Outdoor

Outdoor activities like hiking, backpacking, camping, hunting, and fishing are core to GearJunkie’s coverage. Gear up and get out on your adventures.

U.S. Army Bans Vibram FiveFingers

As reported around the barefoot-minded blogosphere this week, the U.S. Army has banned Vibram FiveFingers and all other “toe-shoes” because they “detract from a professional…

Written by Stephen Regenold

Rx Shades: Costa Del Mar

With the solstice past, it’s summertime now officially! And with it, we’re wearing sunglasses most days, even in Minnesota where GearJunkie is based. This review…

Written by Stephen Regenold

Skinny Carbon Trekking Poles

Skinny but stout, the new ultralight trekking poles from Black Diamond borrow tricks from probe poles used in avalanche rescue. Gear Junkie goes on a…

Written by Stephen Regenold

Quick-Draw Camera Belt

This belt holster system gives photographic cowboys a new and faster way to transport a camera while on the go. Our resident writer/photographer, T.C. Worley,…

Written by T.C. Worley

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

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

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

Boot up! Wolverine Leather Hiker

A waterproof liner, Vibram’s “Mutant” soles, and a spinning rubber disc in the heel area of the boot make the Fulcrums from Wolverine among the…

Written by T.C. Worley

Review: Nimbus Trace 62

It’s built to carry loads of 40 pounds or more. A strange, gill-like panel was made to “fit the topography of your back.” Our writer…

Written by T.C. Worley

Test: 3 oz. Jacket

It weighs about 3 ounces and packs in a tiny stuff sack smaller than a fist. But the Cirrus Pull-On from Rab can add enough…

Written by Stephen Regenold

Test: $20 Gerber Machete

The $20 Gerber Gator Jr. machete is no heirloom piece. But it does the work of two tools and might make you look tougher, too.

Written by T.C. Worley

Adidas Enters U.S. Outdoor Market

Athletics behemoth adidas AG is entering the U.S. outdoor marketplace with footwear, apparel, outerwear, and optics. Gear Junkie gets a Q&A with an adidas managing…

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‘Birdseed’ Energy Bar

A compressed block of nuts and seeds — flax, pumpkin, sesame, sunflower — make Raw Crunch bars appear to be made for the birds. Gear…

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Bite-Size Energy ‘Solids’

Sidewalk chalk or energy food? Gear Junkie tests “the strangest energy food he has yet to try,” Hammer Nutrition’s chalky, hard Perpetuem Solids.

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12 Questions With Andrew Skurka

Back from his six-month “Alaska-Yukon Expedition,” ultra-light backpacking phenom Andrew Skurka sits down for a Q&A with Gear Junkie.

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‘Best in Show’ awards (part II)

Part II of Gear Junkie’s “Best in Show” series highlights top products from the Outdoor Retailer trade show and includes touchscreen gloves, an alpine “smock”…

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‘Best in Show’ awards (part I)

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

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OR Trade Show: 2011 Teaser

The Gear Junkie crew is off to Utah this week and the twice-annual Outdoor Retailer trade show. Here’s a quick visual tour of a few…

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Six Outdoor Essentials

Equipment can break. Your body can wear down. These six items have helped Gear Junkie endure and work through bad breaks, gear malfunctions and pain.

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