Camping Archives

Nationwide ‘Checkpoint: SPOT’ Treasure Hunt Re-Stocked with Prizes

With new prizes from SmartWool, Deuter, The North Face, Timbuk2, Lazer Helmets, and Buff, today we re-launch our ‘Checkpoint: SPOT’ nationwide treasure hunt! This post…

Written by Stephen Regenold September 30, 2011

Easy Access: Pockets and Pouches for Backpacking

Writes Gear Junkie, “In the gear-that’s-changed-my-life category, the line item of ‘small accessible pockets on backpacks’ may seem odd.” This post details a half-dozen products…

Written by Stephen Regenold September 29, 2011

Tiny Camp Pad, Big Warmth

It weighs 10 oz. and packs as small as a water bottle. But unroll the Zor pad from NEMO Equipment and you have an adequate…

Written by Stephen Regenold September 23, 2011

Vague Path Through the Woods: Trip Report on MN’s Border Route Trail

The GearJunkie crew is back from Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area and the little-traveled Border Route Trail. This report looks at the crew’s fast-and-light assault…

Written by Stephen Regenold September 08, 2011

Not a Knife, a ‘Dynamic Triple Utility Tool!’

With a blade, a cutting hook, and a glass breaker on its butt, the 915 Triage was made for emergency workers and anyone who wants…

Written by T.C. Worley September 07, 2011

‘Cold-Prep’ Camp Food: Instant Meal, No Hot Water Required

Quick food on the trail often means granola, gorp, or energy bars. With its new pouch product, Mountain House offers a fast meal that can…

Written by Stephen Regenold September 07, 2011

Long Hike Ahead: GearJunkie Crew Heading to 65-Mile Border Route Trail

This weekend, we’re heading north to the depths of Minnesota’s North Woods and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. There, we will lace up our boots…

Written by Stephen Regenold September 02, 2011

Paracord Bracelet Unravels to 16-Foot ‘Mini Rope’ for Outdoors

“Wear it, unravel it, survive!” That’s the somewhat melodramatic but highly illustrative tagline for Survival Straps’ namesake product, a bracelet made of paracord that can…

Written by Stephen Regenold August 26, 2011

‘Essential Gear’ for Boundary Waters Canoe Area

As iconic outdoors destinations go, Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area takes a top spot. Our contributor, back from a solo trip, offers a few tips…

Written by Stephen Regenold August 24, 2011

Great Balls of (Nano) Fire! Tiny Tool Shoots Super-Hot Sparks

Shoot molten metal balls to ignite camp stoves and dry kindling with this new “nano-size” fire-starting stick. Gear Junkie tests it out on a recent…

Written by Stephen Regenold August 18, 2011

‘Wearable Sleeping Bag’ Put to the Test

Arms, legs and a hood make the new Selk’bag 4G Lite line a hybrid sleeping bag that offers walk-around-camp convenience. We put a kid’s and…

Written by Stephen Regenold August 15, 2011

‘Best in Show’ Awards: Part II of Greatest Gear for 2012

Welcome to part II of our “Best in Show” gear awards! This stock of innovative outdoors products, culled from the greatest new items on display…

Written by Stephen Regenold August 12, 2011

‘Best in Show’ Awards: Latest and Greatest Gear for 2012!

The twice-annual Outdoor Retailer trade show, held in Salt Lake City, is an exhibition of the best outdoors equipment in the world. The Gear Junkie…

Written by Stephen Regenold August 09, 2011

Outdoor Retailer Trade Show: 2012 Gear Preview (part II)

The OR Show kicks off this week! Our second sneak peek at gear from the trade show includes a canoe/kayak hybrid boat, a tiny helmet…

Written by Stephen Regenold August 01, 2011

Speed Hiker! Pharr Davis sets Record on Appalachian Trail

A new speed record was set this weekend for a complete thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. Gear Junkie gets an exclusive on what it took…

Written by Stephen Regenold July 31, 2011

Outdoor Retailer Trade Show: 2012 Gear Preview

The midsummer tradition of unveiling new outdoors gear comes to fruition next week in Salt Lake City at the twice-annual Outdoor Retailer trade show. But…

Written by Stephen Regenold July 29, 2011

Fold-in-Half, Zip-up Backpacking Shoe

This built-for-backpacking shoe offers a zip-in-half option for maximum packability. Gear Junkie takes the modular footwear, which converts to a “shoe pod” during transit, on…

Written by Stephen Regenold July 28, 2011

Ultimate Summertime T-Shirt?

Quick-wicking, sun protective, and durable in the outdoors, the Eco-Speed-T from RailRiders is among Gear Junkie’s favorite shirts for activity outdoors in hot weather.

Written by Stephen Regenold July 25, 2011

Multi-Tool Converts to Camera Tripod

A to-be-released multitool from Gerber comes with a blade, 12 implements, and a fold-out set of legs to convert it to a camera tripod.

Written by Stephen Regenold July 20, 2011

Affordable ‘Tactical’ Blade from Buck Knives

Priced right, and with a sleek, solid design, the new Bones line of tactical/survival knives from Buck are touted as viable replacements for blades that…

Written by Stephen Regenold July 20, 2011

Explorer-Made Swiss Army Knife

Mike Horn, one of the world’s great explorers, worked with Wenger to create a custom Swiss Army Knife that now bears his name. This article…

Written by Stephen Regenold July 08, 2011

Test: Kid-Size Backpacking Gear

Quality, kid-size backpacking and camping gear from Deuter makes it easier to get the little ones outdoors. Our writer and his two sons, ages seven…

Written by T.C. Worley June 21, 2011

High on Argon: Q&A with Founder of Inflatable Jacket Company

Handheld cartridge air pumps are usually reserved for bike tires. But Utah-based Klymit thinks it’s found a better way to insulate jackets and sleeping pads…

Written by Stephen Regenold June 21, 2011

Power Pack: Equal to 70,000 Batteries!

Need off-the-grid energy? Our writer, a professional photographer and adventurer, conducted a long-term test of Goal Zero’s portable solar power kit, the Sherpa 120, which…

Written by T.C. Worley June 08, 2011

Off-Grid Family Camping Trip

Gear Junkie founder Stephen Regenold gives a report from his family’s off-the-grid camping trip over Memorial Weekend to northern Minnesota’s Bear Lake.

Written by Stephen Regenold June 07, 2011

Coleman ‘Instant Tent’

Easy-to-setup camping tent strikes out on several fronts in Gear Junkie’s test. As per its name, the shelter goes up with ease. The compromise is…

Written by Stephen Regenold June 06, 2011

Camp Dish Cleaner: The Scrubr!

Scrubbing dishes clean in the backcountry is a chore we’d rather ditch. This spring, Lunatec introduced a simple cloth-like scrubber to aid in cleanup after…

Written by Stephen Regenold June 01, 2011