Buying Guides & Articles:Camping & Outdoors

Tapers and camming chocks make up the quiver of climbing gear known as passive protection. They are commonly referred to as nuts, stoppers, tricams and hexes... Read more

It's impressive how much comfort and reassurance we humans find between a few well-stitched panels of nylon. Which model is right for you? Here are some guidelines... Read more

Here are some tips to help you make a smart choice when selecting your own sleeping bag... Read more

Whether you're headed to a local lake for the day or off on an extended paddling tour, you'll want to make sure you've chosen the boat that will let you get the most out... Read more

If you want to glide swiftly across a quiet lake or float slowly down a lazy river, try a canoe. The following clinic will familiarize you with the basics of canoe... Read more

Vertically oriented frames are stiff. Because of this, they are used for front pointing on steep ice. Their frame or "rail" bites into the hardest ice efficiently,... Read more

A spray skirt is an essential piece of gear for kayaking in all but the calmest of conditions. Worn around the waist, the spray skirt (also called a spray deck) forms a... Read more

Tubes or cones are compact, light and easy to use. They work with many rope diameters and can accommodate single or double ropes. They don't twist or kink ropes and they... Read more

Ice screws are the main type of protection used for climbing ice. These hollow tubes with sharp, pointed ends and threads are literally screwed into hard ice. Hangers on... Read more

No longer simply a flashlight strapped to a helmet, today's headlamps are compact and comfortable, and feature illumination choices, beam variances and a range of... Read more