Gear Reviews

Have you ever gone camping with a loved one, images of a delightfully relaxed weekend outing dancing in your head? And then watched those images promptly vanish in a puff of smoke as soon as tent setup begins and proceed to spend the next three days giving your partner the silent treatment? Or witnessed the couple in the campsite next to you argue over which tent pole goes where for a full 45 minutes? We’ve all been there. It’s no fun. But while we can’t recommend a good family therapist for couple’s counseling or tell the strangers next door that they should use kinder words, we CAN tell you about the innovative, Decathlon inflatable tent–yes, I said inflatable–for your next camping adventure that might just take some of the pain out of campsite setup: the Decathlon Quechua Fresh and Black Air Seconds.

Camping just isn’t camping without a campfire, am I right? But with fire bans increasing around the country, camping without a campfire is a reality for a lot of us, especially if you’re west of the Mississippi. Which totally sucks. But thanks to sustainable brand Ignik, there’s a shiny, convenient new solution: the Ignik FireCan and Gas Growler. Why is it so great? Uh, because it means you can roast those veggie dogs and marshmallows anywhere without worrying about starting a wildfire, that’s why (also, no time-consuming fire building required). We’ll break down why it’s so great right here, right now.

The Dometic CFX3 might just be the ultimate powered cooler. It produces impressive and efficient cooling and freezing, allowing you to bring more of the food and drinks you love wherever you go: Road trips, vanlife, tailgating, backyard BBQ’s, you name it. And, uh, yeah, there’s a mobile app that puts all the power and controls (like performance history and temperature) at your fingertips. So go farther, stay longer, and experience more. Check out our full review in this YouTube video.

Winter is coming (cue Game of Thrones theme). And winter means it’s time for fair-weather campers and backpackers to put away their gear for the winter. But why? Winter camping offers months of quality outdoor time during a season when far fewer people are clogging trails and booking campsites. It’s the perfect time to get outside! But most folks are reticent for the sole reason that they’re afraid they’re going to turn into a popsicle while they’re trying to sleep (yours truly not excepted). Fortunately, there’s a solution: insulated sleeping pads (together with an appropriately cozy sleeping bag). And lucky you, we recently reviewed four insulated inflatable sleep pads for backpacking that will keep you cozy all night long, no matter what the mercury says. Read (or watch) to find the one that’s right for you.

Looking for a fun, spacious, comfortable tent so you can really kick back and relax on your next camping trip? We got you. Well, UST’s got you. With the fun, easy, totally kick-back-and-relaxable UST House Party 4-person tent. And we’ve got all the deets to help you decide if this tent is right for you.

No one wants to hike or backpack in the rain. At least, no one I know. But occasionally, that’s just what happens. Sometimes it can’t be avoided. And when that happens, especially if you’re deep in the backcountry, it’s important that you stay dry and warm so you don’t succumb to hypothermia or some such nonsense. Fortunately, the Rab Downpour Eco Jacket is just the thing: a quality, robust rain jacket that’s sustainable but won’t break the bank.

A quality cooler, whether you’re on a road trip or weekend camping trip, is a beautiful thing. After all, there’s nothing worse than opening your cooler after gathering a team to lug it to the campsite, just to find out your ice has melted and your beer/hard cider/Topo Chico is warm and your hummus has already started growing green fuzz. We wouldn’t wish that on anyone. So allow us to introduce you to the RovR cooler: the coolest, uh…cooler…for all manner of travel and outdoor adventure. Wanna know more? Read (or watch) to learn all about what makes the RovR RollR Cooler so rad.

We’re always on the lookout for a quality pair of kicks here at Terradrift. Usually, that means vegan hiking boots or shoes. But we don’t live our lives in hiking books. In fact, we very frequently slip on a pair of sneaks for travel or just wandering around town. And when we do, we like those shoes to be sustainable and versatile. Enter the Astral Hemp Loyak. One sustainable, stylish, and yes, comfy, shoe. Because what else would you expect from us?

If you spend much time pitching a tent in the backcountry, heck, if you’ve ever spent a single night sleeping in a tent, you know what a wondrous thing a good night’s sleep can be. But sleep can often be an elusive thing when you’re sleeping on the ground outdoors (or in a hammock, for that matter). You know what can make it more achievable? A comfortable pillow, that’s what. But that’s easier said than found. So we went ahead and tested a whole slew of packable pillows to help you find the right one for you. I know. You’re welcome. So here ya go: the 8 best backpacking pillows we could find so you can sleep soundly during your next night under the stars.

Completely undyed AND made of recycled materials inside and out?! Could the Mountain Hardwear Lamina Eco AF be the world’s most sustainable sleeping bag? We think it’s entirely possible. But is it cozy? Comfortable? Packable? Read on (or watch) to find out what we think of this bright white bag.