Partner: gear reviews

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

There are several pieces of gear that I rely on for every backpacking trip. Many of these are underrated and often completely overlooked by my peers. But given how useful and inexpensive they are, I think everyone should take another look at these 8 items. Let's get into it!

Welcome my paddling padawans! Today I'm going to be reviewing a high-performance touring kayak, the P&H Sea Kayaks Leo. I'll tell you all about my experiences on the New River in North Carolina, where I took this bad boy down some Class 1 rapids as part of an overnight paddling trip. That's right folks, sea kayaks are meant for a wealth of exciting conditions, which is why I prefer to call them touring kayaks - "sea kayaks" doesn't quite do them justice.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the fair-weather is upon us, and therefore, the 2022 hiking season is in full swing. This means that it's time to sift through the closet or garage and put together your arsenal. Plenty of your equipment may be ready to rock, others things may be in need of repair, and there may be some gaps in your gear-list that require a shopping spree.

I'm going to be pitting the three most badass backpacks (in my opinion) against each other in order to help you make the right decision for your upcoming adventures.

The Sea Eagle RazorLite 393rl is billboarded as an inflatable kayak that paddles as well as a hard-shell. That's a bold claim - one that I simply had to test out for myself. Let's unpack the specs and features and then I'll breakdown the results of my paddle-test. Is the RazorLite truly as good as they say?

The Aqua Marina Tomahawk Air-K 440 is a 2-person (or tandem), inflatable kayak…or is it a canoe?? It's sort of a kayak/canoe hybrid that marries the best features of both. This design approach has become a growing trend in the paddle sports world since you get the freedom of movement and the comfort of a canoe, plus the performance, power, and stability of a kayak.

The Mystery Ranch Bridger 65 is a highly anticipated pack series and I was thrilled to finally get my hands on one to review. For several years the Mystery Ranch Terraframe 65L has been my go-to backpack. So I was excited to see what innovations were included in the Bridger 65L.

A hiker's attire can make or break any adventure. So today, I'm going to be talking about something very near and dear to my butt…I mean heart! Pants. I'm going to be discussing pants - 3 of my favorite pants, to be specific. By taking a closer look at various styles (i.e. the Rab Radius, the Coalatree Trailhead, and the Outdoor Research Ferrosi), I'll be able to highlight the pros and cons of different materials, fits, and features. All three pants are similarly priced, and so the right pair(s) for you will really come down to your own preferences and needs. But here's what I can tell you. 

The Jetboil has become the go-to stove for many backpackers. It boils water incredibly fast and has highly efficient heat transfer, which therefore saves on fuel. These selling features are no doubt what captures the attention of the camping community, myself included. For the last several years I shifted almost exclusively to using the Jetboil.

The Gregory Baltoro is one of the classic backpacks for backcountry adventuring. I used an older, slightly larger version (the Baltoro 75) while on a 7-month trek through the Andes of South America. Recently, I got a chance to test out the revamped design in advance of its spring 2022 release. I loaded up a good 35lbs in the 65-L pack and took to the red cliffs of Sedona, Arizona, to hike several miles over mixed terrain. How do the latest upgrades compare to the tried-and-true predecessor? Here's what I can tell you. 

Sea to Summit's new lineup of lightweight backpacking tents made waves last year for backpackers everywhere. The Telos TR2 and Alto TR2 tents share many overlapping features while still presenting some key differences that keep backcountry folks debating around the fire (and in the YouTube comments section). For this rundown, I recruited Dan Becker, who has implemented the Alto TR2 tent for most of the last year. Since I am a proud owner of the Telos TR2 tent, we can both speak to the specs and from personal experiences in the wild. 

Inflatable kayaks have been booming in popularity lately - and for good reason! They knock down some of the biggest barriers for getting into kayaking. First off, how do you transport a kayak to and from the water? Secondly, where do you store a kayak if you don't have a lot of space? And finally, how does a budget-conscious paddler get into the market? Well, if an entry-level, inflatable kayak can condense into a glorified duffle bag then those issues start to dissolve. That being said, it's important to gauge how such a compact, inflatable kayak actually performs. So I'm going to break down the ins and outs of the Advanced Elements Advanced Frame Kayak and let you know if it's a worthwhile investment. 

Inflatable kayaks have been exploding in popularity because they remove the two biggest barriers for getting into kayaking: transporting your kayak and storing your kayak. However, these perks can sometimes come at the cost of performance. So I put the Advanced Elements AirVolution to the test to figure out if it paddles as well as it packs. 

Recreational touring kayaks are steadily growing in popularity because paddlers are realizing it's nice to have something that isn't just super stable, but also really fun and fast, and that works well for multi-day trips. That's where recreational touring kayaks fit in and that's also where FeelFree Aventura's line fits in. The question I’m here to answer is what kind of ‘bang for the buck’ do you get from it?  Is it worth it?  And how does the Aventura 125 stack up against other R.T.K.s on the market?  To figure that out, I took the kayak on a 2-hour test paddle and here’s what I can tell you.

The portable kayak market has been on fire lately. This is for two main reasons. First, it solves the problem of storage for anyone lacking the space for a full-size kayak. And second, transporting these types of kayaks is much easier than traditional hard-shell models.

What makes a kayak one of the top kayaks of the year? A variety of things qualify a kayak to be chosen best in class. It could be a kayak that's special or unique in some way. A kayak that offers exceptional value could be selected. A kayak just puts a smile on your face can also be a qualifying factor. Whatever the criteria, the only way to really know if a kayak deserves to be considered one of the top kayaks of the year, is to test it.

The sea kayak I’m testing on this paddling adventure is the Boreal Design Baffin P3 touring kayak / sea kayak. After 20-miles of paddling, which took around 5 hours, here’s what I can tell you.

An avid hiker, knowledgeable wilderness explorer and passionate adventurer, Eric Hanson is the face of the Epic Trails – Hiking project. Eric has a strong presence in the online hiking community and shares his adventures in an approachable and inspirational way.