Ultralight aluminum trowel review: the budget backpacking cathole digger
A cheap, light aluminum trowel that digs a proper cathole where flimsy plastic scoops fail. Our field review of the budget backpacking trowel for Leave No Trace waste burial.
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Poison ivy, oak, sumac, and giant hogweed: identify, avoid, and treat them
The rash-and-burn plants every hiker should recognize. How to identify poison ivy, oak, and sumac, avoid the urushiol that causes the rash, decontaminate fast, and treat it — plus giant hogweed, whose sunlight-activated sap burns anyone it touches and can harm your eyes.
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How to find food in the wilderness (in any climate)
You can live weeks without food, so it is rarely the first emergency. How to find food in forest, mountain, desert, coast, tropics, and cold country — the easiest, lowest-risk calories first, which sources to skip, and how to cook it safely.
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How to find water in the wilderness (in any climate)
Almost every landscape hides water if you know how to read it. How to find water in forest, mountain, desert, coast, tropics, and snow country — the signs that point to it, the sources to trust, the myths to skip, and how to make what you find safe to drink.
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Leatherman Surge review: the heavy-duty multitool for serious use
Leatherman’s biggest tool: 21 functions, oversized pliers, full-size lockable blades, replaceable cutters, made in USA. Our field review of the heavy-duty Leatherman Surge.
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Leatherman Wave+ review: the full-size multitool most people should buy
18 tools with outside-accessible one-hand blades, replaceable wire cutters, and a 25-year warranty. Our field review of the Leatherman Wave+, the do-everything full-size multitool.
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Gerber Dime multitool review: the budget keychain tool you’ll actually carry
A pocketable 12-in-1 mini multitool with spring-loaded pliers, blade, and scissors for a few dollars. Our field review of the Gerber Dime, the budget grab-and-go and first-multitool pick.
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Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ review: ultralight folding poles for fast-and-light miles
Ultralight 100% carbon poles that fold into thirds for a pack or running vest, with FlickLock length adjustment. Our field review of the Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ for fast-and-light miles.
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Black Diamond Trail trekking poles review: the regular hiker’s buy-once pole
The regular hiker’s buy-once pole: Black Diamond’s one-handed FlickLock adjustment, a dual-density foam grip, and aluminum durability that outlasts hard use. Our field review of the Black Diamond Trail.
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Cascade Mountain Tech trekking poles review: the value pole that just works
The value benchmark in trekking poles: aircraft-grade aluminum, secure Quick-Lock levers, a cork grip, and a full carbide-tip and basket kit for well under half the price of a name-brand pole. Our field review and who they are for.
