Camping & Outdoors Features Archives

For the hardcore, long distance hiker, the weight of a pack can make or break an excursion, which means some of the luxuries of home have to be left behind. But with the BioLite CampStove, campers can enjoy both a stove and a charging station for their devices. But is it too good to be true?

With the change of the season comes one of America's most beloved activities: tailgating. Throwing a really great tailgate starts with finding the right spot and then involves gathering some of these tailgating essentials.

Have you ever come across seemingly space age-sounding bug repellent clothing? It sounds ideal; who wouldn't want to avoid dousing their entire body with harsh bug spray? But, does treated apparel actually keep the bugs away?

Ready for a fun family excursion? Head to the great outdoors, but make sure you've got everything on this shopping list to make the most of your camping excursion.

Flat-water kayaking is a serene and cooling sport, perfect for summer. All you need is a kayak, a paddle, some provisions, and friends. We've got the deals you'll need for the proper gear, from the boat all the way through to the deck caddy. (However, you'll have to find friends on your own.)

The heavens have intrigued mankind for millennia, and today's modern telescopes and optics allow us to easily explore the sky, Moon, planets, stars, nebulae, and galaxies that make up our universe. Here are some tips and deals to start stargazing.

While some people thrive off a busy schedule, many of us long for a bit of serenity. An idyllic place for peace is out on the water, where its sounds and swells can have a soothing effect on one's spirit. To get out there, you'll need to pick the right canoe for your needs, and this guide will help.

You know you should exercise more, but for many people, it's so much more enjoyable when you're out in the open air — which is why bicycling is an appealing option. Of course, you'll soon find that cycling longer distances can present a physical challenge, manifested in sore feet and hands, a sweaty body, and a tender posterior. That's where the proper clothing and equipment specially made for bicycling can come to the rescue.

There are challenges that tell us how much heart we have, and the peak of a mountain is one that always looms above our heads. Every day, ordinary people attempt to ascend to altitude greatness, whether it's at Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, or Mt. Hood, Denali, or even Mt. Katahdin in Maine. We praise these climbers, but advise that before you begin your vertical ascent, you not only gear up, but brush up. Here are tips for preparing to undertake a mountain climbing adventure this spring.

There was probably a day in your childhood when, dressed in your yellow rain suit and galoshes, you loved stomping around in puddles. Now, all grown up, you find rain too wet, and always screwing up your playtime. The spring rainy season isn't too far off though, so don't let a little water get you down. We've detailed some guidelines for buying rain gear to keep you nice and dry whether you're outside for play or en route to work.

There are few places as majestic as America's national parks, from the grandeur of the Grand Canyon to the wonders of Yellowstone to the serenity of the Smoky Mountains. And nature won't cost you much if you're equipped with a few tips on how to minimize the expenses of enjoying the nation's great parks and historical sites.

If you've ever dreamed of soaring with the birds with the Earth scrolling beneath your wings, then you might have noted the fairly popular deal we posted on flying lessons last week. If you're one of our readers who jumped on the deal, you may now have visions of flight school (and maybe Top Gun) dancing through your head. But just how much would it cost you to get your private pilot certificate?

Are you on the hunt for informational resources for your outdoors activities, but hesitant about carrying around cumbersome guidebooks? With these eight outdoors apps for both iPhone or Android, you'll have all the information you need at your fingertips. And in some cases, these apps you can even save you some money to put toward, say, a new set of golf clubs or a telescope.

Snow may seem like the enemy when you're shoveling your walk or commuting through it, but for the skier, a heavy snowfall is a ticket to heaven. Few moments in life are as exhilarating as gliding down a mountain, carving smooth curves in fresh snow. If you're itching to give the sport a try, read our checklist of the gear you'll need, and about how much you can expect to pay.

Twenty-first century technology has revolutionized the way hikers and hunters explore the woods. Both handheld GPS units and smartphones have compasses, but which is more reliable out in the middle of Mother Nature? Are smartphones replacing GPSs in this area as well? We compared the two technologies to determine which is the better wilderness guide for your needs.

The leaves have fallen, and have been raked and bagged. Now snow season is making its way down from the northern climes, and you'll soon have to shovel before you can walk in a winter wonderland. Before you resign yourself to breaking your back tossing snow with the standard shovel, read our feature on the various snow-removal options available — including a pretty nifty levered shovel — that can make your life easier.

Don't hibernate this winter: keep active with a winter hike and experience the majesty of a winter landscape. Just remember to bundle up! We've got tips (and deals) on what the well-dressed hiker should wear, from head to toe, this upcoming season.

When pumpkins appear on front stoops and the trees turn into a blaze of color, the season is near for a tradition hearkening back to the dawn of man: the hunt. The whole experience, however, can be ruined by making a poor choice on footwear. Who wants to stalk game on sore feet? We've got tips for selecting the proper hunting boots as well as coupons and deals to fit your budget.

Camping in the fall can be a delight, but at the end of the day, your comfort depends on picking the right sleeping bag for the weather and your needs. How do you make the right choice? Tom Barlow has the factors you should consider, and some deals to make the purchase even easier.

You may be tempted to spend these summer days fishing by the water, peacefully waiting to reel in a hard-earned catch. But if you aren't equipped for it, where to begin? Tom Barlow details how to assemble a basic tackle box for freshwater fishing. And being dealnews, we grabbed a few selections at lowest-we-could-find prices to get your started.

From hacking down branches to filleting a fish to breaking open impenetrable packaging on a new purchase, we all come across a need for knives on an everyday basis. But it's always best to find the best knife for the job, especially for use in the great outdoors. Here's a guide to the best knives for the purpose, and how (and where) you can get them for the best price.

If what you really want to do this summer is lounge around by the pool, don't let the cost stop you. Green Dad Lou Carlozo has figured out eight ways to lower the costs of buying and maintaining a pool right in your own backyard.

Your enjoyment of your next hiking or camping trip is directly dependent upon how you carry your gear. If you have an older backpack (think pre-1999), then you might want to check out how technology has improved the ride. Tom Barlow tells you how to pick the right pack and get it for the best price.