Tents & Shelter

Coleman Sundome Tent Review: Two Years of Weekend Car-Camping With Marcus
Tents

Coleman Sundome Tent Review: Two Years of Weekend Car-Camping With Marcus

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.

Coleman Sundome vs Core Dome Tent: Which Should You Buy?
Tents

Coleman Sundome vs Core Dome Tent: Which Should You Buy?

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.

10 Reasons the Coleman Sundome Is the Best Car-Camping Tent Under $100
Tents

10 Reasons the Coleman Sundome Is the Best Car-Camping Tent Under $100

After 40-plus campsites and two full years, Marcus still pitches the Coleman Sundome first. Here is why.

How the Coleman Sundome Tent Saved Our First Family Camping Trip
Tents

How the Coleman Sundome Tent Saved Our First Family Camping Trip

A surprise thunderstorm, three kids, and one tent. Here is the night the Coleman Sundome proved its worth.

How to Set Up a Tent Fast (Step-by-Step With the Coleman Sundome)
Tents

How to Set Up a Tent Fast (Step-by-Step With the Coleman Sundome)

Marcus's field-tested 10-minute method for pitching the Coleman Sundome solo, in the dark, and yes, in the rain.

Coleman Sundome Honest Review: What Nobody Tells You Before You Buy
Tents

Coleman Sundome Honest Review: What Nobody Tells You Before You Buy

I've pitched this tent in a lot of bad situations. Here is what the product page leaves out.

Sleeping Bags & Pads

Coleman North Rim Sleeping Bag Review: Three Cold Seasons of Field Testing
Sleeping Bags

Coleman North Rim Sleeping Bag Review: Three Cold Seasons of Field Testing

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.

Coleman North Rim vs Teton Celsius Sleeping Bag: Which Wins for Cold Camping?
Sleeping Bags

Coleman North Rim vs Teton Celsius Sleeping Bag: Which Wins for Cold Camping?

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.

10 Reasons a Mummy Sleeping Bag Beats a Rectangular Bag for Cold-Weather Camping
Sleeping Bags

10 Reasons a Mummy Sleeping Bag Beats a Rectangular Bag for Cold-Weather Camping

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.

How the Coleman North Rim Sleeping Bag Got Me Through My First Winter Campout
Sleeping Bags

How the Coleman North Rim Sleeping Bag Got Me Through My First Winter Campout

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.

How to Stay Warm Camping in Cold Weather (Marcus's Layering System)
Sleeping Bags

How to Stay Warm Camping in Cold Weather (Marcus's Layering System)

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.

Coleman North Rim Sleeping Bag Honest Review: Who Should Buy It and Who Shouldn't
Sleeping Bags

Coleman North Rim Sleeping Bag Honest Review: Who Should Buy It and Who Shouldn't

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.

Camp Stoves & Cooking

Gas One GS-3400P Camp Stove Review: Two Seasons of Campsite Cooking
Camp Stoves

Gas One GS-3400P Camp Stove Review: Two Seasons of Campsite Cooking

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.

Gas One GS-3400P vs Coleman BottleTop Stove: Best Camp Stove for the Money?
Camp Stoves

Gas One GS-3400P vs Coleman BottleTop Stove: Best Camp Stove for the Money?

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.

10 Reasons a Dual Fuel Camp Stove Is Worth Every Penny for Weekend Campers
Camp Stoves

10 Reasons a Dual Fuel Camp Stove Is Worth Every Penny for Weekend Campers

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.

The Camp Stove That Changed How Marcus Cooks on Every Trip
Camp Stoves

The Camp Stove That Changed How Marcus Cooks on Every Trip

I used to call cold food at camp a tradition. Turns out it was just me using the wrong stove.

How to Cook Camp Meals Fast With a Portable Camp Stove
Camp Stoves

How to Cook Camp Meals Fast With a Portable Camp Stove

Marcus breaks down his campsite meal system, five steps that turn a budget dual-fuel stove into a fast, reliable camp kitchen.

Gas One GS-3400P Honest Review: The Camp Stove Marcus Recommends to Every Beginner
Camp Stoves

Gas One GS-3400P Honest Review: The Camp Stove Marcus Recommends to Every Beginner

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.

Backpacks & Carry

Loowoko 50L Hiking Backpack Review: Eight Weekend Trips and Counting
Backpacks

Loowoko 50L Hiking Backpack Review: Eight Weekend Trips and Counting

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.

Loowoko 50L vs Maelstrom Hiking Backpack: Which Survives the Trail?
Backpacks

Loowoko 50L vs Maelstrom Hiking Backpack: Which Survives the Trail?

Marcus straps both packs on back-to-back overnight trips to find out which 50L hiking backpack deserves a spot in your gear kit.

10 Reasons a 50L Backpack Is Perfect for Weekend Camping Trips
Backpacks

10 Reasons a 50L Backpack Is Perfect for Weekend Camping Trips

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.

How the Loowoko 50L Survived Marcus's First Overnight Solo Trip
Backpacks

How the Loowoko 50L Survived Marcus's First Overnight Solo Trip

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.

How to Pack a Hiking Backpack for a Camping Trip (Marcus's System)
Backpacks

How to Pack a Hiking Backpack for a Camping Trip (Marcus's System)

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.

Loowoko 50L Backpack Honest Review: Strong Value or Overhyped Budget Bag?
Backpacks

Loowoko 50L Backpack Honest Review: Strong Value or Overhyped Budget Bag?

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.

Headlamps & Lighting

LHKNL Headlamp Review: One Year of Camping, Night Hikes, and Power Outages
Headlamps

LHKNL Headlamp Review: One Year of Camping, Night Hikes, and Power Outages

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.

LHKNL Headlamp vs DanForce Rechargeable Headlamp: Which Lights Up the Trail?
Headlamps

LHKNL Headlamp vs DanForce Rechargeable Headlamp: Which Lights Up the Trail?

Marcus ran both headlamps on the same night trail over three weekends. Here is what the numbers and real-world feel actually showed.

10 Reasons a Rechargeable Headlamp Beats a Battery-Powered One for Camping
Headlamps

10 Reasons a Rechargeable Headlamp Beats a Battery-Powered One for Camping

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.

The LHKNL Headlamp That Guided Marcus Through a 3am Trail Rescue
Headlamps

The LHKNL Headlamp That Guided Marcus Through a 3am Trail Rescue

When a campmate got turned around after dark, one headlamp made the difference. Marcus shares the full story.

How to Choose the Best Camping Headlamp (What Marcus Looks for Before Every Trip)
Headlamps

How to Choose the Best Camping Headlamp (What Marcus Looks for Before Every Trip)

Seven criteria that separate a headlamp that earns its spot in the kit from one that dies at the worst possible moment.

LHKNL Headlamp Honest Review: Is This the Best Budget Camping Headlamp?
Headlamps

LHKNL Headlamp Honest Review: Is This the Best Budget Camping Headlamp?

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.

All Reviews

Coleman Sundome Tent Review: Two Years of Weekend Car-Camping With Marcus
Tents

Coleman Sundome Tent Review: Two Years of Weekend Car-Camping With Marcus

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.

Coleman Sundome Honest Review: What Nobody Tells You Before You Buy
Tents

Coleman Sundome Honest Review: What Nobody Tells You Before You Buy

I've pitched this tent in a lot of bad situations. Here is what the product page leaves out.

Coleman North Rim Sleeping Bag Review: Three Cold Seasons of Field Testing
Sleeping Bags

Coleman North Rim Sleeping Bag Review: Three Cold Seasons of Field Testing

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.

Coleman North Rim Sleeping Bag Honest Review: Who Should Buy It and Who Shouldn't
Sleeping Bags

Coleman North Rim Sleeping Bag Honest Review: Who Should Buy It and Who Shouldn't

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.

Gas One GS-3400P Camp Stove Review: Two Seasons of Campsite Cooking
Camp Stoves

Gas One GS-3400P Camp Stove Review: Two Seasons of Campsite Cooking

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.

Gas One GS-3400P Honest Review: The Camp Stove Marcus Recommends to Every Beginner
Camp Stoves

Gas One GS-3400P Honest Review: The Camp Stove Marcus Recommends to Every Beginner

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.

Loowoko 50L Hiking Backpack Review: Eight Weekend Trips and Counting
Backpacks

Loowoko 50L Hiking Backpack Review: Eight Weekend Trips and Counting

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.

Loowoko 50L Backpack Honest Review: Strong Value or Overhyped Budget Bag?
Backpacks

Loowoko 50L Backpack Honest Review: Strong Value or Overhyped Budget Bag?

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.

LHKNL Headlamp Review: One Year of Camping, Night Hikes, and Power Outages
Headlamps

LHKNL Headlamp Review: One Year of Camping, Night Hikes, and Power Outages

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.

LHKNL Headlamp Honest Review: Is This the Best Budget Camping Headlamp?
Headlamps

LHKNL Headlamp Honest Review: Is This the Best Budget Camping Headlamp?

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.

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