Taking the chill out of chilblains
Chilblains, known more commonly as pernio, is a rare and painful response of our blood vessels to cold, specifically, in above freezing temperatures.Outdoors & Gear
Guide to camping, hiking and other outdoor sports and adventures. Includes buying guides for tents, camping gear, sleeping bags and other outdoor equipment.
Chilblains, known more commonly as pernio, is a rare and painful response of our blood vessels to cold, specifically, in above freezing temperatures.
What’s a good beginner pocketknife for an 8-year-old?
Q. I want to buy a pocketknife for my 8-year-old nephew. He has just started a pocketknife collection and has about 8 knives. Can you recommend a good knife for a boy that age?
Skateboarding in the winter
Q. Dear Gear Guy. I love skateboarding but every winter it’s snowy and cold and icy where I live so skating outdoors isn’t an option. How do I make sure that I don’t lose all my skillz?
How wind chill makes you colder
What is really going on when a strong gust of wind picks up out of nowhere and makes it feel like the the temperature dropped 10 degrees – even though the reading on the thermometer has not changed?
How to make sturdy wooden snowshoes
Trekking through snow is loads of fun, until you get stuck in knee-deep drifts. Sturdy snowshoes will keep you near the top of the snow’s surface.
How to Prevent and Treat Frostbite
Frostbite is the end result of cold-induced injury to our tissues, and it is much more common than one may think.
Are poinsettias poisonous?
There is a lot to get anxious about at Christmas time, but Poinsettia toxicity should not be at the top of your “naughty” list.
Small, lightweight first aid kit for backpacking
Q. Dear Gear Guy, I’m going backpacking and need a first aid kit that’s small and lightweight because I don’t have a lot of room in my pack. What would you recommend?
Is the Pentax Optio WG-1 a good camera?
Q. Hi Gear Guy, I’m into digital photography, but so far I’ve been using my cell phone or borrowing a camera. So, I want to get one of my own. I saw the Pentax Optio WG-1 in the May 2012 issue of Boys’ Life and thought it would be perfect, but the reviews are all over the place. Some people say it’s awesome and some people say it sucks. Is it a good camera or should I look at something else?
Good lightweight pot for backpacking
Q. I recently bought a backpacking stove. Now I need a pot for boiling water. What is a good lightweight option?
What are no-see-ums?
Biting midges can be a nuisance to campers, fishermen, hunters, hikers, gardeners, and others who spend time outdoors. Here's how to treat their bites.
Which boots do you recommend?
Q. Hey Gear Guy! I am moving to an 85-acre farm soon and I’m looking for a pair of boots for hiking, fishing, hunting and riding my dirt bike across the farm. What would you recommend?
PowerBait or mealworms for fishing?
My dad and I go fishing a lot. We used to use PowerBait but we just didn’t catch anything. So we started using mealworms and we caught much more. But the next time we went fishing and the other fishermen were saying the fish were biting the PowerBait! My dad and I love catching trout but we don’t know what bait is best for that?
Fix slow skateboard wheels
Q. The wheels on my skateboard aren't spinning well anymore. Is there anything I can do to fix them or do I have to buy new wheels?
Need a spare bladder for hydration pack
Q. Where can I get a spare bladder for my hydration pack (straw included)?
Can the BioLite stove really power my gadgets?
Q. That BioLite stove seems like a neat idea. But does it really work?
Gear for Ultimate Frisbee?
Q. Hey Gear Guy, I prefer the game of Ultimate Frisbee. But nobody knows anything about ultimate. There is no one to tell you what type of shoes to get or what type of disc to use. Could you please help?
Quality rock climbing gear at a cheap price
Q. Hey Gear Guy, I love rock climbing a lot! But I don’t have my own gear. I want good quality gear but would like it at the cheapest price. I was wondering what brand I should buy and where I should buy it?
What’s better: a hiking shoe or a hiking boot?
Q. What's better: a hiking shoe or a hiking boot?
Stuff We Like: LED Lenser H7
If you follow the Gear Guy, then you know I LOVE headlamps. They're definitely one of the handiest things you can carry in your pack. And I've really been digging a new one I've been testing called the LED Lenser H7.
How to keep clothes dry on the water?
Q. How do I keep my clothes dry whenever I am in the water?
Remove a Fishhook Safely
Find out how to treat common fishhook injuries.
What’s causing damage to my shoes?
Q. Dear Gear Guy, Whenever I get a new pair of shoes the stuffing in the backside of the ankle goes away. I just got a new pair of boots about a month ago, and it’s already happened. Why is that? I have no idea. Please help?
Stuff We Like: Vapur Element water bag
The Vapur Element has to be the coolest, handiest new water bottle we’ve tested. But, here’s the catch: It’s not actually a bottle.
Best small sailboat for use on a lake?
Q. I like to go small-boat sailing. I think that it is fun and educational. What kind of boat do you recommend for use on a lake?
Where can I get an inexpensive longboard?
Q. Hi Gear Guy, I like skateboarding. I think it is fun. Do you have a skateboard? If you do, is it a longboard or a regular board? I live in Indiana; where could I get an inexpensive longboard? Thanks for your time.
Using a mouthguard to protect your teeth
While helmets, goggles and kneepads protect your head and body, it's also important to protect your teeth. A mouthguard is an easy, reliable way to safeguard your teeth during sports and play.
Sharpening a knife without a whetstone
Q. Hey Gear Guy, which devices (other than a traditional whetstone) can I use to sharpen my knife? How well do they work?
Preventing and treating blisters
Q: My ankles and soles of my feet get very sore when I walk for two miles. What can I do?
How to prevent or cure athlete’s foot
Q: Are there any good ways to prevent or cure athlete's foot?
Recommended mountain skateboard?
Q. I'd like to buy a mountain skateboard. What kind of board would you recommend for me?
Stuff We Like: Magellan eXplorist 110 GPS receiver
Finally, there's a global positioning system receiver with a bright, full-color screen and an affordable price tag.
Where to find affordable warm clothes
Q. Dear Gear Guy, I’m going on a Bluenose camping trip and was having trouble finding the right gear. What are some good brands for warm clothes that are also affordable?
Stuff We Like: Kelty Lumaspot Rhythm
If you and your buddies have ever dreamed of turning your tent into a disco, this is exactly what you need!
How to treat Tinea Versicolor rash?
Q: I get a blotchy rash on my chest and back in the summer that my doctor told me is something called “Tinea Versicolor.” What causes that and how can I treat it?
How to treat a knife cut
Q: What do you do for a knife cut?
How to tie something down
Q. What's the best and easiest way to tie something down? My dad is always showing me different knots, but they are so hard I can never remember them.
My bike helmet seems to be causing acne
Q: Doc, I sometimes get a breakout of acne right where my bike helmet rubs against my chin. Is that normal? What can I do about it?
How to properly store camping equipment
Q. How do I properly store and care for my camping equipment?
What causes rash under shin guards?
Q: Hey, Dr. K! I get a rash under my shin guards every time I play soccer. What can I do to make it go away?
Is a duffel or backpack better for camping?
Q. Which is better for camping, a duffel or a backpack?
Why does poison ivy cause a rash?
Q: What is it about poison ivy that makes it cause such a bad rash?
Learn how to remove an attached tick
Q: What's the best way to remove a tick?
How to treat a blister
Q: Should I pop a blister and, if so, is there a "best" way to do it?
Are wearable sleeping bags worth it?
Q. I’ve heard of sleeping bags that have arms and legs, so you can move around in them. Are these bags worth it?
Best way to waterproof canvas tents
Q. I am a Scout from New Zealand, and we struggle with keeping our Scout group’s canvas tents waterproof — they are pretty old. How can we make them waterproof?
Winter Warriors
Scouts in Minot, N.D. know plenty about winter camping. They experience it for much of the year.
Where to buy the Cub Scout lightweight bag
Q. Hi Mr. Gear Guy. I saw a sleeping bag in Boys’ Life. It is called Cub Scout lightweight bag and says Cub Scouts on the actual sleeping bag. Where can I purchase that bag? Thanks!
How to Identify Stars in the Winter Sky
Here's an easy way to trace your way from one winter constellation to another.
Simple, affordable lock-back knife
Q. When I get a new traditional lock-blade knife, it often messes up within the first hour. When I close it, the blade flips in and out and will not completely shut. Why isn’t it working?