• Camping & Hiking

    Thermarest Sleeping Pads Allow You To Rough It Comfortably

    January 20th, 2020

    Product display of thermarest sleeping pads

    Hiking that looming mountain is a lot easier with a good night’s sleep. There is a vast array of sleeping pads on the market, but most of them fall short of ideal. Air mattresses sink in the middle and require a pump, traditional foam pads absorb every drop of condensation in your tent, and closed-cell foam pads are just not that comfortable. Your aching back has hope however: Therm-a-Rest pads are self-inflating, thin air mattresses that place a soft cushion of air between you and the rocks/roots under your tent floor. For example, this Therm-a-Rest Trail Lite pad is 1.5 inches thick when inflated. Easy enough for packing into your backpack.

    Its urethane foam keeps this pad lightweight (only 2 lbs for the regular size), and its 150 denier polyester construction makes it rugged and water resistant. No pump is needed for these pads; just open the valve and let it fill with air! The trade-off with these pads is that they can fill more slowly with age (but storing them unrolled helps), and sleeping bags can slip off of them easily if you are tenting on any kind of slope. All told however, ThermaRest sleeping pads are the best portable pads you’ll find without sacrificing comfort.

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  • Camping & Hiking

    A Comfortable Waterproof Daypack For Rainy Hikes Or Canoe Trips

    January 7th, 2020

    Small product picture of waterproof daypack review.

    The waterproof daypack from Overboard is 25 liters of awesomeness due to the fact that it really is waterproof. Many reviewers noted when I was researching for this review that you couldn’t get a mid-sized dry pack for the price of this daypack, so it’s definitely a good value. One of the interesting things about this waterproof daypack is the roll-down top design. It’s more like your typical military bag than your typical daypack, but that may actually be a good thing. Zippers could leak and corrode if you had them out in the water or rain all the time, so the roll-down design seems to be an advantage for this pack.

    The reviews for this backpack were mixed, but most of them were positive. It seems a few reviewers had trouble with straps breaking loose or with the backpack not being quite as waterproof as it claimed. On the other hand, though, a bunch of reviewers noted that they’d tested the backpack in heavy rains, in mud puddles, or totally underwater without any problems with even dampness on the inside of the bag. One of the best things about this waterproof daypack is that it actually does seem to be waterproof – for the most part. Most reviewers said they’d tried it in heavy rains at the very least, and one guy even dropped it off of a waterfall cliff. The items inside were still dry after these ordeals, though the backpack isn’t made to be submerged for long periods of time or under feet of water pressure.

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  • Camping & Hiking

    The Berkley Fish Scale Offers Accurate Readings Up To 50 Pounds

    October 2nd, 2019

    Product review of berkley fish scale.

    Berkley’s Fifty Pound Digital Fish Scale sounds like it could belong in a seafood seller’s market stall or even a fishing boat. However, this nifty scale will do more than weigh fish, and can prove to be very handy to those traveling or engaging in selling items online. Berkley promises this scale to be accurate to within one-quarter of an ounce either way. This Berkley fish scale also boasts a tare function which lets you weigh more than one fish at a time and a memory of the past ten weights taken. It can also calculate settings for combined and average weights. An auto off switch, designed to help save battery life, and a retractable hook round out the features.

    Even if you do not fish, this scale can prove valuable. Customers giving reviews on Amazon have found the scale useful for weighing luggage prior to travel, which can help avoid above-weight fees. Also, those participating in selling items online, such as for eBay, have also found the scale ideal for weighing packages prior to shipping. One common concern for customers is the short life batteries tend to have with this scale.

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  • Camping & Hiking

    This Stainless Steel Fire Bowl Helps You Stay Warm On Cool Nights

    July 24th, 2019

    Small product picture of fire pit bowl.

    Everyone gets tired of being inside, especially those living in colder climates that are essentially trapped inside during the frigid winter months. As a result, when the chance to spend time outside comes around we don’t take it for granted. No time of year is immune to cooler temps from time to time, and some individuals will do all they can to extend the usability of their outdoor spaces well into the fall months. The perfect tool for staying warm on cool nights is the Deckmate Steel Fire Bowl. The fire pit bowl is constructed with stainless steel, providing corrosion resistance and an easy clean up.

    This particular model from Deckmate measures 29 inches across and is suitable for use with charcoal, wood logs, and artificial logs. The fire pit also includes a mesh screen to prevent sparks from flaring onto guests and an ornate cast iron legs to compliment the look and appeal of your outdoor entertaining space. A wide variety of fire pits and bowls exist on the market, so choosing one is going to be left to the individual customer. Other fire pits may be larger or smaller, and have different materials used in their construction, but the Deckmate Outdoor Fire Pit is going to be a good fit for almost any home’s backyard entertaining area. Online reviewers had nothing but good things to say about this outdoor fire pit.

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  • Camping & Hiking

    Berkley Fishing Tackle Box Offers Seven Storage Compartments

    May 21st, 2019

    Product review of the berkley fishing tackle box.

    Traditional tackle boxes are great for when you’re hanging your feet off the pier and casting in the morning sun, but some anglers are constantly on the move looking for the next big catch. When you’ve already got your hands full, it’s difficult to lug around a tackle box. Using a Berkley Strap-On Tackle Box keeps your gear with you, while you stay focused on your rod and line. This Berkley Fishing Tackle Box weighs less than a pound and fits comfortably around the waist using its adjustable web belt. The discount fishing tackle box has seven separated compartments with two locking lids that provide access to just the gear you need.

    The box can also be flipped down to provide anglers with a small work area for setting up lures and working with bait. Customer reviews of this tackle box are overwhelmingly positive. Customers enjoy always having a mobile work surface available and how it keeps them from making long trips back to their vehicle to pick up more equipment. Some customers mentioned that the hinges have broken on their boxes, but also said that Berkley replaced the parts at no cost. If you’re the type of person who likes to fish all your favorite spots in one day, consider purchasing the Berkley Strap-On Tackle Box, and your gear will follow you wherever you go.

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  • Camping & Hiking

    Blackstone Griddle Ready For Tailgate Parties, Camping And Barbeques

    February 21st, 2019

    Small product picture of blackstone griddle review.

    Turn your outdoor get-togethers into successes, no matter what you’re cooking! The Blackstone Griddle features a large, 36-inch cooking area and super sturdy design, making it perfect for barbecues, camping, catering, or just sitting outside in your backyard. Made of thick rolled steel, with four cast iron burners that can be controlled on their own, the Blackstone Griddle provides even heat distribution. Whether you choose to cook the same or a variety of foods, a push button igniter lights the griddle and allows you to choose between high and low temperatures. The Blackstone Griddle is a great product and more versatile than other countertop griddles.

    Its large surface and independently controlled burners allow for all different foods to be cooked at the same time, and the portability of the griddle makes it transportable to baseball games or tailgating parties. It operates on a propane tank, and the griddle has corresponding accessories, including a carry bag, grill box and cover. And, consumers love that there is no set-up with this griddle; just take it out of the box and get cooking! Most reports online love this product, saying that it whips up all types of foods and gains the attention of passerby’s. Some customers complained of the temperature of the griddle however, saying that it doesn’t get hot enough. Product owners say that although the griddle doesn’t seem to heat up at first, it does, so put it on the highest heat setting and then turn it down. Overall, the Blackstone 36 Inch Commercial Griddle Grill is great for the price and will feed a hungry group of people!

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  • Camping & Hiking

    The Strathwood Chaise Lounge Is Made Of All Weather Hardwood

    November 19th, 2018

    Product display of strathwood chaise lounge

    Are you looking for the ideal lounging chair to sit next to the pool, around the fire pit or maybe just reading a good book while soaking up the some sun. The Strathwood Chaise Lounge might just be a affordable choice for all those activities. The portability of this chair is perfect for following the sun and when you need to roll it away into storage. The wood is fine grained which is smooth sanded and is made from Kapur wood, a Southeast Asian hardwood. This wood oils does have some excellent weather resistant properties. However, most users recommend a generous amount of teak oil or something comparable to provide extra protection.

    The hardware attached is not stainless steel, but does offer rust-resistant hardware, mortise, tenon construction. All the screws and bolts accept an internal hex-head allen wrench that is included. Assembly is a snap and everything fits together well with the placement holes lining up. This outdoor chaise lounge chair has a tray table that hold drinks and other lounging requirements. The back can be adjusted into five different position for optimal comfort. For even more added comfort some matching cushions can be bought.

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  • Camping & Hiking

    The Camp Chef Stove Is An Innovative Outdoor Camping Oven

    November 13th, 2018

    Product review of a camp chef stove.

    The Camp Chef Stove with the outdoor oven attached is a wonderful helpmate that can run on bottled propane or a propane tank. Camp Chef is a brand name that is well known for their sturdy products match the manufacturer claims. Most people are very pleased with their Camp Chef Stove products that always seem to outlast the other available brands. For years, people have kept portable stove top burner kits with their emergency gear or camping equipment. Portable cooking burners ensure that food can be heated easily under all types of situations. Today, the Camp Chef Stove takes this emergency cooking idea one-step further.

    This is accomplished through offering a small oven that is attached to a two-burner stove top. The Amazon user reviews are almost all excellent for this propane camping stove. While there are a few problems being noted, these issues are not about the outdoor camping stove or oven functions. Users are upset that the manufacturer suggests a size of optional propane tank hose that does not work on this product. There are helpful reviews on Amazon that list the right size of tank hose to buy. This particular model of Camp Chef Stove that is called their ‘Camping Outdoor Oven with 2 Burner Stove’ is very easy to use. The camping cook stove interior is larger than it looks in the photos. It is possible to remove one of the oven racks for enough room to bake low-side casseroles, cuts of meat, or dessert items. This style of outdoor oven will never replace an indoor oven; however, it sure brightens up the cooking possibilities around a campsite.

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