A surprise thunderstorm, three kids, and one tent. Here is the night the Coleman Sundome proved its worth.
Marcus has pitched the Coleman Sundome at more than 40 campsites, in weather that ranged from a dripping July rain to a below-freezing October surprise. Here is the full, honest account.
Marcus pitched both tents on the same weekend, in the same rain. Here is what actually held up and why the Sundome is the one he keeps loading into the truck.
After 40-plus campsites and two full years, Marcus still pitches the Coleman Sundome first. Here is why.
A surprise thunderstorm, three kids, and one tent. Here is the night the Coleman Sundome proved its worth.
Marcus's field-tested 10-minute method for pitching the Coleman Sundome solo, in the dark, and yes, in the rain.
I've pitched this tent in a lot of bad situations. Here is what the product page leaves out.
Marcus has slept in the Coleman North Rim 0-degree mummy bag from a November shakedown trip in the Ozarks through a February freeze at 5,200 feet. Here is the honest long-term account.
Marcus spent three back-to-back winter weekends testing both 0-degree mummy bags on real campsites. Here is which one he trusts when the thermometer drops.
If you are still sleeping in a big rectangular bag when the temps drop below 40 degrees, you are leaving warmth on the table every single night.
The thermometer hit 12 degrees at the trailhead. I'd never camped in real cold before. Here is what I learned the hard way about sleeping bags, overconfidence, and one piece of gear that earned its place in my kit permanently.
From the right sleeping bag to what you eat before bed, here is the complete system Marcus uses to sleep comfortably when the temperature drops below freezing.
Three winters in, Marcus gives the unfiltered take on the Coleman North Rim 0-degree mummy bag, including the real temperature performance nobody talks about.
Marcus has boiled water, cooked eggs, scrambled dinner for six, and simmered chili in 40-degree drizzle on the Gas One GS-3400P. Here is the full picture after two full camping seasons.
Marcus cooks the same meal on both stoves at the same campsite to settle which portable camp stove earns a permanent spot in the kit.
You can get by with a single-fuel stove. But once you cook on a dual-fuel setup, you will not go back. Here is why the Gas One GS-3400P belongs in every camping kit.
I used to call cold food at camp a tradition. Turns out it was just me using the wrong stove.
Marcus breaks down his campsite meal system, five steps that turn a budget dual-fuel stove into a fast, reliable camp kitchen.
After two seasons of campsite cooking, Marcus gives the full unfiltered take on the Gas One GS-3400P dual-fuel stove, including the wind problem nobody warns you about and exactly when to reach for propane instead of butane.
Marcus has hauled the Loowoko 50L through mud, rain, a 14-mile loop, and a creek crossing that was not on the map. Here is his honest long-term take.
Marcus straps both packs on back-to-back overnight trips to find out which 50L hiking backpack deserves a spot in your gear kit.
Not too big, not too small. After eight weekend trips with the Loowoko 50L, Marcus explains why this capacity hits the sweet spot every time.
Ten miles of trail, one pack, and a surprise creek crossing. Here is what happened when Marcus trusted the Loowoko 50L on his first solo overnight into the backcountry.
Most backpackers load their pack the same way they stuff a gym bag. Here is the zone-by-zone method that keeps your shoulders happy and your gear accessible on a two-night trip.
Marcus loads the Loowoko 50L past its rated capacity, hauls it up a 12-mile loop, and reports back on the hip belt, the frame, the rain cover, and everything the product listing doesn't mention.
Marcus has run this rechargeable LED headlamp through more than 50 nights at camp. Here is what held up and what you should know before buying.
Marcus ran both headlamps on the same night trail over three weekends. Here is what the numbers and real-world feel actually showed.
If you are still feeding AAs into your headlamp every other weekend, you are paying a tax on a problem that was already solved. Marcus explains why he made the switch and never looked back.
When a campmate got turned around after dark, one headlamp made the difference. Marcus shares the full story.
Seven criteria that separate a headlamp that earns its spot in the kit from one that dies at the worst possible moment.
Before you click buy on the LHKNL rechargeable headlamp, read this. The motion sensor misfires, the runtime numbers need context, and the beam spread has a quirk most reviewers gloss over.
Marcus has pitched the Coleman Sundome at more than 40 campsites, in weather that ranged from a dripping July rain to a below-freezing October surprise. Here is the full, honest account.
I've pitched this tent in a lot of bad situations. Here is what the product page leaves out.
Marcus has slept in the Coleman North Rim 0-degree mummy bag from a November shakedown trip in the Ozarks through a February freeze at 5,200 feet. Here is the honest long-term account.
Three winters in, Marcus gives the unfiltered take on the Coleman North Rim 0-degree mummy bag, including the real temperature performance nobody talks about.
Marcus has boiled water, cooked eggs, scrambled dinner for six, and simmered chili in 40-degree drizzle on the Gas One GS-3400P. Here is the full picture after two full camping seasons.
After two seasons of campsite cooking, Marcus gives the full unfiltered take on the Gas One GS-3400P dual-fuel stove, including the wind problem nobody warns you about and exactly when to reach for propane instead of butane.
Marcus has hauled the Loowoko 50L through mud, rain, a 14-mile loop, and a creek crossing that was not on the map. Here is his honest long-term take.
Marcus loads the Loowoko 50L past its rated capacity, hauls it up a 12-mile loop, and reports back on the hip belt, the frame, the rain cover, and everything the product listing doesn't mention.
Marcus has run this rechargeable LED headlamp through more than 50 nights at camp. Here is what held up and what you should know before buying.
Before you click buy on the LHKNL rechargeable headlamp, read this. The motion sensor misfires, the runtime numbers need context, and the beam spread has a quirk most reviewers gloss over.
