Why This Question Comes Up Anyone who camps regularly knows how fast those little green 1-pound propane cylinders disappear. They fuel stoves, lanterns, heaters, and grills — and buying them over and over isn’t cheap. So naturally, people wonder: can you just refill the empty ones? And more importantly, is it legal? The answer isn’t … Read more
Understanding Waterproof Ratings (and Why They Matter) Tent waterproof ratings are measured in millimeters (mm) using a hydrostatic head test—basically how tall a column of water the fabric can hold back before it leaks. Higher number = higher pressure resistance. If you’ve ever had a tent start misting or dripping in a storm, that’s your … Read more
A 3-season tent is designed for spring, summer, and fall — the typical camping months where you deal with mild weather, rain, wind, and warm temperatures. A 4-season tent is built for winter and extreme conditions: snow load, high winds, and freezing temperatures. Both keep you sheltered, but they’re built for totally different environments. What … Read more
Heat-treated firewood is regular firewood that’s been heated in a kiln until the internal temperature of every log reaches about 140–160°F for a set amount of time. That controlled heat kills insects, larvae, eggs, fungal spores, and anything else that might be hiding inside the wood. There are no chemicals, no coatings, no additives — … Read more
Camping feels simple when everything goes according to plan. You pitch the tent, light a fire, cook a meal, and kick back under the stars like the world is your personal scenic screensaver. But the outdoors has a habit of throwing curveballs when you least expect it — weather shifts, gear problems, navigation mistakes, or … Read more
Night hiking hits differently. Trails feel quieter, cooler, and far more dramatic when the sun drops and the world turns into a tunnel of shadows and sound. Some hikers absolutely love it. Others only hike in the dark because they’re squeezing in miles after work, dealing with late trailheads, or trying to reach a campsite … Read more
A fire can make or break a night outdoors. It’s warmth, light, security, cooking power, and morale all wrapped into one glowing bundle. You can have the best lighter in the world, but if your tinder is garbage, you’re going to be crouched in the cold muttering threats at a pile of twigs like a … Read more
Most people assume survival skills require a massive gear list — specialty blades, tactical gadgets, ultralight this, titanium that. But the truth is, if something ever goes sideways outdoors, the first tools you’re going to reach for are usually the things already in your pocket, in your pack, or lying around camp. The outdoors rewards … Read more