The best foldable solar panel for backpacking is the FlexSolar 25W, which delivers a real-world 18-20W in direct sun, weighs just 1.2 lbs, and pairs with any USB-C power bank I tested it against. I have carried solar panels across the Sierra, the Cascades, and the CDT for the last four years, and what I […]

After losing three drifts, one fishing rod, and an embarrassing amount of patience to wind and current last summer, I bought eight of the best folding anchors for kayaks and spent 30 days testing them on lakes, rivers, and the salty flats near my favorite kayak fishing spot. Some folded beautifully but dragged in mud. […]

After testing 22 folding knives across 6 months of camping, hiking, and bushcraft trips in the Pacific Northwest, I learned one hard truth: the wrong pocket knife ruins a trip faster than wet boots. Our team put 8 finalists through rope cutting, kindling prep, food prep, and saltwater exposure to find the best folding knives […]