11-inch Camp Knife
SOG’s evolution of the 1838 “Bowie”-style knife includes an integrated sharpener and a polymer handle over-molded with a rubber grip. Writer T.C. Worley gives the blade a full and multi-faceted test.
$150 Winter Sleeping Bag
It’s the time of year for. . . winter camping! A new bargain-priced, -20 sleeping bag from High Peak is put to the test in the frozen deep woods of Wisconsin.
‘Top 10’ Gear of 2010
Drum roll. . . GearJunkie’s annual ‘Top 10’ Gear picks award the best of the best outdoors equipment after a year of use and abuse around the world. Congrats to Rab, Inov-8 Ltd., Icebug, Garmin, Ibex, Suunto. . .
Giant Rubber Twist-Ties
GearTie LLC’s namesake product is an original American invention that twists, wraps, grips, and cinches onto bike frames, canoe paddles, skis, and sleeping bags rolled up and packed away.
Long-Distance Radios
Not your grandfather’s walkie-talkies. Motorola cites 35 miles as the maximum communication range for its new handheld Talkabout radios.
Bear Grylls Knife
Bear Grylls, he of the broadcast television hit “Man vs. Wild,” has designed a knife for Gerber. The “Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife” comes to market this month for $60.
Review: ULTRA Headlamp
Overkill for the average hiker, but an essential tool in certain high-stakes nighttime scenarios, Petzl’s ULTRA headlamp is in the running as the brightest on the market.
Best OfView All
NEMO Polar Pod
Built with a unique “air-permeable reflective insulation” material, the $3,400 Isopod tent is Nemo’s design culmination from a multiyear experience working for NASA.
Wal-Mart Camping Gear
$19 dome tent, anyone? Josh Turner, a host on CampingGearTV.com, took a trip with camping gear procured only at Wal-Mart. This is his review.
External-Frame Backpacks
Clunky remnants of another era? Not so claim several backpack manufacturers who have brought external-frame models back to the retail floor.
Origins of Swiss Army Knife
Swiss Army Knives are symbols of utility and smart design known the world over. Gear Junkie traveled to Switzerland this summer to investigate the history of the iconic brand.
Fly Fishing Idaho’s Salmon River
Hemingway he ain’t. But writer Stephen Krcmar goes fly fishing for the first time and channels “Old Man and The Sea” while trying to pull in the big one.
‘Best in Show’ awards
GearJunkie.com’s inaugural “Best in Show” awards highlight a dozen innovative new products seen at the Outdoor Retailer trade show this month.
Gear Made in the USA
The outdoors industry has no shortage of goods that come from overseas. But a surprising number of brands tout products originated in the USA. Gear Junkie investigates.
‘Gear of the Half-Year’
Gear Junkie picks six products that have stood out so far in 2010.
Ultra-light Backpacking Tips
Gear Junkie offers a few bullet points from an ultra-light trip last summer in the Catskill Mountains of New York.
Coleman SkinSmart
Coleman launched a new line of DEET-free insect repellents. Our writer tested the “spray pen” dispenser product on mosquitos in Minnesota.
‘Weatherproof’ Socks
From Patagonia to winter bike commutes in Minneapolis, Gear Junkie reviewer T.C. Worley put Seirus’ “weatherproof” socks to the test.
Review: Yakima Skybox
Need more room for cargo? Yakima’s Skybox 18 is a quick way to increase your vehicle’s luggage space.
Monkey Bed ‘Blanket Bag’
Monkey Bed sells messenger-style bags with built-in blankets. Our writer gave it the full picnic and park test this month.
Treasure Hunt Gear: ENO Hammocks
Our “Treasure Hunt: Roanoke” event takes place on July 11th. The goal: To give away $40,000+ in gear! Here’s a preview of a prize from the event.
Zippo Emergency Fire Starter
It’s not a normal lighter. Gear Junkie tests a new fire-starting product from Zippo.
Nano Elite Tent
For adventure racers and the “fast and light” among us, Nemo makes the Nano Elite single-wall racing tent, a 3.3-pound portable home.
SteriPEN AdventurerOpti
Purify your water with UV light. The AdventurerOpti zaps viruses, bacteria and other microscopic bad boys to make questionable drinking water clean.
Therm-A-Rest Haven Top Bag
Climbers, adventure racers and ultra-light backpackers (who are already used to giving up a little convenience for weight savings) are going to love this unique new sleeping bag.
Platypus CleanStream Gravity Filter
No pumping needed. A new way of filtering water from a river or lake, Platypus’ CleanStream Gravity Filter uses its namesake natural force — gravity! — to do the work for you.
Wenger Mike Horn Knife
Wenger consulted with South African explorer Mike Horn to create an uber Swiss Army Knife — pliers, two blades, and screwdrivers included.
New Product: Gnat Stove
At a mere 1.6 ounces, Monatauk Outdoors’ Gnat is touted as the “world’s lightest production camp stove.”
Winter Camping Gear Test – Part 1
Any winter camping trip is an exercise in gear choices. Snowshoes, skis, what will you do for shelter, what temperature should you prepare for? When heading to the BWCA on a gear test trip it simply means you load up the car and bring everything!
Primus PowerLighter
Designed as a pocket-sized torch, the Primus PowerLighter spits a flame that’s as hot as lava.
Boy Scout Tent
In honor of the Boy Scouts of America’s 100th anniversary, Eureka revamped a long-time Boy Scout favorite tent.
