Safety Reviews
All safety gear reviews.
Ozark Trail Emergency Reflective Survival Tent Review
A sub-$5, 151 g reflective emergency tube shelter that pitches with a 14-foot cord. It's a fine glovebox backup but a heavy, one-use fallback for ultralight kits.
Apex Giant Dogbone Bear Bag Toggle Review
A 5.4 g machined aluminum toggle that replaces the hunt-for-a-stick step in the PCT bear hang. Cheap, tough and tiny, but it only does one job.
Counter Assault Bear Spray Review
Counter Assault's 8.1 oz bear spray pairs the maximum legal 2% capsaicin with a 32-foot, 7-second blast. It's a proven pick for grizzly country at 308 g.
Counter Assault 32-Foot Bear Spray Review
Counter Assault's 8.1 oz bear spray with holster trades 8 feet of reach for 60 g of weight savings over its big sibling, with the same EPA-registered 2% formula.
Light My Fire Swedish FireSteel BIO Army 2in1 Review
Light My Fire's Army FireSteel throws 2,980°C sparks for up to 12,000 strikes and has a built-in whistle. It's tough and reliable, but heavy for ultralight kits.
UCO Stormproof Matches Review
UCO's Stormproof Matches burn for up to 15 seconds, relight after a dunking, and weigh 22 g a box. They suit emergency kits better than ounce-counting thru-hikes.
BIC Classic Pocket Lighter Review
The full-size BIC Classic is a dependable, dirt-cheap fire starter rated for up to 3,000 lights, but at 25.4 g it's heavy for ultralight kits.
BIC Classic Lighter Review
The full-size BIC Classic is a dollar-store fire starter with a huge fuel reserve, but at 22 g it costs ultralighters roughly twice the weight of a Mini.
Ortovox AVABAG LiTRIC Base Review
A deep dive into Ortovox's electronic avalanche airbag base — the lightest supercapacitor system on the market, reviewed for reliability, ease of use, and real-world trail performance.
Ortovox AVABAG LiTRIC Freeride 28 Zip Review
A closer look at Ortovox's 28L Zip-On pack for the LiTRIC airbag system — great freeride-focused storage, but remember: no BASE, no airbag.
Kahtoola MICROspikes Ghost Review
A 43% lighter, more packable take on Kahtoola's classic MICROspikes, built for trail runners and thru-hikers who need occasional ice traction without the bulk.
Loop Quiet 2 Review
Loop's reusable silicone earplugs for sleep and focus deliver 24 dB SNR noise reduction with a flush, side-sleeper-friendly fit.
Lifesystems Survival Shelter 2 Review
A tough, 345g emergency bothy bag for two — we look at how it holds up in real UK weather and who actually needs one in their pack.
Lifesystems Ultralight Survival Shelter 2 Review
A 215g bothy bag for two that trades comfort for pack weight — here's how it holds up when the weather actually turns.
Garmin inReach Mini 3 Review
Garmin's smallest satellite communicator gets a touchscreen and years more relevance—here's how the base inReach Mini 3 holds up against its pricier Plus sibling.
ZOLEO Global Satellite Communicator Review
A budget-friendly, phone-dependent satellite communicator that wins on seamless cross-network messaging but skips on-device functionality.
Mechanix Wear The Original Gloves Review
A hands-on look at Mechanix Wear's classic work glove for bushwhacking, camp chores, and cold-weather layering on trail.
Garmin inReach Explorer+ Review
A veteran satellite communicator with full topo mapping — is the Explorer+'s bulk and price still worth it in an era of lighter Mini and Messenger options?
Lawson Equipment Ultraglide Bear Line Review
A Dyneema SK75 bear-bagging throw line that glides over branches and holds knots better than typical Zing-It style cords.
RECCO Backpack Rescue Reflector Review
A 4-gram passive reflector that makes you findable by RECCO-equipped rescue teams — here's what it actually does (and doesn't) do for backpackers.
UCO Stormproof Match Kit Review
A cheap, 1.7 oz backup fire source that genuinely relights after being dunked in water and won't blow out in wind.
BearVault BV475 Trek Review
The BearVault BV475 Trek is a 9.3L, IGBC-certified polycarbonate bear canister that fills the gap between the Jaunt and Journey — a solid pick for 5-6 day solo trips or short group outings.
Ben's InvisiNet Insect Head Net Review
A thorough review of the Ben's InvisiNet Insect Head Net — an ultralight, high-visibility bug net for hikers and backpackers who refuse to trade their view for bug protection.
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Thermacell Backpacker Mat-Only Refills Review
The Thermacell Backpacker Mat-Only Refills deliver 48 hours of DEET-free mosquito protection for the Backpacker Repeller — effective at camp, but wind is the deal-breaker.
Sea to Summit Mosquito Head Net (Insect Shield) Review
A lightweight, permethrin-treated head net for mosquito season — effective, packable, and honest about what it can and can't stop.
Thermacell Backpacker Mosquito Repeller Review
The Thermacell Backpacker Mosquito Repeller creates a DEET-free 15-foot protection zone by screwing onto your existing stove canister — effective at camp in calm conditions, but wind is its kryptonite.
SOL Emergency Blanket Review
A 2.5 oz upgrade over cheap mylar: SOL's vacuum-metalized polyethylene Emergency Blanket is quieter, tougher, and more reusable than anything from the dollar-store first-aid aisle.
Ocean Signal rescueME PLB1 Review
The Ocean Signal rescueME PLB1 is the world's most compact 406 MHz GPS PLB — a no-subscription SOS beacon that does one job and does it extremely well.
Kahtoola MICROspikes Footwear Traction Review
The Kahtoola MICROspikes are the gold-standard stretch-on traction device for ice and packed snow, balancing aggressive grip, bomber durability, and fast deployment across a wide range of footwear.
SOL Emergency Bivvy with Rescue Whistle Review
A thorough review of the SOL Emergency Bivvy with Rescue Whistle — a 113g ultralight survival shelter for day hikers and backpackers who want real emergency protection without the bulk.
Garmin inReach Mini 2 Review
A deep-dive review of the Garmin inReach Mini 2 satellite communicator — covering SOS performance, battery life, messaging, subscription costs, and who should carry one.