If you spend any time hiking in bear country you need to be prepared for a bear encounter. On a recent backpacking trip in northeastern Minnesota, we had Counter Assault Bear Spray on us the entire time, and it provided the safety and peace of mind we were looking for. The main selling point for [...]

Earlier this year, we reviewed the ZOLEO Satellite Communicator and found it to be an essential piece of gear for backpackers and backcountry hikers. It’s a small GPS device that connects to an app on your phone, making it easy to stay in touch with friends and family when you have zero cellular reception. This [...]

The QuickSurvive Fire Starter is fully waterproof, and burns at over 750F for 10 minutes. It’s exactly what you need in case you’re ever in a survival situation and every moment counts. One of the things I’ve learned over the years when it comes to starting fires is that a quality fire starter is worth [...]

There are a handful of portable fire pits on the market these days, but most of them fall short. They’re too small to generate enough heat for a group, and frankly, many of them look unsafe to me. One thing I know for sure is that none of them are as versatile as the Fireside [...]

How To Stay Safe During Hot Weather Hiking It’s the eternal Catch-22. The only time you have to go hiking is during the summer, but the summer is the hottest time of the year, making it potentially dangerous, wherever you are. However, as with most dangers of the great outdoors, hot weather hiking is only [...]

When it comes to trail bars, the taste may be a plus, but what really matters is caloric density. When every ounce matters, you want something that’s going to give you the nutrients you need for lasting energy.  Clif Bar If you were to go into your decision knowing next to nothing about trail bars, [...]

A good knife is an essential part of any camping kit, and according to some reviewers, the best (or only) way to get a good one is to spend upwards of a hundred dollars. That’s a lot of money for something you could lose, or that you may only use a couple of times a [...]

If there has ever been a summer for bike picnics, it’s this one. Many of the ways we usually recreate haven’t been available, but we still want to get outside to relax with friends. Bike picnics are the answer! Bikes make it easy to find a perfect spot in the park, away from other folks. [...]

50campfires.com received a Brazos Walking Stick for a review and they were amazed by the craftsmanship. They didn’t know whether to hang it on the wall or take it out for a hike! Brazos Walking Sticks have been around for over 20 years, and they are true works of art that become instant heirlooms. Want one for [...]