Ethan Walker

Nothing kills a backyard gathering faster than a sudden evening chill. When the temperature drops, the best propane fire pits for patios keep the party going without the smoke, ash, and hassle of a traditional wood fire. Our team spent weeks comparing heat output, build quality, and real user feedback to find the models worth … Read more

Backyard fire pits used to mean red eyes, smoky clothes, and an apologetic wave to the neighbors. After spending the last three months burning through cord after cord of wood in eight of the most popular smokeless fire pits on the market, I can tell you that the technology has finally caught up to the … Read more

There is something deeply satisfying about cooking a meal over an open flame. The smell of wood smoke, the crackle of the fire, and the taste of food cooked the way our ancestors did it for thousands of years. But trying to balance a skillet on rocks or cook directly over uneven flames is a … Read more

Nothing beats the smell of a campfire on a cool summer night, with marshmallows slowly turning golden over the flames. I’ve been roasting marshmallows for years, and I’ll be honest – a flimsy stick ruins the whole experience. That’s why I spent the past three months testing the best marshmallow roasting sticks I could find, … Read more

I still remember the first time I bit into a slightly burnt marshmallow wedged between graham crackers and Hershey’s chocolate, and that perfect gooey moment is exactly what the best s’mores kits aim to recreate. After our team spent 3 months testing 12 different s’mores kit styles from backyard fire pits to indoor movie nights, … Read more

When the sun drops behind the treeline and your campsite goes dark, the right lighting makes the difference between a relaxing evening and a frustrating fumble through your gear. I have spent the last several months testing dozens of LED, solar, and battery-powered lanterns across car camping trips, backpacking adventures, and even a few unexpected … Read more

When the sun drops below the tree line and your campsite goes pitch dark, a dependable light source becomes the difference between a relaxing evening and a frustrating one. I have spent the last camping season testing rechargeable camping lanterns on car camping trips, overnight backpacking excursions, and a couple of unexpected power outages at … Read more

I have spent more weekends than I can count parked at trailheads, lakeside campgrounds, and backyards with friends, and the right camp chair changes the whole trip. After hauling, sitting in, folding, and unfolding dozens of options over the past few months, our team put together this guide to the best portable camping chairs available … Read more

I spent the last 90 days testing the best camping hammocks across the Smokies, the Ozarks, and three weekends at a Florida state park. I wanted to find out which ones really hold up when you’re 4 miles from the trailhead and the rain hits at 2 a.m. The best camping hammocks in are lighter, … Read more

After sitting through three games on cold metal bleachers with nothing but a thin towel, I finally broke down and bought a stadium seat with a back. My lower back was on fire by halftime, and I kept sliding forward every time I shifted my weight. That was the day I started testing the best … Read more