with the K5 Testa Soft-shell from Beyond
Well, it’s starting to feel like winter again, at least where I live. Temperatures have changed for the colder and so has my wardrobe. With a closet full of outerwear options, I find myself constantly going back to one of the most versatile pieces of kit in the quiver. The Testa Soft-shell Jacket and Pants […]
Goal Zero Flip 24 Portable Power Bank
UPDATE: Goal Zero has updated the Flip 20 to the Flip 24. The links below go to the new Flip 24 product page. Over the years I have used several different brands of portable power banks, in an attempt to find the one that fits my lifestyle and needs. Most of them require you to […]
How Rambo used only a Knife to Evade and Survive in First Blood
Rambo First Blood is on my short list of favorite movies and was also one of my first glimpses into just how badass the Army Green Berets were. What he did with his fixed-blade knife is what I wanted to highlight in this article. Survival is a state of mind. If a man does not let […]
YETI LoadOut 5 Gallon Bucket | Contractor Approved
I first laid eyes on this new item from Yeti at Outdoor Retailer. Although 5 gallon buckets have been around for awhile, I had to take a closer look at the Yeti LoadOut 5 Gallon Bucket. Typical Yeti over engineering was evident as soon as I picked it up. Made from injection molded plastic and weighing […]
Top 5 EDC Items You Need to Carry Every Day | Buyers Guide
EDC or EveryDay Carry gear is basically the few vital items that you almost always carry when leaving home. When you walk out of your door, what are the items you have on your person? For the majority of us, it’s our keys, watch, phone, and wallet. Personal preference plays a large part in the […]
The Solo First Aid Kit from My Medic
Assembled by experts in the medical and outdoor fields, the Solo First Aid Kit from My Medic is an essential piece of kit. Sized perfectly for individual use, The Solo FAK easily fits into a cargo pocket, carry-on luggage, belt or backpack. Intended for individual use, the Solo FAK is loaded with the supplies you need […]
WeBoost Drive Sleek | Boosting Comms in Sketchy Coverage Areas
There is nothing more frustrating than a weak cell/data signal when either trying to talk to someone or navigating using your smartphone GPS. Typically GPS apps require a minimum signal to function correctly. If you’re driving through an unknown area and relying on your GPS, you better have solid comms with the cell towers. weboost […]
Midland ER10VP Emergency Alert AM/FM Weather Radio
About twelve years ago, there was a major storm in my area of New Jersey, and we lost power. Luckily, it only lasted for about eighteen hours, but the lesson learned once again is how much we rely on external power for our news and information. In addition to the basic emergency supplies like food […]
My Favorite Black Diamond Outerwear
One of the brands I’ve relied on for a while now is Black Diamond. Known for their mountaineering equipment, I never really gave them thought for the activities I partake in; mainly shooting and hiking. One of the ‘industry’ guys that I follow for no-bullshit opinions on gear is Kyle Defoor, which just happens to wear Black […]
Men’s Winter Ferrosi Jacket by Outdoor Research
The Winter Ferrosi Jacket is a great lightweight option for hiking and urban commuting during the colder winter months. This jacket also packs down relatively well into my backpack if I need to shed my outer layer. Other than the typical more common features such as being water-resistant and wind-resistant, there are two specific features […]
Vostok from Epic Water Filters | a Water Filter for the Urban Jungle
The Epic Water Filters Vostok The Epic Water Filters Vostok water bottle is a great way to make sure you’re getting high-quality water in today’s urban jungle. This 34 oz double-walled stainless bottle not only keeps your water cold but filters it too. The included filter is specifically designed to further improve tap water. With […]
Nitecore BP18 | The Ultimate Commuter Pack
When I first opened the box, I thought the Nitecore BP18 is never going to accommodate my daily EDC for personal or professional use. My natural tendency is to over pack but I’m working on that. I’ve been scaling down my pack size to keep things lighter and more streamlined for easier movement. My personal […]
Nomatic 25 Liter Camera Bag: First Look
In the world of photography, keeping your gear accessible, dry and safe is an absolute must. When you are willing to drop thousands on a lens or camera body, you want to protect it as much as possible. The folks at Nomatic teamed up with renowned photographer Peter McKinnon to design the Nomatic 25L. And […]