Safety Reviews
All safety gear reviews.
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.
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.
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.