spot_img
spot_img
HomeTagsGear reviews

Partner: gear reviews

Tucktec kayak vs Sea Eagle 330 kayak

Tucktec vs the Sea Eagle 330 is a hot topic these days! Ken Whiting takes you through both of them in this comparison post.

Hammock Tent Camping – ENO DoubleNest Review

The ENO DoubleNest Hammock tent camping set up was designed for two people. Emily and Nick review the ENO DoubleNest Hammock from their recent adventure.

Oru Kayak Coast XT Kayak Review

Our Oru Kayak Coast XT Sea Kayak Review begins with how portable this kayak is and then tests its durability on the water with ice flows!

Flycraft Stealth 2.0 vs NRS Approach 120 | Best Small Fishing Raft 2024

Jameson reviews and compares the Flycraft Stealth 2.0 and the NRS Approach 120 for best small fishing raft of 2024.

Big Agnes Sleeping Bag vs Zenbivy Sleep System

Emily Jackson reviews two of the best double sleeping bag options out there: Big Agnes versus the Zenbivy sleeping systems.

Flycraft Stealth 2.0 Review

Jameson Redding lends his unbiased Flycraft Stealth 2.0 Review from the famed waters of the Suwannee River down in Florida. Check it out!

Ultra Light Hiking Gear Essentials

Stella Blashock takes us through all of her ultra light hiking gear essentials starting with her backpack and down into the layers she wears and more.

Ultimate Yuba Spicy Curry Review

The Bosch-powered Yuba Spicy Curry ebike is reviewed by our own Emily Jackson. Check out all the details on this convenient family vehicle.

YakAttack BlackPak Pro Review

Jameson runs us through his Yakattack Blackbox review, a product he touts as one of the best to come out of this made in USA company.

Emotion Cabrio Review – A Convertible Kayak

Ken Whiting finds a unique recreational kayak, one that converts from a sit-inside to sit-on-top kayak. Check out the Emotion Cabrio Review.

The Melker Ulvon Kayak Review

Ken takes yet another Melker Kayak out on an adventure. The result, his Melker Ulvon kayak review is ready for viewing!

Budget Hiking Gear for Under $50!

Eric Hanson highlights the best budget hiking gear for under $50. Check the full article out and save!

Delta Kayak 15.5 GT Review

Ken Whiting does a Delta Kayak 15.5 GT review by putting it to a pretty unique test for a boat of it's class. Whitewater! Check it out!

Osprey Tempest 20 vs Gregory Juno 24 vs Coulee 20 vs Osprey Sirrus 24 | Women's Hydration Pack Comparison

Eric and Kristi review the Osprey Tempest 20 vs Gregory Juno vs Coulee 20 as well as the Osprey Sirrus 24 in this in depth comparison post.

Wilderness Systems Targa 130T Review

Ken and his wife, Nicole, are out on the water paddling what they consider one of the best tandem kayak on the market. Check it out.

Perception Hangtime 11 Review

Ken is on the Flint River doing his Perception Hangtime 11 review. Ken presents this kayak as it is meant to be, comfy and fun!

Sea Eagle Travel Canoe Review

Ken takes us on to the water with the Sea Eagle Travel Canoe and does a full review bow to stern as only Ken can do.

Sea Eagle 385 FastTrack Inflatable Fishing Kayak

Ken does his full review of the Sea Eagle FastTrack 385, an inflatable fishing kayak aimed at the lightweight fishing kayak fans.

Kayaking Shoes or Kayak Boots?

Ken Whiting discusses what are the best footwear options for kayaking and runs through how to choose the right shoe for the right situation.

Decathlon Itiwit X500 Inflatable Kayak Review

Ken Whiting reviews the Decathlon Intiwit X500 inflatable kayak on a trip through the Okefenokee swamp. Check it out!

Intex Excursion Pro vs NRS Pike Inflatable Kayak

Ken Whiting dives down deep into comparing the Intex Excursion Pro versus NRS Pike Inflatable Kayak in this full review.

The Best Hiking Boots and Shoes Depends on Your Needs

Eric Hanson helps you sift through the huge numbers of hiking shoes and hiking boots.

Aquaglide Inflatable Kayaks – Which Aquaglide Kayak?

Aquaglide inflatable kayaks are lightweight and high-performance 'touring' inflatable kayaks and Ken has the scoop on three of them!

Mystery Ranch Coulee 20L Review and 30L Review

Eric does his full Mystery Ranch Coulee 20L & 30L Day Pack Review diving into the technical details of these two hiking packs.

Jon Boat vs Slipstream Raft: Compare River Fishing Boats

Jameson Redding gives his detailed two cents on the differences in fishing from an inflatable raft vs a jon boat.

Inflatable Fishing Kayaks – NRS Pike Pro vs NRS Kuda 126

Jameson Redding walks you through a comparison of two popular NRS inflatable fishing kayaks – the Pike Pro vs Kuda 126.

Keen vs Teva vs Astral: Sandals Review

Fresh from her trip to Uganda, Emily Jackson compares the Keen vs Teva vs Astral sandal in a review shows the best use for each.

Best Paddling Tops for Kayaking and Canoeing

Ken Whiting runs you through the abundance of the best paddling tops to choose from, based on a variety of conditions.

Zenbivy Light Double Camping Bed Review

Eric hikes some sunny miles through the Superstition Mountains of Southern Arizona to test out the Zenbivy Light Double Camping Bed.

Cheapest Fishing Kayak – Intex Excursion Pro Inflatable Kayak Review

The Intex Excursion Pro Inflatable Fishing Kayak is available on Amazon for less than $200. It is the cheapest fishing kayak in the market!

Osprey Aura 65L Backpack Review 

Kristi breaks down the features of the Osprey Aura AG 65L backpack in her latest review.

NRS Pike – Inflatable Kayak Review

A good quality inflatable kayak can be an excellent vessel to fish from. Which is exactly what the NRS Pike inflatable fishing kayak is.

Best Camping Coffee Maker

If coffee is important to you, Eric Hanson reviews the best camping coffee makers.

How to Choose a Life Jacket for Kayaking and Canoeing

How do you choose the right life jacket for you? Ken sets out to show you exactly how to choose a life jacket for your next adventure.

Bridger 35L Day Pack Review

In this article Eric Hanson delivers his Mystery Ranch Bridger 35L Backpack Review

Outcast Striker vs NRS Slipstream 96: Comparing Two River Fishing Rafts

Jameson Redding does a head-to-head comparison of two leading fishing rafts: The Outcast Striker vs. NRS Slipstream 96!

Outcast Sporting Gear Striker Fishing Raft Review

In this Outcast Stricker raft review, I share my thoughts about a great little raft with the river angler in mind.

Fishing Raft Review: NRS Slipstream 96

Jameson Redding's NRS Slipstream 96 Fishing Raft Review from the point of view of an amateur rafting person but an avid fisherman.

Grand Canyon Winter Backpacking

Last month, I and my good friend/fellow YouTube Backpacking Guru embarked on a 5-day, 50-mile, winter trudge across the Grand Canyon. Now, it would be an understatement to say this Grand Canyon winter backpacking trip did not go as planned.

Fresh Gear Friday: Cold Weather Backpacking Gear

Selecting cold weather backpacking gear can be an extreme challenge for a lot of people. It's important to have the right skill set, but all the know-how in the world still isn't worth much without the proper gear.

Best Hiking Gear of the Year 2022

After several decades of backpacking, I'm still learning new ways to enhance this awesome pastime. Every year I'm fortunate to be able to test loads of new gear. This year, in particular, unveiled some major stand-outs.

Sea to Summit Telos Tent Review

I'm pumped to tell you about Sea to Summit's (relatively) new Telos TR2 tent in this review. These guys have been making killer gear for a long time, but this was their first foray into the tent game.

Fresh Gear Friday: Cold Weather Sleeping Bags and Other Gear

Welcome to another round of Fresh Gear Fridays! Today I've got a nifty new lightweight stool to tell you about, a winter-worthy sleeping bag to add to your radar, and another tasty meal to keep you satiated on those chilly overnighters. Let's get into it. 

Fresh Gear Friday: Backpacking Gadgets and Tools I Like

When talking about backpacking gadgets, it's tempting to focus on the bigger, fancier items such tents, packs, and boots.

Fresh Gear Friday: New Hiking Gear

Welcome to another edition of my semi-regular “Fresh Gear Friday” series. Let’s continue our exploration of some brand-spankin’-new backpacking goodies. Today I want to...

Women's Rash Guard, Dry Top and Water Gear

Over the last year I have been fortunate enough to work with the amazing Brand NRS- While I am officially on their Team now, there have been several years and products that I would steal from my loving husband for a long period of time.

Best Hiking Boots and Shoes of 2022

Getting the right style of hiking shoes/boots can be tricky to nail down, but it's seriously rewarding once you do.

Swift Cruiser Pack Boat Review

I got to test out a couple of featherlight Swift Cruiser pack boats for the very first time.

Women's Bridger 55L Backpack Review

Hey Everyone! My name is Kristi Rauckis. Some of you may know me from my recent BackpackingTV appearances. I've always been a big fan of the outdoors, and lately, I've had the chance to go on some pretty awesome adventures.

Kayak Paddle Review: Aqua Bound Ray Series New Design

Aqua Bound has been crafting world-class paddles for over three decades. Their best-selling lineup, the Ray Series, just so happens to be a favorite of mine, and so I was stoked to take the new designs out for a spin.

Snowstorm Camping and Sleeping in Cold Weather

Now that summer is thoroughly in the rear-view mirror, and the inviting fall colors are giving way to harsher conditions (depending on where you...

Best Kayak Gear and Canoe Gear

Lately, I've been giving out some awards to my favorite kayaks of the year. Now it's time to turn our attention to the best...

Terraframe 65L Backpack Review

I bring you another in-depth review of a unique, multi-day pack: the Mystery Ranch Terraframe 65. I'll kick things off by saying that this is a hefty, hardcore backpack that is not for the faint of heart, but at- the same time, it's also one of my favorites.

Osprey Atmos 65L Backpack Review

The Osprey Atmos AG 65 is one of the best-selling backpacks on the market. If you take any well-trodden trekking trail, you are likely to come across at least a few people using this bad boy.

PaddleTV Best Kayak Awards for 2022

Award season continues with my picks for the Best-in-Class kayaks of 2022. In order to claim such a crown, these kayaks had to demonstrate...

Top 5 Inflatable and Folding Kayaks of 2022 | PaddleTV Award Winners

Today's category is portable kayaks. These are the 5 inflatable kayaks and portable kayaks that not only made a great impression on me, but demonstrated their ability to deliver a quality experience for lots of different paddlers. 

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 3400 Backpack Review

For the last couple of seasons I have mainly been reviewing luxury, high-comfort trekking bags. So even though the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 3400 is a tried-and-true thru-hiker's backpack, I thought it was high time that I shared my full breakdown of it.

Sea Eagle 330 Kayak Review | A Gateway Kayak

"Gateway" kayaks are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they can be accessible and affordable boats that get new people excited about paddling. On the other hand, if someone's first foray into the sport ends up being a lousy experience, then this may turn them off for life.

NRS Axiom Dry Suit Review: How do I choose a dry suit?

One of my primary missions with this platform is to encourage more and more people to get out on the water. And once you're a paddler at heart, I want your experiences to be as enjoyable, comfortable, and safe as possible.

New Hiking Gear Summer 2022

I’m happy to report that I had a summer full of rewarding backpacking trips. From as far off as the mountains of Peru to familiar trails in my own backyard, there were no shortage of opportunities to do what I love most.

Backpacking Essentials For 3 Night 4 Day Backpacking Trip

A 3 night, 4 day trip is the classic backpacking adventure. You get a thorough taste of the hiking/camping experience, and it’s short enough that you can carry everything you need, without having to worry about resupplies.

Decathlon Itiwit Inflatable Kayak Review – Walmart Kayak Review

It’s time for another in-depth, unbiased gear review. For this round I decided to go to my local Walmart and get the cheapest kayak set-up I could find. I ended up walking out of there with a paddle, a life jacket, a pair of booties, and the Decathlon Itiwit inflatable kayak, which is billboarded as a 2-3 person kayak, but I fared just fine on my own.

Backpacking Gear Top 3 Mistakes

I’ve been doing a lot of backpacking lately with people who are newer to the pasttime. This means that I’ve borne witness (bared witness? Ah whatever, you get the idea) to a number of cringe-worthy mistakes by my peers who mean well, but just aren’t in the know. I see flubs while hiking, faux-pas around the tent, and self-defeating practices that scare off that precious backcountry sleep.

Gearlab Outdoors Kalleq Review

Let’s talk about the Gearlab Outdoors Kalleq Greenland paddle. Having paddled with a typical kayak paddle for over 30 years, moving to a Greenland paddle has been a surprisingly difficult adjustment for me.

Zoleo Satellite Communicator Review

For me, as a person that heads into the backcountry regularly, spending $500 per year to have a communication device that will work anywhere and at any time seems like a very reasonable deal.

Lendal Storm Carbon Paddle Review

The storm is light as a feather but doesn’t suffer from a fragile feel.  The blades jump from one stroke to the next, providing wonderful power and a lively feel. It’s the type of paddle that provides comfort and confidence.

Best Hiking Shorts: Hike Farther, Feel Fresher

Now that we're in the peak of the summer heat, I thought we should talk about hiking shorts! When the weather calls for it, nothing beats a trustee pair of shorts to keep the breeze flowing and that range of motion on-point.

AquaGlide Chelan 120 Inflatable Kayak Review

Not only have I been looking forward to trying out the AquaGlide Chelan 120 inflatable kayak, but a lot of you have been asking for it in the comments sections of my other reviews. It's not everyday that you find a portable kayak that also has all-day performance - hence the shared intrigued amongst us.

Alternatives to Tent Camping to Save Money

There are creative alternatives to tents that can help you save money and add some spice to your backpacking experience. Today, I'm going to walk you through three simple options that you can experiment with, depending on your comfort level. You can absolutely stay dry and happy throughout the night, without breaking the bank or solely relying on a classic shelter.

6 Great Kayak Gear Ideas for Paddlers

One of the cool things about paddling is that you don't need a ton of gear to get going (unless you're in cool conditions). But over time, you may find that certain add-ons enhance your experience. Through trial and error, and with the help of some friendly suggestions, I've come to discover a number of sweet pieces for the gear shed.

Gearlab Outdoors IPIK Paddle Review: A Greenland Paddle

For this review, I stepped out of my paddling comfort zone. Don't get me wrong, the IPIK is crazy comfortable, but I'm still getting used to operating Greenland blades. Because these are a lesser-known style of paddle, I thought I would talk about Greenlands in general, as well as go into more detail on the IPIK itself.

$100 Backpacking Water Filters and Purifiers

Selecting your water treatment method can be one of the most crucial decisions you make in regards to your backpacking gear. It's tough to think of a higher priority for a safe and fun hiking experience than clean drinking water. Thankfully, these methods/gadgets don't cost an arm and a leg, and most of them are exceptionally packable.

Origami Paddler Review: I Can't Recommend This Kayak!

Portable kayaks have become some of the most sought-after models on the market. These slick, innovative packages are lightweight, easy to store/transport, and generally a breeze to assemble on the shore. The explosion of demand for these kayaks has produced a wide array of options to choose from; some I have raved about in previous reviews, and others don't quite hit the mark when it comes to the most important metric of all: paddling.

Swell Scupper 14 Kayak Review

Hello paddlers! One of the cool things about having a YouTube channel is the continuous chatter in the comments section. I'm constantly getting loads of great feedback and ideas for what to try next. One of the points I saw recently was in regards to the "unbiased" claim that I like to kick off each review with.

Don't Overlook This Backpacking Gear

There are a few pieces of backpacking gear that I take with me no matter where I go (well, in the backcountry that is). Now, this isn't the obvious stuff like a tent/backpack/sleeping bag, etc. This is a list of things that I think are a bit overlooked, and yet, in my opinion, essential to have with you on every trip.

Jackson Kayak Knarr Review

Today I'm going to be telling you all about the latest release from Jackson Kayak - both a detailed run-down of its features, as well as my own assessments from a thorough paddle/pedal test.

Pelican Catch Mode 110 Review – Best Fishing Kayak

Fishing kayaks have been some of the best-selling models on the market for a number of years now. With that popularity has come significant advancements in the tech/styles, but also the prices. Hardcore anglers might be accustomed to spending 10s of thousands of dollars on motorboats and other gear, so a high-end kayak in the $2,000 to $5,000+ range might not be a big deal.

Body Glove Performer SUP Review – Best Stand Up Paddleboard?

Right out of the gates (or rather, tailgate of my truck) I was excited about the Body Glove Performer 11 inflatable stand up paddleboard. It was light and it came with an electric pump, both of which saved my arms for the actual gear test.

Inexpensive Backpacking Gear: Hiking Gear Hacks

Getting into backpacking can be an extremely expensive endeavor; one that unfortunately holds a lot of people back. By the time you shop from head to toe, backpack to tent and everything in between, that coveted disposable income can become but a faint echo of the past.

Perception Showdown 11.5 Kayak Review – Pedal Fishing Kayak

Pedal kayaks have exploded in popularity over the past 5 years. They are particularly popular for fishing purposes, as they let you move the boat around while keeping your hands free. However, one of the downsides of pedal kayaks is that they can range in price anywhere from $1,600 to over $5,500! Perception released the Showdown with the goal of offering a high-quality pedal fishing kayak at an affordable price. Now, I'm traditionally more of a strict paddler, but I stretched out my hammies and slipped on my best peddling shoes in order to see if the Perception Showdown is worth the money. Let's comb through the basics and then I'll give you my thoughts across key categories.